Written Answers Nos. 209-227
209. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in each year of the knowledge gateway scheme that is provided by Bord Iascaigh Mhara since its establishment; the amount allocated and expended in each year, respectively; and the budget allocations for 2018, in tabular form. [10807/18]
View answerMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector up to 2021. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 15 schemes, including the Knowledge Gateway Scheme which provides funding for projects that promote innovation and research in the aquaculture sector to enhance productivity, environmental management, disease management and animal husbandry.
The following table sets out details of the annual allocation made available for each year, the expenditure outturn and the number of projects aided.
The allocated budget for 2018 is €2.5 million. No funding awards have yet been made in 2018.
|
Year |
No of projects |
Budget Allocated |
Total spend |
|
2016 |
6 |
1,400,000.00 |
945,913.14 |
|
2017 |
15 |
1,500,000.00 |
1,462,582.20 |
210. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the topics discussed at the most recent European Council agricultural Ministers meeting. [10808/18]
View answerI attended the Agri-Fish Council in Brussels on the 19th February. The main items discussed at Council were the Commission's Communication on the Future of Food and Farming, the role of the agriculture sector in the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and the EU Protein Strategy.
My Ministerial colleagues and I exchanged views on the Future of Food and Farming, based on questions posed by the Presidency regarding direct payments, measures for environmental protection and climate action, and, rural development.
The discussion on the EU's Bioeconomy Strategy and the role of the agriculture sector, focussed on supporting the development of a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy and enhancing the benefits for primary producers in this context. The question of improving the integration of farmers and foresters into the bio economy value chains also featured.
In addition, Commissioner Hogan provided an update at Council on the EU Protein strategy.
There were also a number of AOB items discussed, including an initiative to set up an EU Africa Task Force for 'Rural Africa' with a view to strengthening the cooperation between the European Union and the African Union in the field of agriculture and food production.
211. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the communication from the European Commission (COM (2018) 98 final) on a new multi-annual financial framework for the EU post 2020 and the spending reductions proposed in relation to CAP; his plans to avoid reductions in the CAP budget after 2020; if he has proposed increasing the overall CAP budget; and if he has formally requested that member states increase their national contribution to the EU budget to fill the deficit caused by Brexit. [10809/18]
View answerOn 14th of February 2018, the Commission published its Communication on a Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for the European Union post-2020. The Department of Finance is the lead department on the negotiation of the MFF.
The communication indicates that the Commission will publish MFF proposals by early May 2018 at the latest. Recognising the loss of UK budgetary contributions post 2020, and an expanded range of expenditure priorities, it calls for a budget of sufficient size, supported by a revision of the revenue side.
For illustrative purposes, the communication outlines a range of options, some of which involve expenditure cuts, across all major policy areas, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The document makes it clear that these are not proposals, but rather are intended to stimulate an open debate.
Any increase in overall expenditure will require additional contributions from Member States. Not all Member States may be willing to make such contributions. From Ireland's perspective, the Taoiseach, in his address to the European Parliament in January 2018, has already indicated that Ireland is open to contributing more to the EU budget, but only if it is spent on policies that contribute to the advancement of the European ideal. The CAP is such a policy, and at the Council of Agriculture Ministers I have repeatedly personally called for the strongest budget possible for CAP post 2020.
212. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria for the social farming scheme; and if proposals (details supplied) qualify. [10810/18]
View answerI have not yet made my decision on the allocation of funding for Social Farming in 2018. If and when requests for tenders are issued, they will be publicised through my Departments Press Office. Any future request for tenders will be along a similar basis as 2017 and the award criteria will be set out in the procurement documents.
In previous years, the services comprised the provision of supports under a funding framework for substantial new or existing social farming model project where Social Farming is the practice of offering activity on farms as a form of a social support service. Funding is for current expenditure only and funding for capital works/expenditure will not be considered.
Last year the contracts for social farming were awarded following a procurement process and the award criteria in place were :
- Proposals which have a national reach/benefit;
- Proposals which are open and visible to the public and will thus raise awareness of Social Farming;
- Proposals which can establish or develop a best practice model for social farming;
- Proposals which promote the concept of social farming to a wider audience, as well as supporting individuals who are already involved in social farming nationwide.
213. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 13 February 2018, the peak number of active participants in the REPS scheme compared to GLAS. [10811/18]
View answerREPS opened in 1994 and over a period of 12 years, during which the scheme was continuously open for the submission of applications, participation levels peaked at 59,200 in 2006.
The first approvals under GLAS run from 1 October 2015 and over the course of three application windows the RDP target of 50,000 approvals by the end of 2018 was achieved by January 2017, a period of 15 months.
214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of direct and indirectly employed persons in the agrifood sector. [10812/18]
View answerThe CSO published four Quarterly National Household Surveys (QNHS) for 2016, the most recent full year available. These showed that employment in the agrifood sector overall, including all its component parts, averaged 173,400 throughout the year. The agrifood sector represented circa 8.6% of national employment as measured by the QNHS. Full data for 2017, from the recently introduced Labour Force Survey, is expected in mid-March this year.
