Written Answers Nos. 103-135
103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand awareness, access and affordability of menopause supports and treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women in Ireland today. Work is underway to drive progress in this area which is being driven by the Women’s Health Taskforce. The Taskforce was convened in September 2019, to improve health outcomes and health experiences for women and girls.
Awareness of menopause and its symptoms has been emphasised through the nationwide “Radical Listening” exercise carried out by the Women’s Health Taskforce. This exercise enabled women across the country to share their views and experiences of the health sector and health services. This was a large-scale consultation process intended to maximise the participation of women across all life stages from 18 years upwards, including minority and disadvantaged women.
278 women participated in open interviews and workshops, where menopause was a recurring theme. Through this process, the taboo around discussing menopause, and a lack of trusted information, were consistently raised as key issues for women experiencing menopause. I published a report on the findings of the ‘Radical listening’ exercise in September 2021.
The first-of-its-kind ICGP post of Clinical Lead for Women’s Health in General Practice has been established. In March 2022, Dr. Ciara McCarthy took up post as the Women's Health Clinical Lead. Her role will enable the development of a comprehensive life-course approach to women’s health in general practice, where the vast majority of advice and services for women at all stages in their health journey is available. Dr McCarthy’s appointment comes soon after the successful roll-out of the comprehensive new Certificate course in Community Gynaecology for GPs, which provides GPs with up-to-date training in a range of gynaecological presentations in general practice, with evidence-based learning on best practice, from contraception, sexual health, fertility, HRT and the menopause.
Additionally, the Women’s Health Taskforce engaged in discussions on menopause through the ‘Women’s Health Weekly’ presentation series in which key stakeholders presented to Taskforce members on important topics in women’s health. In November 2019, the topic of ‘Perimenopause and Menopause’ was presented, the video of this presentation is available on gov.ie and YouTube.
The HSE has developed a dedicated landing page - hse.ie/menopause - to improve user experience and accessibility to relevant information.
While the majority of women who seek support for their menopause can be effectively supported within primary care by their GP, approximately 25% of symptomatic women will require specialist medical expertise in menopause. Specifically, this cohort of women will fall within four broad categories:
Treatment does not improve their menopausal symptoms;
They have on-going troublesome side effects e.g. bleeding;
They have contra-indications to HRT; and
There is uncertainty about the most suitable treatment option for their menopausal symptoms e.g. complex medical history.
The intention is that these more complex cases can be dealt with in a number of specialist menopause clinics being developed around the country.
In September 2021, I announced my commitment to establish dedicated specialist menopause clinics across Ireland. The Women’s Health Action Plan 2022-23 committed to developing 4 specialist menopause clinics nationally in 2022. In April, I announced further investment to support 2 additional specialist Menopause Clinics, bringing a total of 6 such clinics nationwide for women who require complex, specialist care. These clinics will form a core part of a new approach to menopause care for women in Ireland and will be supported by enhanced community and primary care supports as well as the publication of targeted and trusted sources of information for women experiencing menopause.
Specialist menopause clinics will be provided in Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Cork working to complement the menopause support available to women in their community.
The first specialist menopause clinic in the National Maternity Hospital opened in December 2021. The clinic is multidisciplinary, supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and by clinical nurse/midwife specialists. In addition to seeing women who meet the clinical criteria for referral to the service, the clinical team also provides advice and guidance to GPs in the community to support the effective management of menopausal symptoms for women closer to home within primary care.
Additional activity underway and planned in the area of menopause includes:
- GP training is a key aspect of women receiving the best care through menopause. The Irish College of GPs are active members of the Women's Health Taskforce and continue to be engaged on how women's health can be better considered within the primary care setting. Relevant activity includes the collaboration between ICGP and the British Menopause Society to develop training in menopause management, which is currently in place; an ICGP Women’s Health Webinar on menopause and endometriosis which was held in June 2021 and had 1567 attendees; and a GP Education course which was established in September 2021 in the area of Community Gynaecology which includes menopause as a topic. Funding has been provided through the Women's Health Fund to develop a 'quick reference guide' for GPs on the menopause, to support primary care provision in this area.
- A number of health topics relating to women's health, including menopause, have recently been updated and are now live on the HSE A-Z webpage. This information is an important first step towards delivering enhanced information and education on menopause. A public information webinar on the menopause was held on November 29th, 2021.
- A civil service webinar on 'Menopause at work' was held on October 18th 2021, and further HR training to better understand the challenges and solutions for supporting women in their menopause journey within the civil service was held on November 30th 2021.
In addition to the activity outlined above, menopause will continue to be a priority for my department and this Government for 2022 through targeted funding for menopause projects via the Women’s Health Fund and implementation of the Women’s Health Action Plan 2022-2023.
104. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in addressing the backlog of audiology appointments in counties Cavan and Monaghan. [26201/22]
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.
105. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the action plan for University Hospital Kerry will be completed and implemented; the reason for the delay in its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26909/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Minister
106. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the work of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Health Care Assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my direction, a Cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group was established earlier this year in order to examine strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes.
To this end, a 'Call for Submissions' was issued by the Department to relevant stakeholders in December 2021. Following receipt of these completed submissions in January, Department officials undertook a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the nature and extent of the challenges in the sector to inform the structure and membership of this cross-departmental Group.
On completion of the scoping exercise, the inaugural meeting of this Group was held on 3rd March, 2022. At this meeting, the Terms of Reference for the Group, membership and action timelines were agreed. These Terms of Reference were published and are available on the Department’s website .
The Group has met four times to date and is presently working with key sectoral stakeholders in a structured programme of ongoing consultative engagements to further explore and define the issues, listen to stakeholder views, and identify approaches to respond to the strategic workforce challenges. As such the Group provides a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address the workforce challenges in the sector.
Areas being considered by the Group include recruitment, retention, training, pay and conditions, and the career development of front-line carers in home support and nursing homes into the future.
The Group will develop a set of recommendations for my consideration outlining the key findings and a proposed action plan to support implementation of these recommendations which will include periodic monitoring of progress. The Group has committed to delivering this set of recommendations to me by September 2022.
107. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the efforts to fill the vacant speech and language therapist position in Cashel Hospital, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25412/22]
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.
109. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of strategic implementation groups and a civil society forum to consult on the National Drugs Strategy. [26912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra114. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health the expected timeframe for the establishment of strategic implementation groups regarding the national drugs strategy; if he will provide an update on the expected meeting of chairpersons of each group before the end of May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health completed a mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy, based on the strategic action plan for the period 2017 to 2020. The review documents the progress made in implementing the strategic action plan and presents the views of stakeholders on the operation of the strategy, including the oversight structures. Partnership between the statutory, community and voluntary sectors continues to be the cornerstone of the strategy.
Six strategic priorities have been identified arising from the mid-term review of national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery; A health-led response to drug and alcohol use. Strategic Implementation Groups have put in place to support the implementation of these priorities, and they will work in tandem with the national oversight committee for the drugs strategy.
The Department has proposed to broaden and deepen civil society representation on the oversight structures for implementing the national drugs strategy. This will provide a stronger voice for civil society organisations in the implementation of the strategy. It is important to reiterate that there is no proposal to remove existing civil society representatives from the national oversight committee.
The Department has finalised the membership of six strategic implementation group, including representatives of civil society, following a open call for expressions of interest. The groups are now in the process of convening the first meetings.
As a subsequent step, it is proposed that the civil society representatives on the National Oversight Committee for the National Drugs Strategy, and Strategic Implementation Groups, will form a civil society group on drugs.
The Department has had initial discussions with civil society organisations in relation to the role of the proposed civil society group on drugs. Feedback received is being considered and the proposal is being elaborated to take account of this feedback.
I would like to repeat my commitment to working in partnership with civil society organisations in the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
110. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to fill vacancies in primary care in counties Cavan and Monaghan for children who are waiting for occupational therapy, speech and language support and psychology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26765/22]
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.
111. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a vaccine compensation scheme, as recommended in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26795/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn June 2018, the Government agreed to the establishment of the expert group to review the management of clinical negligence claims. It was chaired by the High Court judge, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan. The expert group examined the system from the perspective of the person who has made the claim to explore if there is a better way to deal effectively, yet more sensitively, with certain cases.
Mr. Justice Meenan submitted the final report on the current system for managing clinical negligence claims to the then Minister for Health and Minister for Justice in January 2020, prior to the onset of the COVID pandemic. The Government subsequently published the Meenan report in December 2020. One of the report's recommendations is that a compensation scheme be established.
