Róisín Shortall
Ceist:200. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of staffed chairs available to deliver chemotherapy by month in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [3691/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (200)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (201)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who started chemotherapy by month in each of the years 2019 to 2022, in tabular form. [3692/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (202)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:202. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons attending chemotherapy within the recommended timeframe by month in each of the years 2019 to 2022. [3693/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This PQ relates to operational matters and has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (203)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who are currently waiting to access chemotherapy; and the number and proportion of whom are waiting longer than the recommended timeframe. [3694/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (204)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:204. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 6 December 2022, the geographical spread of all GP leads onboarded and in advanced stage of recruitment in CHO3, by local electoral area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3732/23]
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.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (205)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:205. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in this Department in each of the years 2018 to 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [3735/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A breakdown of the staff employed as whole-time equivalents (WTE) in the Department of Health in each of the years 2018 to 2022 is set out in tabular form below. Our monthly numbers are calculated at the end of each month and the January 2023 figure will be available in February.
|
Year |
Staff WTE |
|
2018 |
475 |
|
2019 |
521 |
|
2020 |
595 |
|
2021 |
673 |
|
2022 |
632.6 |
Farm Inspections
Ceisteanna (206)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding farm inspections in bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3399/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require my Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with scheme eligibility criteria and Cross Compliance requirements. These inspections, including cross compliance, are mandatory and there are minimum numbers and types of inspections that must take place annually.
The inspection of sheep flocks is a necessary component of animal identification and registration checks for animal traceability purposes.
These inspections also serve to underpin our food safety and marketing credentials at home and abroad. Inspections of sheep flocks are also required under the Sheep Welfare Scheme and inspections in respect of this Scheme are currently ongoing nationwide.
Such inspections are a legal requirement and must be carried out within certain timeframes and to the required standards. These inspections require officials to count all sheep present on the holding and to also conduct checks in relation to the maintenance of records and ear tagging. My Department’s aim is to expedite payments to farmers and to avoid disallowances at EU level.
In accordance with the commitments laid down in the Farmer’s Charter, in carrying out inspections in hill sheep areas, my Department will take account of the timing of inspections relative to lambing and when sheep move to and from the hills for routine management requirements and are providing the maximum notification and tolerances allowed and do take account of the unique circumstances in the hill areas.
My Department's inspecting officers are fully aware of the difficulties that can be encountered, including the poor weather conditions, and do their utmost to take this into account when planning on farm inspection work.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (207, 214, 215)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if clarification will be provided on the proposed sale of lands by Coillte (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3443/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraViolet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:214. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at what point his Department began to engage with an organisation (details supplied) on the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3733/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraViolet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:215. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Coillte employed an open tender process for partnership on the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund before partnering with an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3734/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 214 and 215 together.
The Deputy has raised a number of operational questions on this Investment Fund. As Coillte is operationally independent of the Department, I have referred these to Coillte for direct response to the Deputy.
On the broader issues, let me again highlight that this Government has committed €1.3 billion to the new Forestry Programme. The primary aim of the Programme is to enable Ireland to use its potential for afforestation to help meet its national emission reduction and biodiversity obligations while, at the same time, supporting the forestry sector and farm families. This is biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever introduced by any Government here, and it has been designed to ensure that farmers will be its primary beneficiaries.
There is also a role for Coillte in helping to achieve our ambitious afforestation targets, and the new Forestry Programme will provide for this too.
Coillte advised the Department of its intention to increase its afforestation during the development of their new Forestry Strategic Vision, which was launched on 21st April 2022. A Shareholder Letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 2nd June 2022 which included a direction to the Company to “develop initiatives to support and realise the planting of such forests to a meaningful scale in the years ahead, whether as part of their core business or as participants in a subsidiary or partnership enterprise”. Prior to this there was ongoing contact between Coillte and the Ministers in the Department as well as our officials dating back to 2021 as they updated on the development of their Strategy. While the detail of an Investment Fund was not finalised or discussed in detail, Coillte indicated that it would be an enabler of new afforestation through the Coillte Nature initiative for planting native woodlands and through their involvement in Afforestation Funds focussed on commercial forestry.
As I have previously outlined, the question of consent or approval by the shareholders does not arise in relation to Coillte’s role in providing services to the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund. It is an operational matter for Coillte and they were under no obligation to seek consent. My understanding is that the Fund became operational on 18th December 2022. A public announcement was made on 8th January.
I understand from Coillte that Gresham House Asset Management Ltd. was identified as the preferred partner to raise capital, (and to manage such capital in line with all Central Bank and other relevant regulations), through a competitive, independent process.
Coillte will not sell any existing publicly owned forests to the fund, nor will Coillte seek to purchase any other public land on behalf of the fund. Any land purchased by the fund will already be in private ownership, and no private landowner will be forced to sell land to the fund. The scale of the new planting envisaged is such that Coillte does not expect the establishment of the fund to have an impact on the price of farmland, nor indeed is it in any way in the interest of Coillte or the fund to drive up land prices at a time that they are seeking to acquire land.