Other official statistics, such as the Census of Population (2016), show the wide dispersal of sectorial employment through all regions of the country. This also generates significant amounts of indirect employment in such areas, via local sourcing of inputs and consumption of goods and services.
The Food Wise 2025 strategy projects significant growth in both direct and indirect employment, arising from substantial increases in value added and export value for the sector as a whole.
215. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons nationally and by county who are directly and indirectly employed in seaweed production and harvesting; the amount this industry is worth to the economy; the regulatory position pertaining to production in this area; and the role overseen by the Marine Institute. [10813/18]
View answerI am informed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara that there are sixteen people directly employed in seaweed farming in Ireland at this time, of which seven are in Cork, eight in Kerry and one in Mayo. BIM estimates that the seaweed sector supports in the region of ten indirect jobs in ancillary services. A county breakdown cannot be provided for this estimate.
Seaweed farming in Ireland is a fledgling industry, so its value to the economy at this time is nominal. I understand that the value of current production, when dried and further processed, may be in the region of €100,000. However, the sector has significant potential for growth in the years ahead, particularly given its positive environmental impact and its nutritional and pharmaceutical qualities.
My Department co-funds with the European Union a Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme under my Department's EMFF Operational Programme. The Scheme is administered by BIM. It provides capital grants to aquaculture enterprises for investments that seek to grow output, value and employment in the sector. To incentivise the growth of the seaweed farming sector, I have made available the maximum permitted 50% grant rate to seaweed farming investments and grants of up to €1 million are available to aquaculture enterprises for such investments.
My Department is responsible for the licensing and regulation of aquaculture production of seaweed under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 and the Foreshore Act 1933, as amended.
The Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government is responsible generally for the licensing and regulation of wild seaweed harvesting. However, where the harvested product is used as a food source for the aquaculture production of shellfish, regulation falls within the remit of my Department.
In respect of the production of seaweed, the Marine Institute is a statutory consultee on applications for Aquaculture licences.
216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take in the current and future CAP to achieve a €200 payment per suckler cow (details supplied). [10815/18]
View answer217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures available under the RDP Pillar 2 that permits a scheme to be operationalised for a €200 payment per suckler cow. [10816/18]
View answer218. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is technically possible to operationalise an Exchequer funded scheme such as the 2008 to 2012 suckler welfare scheme. [10817/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 216 to 218, inclusive, together.
I am a strong advocate of supporting a vibrant and productive national suckler herd. The Beef Data and Genetics Programme (BDGP) is the main support specifically targeted for the suckler sector, which provides Irish beef farmers with some 300 million euro in funding over the current Rural Development Programme (RDP) period.
This scheme, which was introduced in accordance with the provisions of Article 28 EU Regulation 1305/2013, is an agri-environmental measure to improve the environmental sustainability of the national suckler herd by increasing genetic merit within the herd. So far under this programme approximately 135 million euro has been paid out to farmers and this Government will continue to support this programme through the lifetime of the current RDP.
In relation to existing funding, under Pillar II of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) my Department has rolled out a range of schemes as part of the 4 billion euro Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014 - 2020. In addition to the BDGP, other supports which are available for suckler farmers under Pillar II of the CAP include GLAS, ANCs and Knowledge Transfer Groups. Suckler farmer also benefit from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments under CAP Pillar I.
In relation to any potential funding over and above existing supports to farmers under the current CAP, I again stress:
There are no surplus funds available within the RDP above and beyond the funding already allocated, which has been committed to existing schemes within the RDP. Therefore, any additional supports under the RDP would require cuts to other RDP schemes and /or additional exchequer funding. RDP schemes, including the existing BDGP are based on costs incurred and income foregone by participants. Every scheme, or scheme adjustment, under the RDP must be justified and approved by the European Commission on the basis of additional actions and income foregone by farmers.
Any allocation of funding under Pillar I of the CAP for a coupled payment would in principle require a linear reduction to all existing farmers Basic Payment Scheme payments for redistribution.
I am not of the view that taking already committed money from farmers under the CAP is an appropriate means by which to support suckler farmers.
In regard to the Animal Welfare, Recording and Breeding Scheme for Suckler Herds which was operated between 2008 and 2012, its objectives were to improve breeding by recording animal events data and make better use of genetic evaluation. It also aimed to improve husbandry and weaning to reduce illness and mortality. The scheme was developed to provide training under Article 15 Provision of technical support in the Agriculture Sector of Commission Regulation 1857/2006 for participants of the Suckler Welfare Scheme. The Scheme was successful in meeting its objectives.
Any attempt to introduce a similar exchequer funded scheme which has the aim of improving the genetic merit and the welfare of the suckler herd would require approval by the European Commission under State Aid regulations and would need to comply with our obligations under WTO rules. The fact that a scheme, the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP), with similar aims already exists would be a complicating factor in seeking State Aid approval.