On foot of a request from my Department, the Health Research Board, HRB, carried out an evidence review on the vaccine injury redress programme in other jurisdictions, which was completed in March 2019. The expert group's report, in addition to the HRB's evidence review, and consultation with other Departments and relevant State agencies will inform the development of proposals regarding the establishment of a compensation scheme, including the need for primary legislation.
While some preliminary scoping work has been undertaken by the Department, during the Pandemic all available Department of Health resources were devoted to the Public Health response. This has meant that progress on the development of policy in this area could not be progressed as intended.
There is still significant work required to develop proposals for consideration by Government regarding vaccine damage compensation. As part of that work, it is anticipated that consideration will also be given to the inclusion of claims relating to alleged adverse reactions from COVID Vaccines.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the Capital Building Programme is adequately provided for in the coming year with a view to ensuring the elimination of previously known pinch points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26836/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital investment has a critical role to play in enabling and enhancing service provision, and to drive the reforms as set out in Sláintecare. This includes investment to facilitate reorienting the model of care away from acute hospitals and towards primary and community settings and addressing capacity and infrastructural deficits that exist in the system.
The health capital funding available in 2022 for the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities is over €1bn and an increase of 4% on 2021. This investment will enable the HSE to progress projects across the country in 2022. Projects being progressed include:
- New children’s hospital
Acute hospital projects including additional capacity, critical care capacity and maternity services
- Primary Care Programme includes the building and equipping of centres across the country
- HIQA Programme for Community Nursing units includes refurbishment to HIQA standard of units throughout the country
- Disability includes continuation of the decongregation programme, respite and day services facilities
- Mental health facilities including CAMHS units and acute mental health units across the country
- Accommodation for Enhanced Community Care
- Investment in Trauma and Rehabilitation projects
- Investment in equipment replacement and infrastructural risk
- Investment in Climate Action and Sustainability projects
- Replacement ambulance programme and ambulance bases renovation
- This investment will allow for the progression and delivery of projects that address infrastructural deficits and that enable the much-needed reform in our health and social care services. I and officials in my Department will be working closely with colleagues in the HSE in the delivery of this programme.
113. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if specific funding has been allocated for the community service and support needs of those affected by foetal valproate syndrome as recommended in 2019 by the HSE; if a national co-ordinator has been appointed to oversee the diagnostic, assessment and care planning for those affected by foetal valproate syndrome; if not, the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, the question has been referred to the agency for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
115. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when the National Homecare Office in Tullamore will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26637/22]
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.
116. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if the Government has further considered setting up a commission of inquiry to seek the truth for families on the significant loss of life in a nursing home (details supplied) during the initial wave of Covid-19 in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25453/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the start of the pandemic there has been significant and ongoing consideration of the impact of COVID-19 and the evolution of the response to it, as evidence and knowledge emerged and as national and international understanding of the virus evolved. Throughout, this has included a specific and sustained focus on older persons, and in particular, those resident in nursing homes. Various examinations and development of reports with a focus on COVID-19, its impact on nursing homes and the pandemic learnings that can inform future policy, regulation and the model of care for older persons have been undertaken.
In particular, the independent COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel was established in May 2020, on foot of a NPHET recommendation, to examine the complex issues surrounding the management of COVID-19 among this particularly vulnerable cohort in nursing homes and to provide real-time learnings and recommendations to inform the ongoing approach to the management and mitigation of risk to older persons resident in nursing homes as the pandemic evolved. This report outlines the key protective measures that we must ensure are in place across our nursing homes, based on learning from our own and the international experience of COVID-19.
Significant progress has already been made in implementing the recommendations of the Expert Panel, particularly those recommendations requiring a priority focus in the response to COVID-19, and work to progress medium and longer term reform recommendations is ongoing across all of the health agencies and stakeholders.
More broadly, the Taoiseach has indicated that a comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will be undertaken which will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic over the past 2 years. This will help ensure that we are in a better, stronger position if another pandemic or another similar type emergency arrives. Consideration is being given as to what the best model for this evaluation will be.
In addition, I established a Public Health Reform Expert Advisory Group in January 2022. The Expert Group will initially focus on identifying learnings from the public health components of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland with a view towards strengthening health protection generally and future public health pandemic preparedness specifically. It is important that we have a strong and robust embedded public health system into the future.
129. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement that his Department had with other Departments in relation to a cross-Departmental approach to funding a club (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26717/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Programme for Government, my Department is fully committed to providing for additional urban horse welfare projects.