Senior representatives of Coillte met with myself and Minister Hackett on 19th January and outlined their intention that the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund will plant an average of 700 hectares of new forests across each of the next five years. They advised that the total area of new forests planted through the fund will deliver roughly 3.5% of the 100,000 hectares of new forests Coillte has committed to enabling by 2050. Of the State’s overall national target of 450,000 hectares of new forests by 2050, the fund will plant less than 1% of that total. They further outlined that the Fund is one of a number of models Coillte will deploy in contributing to the States overall forestry targets. There is also potential for Coillte to deliver new forests at scale on public land and in the context we are encouraged by the progress Coillte is making in engaging with local authorities and state bodies to identify land that is already in public ownership and suitable for forestry.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (208)
Marian Harkin
Ceist:208. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify an issue in relation to a Coillte felling licence (details supplied). [3449/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under Section (7)(2)(b) of the Forestry Act 2014 the tree felling licence LM01-FL0011 was suspended because of siltation mobilisation on site. A remedial action plan was requested from Coillte. Coillte undertook to continuously monitor the site while the work programme was adjusted to ensure that further mobilisation did not occur.
The amended licence issued by my Department was subject to a number of additional conditions including adequate mitigation measures according to a specific remedial action plan agreed between Coillte and the Department. This included daily water monitoring.
The amendments to the licence were not of a nature considered to require a second public consultation as they did not materially affect the original decision of the Department in relation to the felling and replanting works, but were more related to the monitoring and supervision of the management of the licensed works on site.
However the amended licence was put on the Department’s Forestry Licence Viewer, along with the remedial plan, and was open to be appealed by the applicant to the Forestry Appeals Committee in accordance with Section 7(3) of the Forestry Act 2014, and the applicant was informed accordingly.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (209)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:209. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons employed by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara; and the location in which they are employed. [3503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issues referred to in the Deputy’s question relate to operational matters pertaining to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to BIM for direct response to the Deputy.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (210, 211)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:210. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and location of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara ice plants in the State. [3504/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouise O'Reilly
Ceist:211. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all An Bord Iascaigh Mhara ice plants are complaint with fire safety and health and safety regulations. [3505/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
The issues referred to in the Deputy’s questions relate to an operational matters pertaining to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to BIM for direct response to the Deputy.
Horticulture Sector
Ceisteanna (212)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:212. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is planning to support growing exports deriving from the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3565/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides support to the horticulture industry through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector.
Financial support is available to assist growers and businesses through grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.
This scheme allows for an increase of production capacity and diversification and thus the ability to tap into export opportunities for horticultural produce.
A budget increase to €10 million was secured for 2023. Subject to State Aid approval, the 2023 scheme is due to open early this year.
My Department continues to draw down funds from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to support the promotion of Irish mushrooms in the UK.
Approximately 80% of Irish mushroom production is exported to the UK. In 2022 €810,000 was assigned to Bord Bia for a TV and social media mushroom promotion campaign in the UK .
In addition, the Department administers the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables which allows growers to jointly market their produce in order to strengthen their position in the marketplace. Funding under this scheme can be used to target domestic and export markets.
My Department recognises the importance of the horticulture sector to the economy and to the many families and businesses across Ireland that depend on it. In recognition of this, my Department is currently developing a new Strategy for the sector which will be published later this year.
Industrial Relations
Ceisteanna (213)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:213. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a matter in relation to pay issues at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3626/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Moorepark Technology Limited (MTL) is a joint venture between Teagasc and the dairy industry - Teagasc is the majority shareholder, and nine dairy processing companies hold varying tranches of the remaining stock. The company operates on a commercial basis and any profits made are retained in MTL.
Section 48 of MTL’s constitution provides that staff may be remunerated on such terms as may be determined by MTL, subject to the consent of Teagasc, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Teagasc submitted a proposal to my Department in November to award MTL staff pay increases for 2022 and 2023. The proposal is being actively examined in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It’s expected that a decision will issue to Teagasc shortly.
Question No. 214 answered with Question No. 207.
Question No. 215 answered with Question No. 207.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (216, 217, 218)
Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:216. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding schemes in her Department which have funded communities in urban areas; and the monetary value of that funding in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3432/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul McAuliffe
Ceist:217. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the monetary value of funding provided by her Department to communities in Dublin north west in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. [3433/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul McAuliffe
Ceist:218. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of all funding provided by her Department, broken down by county or other administrative area across Ireland. [3434/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 217 and 218 together.
A vital part of my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. In the 2022 Revised Estimates, my Department was allocated €378 million. This funding ensured that we were in a position to further assist communities in north Dublin and throughout the country seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects. A gross budget of €429 million has been allocated to my Department for this year.
The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development through a range of measures. My Department supports this commitment through targeted investment and supports in both rural and urban communities, and by providing funding that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
We will continue to invest in and support communities in north Dublin and across the country through our wide range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, the Community Centre Investment Fund, Connected Hubs initiative, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.
I have also this week announced €50 million for a Community Recognition Fund for communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries, and this includes funding allocations for each of the Local Authority areas in Dublin.
Further details of funding amounts under the various schemes administered by my Department are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie