Written Answers Nos. 329-348
329. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the planned orthopaedic surgeon post has been filled at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin to deal with the waiting lists for children with scoliosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
330. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list for scoliosis surgery at Our Lady's children's hospital, Crumlin; the number of children that were waiting on a waiting list for scoliosis surgery in January, February, March, April, May and June of 2017, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33452/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
331. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the National Drugs Strategy will be published without debate in Dáil Éireann before being adapted as Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently received the final report of the National Drugs Strategy Steering Committee and earlier this week brought my proposals for a new strategy to Government, which have since been agreed. The strategy, which will provide a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland, will be launched and published on Monday the 17 of July 2017.
332. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of home care package hours that were provided by the HSE in 2016 in the Dublin West HSE region; the number of home care package hours he plans to provide in this region in 2017; the budget spent on the provision of these hours in 2016; the budget provided for in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33454/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
333. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health when work will commence on the building of the new 100 bed unit at St. Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33530/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years including St. Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver a new build 100 bed community nursing home by mid-2019. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires substantial improvement.
The HSE has advised that it expects construction work to commence in Q3-Q4 2017.
334. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the review of the fair deal scheme with specific reference to the treatment of family farms and small businesses in line with the commitment given in the programme for a partnership Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to oversee the implementation of certain recommendations contained in the Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These recommendations include examining the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. This work is currently underway.
Subsequently, as noted by the Deputy, a commitment was included in the Programme for a Partnership Government to deal with this issue. This examination is ongoing and at an advanced stage.
An initial report on the progress of the NHSS Review recommendations was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Health in September 2016.
It is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation, and as such any changes to the Scheme will require legislative implementation. I have committed to prioritising and fast tracking this examination of family farms and businesses and bringing forward changes to the legislation to deal with the uncertainty that is being felt by farming and business families in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government.
335. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have an MRI at University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33555/17]
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.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
336. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of staff required and cost of meeting the staff allocation recommended in the A Vision for Change report for the child and adolescent mental health service in view of the population of children and young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33568/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2006, the Government adopted the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy A Vision for Change as the basis for the future development of mental health services in Ireland. The recommendations contained within A Vision for Change were based on Ireland’s then population of 3.917 million, as indicated in the 2002 census. The population of Ireland today, based on the most recent Census figures for 2016, is 4.7 million.
The table outlines the number of Whole Time Equivalent staff numbers working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as of April 2017, and the gap in staffing according to A Vision for Change recommendations adjusted for an increased population. Using an average figure of €66,000 per Whole Time Equivalent, the additional resources required to fill the 583 posts would be €38.5 million per annum.
|
Community Team Type |
Community Health Organisation (CHO) |
Whole Time Equivalents (WTE) at April 2017 |
% of A Vision for Change (adjusted for 2017 population) |
WTE gap Per A Vision for Change |
|
CAMHS |
CHO 1 |
57 |
53% |
51 |
|
CHO 2 |
56 |
57% |
50 |
|
|
CHO 3 |
55 |
55% |
45 |
|
|
CHO 4 |
86 |
49% |
90 |
|
|
CHO 5 |
63 |
45% |
75 |
|
|
CHO 6 |
67 |
55% |
54 |
|
|
CHO 7 |
71 |
48% |
77 |
|
|
CHO 8 |
102 |
57% |
76 |
|
|
CHO 9 |
90 |
69% |
52 |
|
|
ALL |
657 |
53% |
583 |
Since 2012, €140 million in additional funding has been allocated to the Mental Health services. This has increased the total Mental Health Budget from €711 million in 2012 to over €850 million today. The increased investment in mental health services over the last number of years has helped to facilitate an increase in the number and staffing levels of both Adult, and Children & Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams. Of the additional 1,550 new mental health posts approved since 2012, some 1,150 have been, or are in the process of being recruited, notwithstanding the very challenging recruitment environment in which the HSE is operating. The HSE has prioritised the recruitment of staff required for its mental health services.
338. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect fishing interests further to the announcement by the British Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the UK will leave the London Fisheries Convention of 1964 which provides reciprocal fishing access rights for countries party to this agreement and in view of the large percentage of landings made from the UK exclusive economic zone by Irish boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33162/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra339. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will meet an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the steps he is taking to protect west County Cork fishermen following the announcement that the UK will leave the London Fisheries Convention of 1964; the steps he will take to protect fishing interests in upcoming Brexit talks if the UK leaves the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33165/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
The action by the UK in announcing its withdrawal from the 1964 London Fisheries Convention was not unexpected. The UK Government had been intimating this decision for some time now. It is nonetheless unwelcome and unhelpful as it suggests a signal of the UK intent to take a hard line on fisheries in the context of Brexit.
However, there are no immediate direct impacts for the Irish fishing industry from this action as it will not take effect for two years. Any longer term impacts will only become clear in the overall context of the Brexit negotiations. It is the message of intent and the potential implications of that intent in the wider 12 to 200 mile zone that causes concern for the negotiations to come.
Under the Convention, the Irish fishing fleet has access to parts of the UK 6-12 mile zone while the UK fleet has similar access to parts of the Irish zone. The Irish fleet is not significantly dependant on this limited access.
I spoke with Secretary of State Michael Gove last week and stressed to him the importance of long established fishing patterns by the Irish fishing fleet and the importance of these being acknowledged and protected in the context of Brexit. I have previously discussed fisheries issues amongst other matters with his predecessor as Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsom, on two separate occasions. I have also discussed Fisheries, with a particular focus on the London Fishing Convention along with general access issues with Minister George Eustice during a meeting at the Luxembourg Agriculture Council on the 3rd of April.
For this Government there are two clear objectives when it comes to fisheries and Brexit – the maintenance of our existing quota shares and our existing rights of access. This has, and will continue to be, my overriding priority.
To achieve these objectives, we must have unity of purpose across the Member States directly concerned and across the fishing industry. Disunity will only strengthen those in the UK that seek to exclude all EU fleets. As the negotiations develop unilateral sectoral announcements, like this one, will be dealt with, as this will be, within the Brexit negotiation process and there will be no room, or indeed intent, to address issues in isolation.
I am working closely with our fishing industry and held a dedicated meeting on Brexit involving all the Fishing organisations representing both the catching and processing sectors just the other week in Galway.
I maintain close liaison with the four Producer Organisations IS&WFPO, KFO, IS&EFPO and IFPO. My officials are planning a meeting of the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group on the 19th of July which will involve further discussion with the POs on Brexit. I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.
In terms of support to mitigate any potential impacts from Brexit for the fishing industry, my Department’s €240 million EMFF Fund Operational Programme will directly assist the seafood sector to develop Brexit mitigation measures. The Programme provides €5 million to Bord Bia to supplement its normal seafood promotion work programme and this is allowing Bord Bia to have an Irish pavilion at many additional seafood trade fairs internationally. This can be expected to lead to new export markets for seafood enterprises, particularly in Asia, thus assisting the companies concerned in diversifying their market outlets.
Last October, as part of Budget 2017, I announced measures aimed at alleviating the pressures of income volatility and the potential impact of Brexit. These measures included an additional allocation of €1.6m in 2016 and €2m in 2017 to Bord Bia to ensure that they are in a position to provide Brexit-related supports to affected companies.
Earlier this year I awarded over €1.8 million in grants to 19 seafood enterprises under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme for the seafood sector. The aim of these grants is to incentivise seafood innovation and new product development as a means of meeting the Brexit challenge.
I am continuing my ongoing round of bilateral meetings with Fisheries Ministers of the impacted Member States and I plan to hold bilateral meetings with my French and Spanish counterparts next week.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.
340. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will he review the EU basic payment scheme to include willow as one of the crops eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Terms and Conditions of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme, willow is included as an eligible crop.
341. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a TAMS payment for a person (details supplied). [33220/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA payment claim was submitted in this case. However, a number of deficiencies were identified with receipts and certificates submitted with the claim for payment. These issues need to be addressed before the payment claim can be processed for payment. The Department has been in direct contact with the person named and is awaiting a response to the queries raised.
342. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of roles unfilled in Bord Bia, the year in which these roles were made available, in tabular form; the nature of these roles; the number of these roles related to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33305/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBrexit is a priority for Bord Bia and is central to all of its activities and programmes. The recruitment and allocation of staffing resources within delegated sanction levels is an operational matter for Bord Bia. The Deputy may wish to contact Bord Bia directly at the agreed Oireachtas contact address: info@bordbia.ie
343. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of trade missions undertaken by his Department to date in 2017; the destination of these missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33310/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an on going and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agri-food sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in exports to new and emerging markets. In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I led a trade mission to the Gulf Region at the end of February 2017. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This mission served to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and to raise the profile of Ireland as a producer of high quality food products.
