Written Answers Nos. 202-221
HSE Properties
202. Deputy Noel Grealish   asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the HSE to return, for use by the local community, land in Shantalla, Galway city, which it took over three years ago for use as a helipad on a temporary basis for six months and has since declined to say when it will be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30376/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the estimated time it is envisaged that a person will be fitted with a permanent spinal stimulator since undergoing a trial in July 2016 and whereby funding has been sanctioned (details supplied). [30392/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30404/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
General Practitioner Services
205. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received regarding general practitioners charging for routine phlebotomy services each year since 2009, in tabular form; the number of refunds issued for routine phlebotomy services in each of the CHO areas each year since 2009, in tabular form; the total value of these refunds per CHO area for each year since 2009, in tabular form; and the number of general practitioners each year since 2009 who have had money deducted by the HSE after the HSE ruled the general practitioners in question incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services. [30436/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medicinal Products Data
206. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the latest figures for State spending on prescriptions for specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors; the number of persons according to the latest data who are currently prescribed SSRIs and SNRIs; the number of reports of adverse drug reactions sexual dysfunction for each drug; the number of completed suicides adverse drug reactions involving each drug; the number of suicide attempts or reports of self harm adverse drug reactions involving each drug; the number of suicidal ideation adverse drug reactions involving each drug; the number of serious adverse drug reactions involving each drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30437/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the Health Service Executive and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to reply directly to the Deputy on the issues raised. I have been informed by the HPRA that due to the voluminous nature of your request for data in relation to adverse drugs reactions, it may take longer than the standard ten days for a reply to be issued to your office. I will have officials within my Department liaise with the HPRA to mitigate any further delays.
Hospital Facilities
207. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of cardiac catheterisation laboratories in public hospitals by hospital, by the service it provides and the opening times of each, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30457/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Departmental Reviews
208. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he plans to initiate a review of the provision of cardiac services at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30458/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Deputy knows, I have committed to two reviews - one to review the impact of additional resources being provided to University Hospital,Waterford including a temporary mobile cath lab, which will take place at the end of the deployment of that mobile lab, and a national review of all Primary PCI services with the aim of ensuring that as many patients as possible have access, on a 24/7 basis, to safe and sustainable emergency interventions following a heart attack and this will obviously include the South East. This review, which will be undertaken based on independent clinical expertise, will examine the issue and make recommendations regarding the future configuration of Primary PCI services, including number and location of centres required to serve our population needs. The review will devise a plan for the achievement of the best patient outcomes possible, reflecting patient safety as paramount.
Departmental Reviews
209. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he will publish all correspondence given to a person (details supplied) in preparation of their review of cardiac services in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30459/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Deputy is aware, in the preparation of his comprehensive clinical review of the need for a second cath lab at University Hospital Waterford, (UHW) Dr Niall Herity consulted widely and met with all of the key stakeholders, in the course of which he received a number of specific briefings and documents. These have already been made available in response to various Freedom of Information requests.
Hospital Waiting Lists
210. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a procedure for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30479/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under 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.
Hospital Facilities
211. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will establish a sexual assault unit at University Hospital Limerick similar to those operated in counties Cork and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30482/17]
Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Departmental Agencies Data
212. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all agencies under his aegis have an up to date tax clearance certificate; the agencies which do not have an up to date tax clearance certificate; the reason they do not have a tax clearance certificate in each case, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30279/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): I have requested the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy, on the specific information requested, as this is an operational matter for the organisations themselves.
Departmental Reviews
213. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the resources that have been allocated in respect of each of the two reviews of fisheries policies relating to fleet capacity and mackerel quotas ongoing in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30363/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): On the Review of Mackerel allocation policy between the fleet segments, I can inform the Deputy that within the Seafood Policy and Management Division of my Department, the work involved is being undertaken by one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer, one Higher Executive Officer and one Executive Officer and is being overseen by one Assistant Secretary General.
Work on the Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Policy within the Seafood Policy and Management Division is being undertaken by one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Higher Executive Officer and is being overseen by one Assistant Secretary General. One Clerical Officer has also assisted in this work on an as required basis.
In addition, resources from within my Department's Information and Management Technology Division have also been required in terms of placing material pertaining to both Reviews on the website of my Department.
I am satisfied that sufficient resources have been allocated to the work arising from both reviews.
Teagasc Courses
214. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated in each of the years 2010 to 2016 for the provision of green certificate education for farmers; and his views on whether this allocation was sufficient for the provision of courses to meet the demand during those years. [30372/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Department provides annual grant in aid allocations to Teagasc to help fund its activities in providing research, advisory and education services to the farming and agri-food sector. The allocation for 2017 was increased by €1.4m to €128.130m. Teagasc also earn own income from advisory charges, education fees, research grants etc. It is a matter for Teagasc and its governing Board to prioritise funding for particular programmes including the Green Cert programme. As the details requested by the Deputy are an operational matter for Teagasc, the request has been forwarded to Teagasc for direct apply. In line with new Dáil procedures, such information can be requested directly from Teagasc using the dedicated email address: oireachtas@teagasc.ie.
Bovine Disease Controls
215. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the establishment of an infectious bovine rhinotracheitis eradication scheme; and the estimated cost of such a scheme. [30373/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Department is aware of moves by certain member states toward the introduction of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) Eradication Programmes. In this regard a cost benefit analysis study funded by my Department is currently being undertaken in Teagasc. This analysis will cover a number of areas, including (i) the costs associated with the loss of the live export trade in calves and weanling to EU markets and (ii) the on-farm losses associated with reduced output on farms. The outcome of the study will be presented by Animal Health Ireland (AHI) to relevant stakeholders who will decide on whether to progress towards a national eradication programme.
In view of the importance attached to the live export trade, AHI has developed a series of information leaflets providing veterinary practitioners, farmers and their advisers with up to date information on IBR and its control. I would urge all concerned to adopt this advice with a view to minimising the impact of this disease.
Veterinary Inspection Service
216. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of running the regional veterinary laboratory network by year in each of the years 2010 to 2016; and the expected allocation for 2017 for the maintenance and improvement of the network. [30374/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The information is contained in the following table.
Running costs for Regional Veterinary Laboratories 2010 - 2016 and estimated 2017 spend. | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Estimate |
|---|
| RVLs | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | | - | €m | €m | €m | €m | €m | €m | €m | €m | | *spend on consumables | 1.224 | 1.065 | 1.222 | 1.166 | 1.137 | 1.209 | 1.477 | 1.365 | | Energy costs | 0.13 | 0.135 | 0.14 | 0.145 | 0.158 | 0.138 | 0.142 | 0.148 | | Total | 1.354 | 1.2 | 1.362 | 1.311 | 1.295 | 1.347 | 1.619 | 1.513 |
*Estimated figures for years 2010 to 2014 based on spend in 2015 and 2016 for RVLs. Breakdown not available prior to 2015.
Estimated figures for years 2010 to 2013 based on spend 2014 to 2016 for RVLs. Breakdown not available prior to 2014.
Agriculture Scheme Administration
217. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the instrument his Department used to alter the terms and conditions of the CAP, SPS, SFP, BPS, ANC, DAS and other schemes between 2011 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30382/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Department administers the various schemes provided for under the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy including the Single Payment Scheme, the Basic payment Scheme (BPS) , the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, and the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC) in accordance with the relevant EU regulations.
These regulations currently include Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council, Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council, Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and the Council, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 809/2014, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 640/2014 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 641/2014. All of these regulations are directly applicable in Ireland.
My Department, at the start of each scheme year, prepares and circulates a Terms and Conditions booklet for the BPS and ANC scheme to all previous years’ applicants. These Terms and Conditions are based on the relevant EU legislation including the regulations listed above as may be amended.
It should be noted that, while the annual Terms and Conditions booklet is prepared as a guidance to farmers, the governing EU Regulations form the definitive basis for the administration of the schemes in question.
