Wednesday, 12 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 189-208

Agriculture Industry

Questions (189, 190, 191)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

189. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to requests previously made by the Irish Beef and Lamb Association, IBLA, at both the beef market task force and the suckler brand proposition forum that his Department create a national herd DNA profile database in order to enhance the traceability options available for Irish beef being included and rolled out as part of the new national herd genotyping programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34424/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

190. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department, through An Bord Bia, intends to use the unique position Ireland is in with regard to genotyping to allow origin confirmatory testing of beef labelled as Irish beef or variants to this claim to ensure there is the highest possible standards of traceability for Irish beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

191. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he does not intend to establish enhanced origin testing for Irish beef using Genomic or DNA technology, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34426/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 191 together.

I recently announced funding for a major genotyping programme for Irish cattle. This programme, which is being run through a strategic public-private partnership model, will enhance the environmental sustainability, health and productivity of Irish beef and dairy herds. To be clear, this is a voluntary genotyping programme, which will be available to both beef and dairy herd owners, over a five-year period.

This voluntary programme represents a very significant step towards genotyping of the national bovine herd, it will not however result in full national herd genotyping. Farmers will choose whether to participate. Therefore, the Deputy's questions in relation to full traceability at DNA level are premature.

Genotyping involves taking a tissue sample from breeding females and males and building a DNA bank of that data. When new calves are born, they are matched to their sire and dam. If carried out at national scale, genotyping would give the Irish cattle industry 100 percent traceability at the DNA level.

Driving down emissions through targeted breeding strategies featured as a direct impact measure in both the Food Vision Dairy and Beef & Sheep Groups reports. The key building block for the breeding strategies referenced in the reports is a national genotyping strategy.

The genetic data collected will be analysed to identify specific traits or characteristics that are important to farmers such as disease resistance, milk or meat production, or fertility. In addition, the information gathered will be used to develop breeding strategies aimed at improving the overall genetic merit of the herd.

Research undertaken by Teagasc and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has highlighted the significant benefits that can accrue to Irish farmers and related industries with higher genetic merit herds being more profitable and with a lower carbon footprint.

In addition to improving economic and environmental sustainability, genotyping the national herd will have a number of co-benefits, including:

- providing a unique selling point in terms of traceability, which is important for marketing our quality produce, particularly for international trade; and

- providing greater certainty about the quality of dairy beef calves, with benefits both for the farmers rearing those calves and for calf health and welfare.

In conclusion, traceability is an important aspect of genotyping. However it should be noted that this is a voluntary programme which represents a step towards genotyping of the national bovine herd.

Question No. 190 answered with Question No. 189.

Question No. 191 answered with Question No. 189.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (192)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

192. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid by his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on outside or third-party reports of a technical nature or qualitative and quantitative nature, by payee, in tabular form. [34463/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the table.

