Written Answers Nos. 343-357
343. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline he is working towards to establish an inquiry into the State's response to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn inquiry into the states response to covid-19 is the remit of the Department of An Taoiseach. The Department of An Taoiseach have provided answers to similar questions relating to this topic in the last few days - PQ 11262/23 08th March, 2023 and PQ 10993/23 7th March 2023 - which may be of interest to the Deputy.
344. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an "RTÉ Investigates" report (details supplied) in relation to unregulated "psychologists" in the private sector; the reason this profession remains unregulated by CORU; the expected timeline for regulation of this profession; the steps he is taking to address this matter in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12158/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, CORU is Ireland’s multi-profession health and social care regulator. CORU’s role is to protect the public by regulating the health and social care professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (as amended), including setting the standards that health and social care professionals must meet to be eligible for registration and maintaining registers of persons who meet those standards.
Seventeen health and social care professions are designated for regulation by CORU. There are currently registers open for ten professions and CORU is continuing the substantial work required to open the registers for the remaining designated professions of Podiatrists; Social Care Workers; Psychologists; Counsellors and Psychotherapists; Clinical Biochemists; and Orthoptists.
The Psychologists Registration Board (PSRB) was established in 2017. The work of the PSRB includes consideration of the titles to be protected, the minimum qualifications to be required of existing practitioners, the qualifications that will be required for future graduates, and drafting the Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes.
In 2020 a public consultation on the draft Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training Programmes developed for the profession revealed significant issues and a lack of consensus on how to proceed with regulation. Having reached an impasse, CORU wrote to me on behalf of the PSRB in 2021 seeking guidance on how to proceed. I wrote to CORU in August 2022 requesting the PSRB consider a dual-stream and phased approach to regulating the profession, which would allow the PSRB to prioritise regulating psychology specialisms which present the greatest risk to public safety, while simultaneously continuing to work towards the long-term objective of protecting the title of ‘Psychologist’.
The PSRB have conducted an assessment of which specialisms should be prioritised for regulation using an evidence and risk-based approach. On Friday 3 March CORU wrote to me on behalf of the PSRB with their recommendations. I am considering these views with the goal of advancing this work as quickly as possible.
Owing to the significant body of preparatory work that the PSRB is required to undertake, it is not possible to say with any degree of accuracy when the psychology profession will be fully regulated. It is anticipated that the PSRB will require a number of years to complete its work.
CORU, the PSRB, and my Department are fully committed to delivering regulation of this very important profession.
345. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership of or part ownership of or under the control of both his Department and agencies under his remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12162/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
346. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a company (details supplied) and if they have been considered by two hospitals to tackle significant waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12180/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the venues in County Clare that are used by CAMHS; the services provided in each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/23]
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.
348. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he has fulfilled his commitment to facilitating homebirth services and midwife led services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12182/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health total number of vacant, disused or decommissioned properties owned by the HSE or Department of Health which potentially could be used for accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12206/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged with the Department of Housing and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) over the course of 2022 and this year in relation to the sourcing of properties which may be suitable for use in providing accommodation.
As part of this engagement, the Department of Health has provided to DCEDIY and Department of Housing a comprehensive overview of those properties currently owned by the HSE and surplus to health service requirements which may potentially be suitable for the provision of accommodation. Some 300 properties were identified in the overview and details of these properties were provided to DCEDIY and Department of Housing in 2022.
The Department of Health and the HSE continue to engage with Department of Housing and DCEDIY and other stakeholders in respect of the whole-of government response to the sourcing of properties which may be used to provide accommodation.
In addition to the comprehensive list of properties, the HSE have also seconded a key member of their estate accommodation team to the Interdepartmental Ukrainian Refugee Accommodation response.
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/23]
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.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a full medical card might issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12233/23]
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.
352. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increased costs of renewable fuel energy; if they will reduce in price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12120/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe volatility in cost of fuel and energy prices is due to a range of external factors, including the war in Ukraine. Prices for oil, gas, including wood pellets and firewood has seen increases across Europe as result of supply and demand pressures.
As I have outlined before using wood for energy and wood pellets to heat homes is a sustainable alternative to using fossil based fuels. On the Island of Ireland, we have a number of suppliers manufacturing wood pellets and material is available in a number of outlets. I would also point out that Irelands forests are currently producing over 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply will increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030. An increasing supply of biomass from this resource provides the raw material for the production of pellets and biomass for energy. My Department does not have any role in deciding on the price of pellets and it is determined by the markets.
353. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if this State gathers data on the amount of rodenticide sold in Ireland each year, or on the amount imported into Ireland each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12177/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approval and uses of rodenticides are regulated under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 528/2012), which has been given effect in Irish law by S.I. No. 427/2013.
My Department is the Competent Authority in Ireland with responsibility for this legislation. Pursuant to S.I. No. 427/2013, all rodenticide products are authorised by DAFM before they can be made available for sale and use.
There is no requirement under EU legislation obliging Member States to gather information on sales figures for biocidal products or on amounts imported or exported. However, authorisation holders must maintain records of biocidal products which they place on the market and Member State competent authorities may request this data. To date my Department has not collated data on the amount of rodenticide sold in Ireland but will do so over the coming year so that we have accurate data to inform policy in this area.
Details of authorised rodenticide products are published on our website and my Department continues to work closely with stakeholders on the safe use of rodenticides.
354. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is his intention to increase the payment for the sheep welfare scheme to €30 per ewe, as requested by the farming organisations due to the poor prices for sheep and the increase in the cost of feedstuffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12084/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and the Government are fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy. Sheep farmers are hugely committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product and the Government recognises that.
Market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers and the Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. I do recognise the pressure that sheep farmers have been under as a result of the downturn in the markets over the past number of months.
My Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
The new Sheep Improvement Scheme has over 19,000 applications submitted. The scheme replaces the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme but shares the same aim of improving animal health and welfare in the sector, with a 20% increase in the ewe payment rate - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other schemes in addition to Sheep Improvement Scheme, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which I know will benefit to many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
At my request, the Food Vision Sheep Group met recently to discuss the sheep market situation. All the main stakeholders are represented on the Group and were invited to make submissions. I will carefully consider the Chair’s report on the outcome of the Group's deliberations and we continue to monitor the market situation in the sector.
While market returns have reduced from the record prices of recent years due to increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that 2023 family farm income for specialised sheep farms will be 2% down on 2022 at €19,500, due to the important role which direct payments play in contributing to sheep farm incomes.
However, I have now asked officials in my Department to examine what potential supports, if any, could be put in place to support our sheep farmers in light of the recent challenges. Budgets for 2023 have been set and are locked in place so any changes to this will require scoping out as well as diverting funds from previously agreed areas.
We have a sheep sector that is the envy of the world with our sheep farmers at the core of everything we do. I want to ensure there is a long-term and sustainable future for the sector.
355. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to support the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and the Government are fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy. Sheep farmers are hugely committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product and the Government recognises that.
Market prices are a commercial matter between suppliers and buyers and the Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. I do recognise the pressure that sheep farmers have been under as a result of the downturn in the markets over the past number of months.
My Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
The new Sheep Improvement Scheme has over 19,000 applications submitted. The scheme replaces the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme but shares the same aim of improving animal health and welfare in the sector, with a 20% increase in the ewe payment rate - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other schemes in addition to Sheep Improvement Scheme, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which I know will benefit to many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
At my request, the Food Vision Sheep Group met recently to discuss the sheep market situation. All the main stakeholders are represented on the Group and were invited to make submissions. I will carefully consider the Chair’s report on the outcome of the Group's deliberations and we continue to monitor the market situation in the sector..
While market returns have reduced from the record prices of recent years due to increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that 2023 family farm income for specialised sheep farms will be 2% down on 2022 at €19,500, due to the important role which direct payments play in contributing to sheep farm incomes.
However, I have now asked officials in my Department to examine what potential supports, if any, could be put in place to support our sheep farmers in light of the recent challenges. Budgets for 2023 have been set and are locked in place so any changes to this will require scoping out as well as diverting funds from previously agreed areas.
We have a sheep sector that is the envy of the world with our sheep farmers at the core of everything we do. I want to ensure there is a long-term and sustainable future for the sector.
356. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to improve dog control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11883/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware the Department of Community and Rural Development are the lead department in relation to control of dogs.
Minister Humphreys and I held a meeting on Monday 9th January and instructed officials to convene a working group on the control of dogs’ issue. The terms of reference of the group have been agreed and are published on my Department’s website.
This group has now held six meetings and will continue to meet regularly in the coming weeks.
The working group examined issues related to dog control and made recommendations for actions to address this problem. The report of the group has been submitted to myself and Minister Humphreys and we are considering it carefully. I will be bringing a Memorandum to Government shortly on this issue.
The group will continue to meet to coordinate action on these issues across departments and agencies.
357. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to recent Teagasc research (details supplied) into the sequestering of carbon on Irish farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8431/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Teagasc that the research in question was based on data from five mineral grassland sites monitored by the Teagasc Environment Research Centre, Johnstown Castle, County Wexford. The average sequestration rate was -1.5 tCO2e, ranging from -0.75 to -4.11 tCO2e per hectare per year. These studies were conducted over a limited number of sites and years. There were no agricultural peat soil sites included in these studies, which are currently a major source of emissions in the inventory.
The sequestration rate at sites in Johnstown Castle varied due to land-use change, changes in farm management practices and due to climate variation, such as dry years. The effect of these factors can switch soils from being a net sink to a net source of carbon emissions. All of these factors require further measurement before the inventory can be amended and are subject to new research.
We provided Teagasc with €4.5 million for the purchase of equipment to fund the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO) to investigate the effect of soil type, land-use, farm management and climate on carbon emissions and sequestration across 30 Irish sites. Teagasc is currently completing the establishment of the carbon observatory and has recruited new staff to manage the infrastructure. Ultimately, this research will help farmers to produce carbon balances more accurately for their specific farms and support carbon farming initiatives.
We are also funding the ‘AGRI-SOC’ project led by Teagasc to evaluate land-use and management impacts on soil organic carbon in Irish grasslands. This project aims to provide better mitigation options and a toolkit for farmers to assist the sector both in terms of a reduced carbon footprint for agricultural produce and to provide more accurate measures of carbon sequestration in grasslands for improved national inventory reporting.
In addition, we are funding Irish researchers involved in collaborative European projects under the European Joint Programme on Soil that also involves research on soil carbon sequestration. In a further effort to build on this, sequestration is also included in the specification of the Department’s Thematic Research Call 2023 that I launched in recent days.
