Joe Carey
Ceist:876. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36267/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (876)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Service Level Agreements
Ceisteanna (877)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:877. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health when arrangements will be put in place to process a service level agreement with an organisation (details supplied); if he will review correspondence from the chairperson of this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36269/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Abortion Services
Ceisteanna (878)
Sorca Clarke
Ceist:878. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure the provision of abortion services remain free, safe and protected. [36272/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas on 13 December 2018 and signed into law by the President on 20 December 2018. Services for termination of pregnancy commenced on 1 January 2019.
These services continue to be rolled out and expanded across the community and hospital system. Sections 26 to 28 of the Act provide universal access to termination of pregnancy services for people who are ordinarily resident in the State (i.e., services are provided free of charge).
Health Services
Ceisteanna (879)
Malcolm Noonan
Ceist:879. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue of an organisation (details supplied) being unable to locate an appropriate premises to accommodate its much-needed outreach service; the consequent overspill to its day service centre and the negative effect of this on its capacity for intake of new individuals; the actions that he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (880)
Michael Ring
Ceist:880. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of former civil servants who are currently serving on State boards under his remit; the number of former county managers and chief executive officers of local authorities who are currently on each of the State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33846/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that there are currently seven former Civil Servants appointed to State Agency Boards which fall under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (881)
David Stanton
Ceist:881. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the Irish fishing fleet is being supported under the emergency provisions of the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund to help with rising fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the publication of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021), I have announced a number of support schemes for our fishing fleet and wider seafood sector and coastal communities.
Over October to December 2021, a Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme made available supports of €4,600 up to €88,700 per month depending on vessel size for vessels to tie-up for a calendar month. Vessels in the Rockall squid fishery could tie-up for 2 months at these rates. In total, some 179 vessels availed of this scheme at a cost of €10 million.
I introduced this tie-up scheme again last month and it will operate until October or November this year. To further assist the fishing fleet in these difficult times, I am allowing each vessel to receive aid for 2 months in 2022. Already, some 67 vessels availed of the scheme for the month of June.
For the inshore fleet, a Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme operated over January to March and was availed of by 754 inshore fishing vessel owners at a cost of €2.5 million. The scheme provided aid of €2,700 to owners of vessels under 8 metres and €4,000 to owners of vessels of 8 to 18 metres. Each participant was provided with a suite of 4 training modules to assist them in adjusting their business to the post Brexit environment. In addition, a Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme is underway and is investing €600,000 in 2022 in promoting stocks of interest to inshore fishers to support prices at the quayside.
Separately, a €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme is open for applications at present, with the aim of supporting the seafood processing sector to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of Brexit, and assisting the sector to move further up the supply chain to produce higher value seafood products. Grants of up to 50% for capital investment are available.
For coastal communities, a €25 million Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme is open for applications and aims to counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit on businesses operating in the blue economy in our coastal regions. The scheme offers aid of up to €200,000 for capital investments and also offers aid for training and mentoring.
Further support schemes are anticipated in coming months, including a voluntary decommissioning scheme, subject to State Aid clearance.
In relation to the impacts of increased energy costs arising from the Russian aggression against Ukraine, Government is acutely conscious of the impacts across the economy. This matter is being kept under constant review and is the subject of ongoing consultation with representatives of our seafood sector.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (882)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:882. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of PhD positions funded by his Department or agencies under the aegis of his Department such as Teagasc; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35287/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is currently funding three PhD positions which are being pursued on a part-time basis by all of the officers concerned.
The matter of funding PhD studies in those State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred this query to the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly on the matter.
Maritime Jurisdiction
Ceisteanna (883)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:883. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek approval to seek an extension of Ireland’s marine zone, changing the 0-6 mile limit to a 0-12 mile limit and changing the 6-12 mile limit to a 12-20 mile limit; the benefits to our fishing communities and the wider economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 the Voisinage Agreement, no EU Member State or Third Country has access to our 0-6 nautical miles zone. 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 Common Fisheries Policy Basic Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013).
I had sought that this issue be dealt with in the context of the CFP Review. The matter of access to waters for fishing fleets is a sensitive issue and cannot be looked at in isolation. However, the Commission views this as a technical amendment. This means that the proposal is moving ahead of the CFP review process.
I had initially sought to extend Ireland’s current exclusive 6 nautical mile zone out to 12 nautical miles and create a new restricted zone between 12nm and 20nm with access for fleets with traditional fishing activity in that zone. Both of these changes were intended to provide a level playing field for Irish vessels and to enhance the sustainable exploitation of stocks within Ireland's 12 nautical mile zone.
Having carefully considered the concerns of some Member States, and in the spirit of compromise, I removed the request for restricted access to the 12-20nm zone. However, I continued to argue for an amendment to seek exclusive access to the 12 nautical miles zone around Ireland for our own fishing fleet. 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.