2022

Payee	Details of outside/third-party reports of a technical or qualitative and quantitative nature	Amount Paid €
RSK ADAS	Preparation of poultry valuation tables that are used for to determine compensation payable in the case of an outbreak of poultry disease that necessitates a cull - Tables are prepared bi-annually.	29,645
RSM Ireland Business Advisory Ltd	· Ex ante evaluation report of the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 · SEA ER of CAP Strategic Plan · SEA Non-Technical Summary · AA Natura Impact Statement · AA Conclusion Statement SEA Statement- Published in 2023	158,750
MKO (McCarthy Keville O’Sullivan)	Planning & Environmental Consultants – Food Vision Judicial Review	5,183
RSK (Ireland) Ltd	Engineering and Environmental Consultancy – Food Vision Judicial review	2,403
Medguard Health Suppliers	Health and Safety – Evacuation Chairs Servicing Report	1,351
Certification Europe	Independent assessments of the Department’s ISO 27001:2013 certification. Required for EU accreditation purposes.	35,178
John Griffin	Expert witness statement	5,600
Fergal Tansey (Biotec)	Report on the provision of expert advice and other services for the DAFM	8,107
Grant Thornton	Mink Farming Review and consultation	62,791
Octavian Economics Ltd	Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment for the EMFAF Programme 2021-2027	138,035
CST Group	Engineering Reporting Services in relation to Traffic Management at Landing Pier in Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre.	6,088
NW Fire Safety	Survey Report of Existing Fire Alarm systems at, Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre	3,013
Doran Consulting Engineers	Condition Inspection Report Killybegs Wharf and Town Pier at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre	5,215
ATG Services (Irl) Ltd	Waste Stabilisation/Remediation Options Study at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre	3,512
Aquafact	Marine Benthic Faunal Ecology Report at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre	30,750
Farrige-QHSE	Operational Assessment Report of Shipping (Cargo) Movements in Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre	3,707
J&N Security Consultants	Design Report for CCTV System for Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre	19,905
CBS Consulting Eng	M&E Design Report for Water Metering at Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre	4,800
Cyril Kelly & Associates	Design Report of Plant Storage Shed at Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre	3,639
RPS	East Pier Breakwater Upgrade, Dunmore East, Fishery Harbour Centre	22,700
Climate KIC Holding	Partnership between DAFM and Climate KIC Holding to co-design and develop a portfolio of innovative actions to accelerate climate neutrality in the land, agri-food sector.	800,000
Pollution & Waste Services	Oil Spill Response Plan	11,066
Briggs Environmental Services	Oil Spill Response Plan	2,197
Cathal Kirwan	Port approach Analysis (Pilotage) report – Cargo Vessels	3,707
Paula Barry Walsh	Livestock Identification and Traceability Systems gaps in Kenya and opportunities for Irish knowledge transfer.	500
Economic Development Consultants Ireland (EDCI)	Vietnam-Ireland Agri-food Knowledge & Skills Development Programme Draft Proposal	1,522
Coyne Research	Conduct a telephone and on-line survey of Agri-Food Primary Producers and Agri-Food Business Suppliers	24,600
Ove Arup	SEA/AA Forest Strategy and the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan	141,327
Silvalytics	Cost Benefit Analysis FP 23-27	24,108
Auxilia Ltd	Training Needs Analysis re Licensing Process	29,483
Grant Thornton	Organisational Review	60,793
Irish Rural Link	Assessment of Attitudes by Communities and Interested Parties on Forestry and Woodlands	24,850
Phillip Lee	Regulatory Review	204,904
Behaviour & Attitudes	Survey on Attitudes to Afforestation	27,841
M-CO	Two Reports – One on the findings and outcome of a national public consultation survey to inform the new Shared Vision and Forest Strategy and the second on the outcomes of a deliberative	60,543.50
Foróige	Working towards Irelands shared vision for forestry and a new forest strategy – Report of the Foróige Youth Dialogue.	3,052

2023 to date

Payee	Details of outside/third-party reports of a technical or qualitative nature	Amount Paid €
RSK ADAS	Preparation of poultry valuation tables that are used for to determine compensation payable in the case of an outbreak of poultry disease that necessitates a cull. Tables are prepared bi-annually.	6,156
Medguard Health Suppliers	Health and Safety – Evacuation Chairs Servicing Report	€289
Certification Europe	Independent assessments of the Department’s ISO 27001:2013 certification. Required for EU accreditation purposes.	21,648
Forensic Docexam Ireland Ltd	Forensic document examination	900
Farrige-QHSE	Operational Assessment Report of Shipping (Cruise) Movement in Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre	2,700
Crime Management Services	ISPS Port Facility Security Assessment for Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre	2,130
MHL Traffic Design	Dinish Island Traffic Management Plan at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre	13,838
Byrne Looby	Proposed Fishery Berth Expansion Project – Preliminary Report at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre	25,474
Sabre Lighting	Inspection of Harbour Lights (GA1 Inspection Report) at Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre	21,717
Climate KIC Holding	Partnership between DAFM and Climate KIC Holding to co-design and develop a portfolio of innovative actions to accelerate climate neutrality in the land, agri-food sector.	240,000
Pollution & Waste Services	Oil Spill Contingency Plans	2,469
Inland & Coastal Marina Systems	Maintenance Survey and Reports	1,646
Cathal Kirwan	Port Approach Analysis (Pilotage) Report – Cruise Liners	2,700
Sinead Mowlds	Zambia Ireland Agri-food Programme Interim Report	6,150
Coyne Research	Conduct a telephone and on-line survey of Agri-Food Primary Producers and Agri-Food Business Suppliers	28,106
Crowleys DFK	The provision of Financial Advisory Services regarding Enforcement of activities associated with the EU Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive.	21,594
Philip Lee Solicitors	Regulatory Review	10,824
Grant Thornton	Organisational Review	31,088
Bax & Company	Consultancy contract on support and development of the European Peatlands Initiative	22,000
Irish Bioenergy Association	Development of a feasibility study to explore sustainable management of agricultural green waste in Ireland	23,751

Departmental Funding

Questions (193)

Thomas Gould

Question:

193. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Government funding received by the National Dairy Council; and if they are required to submit accounts to his, or any Department. [34524/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The National Dairy Council (NDC) is a private farmer-funded representative body in the agri-food sector. It is not a State Body. There is no requirement for this Body to submit their accounts to my Department. I am not aware of any other Government Department that the NDC may be associated with.

