Written Answers Nos. 221-240
221. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting time of five years to see a weight management specialist; when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. While significant work continues to positively impact on waiting times and improve pathways to elective care, acute hospitals have been impacted by operational challenges arising from surges in cases related to the Omicron variants.
The HSE has confirmed to the Department that patient safety remains at the centre of all hospital activity and elective care scheduling. To ensure services are provided in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols.
The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care, including through increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services, providing virtual clinics, and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
The 2022 Waiting List Action Plan, which was launched on the 25th of February, allocates €350 million to the HSE and NTPF to reduce waiting lists. Under this plan the Department, HSE, and NTPF will deliver urgent additional capacity for the treatment of patients, as well as investing in longer term reforms to bring sustained reductions in waiting lists.
Within the plan, implementation of obesity care pathways has been identified as a high-level priority. The HSE is engaging with the Obesity Clinical Programme regarding a comprehensive proposal to develop Obesity services with a view to progressing implementation in 2022 in line with the Waiting List Action Plan. To support additional access in the short term St Columcille’s has secured once off funding through the 2022 Waiting List Action Plan.
The plan builds on the successes of the short-term 2021 plan that ran from September to December last year. The 2021 plan was developed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF and was driven and overseen by a senior governance group co-chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and the CEO of the HSE and met fortnightly.
This rigorous level of governance and scrutiny of waiting lists has continued into this year with the oversight group evolving into the Waiting Lis Task Force. The Task Force will meet regularly to drive progress of the 2022 plan.
This is the first stage of an ambitious multi-annual waiting list programme, which is currently under development in the Department of Health. Between them, these plans will work to support short, medium, and long term initiatives to reduce waiting times and provide the activity needed in years to come.
Under 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.
222. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the roll-out of free general practitioner cards to children over six years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28349/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and the HSE are engaged in preparatory work for the commencement of the initial stage of the phased expansion of GP care without fees to all children aged 12 years and under, the provision of GP care without fees to all children aged 6 and 7. Consultations with the IMO, representing GPs, are currently underway with the intention of introducing this service this year.
223. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of frontline workers who have received the pandemic bonus payment to date; when all payments are expected to issue to frontline workers eligible for the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28362/22]
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.
224. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the delays to the kaftrio cystic fibrosis medication for some groups; the reason for the delays; the steps that are being taken to expedite its availability for treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28364/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
225. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 240 of 3 May 2017, 1112 of 20 June 2017 and 1743 of 27 July 2021, if the information sought concerning the nature of negotiations between the State and an organisation (details supplied) during the transfer of St. Vincent’s Hospital from St. Stephen’s Green to Elm Park, concerning the agreement regarding the sale or transfer of the St. Stephen’s Green property after the hospital relocated and concerning all aspects of any agreement that have been honoured by the organisation; if any aspects of the agreement that have not been honoured can now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue referred to by the Deputy is, with the agreement of her office, being dealt with as a Freedom of Information request. My officials are currently examining the documentation and will be in contact with her office shortly to progress the matter.
226. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28396/22]
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.
228. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if the position set out in a January 2004 Departmental background paper published as an appendix to the Travers Report to the effect that the Health Act 1970 distinguishes between eligibility and entitlement and that the nature of the obligation imposed by the Act to make services available is not such as to confer an entitlement on an individual insofar as this may be taken to mean a legally enforceable right capable of being enforced by mandatory order, remains his position and or that of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28422/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 ( as amended) sets out a framework of eligibility for rather than entitlement to health services. The Act provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the State, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, all in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultants’ services, all out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, a termination of pregnancy service and a maternity and infant care service.
Persons with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including Consultant services, Emergency Department or minor injury care, are subject to certain charges. Other services such as allied healthcare professional services may also be made available to persons with limited eligibility.
229. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the current number of respite centres for adults with special needs in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
230. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the next stages in the process of bringing the new National Maternity Hospital to completion along with the key dates; when a business case will be brought before the relevant Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas; when it is expected to go to tender; the proposed date for construction to commence; the deadline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28441/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Public Spending Code (PSC) is designed to ensure that capital investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities. The PSC also provides detail on the business case requirements at each stage of the new project lifecycle.
All capital development proposals must progress through several approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated PSC, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The specific requirements that must be included in a business case at the various stages of the PSC, are detailed at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/public-spending-code/
The National Maternity Hospital (NMH) relocation project was initiated prior to the publication of the updated PSC, and therefore the NMH Project Board undertook additional work on the business case to ensure full compliance with the new PSC requirements.