In June of this year I also led an extensive trade mission to the US and Mexico. This trade mission was a great opportunity to strengthen our existing market presence in the United States, to deepen the existing footprint of the Irish food sector in Mexico, and establish a platform to develop new market opportunities for Irish beef and pigmeat there. It also allowed us crucial opportunities to meet representatives of the new US administration, and to gain a better understanding of their key policy priorities in the agri food sector, and to engage with political counterparts in Mexico as we endeavour to forge new opportunities for Irish food companies.
I am also considering a range of other destinations for the remainder of 2017.
In addition to trade missions, my Department will host a number of veterinary delegations this year to extend and maintain access to third country markets, its attachés in third countries are actively engaged in market access and trade promotion efforts, a senior veterinary official from my Department will shortly be participating in a promotional visit to Japan, and Bord Bia, with funding provided by my Department, will be represented at a number of high profile trade fairs both in third country and EU markets, in order to promote Irish produce.
344. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the research and investigations undertaken which led to the observation submitted by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in its role as a named external consultee advising the Minister for Housing, Planning Community and Local Government in relation to the foreshore lease planning application (details supplied) on Galway bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33315/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. I have requested the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to respond directly to the Deputy on the specific information requested.
345. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself regarding the submitted observation, which stated that the authority had no observations to make in relation to the foreshore lease planning application (details supplied) on Galway Bay. [33316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application referred to by the Deputy was referred to my Department by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government for observations.
The observations forwarded by my Department, and which are referred to by the Deputy, were made following an examination by my Department of the application in question.
346. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the research and investigations undertaken which led to the observation submitted by An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, in its role as a named external consultee, advising the Minister for Housing, Planning Community and Local Government in relation to the foreshore lease planning application on Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33317/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara. I have requested Bord Iascaigh Mhara to respond directly to the Deputy on the specific information requested.
347. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has satisfied himself regarding the submitted observation of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, in relation to the foreshore lease planning application (details supplied) on Galway Bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is an operational matter for Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment on such a submission.
348. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the development of sectorial response plans to Brexit; the publication date of these plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33332/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEver since the announcement by the UK of its decision to hold a referendum on its continued membership of the EU, my Department and its agencies have conducted extensive analysis to assess the likely impact that a UK withdrawal would have on the Irish agri food sector, including fisheries and forestry. This work has been complemented by extensive consultation with stakeholders through the Department's Stakeholder Consultative Committee and through the All-Island Civic Dialogue process, in respect of which I have already hosted five agri-food and fisheries sectoral dialogues.
While the main impact to date of the Brexit vote has come in the form of the fall in the value of sterling against the euro and its effect on those businesses that have a significant trading relationship with the UK, the medium- to long-term threats include the possible introduction of tariffs on trade between the EU and UK, potential divergences in regulations and standards between the EU and UK post-Brexit, and the implications of border controls and certification requirements. Difficult challenges also arise in relation to potentially restricted access to fishing grounds and resources.
My Department has been conducting this analysis and consultation within the whole-of-Government approach to the Brexit negotiations that is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. Following on from publication in early May of the Position Paper setting out the Government's approach to the Brexit negotiations, work is under way across departments to prepare adaptive Sectoral Brexit Response Plans to mitigate emerging sectoral challenges. These plans will build on ongoing cross-Government research, analysis and consultations with stakeholders, and will encompass the following themes:
- Sustainable fiscal policies to ensure capacity to absorb and respond to economic shocks, not least from Brexit;
- Policies to make Irish enterprise more diverse and resilient, to diversify trade and investment patterns, and to strengthen competitiveness;
- Prioritising policy measures and dedicating resources to protect jobs and businesses in the sectors and regions most affected by Brexit;
- Realising economic opportunities arising from Brexit, and helping businesses adjust to any new logistical or trade barriers arising;
- Making a strong case at EU level that Ireland will require support that recognises where Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy.
All of this work is ongoing and must also respond to the emerging developments in the Brexit negotiations. There is no decision as yet on publication dates.