My Department is the Irish competent authority for the EU-funded School Schemes, which support the distribution of milk, fruit and vegetables to schoolchildren across the EU. The NDC is approved as an aid applicant under the EU School Milk Scheme. In this regard, the NDC receives payments of EU funds through my Department for implementing the school milk scheme. Supporting national funds for this scheme are also paid by my Department. In the school year 2021-2022, €322,000 was paid by my Department to the NDC from national funds; this was in addition to €854,000 paid by my Department to the NDC from EU funds.

Payments made to the NDC for the School Scheme are made in arrears, on application by the organisation, on a recoupment basis for eligible expenditure, accompanied by the required supporting documentation.

As part of the EU School Scheme, the EU Commission and other EU institutions/services and their agents retain the right to audit and examine the relevant financial records of the NDC, as does the internal audit unit of my Department.

Grant Payments

Questions (194)

Michael Creed

Question:

194. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive their 2021 Glas payment. [34559/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named has completed his GLAS contract and Department records show that he has received all payments for GLAS due to him for 2021.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (195)

Brian Leddin

Question:

195. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed trial on micro biodigesters has commenced; what supports are in place for micro biodigesters in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34562/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Anaerobic Digestion industry in Ireland has significant potential for development to benefit both the agriculture and energy sectors. While energy policy formation, including renewable energy, is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), my Department continues to engage with DECC on all energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, including supports for the development of an Anaerobic Digestion industry.

The Microgeneration Support scheme (gov.ie - Micro-generation (www.gov.ie) is one such DECC support for micro digestors and one of the key technologies included in this scheme is micro-combined heat and power. Micro-generation is the general term used to refer to the generation of electricity from renewable technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable combined heat and power (CHP). A payment, or Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), is available to all renewable generators that export to the grid, regardless of what energy provider they have a supply contract with.

My Department is engaging with DECC concerning the formation of a national biomethane strategy. The formation of the strategy will include careful and extensive research on scaling up the Anaerobic Digestion industry to help us meet the targets set out in the government decision on sectoral emissions ceilings and the commitment of up to 5.7 Twh of indigenously produced biomethane.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (196)

Paul Murphy

Question:

196. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland was the one to choose who would conduct the independent review of IHRBs financial issue (details supplied); if he will review this decision and appoint an independent auditor with no connection to the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34594/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The role of the IHRB as the regulatory body for horseracing is provided for in legislation, however, the body itself remains a private entity.

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. Legislation provides for a funding mechanism to be in place under which the costs of integrity services provided by the IHRB are guaranteed by HRI based on an agreed annual budget. From 2019, the annual financial statements of the IHRB are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), submitted to my Department, noted by Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.

My Department was notified by the IHRB of a financial issue on 28 June 2023. IHRB also informed my Department that the Board of IHRB has commissioned a full review of the issue to be conducted by an independent firm.

My Department has written to both IHRB and HRI, as the state body with governance oversight of IHRB, and requested that the review be completed as a matter of urgency and that my Department be kept informed of developments. Officials of my Department will continue to engage proactively with both HRI and IHRB on this matter.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (197)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

197. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle herds in the State with livestock units, LSU, of 350 or higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34599/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Information available to my Department indicates that there are over 800 cattle herds in the State with 350 LSU or more. This figure includes cattle of all ages from dairy, suckler and other cattle farms.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (198)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

198. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of pig farms in the State with livestock units, LSU, of 350 or higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34600/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department undertook the 2022 Annual Pig Census on 23rd October 2022. The 2022 Annual Pig Census Report, providing a comprehensive breakdown of the data returned is published on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/0c3ec-national-pig-census/.

Table 4 of the 2022 Report provides a breakdown of pig numbers recorded in herds within specific size ranges (extract below) in 2022.

Herd Size (no. of pigs)2022	No. of herds2022	Percentage of Total Herds2022
0 – 5	988	64.11
6-20	127	8.24
21 – 50	37	2.40
51 – 100	20	1.30
101 – 500	53	3.44
501 – 1000	53	3.44
1001 – 3000	100	6.49
3001 – 10,000	120	7.79
>10,000	43	2.79
Total	1,541	100

A conversion of this data to livestock unit (LSU) values in not available.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (199)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

199. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of poultry farms in the State with livestock units, LSU, of 350 or higher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Information available to my Department indicates that there are approximately 700 poultry flocks of 280 LSU or more.

Agriculture Supports

Questions (200)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 447 of 4 July 2023, if he is aware of shipments of Ukrainian grain being imported into the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34602/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There is a legal requirement for animal feed imported into the State to be notified to my Department.

In 2022, some 160,000 tonnes of maize was imported from Ukraine. However of this amount, over 83,000 tonnes had already been imported into Ireland by the time the war had started.

