Written Answers Nos. 38-45
38. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of finfish and shellfish licence applications he hopes to decide on between now and 1 April 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41246/15]
View answerSince taking office I have made in excess of 300 determinations in respect of shellfish aquaculture licence applications and 5 in respect of finfish aquaculture, of which 4 are for land based sites. The difference in numbers between shellfish and finfish reflects the greater number of operators conducting shellfish aquaculture and also, crucially, the hugely complex nature of the assessment process involved in respect of finfish. This is not to suggest that the assessment process is simple in the case of shellfish - it most certainly is not. However, the requirement for a mandatory Environmental Impact Statement in the case of finfish cultivation in the marine environment adds a significant regulatory requirement on operators and on my Department when conducting assessments. In addition, my Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service is conducting an “Appropriate Assessment” process in respect of designated NATURA bays. This process was agreed with the European Commission and is designed to ensure that Ireland is in full compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
This process includes the following steps:
- a detailed data collection in Marine Bays/Estuaries
- detailed analysis of raw data collected
- setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site
- carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application / fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and
- determination of Licences on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors
The Appropriate Assessment process has now been completed in respect of twelve bays – Castlemaine Harbour, Roaringwater Bay, Dundalk Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal Bay, Dungarvan Harbour, Ballycotton Bay, Kenmare Bay, Valentia Harbour/Portmagee Channel, Galway Bay, Clew Bay and Drumcliff Bay/Cummeen Harbour.
The completion of the process on a bay by bay basis enables my Department to assess applications for new licences or the renewal of licences. Pending a decision on the renewal of licences, operators may lawfully continue their aquaculture activity under the provisions of Section 19A (4) of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act.
The regulatory procedures in respect of all aquaculture activities have never been stronger and represent a good balance between the need to develop the Industry and provide the highest level of protection for our marine and coastal environment. They are however highly complex in nature and resource intensive. The Deputy will be aware that in Food Wise 2025 I have undertaken to commission a review of the existing aquaculture licensing system involving all key stakeholders, to identify the current shortcomings and bottlenecks (legislative, resource and logistical), and implement necessary changes to the aquaculture licensing system as a matter of priority. This measure is a further indication of the importance I attach to getting our licensing system fit for purpose in the context of the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the medium to long term.
There are a number of finfish and shell fish licence applications currently under consideration by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.
Notwithstanding the significant complexities involved in the aquaculture licence determination process I expect to be in a position to make in the order of an additional 100 licence determinations by 1st April 2016.
39. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a dedicated unit focused on ensuring that all farms make greater use of native forestry as a climate change mitigation measure, to assist Ireland in meeting European Union emission reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/15]
View answerEarlier this year my Department launched a €482 million package for the development of the forestry sector in Ireland. Under this programme for forestry, significant measures were included aimed specifically at encouraging farmers to plant native trees. These measures are the Native Woodland Establishment scheme and the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. The first of these schemes provides financial assistance which covers 100% of the costs of establishing new native forests. An annual premium payment of €635 per hectare is also available each year for 15 years; this rate is the highest rate available of all afforestation planting categories. In order to ensure a higher level of planting of native trees on farms all afforestation must include native woodlands alongside aquatic buffer zones in water sensitive sites such as aquatic Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and sensitive fisheries areas when establishing new forests. This will provide a filtration buffer zone slowing down runoff from upland areas and helping to prevent sediment reaching rivers and streams.
Promotion of native woodlands on farms is also included in the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme which aims to support the appropriate restoration of existing native woodlands and (where appropriate) the conversion of existing non-native forest to native woodland.
In addition to these two native woodland schemes the Department also supports the improvement and management of native woodland seed stands including sessile oak and pedunculate oak seed stands within ancient woodlands. The aim is to increase the supply of home produced seed from native species which can then be used in nurseries to grow native trees for new planting and reforestation including planting as part of the Native Woodland Establishment measure.
While economic growth and activity is an important justification for the Departments €482 million forestry programme it is vital that this is done in a sustainable and balanced way. The careful and well structured approach to native woodlands as I have described is a clear signal of my Department’s intent to continue its development of the forestry sector in a manner which maximises the environmental benefits of forestry including climate change mitigation. The Forest Service of my Department is responsible for delivering this strategy and is best placed to continue this role under its current structure. Consequently my Department has no plans to establish a dedicated unit as described by the Deputy.
40. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the reliability of labelling and traceability structures throughout the food industry, with particular reference to imports from third countries; the average number of checks or tests carried out in the past year; how this compares with previous years; the number of cases detected, which indicate a failure to meet the required standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41354/15]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Health has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation and new EU food information regulations which were adopted by the Council of Health Ministers in December 2011. However, my Department plays an important role in the enforcement of this legislation under service contract to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulate that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied. In regard to traceability, the regulations require that food business operators have systems to identify any person who supplies the business with a food, and a system to identify other businesses to which their product has been supplied. This is referred to as the ‘one step forward, one step backward’ traceability system. There are additional requirements for certain fishery and aquaculture products under the Control Regulation (Regulation 1224/2009 and Implementing Regulation 404/2011) from first sale to subsequent stages of production, processing and distribution up to retail.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence at all its approved slaughter plants. Controls at plants only engaged in secondary processing are carried out at a frequency based on an annual risk assessment. An annual audit of imported products is carried out in each Department-approved plant, including checks on physical identity, labelling and documentary checks for product originating in EU Member States and third countries. Labelling and documentary checks are routinely conducted by the Department.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the FVO to ensure compliance. Inspection finding reports are published on the FVO’s website.
41. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to support a live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41236/15]
View answerI attach substantial importance to the live export trade and my Department has been very proactive during my time as Minister in facilitating both the cross - border live trade and shipments of animals overseas. Live exports serve a dual purpose as a means of satisfying market demand for live animals and providing alternative market outlets for cattle farmers in Ireland. Total live exports for 2014 were 237,000 head, of which over 72,000 went to the UK - a 10% increase over 2013. Specifically, over 54,000 head were exported to Northern Ireland, which is comparable with the 2013 figure. So far in 2015, approximately 8,500 head of cattle have been exported to Britain, 50% down on 2014. This is a function of better prices being received domestically for beef producers and an almost 10% increase in the live trade to Northern Ireland, up by over 4,000 head in the year to date. This trade has been assisted by the relative strength of sterling in recent times.
Dairy farmers expanding their production may have also played a part in decreased live cattle exports to Britain. With the abolition of milk quota it can be assumed that some farmers have elected to hold on to calves and weanlings which would be normally destined for foreign markets.
A strong system of transport links is in place to facilitate these exports and extra roll-on roll-off ferry capacity for livestock exports has been added since the beginning of this year. Three dedicated vessels and three roll-on roll-off ships are currently approved for export of live animals. The process to approve two more dedicated vessels is also well underway.
Bord Bia, in its ongoing interactions with British customers, will continue to pursue all possible opportunities to maximise the full potential of the beef and livestock trade with our largest trading partner in addition to actively supporting the development of the live export trade through the provision of market information, developing market access and promotional activity.
42. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41867/15]
View answerI confirm that the department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 19 August 2015 in respect of two care recipients.
The application was referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided, assess means and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of carer’s allowance are satisfied. Once the SWI has reported, a deciding officer will make a decision as quickly as possible. The person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
43. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will list all new State agencies or bodies established under the aegis of her Department since March 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41883/15]
View answerThe statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council, the Pensions Ombudsman and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Two new statutory bodies have been established since March 2011, namely:
- the Pensions Authority, formerly the Pensions Board, which was established on 7 March 2014, and
- the Pensions Council which was established on 3 February 2015.
44. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection for a list of the social protection payments that exclude persons with disabilities of working age from participating in the MOMENTUM programme and the Youth Guarantee, as they are not considered to be jobseekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41888/15]
View answerThe Momentum programme is funded by the Department of Education and Skills through SOLAS and is designed on a payment-by-results basis specifically for long-term recipients of jobseekers payments. The Department of Social Protection, through Intreo, identifies and refers eligible and suitable clients to the Momentum programme. The current phase of Momentum is coming to a conclusion and a decision has yet to be taken on whether or not it will operate again next year. Should it be decided to repeat the programme, the Department will together with the Department of Education and Skills and SOLAS consider if, and if so how, eligibility might be extended to people with disabilities who may be receiving payments other than jobseekers’ payments. The Youth Guarantee sets a medium-term objective of ensuring that young people receive an offer of employment within four months of becoming unemployed. The main plank of the guarantee is through early engagement with young recipients of jobseekers payments to provide them with assistance in finding and securing sustainable jobs. Engagement with this process is mandatory for young jobseekers’ recipients. For those who do not find employment, additional offers are provided for. Most such offers (over 70%) are in further education or training. Others are in community-based employment programmes such as CE, Gateway and Tús, or through the JobsPlus employment subsidy for private employment.
As those young people with disabilities who approach Intreo offices for employment-related support receive immediate engagement, the main innovation provided by the Youth Guarantee is already in place for this group, as is access to the full range of supports and programmes available for young people more generally. The difference in the treatment of young persons in receipt of disability/illness support payments is that engagement with the Intreo service is on a voluntary basis, unlike job-seekers where participation in activation measures through the Intreo service is mandatory.
There is also a range of additional supports that are specific to people with disabilities.
These supports include the wage subsidy scheme (WSS), the EmployAbility (supported employment) service, the reasonable accommodation fund for the employment of people with disabilities and the disability awareness training scheme. For those who are in receipt of invalidity pension or illness benefit (for at least six months) and who feel they now have some capacity for work, the partial capacity benefit (PCB) scheme allows them to work and retain a portion of their social welfare payment.
45. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons of working age in receipt of disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41889/15]
View answerDisability allowance (DA) is payable to eligible people between the ages of 16 and under 66. At the end of October 2015 there were 117,646 people in receipt of DA. The age breakdown is as follows:
|
Age |
Number of DA recipients |
|
16 |
1,248 |
|
17 |
1,482 |
|
18 |
1,482 |
|
19 |
1,529 |
|
20 |
1,530 |
|
21 |
1,491 |
|
22 |
1,634 |
|
23 |
1,662 |
|
24 |
1,815 |
|
25 |
1,680 |
|
26 |
1,652 |
|
27 |
1,660 |
|
28 |
1,696 |
|
29 |
1,766 |
|
30 |
1,867 |
|
31 |
1,837 |
|
32 |
1,996 |
|
33 |
2,073 |
|
34 |
2,151 |
|
35 |
2,115 |
|
36 |
2,193 |
|
37 |
2,166 |
|
38 |
2,231 |
|
39 |
2,218 |
|
40 |
2,295 |
|
41 |
2,431 |
|
42 |
2,565 |
|
43 |
2,573 |
|
44 |
2,613 |
|
45 |
2,570 |
|
46 |
2,624 |
|
47 |
2,799 |
|
48 |
2,782 |
|
49 |
2,751 |
|
50 |
3,001 |
|
51 |
2,944 |
|
52 |
2,952 |
|
53 |
2,943 |
|
54 |
2,862 |
|
55 |
3,032 |
|
56 |
2,994 |
|
57 |
3,040 |
|
58 |
3,003 |
|
59 |
3,095 |
|
60 |
3,065 |
|
61 |
3,091 |
|
62 |
3,227 |
|
63 |
3,115 |
|
64 |
3,042 |
|
65 |
3,066 |
|
Total |
117,646 |