Agriculture Scheme Appeals
218. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the body from which the independent agricultural appeals office takes direction regarding the validity of an inspection in cases in which it has been proven that an inspection was carried out on a farm and his Department did not comply with the terms and conditions of the scheme in carrying out the inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30383/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): There are distinct and specific statutory functions that govern Appeals Officers who are required under law to be independent in the performance of their functions when they are making determinations on appeals submitted against decisions taken by my Department. Appeals Officers must also comply with relevant legislation and the terms and conditions and guidelines relating to the schemes and must have regard to the principles of natural justice. A decision on each appeal is therefore taken by Appeals Officers independently, each appeal case being assessed by an Appeals Officer taking account of all the particular circumstances of the case, including the facts presented by both sides involved in the appeal, matters arising at the oral hearing if one was held, the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme and the relevant legislation. Where necessary legal advice is sought from the Office of the Attorney General or Chief State Solicitor's Office.
The appellant may request a review by the Director of a decision of an Appeals Officer if the appellant believes there was an error in fact or in law on the part of the Appeals Officer.
The appellant may also submit a complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman on any aspect of their case and may also take court proceedings on a point of law.
I am satisfied that Agriculture Appeals Office complies with the legislation governing the appeal service.
Severe Weather Events Response
219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide funding for flood relief for farmers who have been adversely affected by flood damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30405/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, recently announced the introduction of a once-off targeted Voluntary Homeowner Relocation Scheme. As part of the announcement the Minister outlined that further examination is ongoing by the OPW, Local Authorities and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in evaluating, on an individual basis, if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect those at risk farm buildings that flooded in order to inform the feasibility of any future once-off targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation.
This is being progressed at present to determine the feasibility of any future scheme and prepare the potential criteria. At this point it is not possible to set out the criteria for any possible scheme.
Forestry Sector
220. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the announcement in February 2017 of an initiative (details supplied) to purchase forestry, if the land in question was already privately owned; if public land was made available or if it will be made available for a company to buy under this deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30451/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Department is not involved in the initiative referenced by the Deputy. Therefore, I am not in a position to comment on their current or future intentions. I can say however, that Coillte has not and do not have any current plans to sell land to the company concerned.
This initiative provides an option for forest owners who do not want to wait until the end of a full rotation to realise the economic value of their forest. The opportunity presented by this fund may allow forest owners to invest this revenue in other parts of their farm or to invest in other non-farm activities.
Another option for forest owners is to hold onto their woodland and manage it themselves. This option is also being promoted by my Department where €250,000 has been allocated in 2017 to a pilot project to test the feasibility of Knowledge Transfer Groups(KTG) for forestry. The aim of this initiative, which is already underway, is to empower forest owners with the knowledge to become forest managers. Furthermore, in November 2016 my Department signed a contract to develop a forest management template to help forest owners achieve certification for their forests. For many forest owners, the KTG and certification projects will help make the option of retaining ownership and managing their own forests an attractive option to consider.
Forestry Management
221. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make the 10% reforestation figure for broadleaves mandatory; his plans to raise this level to ensure that more native broadleaf tree species are planted here; his further plans to introduce measures to incentivise the planting of native broadleaf species over non-native conifers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30452/17]
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Department's plans to increase broadleaf planting and in particular to increase native woodlands is currently being undertaken within the context of the midterm review of the Forestry Programme 2014 - 2020. In March 2017 a public call for submissions was made to look at how the afforestation scheme can be improved to increase broadleaf planting. A total of 26 submissions were received which are now being examined. A draft series of proposals will be prepared and circulated to stakeholders in early July 2017.
With regard to reforestation, this represents an opportunity to restructure existing forests and to undertake broadleaf (including native woodland) planting in response to various sensitivities such as water, biodiversity, landscape, public roads and adjacent dwellings. Various measures are set out in the Felling and Reforestation Policy document to ensure that all reforestation is sensitively designed and that the opportunity to reforest with broadleaves is realised. Consequently there are no plans to make it mandatory for forest owners to plant 10% broadleaves at the replanting stage. |
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