Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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177. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the management and funding of veterinarians who certify small-scale abattoirs and its impact on the processing of animals in abattoirs. [33598/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. Responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between the FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘Official Agencies’. These official agencies include the HSE; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Local Authorities; and Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.

Local Authorities (LAs), acting on behalf of the FSAI, are responsible for food law enforcement required under EU food law at certain food businesses with the controls carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).

The annual funding provided by my Department to the FSAI is inclusive of funding for the LA service contracts. While funded by my Department, the FSAI is independent in the exercise of its functions.

The FSAI and the County & City Management Association (CCMA) have been engaging for some time regarding the funding and effective delivery of the service. The current LA service contracts with the FSAI are due to expire on 30^thNovember 2020 and the Authority has been working closely with all parties to ensure that a system of food safety controls is in place in LA supervised premises from 1^stDecember 2020.

My Department has agreed to provide additional funding, on a once-off basis in 2021, to the FSAI in respect of the LAVS service contracts for 2021, which in turn is being made available to the LAs by the FSAI. This is in recognition of the need to provide more stability to the food business sector that might be impacted. The additional funding is subject to a number of conditions relating to the development of a new model of service delivery and related service matters.

On 28^thOctober 2020, the CCMA responded to the FSAI’s offer of additional funding confirming that the LAs are prepared to extend the current service contracts until 31^stDecember 2021 in accordance with the terms offered by the FSAI. This arrangement will ensure continuity of current agreements with no impact on abattoirs or food businesses while a new service contract model is being developed.