A Final business case for relocation of NMH has been submitted to the Department by the NMH Project Board for review at Gate 2 of the PSC. The Business Case is now subject to technical review by the Department of Health, including through the External Assurance Process recently introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Pending favourable review under the Spending Code, a Memorandum for Government will then be brought forward to progress the programme for the NMH. If approval in principle is granted by Government, the project can move to deployment of a tendering strategy.
In the interim, I have asked the Project Board to identify opportunities to accelerate or parallel certain activities related to the development of the project that can be undertaken without presupposing the outcome of the Government decision on the pre-tender final business case. The Project Board will take steps to ensure that it can act quickly to progress the project through the next stages, should approval in principle be granted.
Based on the results of public procurement process, an updated Final Business Case will then be prepared by the NMH Project Board, seeking Government sanction to proceed with the main capital project to construct the new NMH.
The final decision to proceed with the construction and therefore to estimate the cost or key dates for the new NMH cannot be made until the tender process has been completed and the costings reviewed to ensure that the proposal delivers value for money and remains affordable.
231. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health the actions he will take in relation to the closure of beds in the busiest inpatient unit in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in the country ensure that resources are put in place so that these beds are re-opened as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28505/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was informed by the HSE on 11 May 2022 that due to recruitment challenges, the number of operational beds in the Linn Dara CAMHS unit must be reduced from 24 to 13 on a temporary basis. No patient has been or will be discharged early from the unit.
This regrettable situation has arisen because a number of nursing posts have become vacant simultaneously at Linn Dara for various reasons. I wish to stress that this is not due to lack of financial resources but solely because the nursing compliment available through the use of permanent and agency staff is no longer sufficient to continue to provide a full 24 bed in-patient service to a safe standard.
The HSE expect that the reduction in beds will continue until September next when new nursing graduates become available. The Executive will continue intense efforts to recruit staff as quickly as possible, with the skills and competencies to meet the needs of young people in this specialist unit. All four CAMHS units nationally will work collaboratively to maximise the use of existing national CAMHS bed capacity over coming months to minimise the impact of this development at Linn Dara.
While the reduction in capacity in Linn Dara will have an impact on waiting lists, the demand for in-patient beds in CAMHS units over the summer months is usually around half the normal level of capacity. Access to the CAMHS system is based on clinical assessment, with urgent cases prioritised.
The Deputy can rest assured that I will, in conjunction with the HSE, continue to closely monitor the position in relation to Linn Dara.
232. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the matter raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, I have referred the matter to the Health Service Executive, for a direct reply to the Deputy.
233. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet with persons (details supplied) who are calling for a public inquiry into the Department of Agriculture investigation into animal health problems on their farm in the mid-1990s. [28322/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was involved with other State agencies in an investigation of animal health and public health concerns in the Askeaton area of Co. Limerick over 20 years ago.
This Investigation was jointly undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, the Mid-Western Health Board and Teagasc.
Field investigations were undertaken on several farms and data was collected between March 1995 and December 1998. Interim reports were published by the EPA in December 1995, June 1997 and August 1998 and the final report was published by EPA on 06/01/2000 (ISBN 1-84095-067-6).
These reports detail all of the comprehensive studies of animal health, environmental health and human health parameters undertaken over the study period and the interpretation of those findings by experts from the agencies involved.
If any of the persons whose farms were investigated as part of these studies have any specific queries about any aspects of the investigation or any of the findings reported, my Department would be happy to consider those queries and provide whatever further clarification they can at this remove – with the caveat that this investigation concluded over two decades ago and all of the principal investigators from the different agencies involved have retired from public service.
234. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to the introduction of a tillage scheme to incentivise tillage farmers to grow catch crops which would provide significant additional fodder for the Irish livestock sector during the winter months where there is difficulty with affordability and availability of meal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee in March of this year. I tasked the Committee with preparing a multi-sectoral response to identify those issues that will arise for feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
Central at that time was the announcement of the Targeted Intervention Package which identified three key pillars aimed at supporting Irish families arising both from events in Ukraine and wider global price volatility. The package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops through the Tillage Incentive Scheme and introduces supports to encourage farmers to grow protein crops in 2022. Supporting domestic production of tillage and protein crops is a key mechanism in reducing Ireland’s reliance on imported feed materials.