The Department continues to take a proactive approach in promoting the development of facilities for urban horse populations and in enabling and educating young people in the care and welfare of horses.
Work to support urban horse welfare projects is carried out in close collaboration with the local authorities, charities and community stakeholders, reflecting Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025.
My Department has shown considerable commitment to this project through the provision of the largest capital outlay in support of an urban horse programme. €503,000 was provided to South Dublin County Council in 2016 for the development of the Club’s infrastructure.
This funding was committed on agreement with the Council that the Club, when up and running, would be self-sustaining. Funding under the terms of the Urban Horse Projects is limited to the provision of education courses and infrastructure.
However, to assist with the initial sustainability of the project, the Department worked with the Club and the local authority towards the hiring of a part-time yard manager and subsequently a development manager, responsible for the further development of the Club. This agreement was subject to the Club agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding.
Last year, in consultation with the Council and following further representations from the Club Board, my Department agreed to provide a final tranche of short-term funding to the project through the Council.
This agreement was in the context of limitations imposed by COVID-19, the Club agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding and the proposed formulation of a strategy and robust governance for the organisation going forward.
To date, my Department has committed over €585,000 to the Project. In addition, officials from the Department have worked with the Club, have has a number of meetings with South Dublin County Council and communications with Government agencies in assisting the Club in attempting to source alternative funding.
I am pleased that discussions between the Club Board and the Council are continuing and I am hopeful that a long-term, sustainable model will be found.
130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support primary producers via the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. [26963/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) aims to provide financial support to the Member States and sectors most affected by Brexit. The eligibility criteria set by the European Union to qualify expenditure under the Reserve are stringent, and a key criterion is that any proposed expenditure must demonstrate a direct link to negative impacts arising from Brexit.
Within my Department to date, €43 million has been allocated in 2022 for Brexit-related purposes, of which €32 million has been allocated to the fisheries sector, €4 million to the horticultural sector, including €3 million to the seed potato sector which I delivered this week alone and €7 million to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing. This investment is being used to fund development of new products and markets as a consequence of Brexit.
In terms of the potential for further funding for the sector from BAR, including further funding for primary producers, my Department is currently assessing options for eligible measures, including in the context of future-proofing the sector against impacts of Brexit that may not have been fully realised yet.
These include the potential negative impacts associated with the additional costs that will arise for Irish exporters as a result of the introduction of new UK import controls when they are deployed, as well as the potential impacts that may arise from from future UK trade policy developments. Such measures would seek to maintain the competitiveness of Irish products on the UK market, and support the sector in diversifying and building resilience as a response to these future negative impacts.
My Department will continue to engage with stakeholders in this regard, as well as with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform - the designated body in Ireland to manage BAR funds - in order to confirm which impacts and measures meet the criteria for BAR funding.
131. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to amend the unfair trading practices legislation to make specific provision for farmers that supply retailers via processors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to establishing a new statutory body to enforce the UTP Directive, and to perform a price and market analysis function in the agri-food supply chain.
Pending the drafting of primary legislation for this new office, and in advance of the EU deadline for transposition of the UTP Directive, I signed a Statutory Instrument transposing the Directive into Irish law in April 2021. This SI transposed the Directive as it stood, as any amendments would have required primary legislation. I also established an interim enforcement authority in my Department which has all the necessary legal powers to enforce the UTP Regulations.
The UTP Directive and the implementing Regulations apply to business-to-business relationships in the agriculture and food supply chain, subject to certain annual turnover thresholds.
The business-to-business relationship concerns the contractual arrangement between suppliers and buyers. A farmer supplying to a processor is protected from 16 specific unfair trading practices in relation to their contract with that processor, whether the contract is oral or in writing. Similarly, the processor would be protected from unfair trading practices in their dealings with a retailer who is in a higher threshold bracket.
The Deputy will also be aware that on 22nd March last, the Government approved the priority drafting of the General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022. While the Bill allows for changes to be made to the unfair trading practices listed in the current legislation, the UTP rules enforced by the new Office will continue to be based on the business to business relationship between suppliers and buyers. As with any legislation, the impact of the Regulations, and of the Bill when enacted, will be reviewed over time to ensure they are having the effect intended.
