Written Answers Nos. 111-115
111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many herds in Ireland have been struck with Johne's disease; if he is aware of any supports for farmers facing this issue; and if he plans to introduce a scheme to help farms keep afloat during this devastating health issue time period. [17036/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraJohne’s disease is a chronic enteric disease of cattle and other ruminants, caused by infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). The disease is notifiable in Ireland under S.I. 130 of 2016 concerning the Notification and Control of Diseases affecting Terrestrial Animals.
While my Department does not capture prevalence and distribution figures for Johne’s disease in Ireland, it is regarded as endemic. Animals may be infected for several years but still react negatively to surveillance testing. The consequent economic impact on production is generally dependent on the level of infection within the herd.
A voluntary national programme for Johne’s disease, the Irish Johne’s Control Programme (IJCP), is coordinated and administered by Animal Health Ireland on behalf of industry stakeholders, and is supported by my Department. It is currently open to any herd that has a positive bulk milk screen to enlist.
The objectives of the IJCP are three-fold
• support farmers in keeping their herds clear of Johne’s disease;
• assist farmers with affected herds reduce, and ultimately eliminate infection from their herds, and
• provide assurance to the marketplace in relation to Ireland’s efforts to control Johne’s disease
Johne’s disease education and information resources are available to all herdowners via the Animal Health Ireland website.
112. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will issue on the renewal of aquaculture licences at a location in County Kerry (details supplied); if licences will be further extended pending decisions on these renewals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17038/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable National and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The time for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department also takes full account of all scientific and technical advice, in addition to all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Further factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the requirement for an Appropriate Assessment and whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period, etc.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application.
113. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied). [16898/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs.
114. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the publication of the report on the Demonstration Project on Personalised Budgets; if the accompanying evaluation process will be completed in quarter 2, 2024, as reported in July 2022; the numbers currently involved in the project; and if he will give an update on the brokerage models frameworks proposed. [16779/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
115. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether those with a disability from birth have the same qualifying criteria for access to speech and language therapies as those with an acquired disability; if not, if he will outline the different criteria for such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16793/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