The Package also included a Multi-Species Sward Initiative and a Red Clover Silage Measure to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming, and thereby reduce nitrogen fertiliser usage, while maintaining forage yield.
I have also brought forward a Memorandum for Information to Government on 3rd May 2022 on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, with the objective of supporting farm families to conserve silage and hay this year to ensure that nationally we have adequate stocks of fodder over next winter. This scheme will require approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is continuing to engage with that Department on the funding aspects of the scheme.
Acknowledging the timely announcement of the various measures to date, the National Fodder and Food Security Committee will continue to advise me in the coming months on issues relating to the security of supply of fodder for the coming winter including advice on what catch crops may have to offer.
235. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when consultation will take place with the Rural Development Programme Monitoring Committee to examine required modifications of the Rural Development Programme following the recently announced European Union Commission exceptional aid measure which will allow European Union member states to pay a one-off lump sum to farmers and agri-food businesses affected by significant increases in input costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission has made a proposal to allow European Union countries to pay a one-off lump sum to farmers and agri-food businesses impacted by significant increases in input costs and other inflationary costs due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The Commission proposal, which has not yet been finalised, is subject to co-decision by the Council and the European Parliament.
Ireland's Rural Development Programme provides a wide range of supports to farmers in order to achieve a range of economic, social and environmental objectives, and funding is fully committed to these measures.
I will explore all options to support our farm families especially during this current very challenging period.
236. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of land planted with new forestry in each of the past ten years; the areas for which a grant was provided; the area of land felled in each corresponding year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28246/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marione publishes a “Forest Statistics – Ireland” report each year, where forestry statistics may be found. The areas planted with grant aided new forestry and areas licensed for Felling in the last 10 years are included below. The Department does not report on areas afforested where grant aid was not provided.
According to the National Forestry inventory, the forest estate is approximately 770,000ha, which accounts for 11% of land cover of Ireland. The national forest estate is expanding in size due to annual afforestation even at the current rates. It is important to note that areas clear felled are obliged to be replanted following harvesting as per licences granted.
Estimates of projected harvesting are provided in the recently published COFORD All roundwood production forecast 2021-2040 which is available on the COFORD website WWW.COFORD.ie.
Statistics for area licensed for felling are as shown in table below, bearing in mind that this felling may not occur in the year in question, as licences may be valid for up to 10 years. It is worth noting that all areas felled are obliged to be replanted.
It is clear that the area under afforestation has been in decline in recent years. There are many reasons for this, including lack of farmer engagement. It is my aim to address this in the new Forestry Programme for 2023 - 2027, which is under development. This programme will be the main implementation vehicle for the Forest strategy.
The consultation on the new Forestry Strategy is ongoing with a public attitudes survey and a community engagement survey already completed while bilateral engagement with key stakeholders is nearing completion following widespread engagement.
Over 3,000 submissions have been received on an online public consultation on the future of forests in Ireland, which closed for submissions on 27th April. All outputs from this consultation will help form the new Strategy and in turn the new Forestry Programme.
It is our aim that the next Forestry Programme will be designed to encourage a substantially increased uptake of a wide range of afforestation measures.
|
Year |
Hectares of grant aided forestry planted |
|
2012 |
6,652.02 |
|
2013 |
6,252.06 |
|
2014 |
6,156.41 |
|
2015 |
6,292.81 |
|
2016 |
6,499.80 |
|
2017 |
5,535.75 |
|
2018 |
4,025.48 |
|
2019 |
3,549.89 |
|
2020 |
2,434.32 |
|
2021 |
2,016.48 |
|
Year |
Area licensed for Thinning (Ha) |
Area licensed for Clearfell (Ha) |
|
2012 |
13,390 |
3,493 |
|
2013 |
15,450 |
6,564 |
|
2014 |
16,014 |
12,012 |
|
2015 |
16,916 |
11,583 |
|
2016 |
154,397 |
9,780 |
|
2017 |
26,977 |
10,113 |
|
2018 |
25,688 |
14,157 |
|
2019 |
47,571 |
9,626 |
|
2020 |
7,605 |
11,870 |
|
2021 |
12,494 |
20,709 |
237. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that a change has been made to the passport for equines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrent legislation governing the transfer of ownership of equine animals is S.I. 201 of 2016. When my Department introduced initial legislation in this regard in July 2014, both parties to the transaction were required on the equine change of ownership declaration. However, this process was found to be cumbersome and ineffective in practice and was amended with effect from 1st January 2015.
While only the person acquiring ownership of an equine animal is currently required to sign a declaration confirming the change of ownership data, both parties to the transaction have responsibilities in ensuring that the provisions of S.I. 201 of 2016 are complied with. In this regard, the person who transfers ownership of an equine to another person must present the passport issued in respect of the animal to the new owner at the time of transfer. Both parties must also maintain a record of the transaction for a period of 5 years and these records must be made available for inspection by an authorised officer, on request.
S.I. 201 of 2016 clearly provides that a person shall not furnish information that is false, misleading or incomplete when making a declaration for the purpose of changing the ownership of an equine animal. As with other requirements in this legislation, this is a penal provision to which section 36(4)(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 applies.
While there are no immediate plans to change the current legislation on identification of equines, my Department's policy is to regularly review existing legislation with a view to improvement and evolution.
238. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to dairy farmers who find themselves locked into fixed-priced milk contracts in view of the ever-increasing production cost in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28387/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nature of all markets, particularly in export dependent sectors such as dairy, is that prices will fluctuate.
Curtailed global supply and sustained demand for dairy ingredients have now meant that markets prices are remaining positive. However, I am acutely aware of the pressures that farmers are under at present, arising from rapid increases in input costs.
Fixed price contracts are a commercial decision between dairy co-ops and their suppliers, and indeed can be an appropriate risk management tool for suppliers to guard against times of high volatility in milk prices.
I am aware that the unprecedented increase in input costs is creating particular difficulties for dairy farmers who have a significant share of their milk supply locked into fixed price contracts currently. I am pleased to see the recent move from many of the dairy Co-ops who have responded by increasing the price paid to farmers on existing fixed milk price contracts with an additional supplementary payment in response to increasing production costs.
I emphasise that it is not within my remit as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to intervene in commercial arrangements between supplier and purchasers. I am also aware that contractual arrangements will exist at other points of the supply chain.
However, I will continue to engage closely with the sector as we work together on the significant challenges arising from the illegal invasion of Ukraine. My Department will continue to monitor the market situation for dairy and other agri-food commodities.
239. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider supporting farmers in derogation with environmental schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28388/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CAP Strategic Plan proposed by Ireland will support all farmers, including Nitrates Derogation farmers, through a suite of measures under Pillar I through direct income supports, coupled aid for protein and Eco-Schemes as well as through Pillar II interventions including agri-environmental climate commitments and support for capital investments.
However, in all cases, farmers will only be paid for carrying out measures, actions or investments that exceed the regulatory baseline.
Nitrates Derogation farmers are subject to higher environmental conditions, in keeping with the recognition of higher environmental pressures on such farm and are only eligible for funding of measures that go beyond the minimum requirements set out in the terms and conditions applicable to those farmers operating under a nitrates derogation.
The only exception to the requirement for a funded measure to go above the regulatory baseline is where a new regulatory baseline or provision is introduced. In this scenario support may be granted for investments or commitments contributing to compliance with those new regulatory provisions for a maximum of 24 months from the date on which they become mandatory for the holding.
240. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans address the extreme volatility in farming based on a farm management deposit scheme model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28389/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, we work closely to ensure that it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agri-food sector.
As part of Budget 2019, a “Report on Tax Expenditures Incorporating outcomes of certain Tax Expenditure & Tax Related Reviews completed since October 2017”, including the implementation of the 2014 Agri-taxation Review, was published. It also included an “Evaluation of income stabilisation”, including consideration of a deposit-type scheme. The Minister for Finance decided not to introduce such a measure at the time.
Income averaging for farmers is an important agri-taxation measure and it assists in addressing income volatility. It allows farmers to pay tax based on the average of the preceding five years farming profits and losses.
As an additional support, farmers may also elect to temporarily step-out of averaging for a single year, for example where market returns are particularly bad and cashflow does not support the payment of an average year’s tax. The tax payable for that year is based on actual profits for that year, with the tax due on the average profits deferred.
The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to consider further taxation measures to manage evolving issues such as market volatility and this will be kept under review.
My Department recently considered this issue in the context of developing the CAP Strategic Plan and the role of direct payments and measures such as support for producer organisations and the Knowledge Transfer Programme, which provides financial management training, were identified as helping farmers to manage income volatility.
My Department also funds loan schemes, such as the Future Growth Loan Scheme and the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme, which also assist Irish farmers with access to finance and support in times of volatility.