In addition to the enforcement role the Office will have a very important price and market reporting and analysis function which will ensure the increased availability of market information with a view to strengthening the position of farmers, fishers and other suppliers in the agricultural and food supply chain against larger buyers with greater bargaining power. This new office may commission reports on what is happening in markets and on arrangements all along the agri food supply chain and may make recommendations on how matters can be improved, but moreover can provide important information to farmers to allow them improve their decision making.
I am confident that the new office will help strengthen the position of our farmers, fishers, and other suppliers of agricultural and food products in negotiating a fairer price for their produce and it is my intention that the new Office of Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply chain will be established over the course of this year. I am committed to delivering this office this year to help further support our farm families and their businesses.
132. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will quantify the expected greenhouse gas reduction in the dairy sector by 2030; if all of this reduction will be accounted for by solutions identified by the Food Vision Dairy Group or by alternative means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26830/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe dairy sector accounts for approximately 40% of total greenhouse gas emissions within agriculture sector, so it is clear that emissions from the sector will need to be stabilised and then reduced in order to bring the agriculture sector into its target reduction range of a 22%-30% reduction.
The Climate Action Plan 2021 also sets out the types of measures that the sector will need to adopt such as reducing chemical Nitrogen applications in fertilizer, increasing the use of protected urea and a more targeted approach to animal breeding.
The Food Vision Dairy Group, which I established earlier this year, is tasked with advancing the actions for the dairy sector identified in Food Vision 2030, the ten-year stakeholder-led strategy for the Irish agri-food sector.
The activities of the Group must also take account of the requirement for the dairy sector to contribute towards achievement of the targets set for the agriculture and land use sector in the Climate Action Plan 2021.
The Food Vision Dairy Group has been tasked as a priority to submit a report to myself as Minister, setting out how emissions from the dairy sector can be stabilised and then reduced. I understand that an interim report will be submitted to me very soon; and the Chair of the Group made a presentation this week to the Food Vision High Level Implementation Committee on progress to date.
I understand that a key further task for the Group, to be completed before the final report is submitted, will be to quantify the metrics associated with the proposed measures; including the impact in carbon dioxide equivalent reduction projections for each measure; the timeframe for implementation; the key costings; and the linkages and alignment between the proposed measures and those in the Climate Action Plan, AgClimatise, Food Vision 2030, and the CAP Strategic Plan.
I know that the dairy sector, which is the lifeblood of many parts of rural Ireland, is very conscious that the sector needs to stabilise and then reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sector, in order to contribute to our national ambitions on climate.
As well as the legal obligations to meet our climate targets, proof of environmental sustainability is essential in terms of maintaining and indeed growing the value of our dairy exports, which last year amounted to €5 billion, and were exported to up to 140 countries around the world. Maintaining and building on our reputation for safe, nutritious and sustainably produced dairy products and ingredients is key to the economic, social and environmental sustainability of this great sector in the future.
The Government will be fully supportive of these efforts. I am confident that working together we can stabilise and then reduce emissions from the dairy sector, positioning Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems, meeting our climate targets, and ensuring that the market delivers a reward for our quality, sustainably produced food, particularly for our farmers, and their families who are the bedrock of the sector.
133. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to address the matter of fertiliser costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26841/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current situation in relation to the cost and availability of fertiliser remains a significant concern. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy, feed and fertiliser prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption. This is being felt at farm level and is something that I am acutely aware of.
As the Deputy me be aware, I met with the main farm organisations and Teagasc on 8th March to discuss the impact of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine on Irish agriculture and supply chains.
At that meeting I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and tasked it with preparing an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains, and especially on input costs at European Union Agriculture Ministers meetings where I underlined the need for market support and consideration of any measures that may help to alleviate the difficulties caused, including the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market.
Within my Department, I also established a Rapid Response Team, chaired by the Secretary General, to actively monitor the impacts on agri-food supply chains and to contribute to the whole of Government response to this crisis, which it continues to do.
Given Ireland’s dependence on imported feed, I announced a package of targeted interventions for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative worth over €12 million to support Irish farmers on 22nd March. The package supports the growing of additional tillage and protein crops and the establishment of multi-species swards lowering demand for chemical fertiliser.
In addition, on the 3rd May 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, with the objective of supporting farm families to conserve silage and hay this year to ensure that we have adequate stocks of fodder over next winter. I expect to announce further details on the proposed scheme shortly. The financial supports previously announced, and those currently under discussion, will assist farmers in meeting the rising costs of fertiliser and in providing sufficient fodder for Winter 2022.