I have had ongoing engagement with Commissioner Sinkevicius on this issue. I have also been engaging with the French, Belgian, Dutch and German Fisheries Ministers. In May, I met with the French Fisheries Minister to further discuss my proposal and Ireland's concerns. France is the most impacted of the four Member States and France currently has the Council Presidency. On the margins of the May Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I met with the Dutch and German Fisheries Ministers to discuss this matter further.
I highlighted in particular the unacceptable impact of the TCA on our fisheries and the importance of a re-examination and full review of the CFP to ensure a fair, balanced and equitable policy, and explained the strong case for my proposal in relation to our 12 miles zone.
Other Member States did not support Ireland's proposal and on 1st June a Council General Approach on the rollover of the derogations was adopted with only Ireland opposed.
However, Ireland was able to secure an amendment to the text which provides that both the duration and scope of this extension to the derogations may be revised in the framework of any review of the CFP.
The draft Regulation is due to be discussed by the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee later this month. Once the Parliament has adopted its negotiating position, trilateral negotiations between the Council, European Parliament and Commission will commence.
Brexit Supports
Ceisteanna (884)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:884. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 15 June, 2022, if the specific European Commission rules or European Union regulations that limit support under the Brexit processing capital support scheme apply to SMEs only. [35472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I was pleased to announce on 12 May a new €45 million Brexit Processing Capital Support Scheme. The scheme delivers on a recommendation of the Seafood Taskforce and offers grant rates of between 30% and 50% for capital investment in SME seafood processing enterprises, varying depending on the degree of value adding in the project.
The scheme is designed to counter the adverse consequences of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. It seeks to support the processing sector to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and Brexit, while also building more environmentally friendly, sustainable and competitive enterprises which serve the EU and wider global markets, create higher levels of employment more locally, and make better and more sustainable use of Irish landed or imported raw material. The scheme is aimed at supporting industry led transformative capital investments that enable the sector to focus on 'creating more from less' in the wake of reduced supply of raw material and at moving enterprises in the sector further up the supply chain to produce higher value products and shift the industry to a focus on secondary processing and beyond to products targeting end-user markets. The scheme will be proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
The scheme received State Aid clearance on the basis that it provides supports to SMEs only. This is consistent with the European Commission’s State Aid Guidelines which require consistency with the provisions of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation (508/2014), which in turn restricts grant aid to the processing sector to SMEs only. Both article 69 of the EMFF Regulation for the 2014-20 period and article 28 of the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Regulation (2021/1139) for the 2021-27 period restrict grant supports for capital investment in seafood processing to SMEs. Supports to non-SMEs is permitted only through financial instruments.
Common Agricultural Policy
Ceisteanna (885)
Mary Butler
Ceist:885. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that, in the version of Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 as submitted to the European Commission, there is a clerical error in section 4.1.2.4.6 (Decision regarding the inclusion of other species, such as shrubs and/or trees, which could be grazed and/or which produce animal feed, where grasses and other herbaceous forage are traditionally not predominant or are absent in grazing areas). The entry in this optional dialogue box should read "yes, heather species". The Department has notified the European Commission of this honest error, and it will be corrected in the final draft of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (886)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:886. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeline for a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have, however, been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an appeal was received in relation to the person-named in March 2022.
The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and all relevant documentation have been forwarded to the Appeals Office.
I am advised that the Director of Agriculture Appeals has recently assigned the appeal to an Appeals Officer for examination. I have been assured that this appeal will be dealt with in due course.
Trade Sanctions
Ceisteanna (887, 888, 889)
Colm Burke
Ceist:887. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of shipments of grain and feed ration that have been imported into Ireland from Russia in recent weeks, whereby these shipments were granted special permission to land in Ireland; if Ireland will be accepting further shipments from Russia in view of a ban on Russian-flagged ships docking in European Union ports under European Union sanctions as a result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Burke
Ceist:888. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any further shipments of grain and feed ration imported from Russia will be granted special permission to land in Ireland, despite a ban on Russian-flagged ships docking in European Union ports under European Union sanctions over the illegal invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35691/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraColm Burke
Ceist:889. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action that his Department is taking to reduce Ireland's reliance on imported feed ration and grains, in view of the European Union sanctions banning the docking of Russian-flagged ships in European Union ports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 887 to 889, inclusive, together.
The fifth package of EU sanctions that came into effect on 9th April 2022 and the trade provisions as set out in Council Regulation (EU) 2022/576, amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, included a ban on Russian-flagged vessels accessing EU ports from 16 April 2022. The EU sanction prohibiting Russian-flagged vessels accessing EU ports has an explicit derogation to allow for the import of agricultural and food products.