In 2023 to date, c. 26,500 tonnes have been imported from Ukraine.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (201)

John McGuinness

Question:

201. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the funding of €50,000.00 approx. allocated by Horse Sport Ireland for the purchase of sand for the Greenogue facility was spent in accordance with all procurement requirements and represented value for money. [34607/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I would like to clarify that my Department did not allocate €50,000 to Horse Sport Ireland for the purchase of sand for the Greenogue Equestrian facility.

Aquaculture Industry

Questions (202)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

202. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 52 of 25 May 2023, the status of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development for the period 2021-30, which was due for publication in quarter two of 2023; when the plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34643/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030 (NSPSA) is the successor plan to that developed in 2015, and provides the strategic vision and framework for aquaculture in Ireland to 2030. It visualises a sustainable, profitable, competitive and market-focused aquaculture industry making the maximum long-term economic and social contribution to coastal communities and Ireland as a whole.

Drafting of the NSPSA is complete and I will shortly present a Memorandum for Information to my Government colleagues on the matter. After that, I intend to publish the new Plan without delay.

EU Regulations

Questions (203)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

203. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for details of any engagement his Department has had with farming, forestry and fisheries representative groups to date in 2023 with regard to the EU nature restoration law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34674/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is responsible for coordinating the State's position regarding the Nature Restoration Regulation. As such, they are the lead authority for communication, including engagement with representative groups.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has participated in stakeholder engagement, following invitation from DHLGH, for the specific purposes of discussing progress nationally and at EU level regarding the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation. This engagement has involved meetings with the Irish Farmer's Association (IFA) and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmer's Association (INHFA). These meetings were held in person or online and attended by DAFM representatives. In addition, an Official from my Department participated, with colleagues from DHLGH, in a public meeting organised by the IFA on 10 May in Tullamore.

Disability Services

Questions (204)

Frankie Feighan

Question:

204. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is considering providing funding to deal with the non-payment of increments to staff working within the disability sector, including an organisation (details supplied), who, despite numerous meetings and appeals, to date have no indication the said increments will be retrospectively paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 for the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.  In 2022, the HSE provided in excess of €675m to Section 39 providers for Specialist Disability Services. I acknowledge the hugely important role these organisations and their workers play in our health and social care services. They are essential in providing services to many families and vulnerable people in society.

These organisations are privately owned and run. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. While they are private organisations, I recognise their sustainability, and ability to pay staff, is highly dependent on state funding.  

While my Department and the HSE have no role in discussions on the payment of increments between service providers and their staff, I am aware of the sector's ongoing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing professions across the State.

Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisations are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.  

On 17 April, 15 May and 28 June, officials from my Department, the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Health met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This is an ongoing independently facilitated process and I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users, workers and providers.

Direct Provision System

Questions (205, 206)

Gino Kenny

Question:

205. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of persons in direct provision who have leave to remain getting eviction notices when they cannot find a place to live, and persons are being forcibly removed from direct provision centres (details supplied). [34545/23]

Gino Kenny

Question:

206. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can outline the IPAS policy on forcing persons out of direct provision centres if they cannot find accommodation within HAP limits, especially if this results in them having to leave employment or study if the centre they are told to move to is not in travel distance of employment or college. [34546/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating almost 5,400 people that have been granted status (Refugee/Subsidiary Protection/Leave to Remain). As those with status have had their application for International Protection determined, they are no longer considered international protection applicants (IPAs) and therefore no longer entitled to Material Reception Conditions.

When first granted status by the Department of Justice, IPAS writes individually to all of those accommodated by IPAS and advises them of the supports available to them from Peter McVerry Trust and DePaul, and that they must now actively look to progress from IPAS accommodation into the community.

These organisations have been contracted by the Department to provide onsite support to those no longer eligible for IPAS accommodation to aid their integration and progress into the community. Since January 2022, over 1,600 people with status have moved on from IPAS accommodation.

Those with status granted the greatest length of time, who have not moved on, are offered a transfer to alternative emergency accommodation so that those currently still in the International Protection process can be accommodated in IPAS Centres where they can receive supports.

Those currently being offered this transfer have had status for at least 18 months if single and over 3 years if part of a family unit.

Due to the shortage of IPAS accommodation, it is not always possible to transfer those with status for the greatest length of time to emergency accommodation close to where they currently reside.

Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 205.

Disability Services

Questions (207)

Denis Naughten

Question:

207. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of respite beds available people with a disability respectively, by CHO in 2019 and in 2023; when respite beds withdrawn during Covid will be reinstated in light of the hardship being caused to carers and their families. [34572/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (208)

Alan Dillon

Question:

208. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the recruitment of speech and language therapist positions at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34745/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.