I launched the 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign in January in response to the unprecedented fertiliser price levels. This is a credible roadmap that will help farmers reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser.
I continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and am actively engaging with the EU Commission, across Government and with industry as this situation unfolds. This is period of considerable challenge for our sector. I have taken a proactive approach to supporting our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.
134. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to secure a share of the European Union’s quota of Atlantic bluefin tuna for the Irish fishing fleet to reflect the abundance of the species in Irish territorial waters and the Irish EEZ; and his views on whether such a quota could be of particular benefit to the inshore fishing fleet. [26031/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States on the basis of relative stability as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.
The only way to obtain a share of the EU quota now would involve changing relative stability within the EU and would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. This means that EU Member States with a national quota would have to give up a share of their allocation to Ireland. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and therefore poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.
Bluefin Tuna is a highly migratory large pelagic species which spawns in the Mediterranean and then migrates over a wide area of the North East Atlantic to feed. This migration brings some of the fish into the Irish 200 miles zone for part of the year. At the time we see fish in the Irish zone, there are also fish being caught in the international high seas and over a wide area from Spain to Norway. There is no survey from which the abundance in Ireland's 200 miles zone may be determined.
The CFP is reviewed every 10 years and the next review is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year when the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP. I have made clear that this review must be detailed and comprehensive. At EU level, all stakeholders have an opportunity to engage actively in the review work including the fishing industry, eNGOs and Member States.
I am committed to doing all possible through the review of the CFP to secure additional quota where possible for Irish fishers. I have established a national Common Fisheries Policy Review group of relevant stakeholders to examine the issues that arise for Ireland in the context of the CFP Review, to advise me on priorities for the negotiations and to identify strategies most likely to influence the outcome of the review. The Group is chaired by Mr. John Malone, former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, and assisted by a steering committee comprising Mr. Micheál Ó Cinneide, former Director of the MI and EPA and Mr. Donal Maguire, former Director in BIM. The Group involves representatives of key stakeholders, including industry representative groups and the environmental NGOs. I look forward to receiving this report which will provide a strong basis for progressing all aspects of Ireland's case for change in the CFP.
135. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase compliance and enforcement of the Nitrates Directive; if increased inspections by his Department under the Nitrates Action Programme 2022-2025 will be targeted at those catchments with the highest levels of nitrate pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26829/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is the Government Department responsible for the Nitrates Regulations. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) works closely with that Department on the Nitrates Action Programme and the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations.
Ireland's 5th Nitrates Action Programme and the latest regulations, that is the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations were finalised by my colleague, Minister Darragh O'Brien and published in March 2022. Both will run until the end of 2025 with an interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme due to take place next year. The new Nitrates Action Programme includes a number of new strengthened measures, including a focus on improving compliance and enforcement.
Local authorities are responsible for the inspection programme under the Good Agricultural Practice Regulations, while DAFM is responsible for undertaking Cross Compliance in regard to direct payment schemes and also for Nitrates Derogation inspections. We are all committed to upolding our standards or water quality and driving even further improvements.
As set out in the Nitrates Action programme, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in conjunction with local authorities and other appropriate bodies, will develop and implement a National Agricultural Inspection Programme led by local authorities. These inspections will be more targeted and risk-based with a stronger focus on compliance, follow-up enforcement and cross-reporting to my Department.
In relation to Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, this has been secured for 2022 – 2025 and one of the requirements of this is to increase the annual inspection rate from 5% to 10% of all farmers applying for a nitrates derogation.
This will increase the number of derogation farms being inspected by my Department each year from approximately 350 to approximately 700. This doubling of the inspection rate combined with the continued risk-based approach to selection of farms for inspection represents a significant increase in enforcement activity.
In terms of cross compliance, under the EU Regulations governing the Direct Payments Schemes and Rural Development measures, 1% of applicants must be inspected annually to ensure compliance with the various Statutory Management Requirements or SMRs. These include SMR 1 which relates to compliance with the Nitrates Regulations. In the region of 1,500 inspections are completed annually by my Department to meet this regulatory requirement. This will continue under the new Regulations.
Water quality is the bedrock of our environment and our industry. Our farmers are committed to driving even further imporvements from our already strong starting point. I will work closely with our farm families in driving this important improvement.