My Department made four recommendations to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment – as the relevant Competent Authority - for authorisation of derogations under Article 3ea(5) of the Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 (as amended) to allow Russian flagged vessels dock in Irish ports. These derogations for imports of animal feed met specific criteria, were in respect of purchases contracted prior to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and have since been landed in Irish ports. At this point it is not anticipated that there will be any further use of the derogation.
My Department regularly engages with feed industry representatives. Feed import companies have been actively engaged in sourcing alternative feed materials from existing and new sources, and regular commercial activities in this regard are ongoing.
In addition, I continue to encourage farmers to devote more land for arable use through the Tillage Incentive and Protein/Cereal Schemes which will bring significant benefits to reduce our future reliance on imported commodities albeit recognising that Ireland has a major deficit in grain production.
Question No. 888 answered with Question No. 887.
Question No. 889 answered with Question No. 887.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (890)
John McGuinness
Ceist:890. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the investigation into the general health of horses owned by a person (details supplied) given that the original problem was never resolved and persists; if an independent authority will be appointed to review his Department’s files on the case; if so, if the authority will be given a remit by his Department to investigate all available options to eradicate the disease; if the use of equine or similar treatments has been considered as a possible solution; if his Department will engage immediately with the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department’s laboratory and veterinary staff have engaged with Mr Madigan and his veterinary advisers on many occasions over the past twenty years or more regarding his concerns about the health status of his horses.
Comprehensive clinical and laboratory investigations have been undertaken by private veterinary practitioners, by my Department’s laboratory specialists, and by other specialist veterinary experts from the Irish Equine Centre and University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine, that were engaged by my Department.
However, none of these investigations have revealed any evidence of a clinical illness in Mr. Madigan’s horses that could be attributed to a specific infectious disease and no evidence was found to support Mr Madigan’s concerns about an infectious disease impairing the performance of his horses.
Therefore, my Department does not believe there is any indication for further investigation of Mr Madigan’s horses at this time. Any consideration of the use of licensed remedies is a matter for his veterinary practitioner. The specific product referred to, ‘Equimune,’ is not currently licensed for use in Ireland.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (891)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:891. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the track attendance at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium for 2021 and to date in 2022, broken down by the figures of paid entry, free entry, entry by adults and entry by children. [35767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Horse Racing Industry
Ceisteanna (892)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:892. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the attendance at the Curragh Racecourse for 2021 and to date in 2022, broken down by the figures of paid entry, free entry, entry by adults and entry by children. [35768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI and I have requested my officials to refer the question to them for direct reply.
Farm Inspections
Ceisteanna (893)
John McGuinness
Ceist:893. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all of the reports and the results of investigations carried out by his Department on the farm of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed by an independent qualified professional with a view to comparing the circumstances pertaining now on the farm relative to the period in the past when the initial investigations were undertaken; if this request will be considered in the context of things that can be learned from the process that may be of assistance to his Department and farmers should issues like those experienced by the person occur again elsewhere in the future and to add value to the money already spent by his Department on said investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department was involved with other public sector bodies in an investigation of animal health and environmental concerns on the farm of the person for whom the Deputy has provided details.
This inter-agency group (IAG) was convened in June 2004 and comprised my Department’s Laboratories, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Teagasc, the Health Services Executive (HSE) and Kilkenny County Council.
Two separate investigations and a review were undertaken.
The first of the investigations was led by my Department’s Veterinary Laboratory Service (VLS). Extensive field and laboratory investigations were undertaken on the farm. Laboratory results were provided to the herdowner on an ongoing basis and supports for a comprehensive herd health programme were also provided. On the conclusion of the VLS investigations and as part of the IAG, the VLS reported its findings in June 2006. This report was provided to the herdowner and his advisors at that time.
Subsequently and on foot of a request by the herdowner and his advisors, University College Dublin’s Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) was commissioned to conduct further epidemiological studies of problems on the farm. The CVERA report was completed in August 2009. This was provided to the herdowner and his advisors.
The IAG reviewed the findings of both investigations and published its final report in August 2010. This was also provided to the herdowner and his advisors.
Both investigation reports and the report of the IAG review referred to above, detail all of the comprehensive studies of animal health and environmental health parameters undertaken on this farm and the interpretation of those findings by experts from the agencies involved.
These reports have been in public domain since the conclusion of the investigative process over twelve years ago and remain available for review by anyone who wishes to access them.
Farm Costs
Ceisteanna (894)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:894. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to support dairy farmers in fixed price milk contracts bearing the financial burden of increased input costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The matter of fixed milk prices has been brought to my attention recently over the past few months.
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 some 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 must emphasise that it is not within the remit of my role 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, my Department continues to monitor the market situation closely for dairy and other agri-food commodities.