The introduction of such an additional scheme funded directly from exchequer funds, would in any event not be possible under the current budgetary resources available to my Department. I am strongly of the view that the current range of supports available to suckler farmers is the most appropriate way to support the continued development of the sector which according to the Teagasc National Farm survey for 2016 received support equivalent to approximately 500 euro per suckler cow.
I will continue to argue for as strong a CAP budget as possible, post 2020. In particular, I am committed to ensuring that suckler farmers continue to receive strong support in the next CAP post 2020. However my strong view is that any such payments should support and encourage suckler farmers to make the best decisions possible to improve the profitability, and the economic and environmental efficiency, of their farming system.
Finally I wish to encourage stakeholders within the industry to contribute to the public consultation (closing date 23rd March) which will be an important part of the framing of the future CAP in Ireland.
219. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if funding is available to the regional authorities from the European Regional Fund for the roll-out of broadband; the conditions attached to this; if he is satisfied these conditions can be met by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10700/18]
View answerThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (Circular 08/2015) sets out the eligibility rules in relation to the drawdown of all expenditure declared for Operational Programmes co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The current programme runs from 2014 to 2020.
The ERDF is delivered in Ireland through the Regional Assemblies. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) has secured a commitment of €75m from the ERDF of which €45m has been allocated to the Northern & Western region and €35m to the Southern region. Under State expenditure eligibility rules €150m is required to be spent to allow for drawdown of the €75m under the ERDF for the NBP project. A Major Project Notification to the ERDF is being progressed by my Department.
In 2015 the Government included an initial stimulus allocation of €275m for the State led Intervention under the NBP in its Capital Plan, with an acknowledgement that further Exchequer funding will be required over the lifetime of the NBP.
My Department remains committed to delivering high speed broadband to all premises in the country. In this regard the formal procurement process to engage a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area is now in its final stages.
220. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the compensation scheme for eel fishermen will be rolled out. [10708/18]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. [7000/18] of 13 February 2018. The position is unchanged and discussions with the European Commission are ongoing.
221. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the details of each instance of advertorial content commissioned by his Department and agencies under its remit in the past 12 months; the date this content was published; the purpose of this content; the cost of its publication; the publication or platform on which it was published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10768/18]
View answerMy Department's remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public broadcasting, and regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. The Department therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on advertorials from time to time.
In procuring these services, my Department always seeks to ensure value for money and keeping expenditure to the minimum necessary.
The information which the Deputy requested is outlined in the following table:
Advertorial content commissioned since 26th February 2017
|
Purpose of the content |
Date published |
Cost (incl VAT) |
Publication/Platform |
|
Raise awareness of the Department’s Trading Online Voucher Scheme |
March 2017 |
€6,150 |
Irish Independent Newspaper |
|
Tidy Towns magazine - Clean Air Award, Sustainable Award and Climate Change Award |
May 2017 |
€12,300 |
Tidy Towns magazine |
222. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the planned construction of a coastguard station at Fethard-on-Sea, New Ross, County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10525/18]
View answerThe Irish Coast Guard propose to arrange for the construction of an extension to the rear of the existing Fethard-on-Sea Coast Guard building, consisting of a meeting room, canteen, changing area, bathroom facilities and small store. Planning permission for such an extension was granted in February 2018.
223. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the BusConnects programme during the lifetime of the national development plan; the areas in which the €2.4 billion will be spent; the timeframe for the BusConnects programme; the commencement date of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10458/18]
View answerThe recently launched National Development Plan (NDP) identifies the delivery of the full BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities (inclusive of ticketing systems, bus corridors, additional capacity, new bus stops and bus shelters etc.) as a key investment priority over the period of the plan.
Work is ongoing by the National Transport Authority in the GDA on the network and also on infrastructure proposals for Core Bus Corridors which will be an integral part of the programme. When this work is completed the proposals will be launched for public consultations expected to commence in April and May of this year. The results of the public consultation will inform the final decisions to be made on the network redesign, Core Bus Corridors and park and ride facilities.
The NTA has also worked in partnership with a number of local authorities in Ireland’s cities to prepare transport related strategies or implement transport related projects. An example of this is the Galway Transport Strategy which was developed in 2016 by Galway City Council and Galway County Council in partnership with the NTA. The strategy concluded that bus-based public transport represents the most appropriate system for Galway. A Cork Transport Strategy is also being finalised by the relevant Local Authorities in partnership with the NTA which includes proposals for a revised bus system for Cork and enhancements to the commuter rail service in Cork including additional stations and rail fleet.
Accordingly the NDP identifies that the BusConnects programmes will be delivered for Galway and Cork to include new bus fleets; bus lanes with segregated cycling; revised bus service networks; and park-and-ride facilities. As the other cities develop transport strategies, investment will be available under the NDP for appropriate similar projects there.
224. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the next meeting of the national co-ordinating committee for mountain and cave rescue is due to meet; the details of the reporting mechanism from the committee to his Department; the actions taken in the past two years on foot of reports or recommendations of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10698/18]
View answerThe next meeting of the National Co-Ordinating Committee for Cave and Mountain Rescue is due to take place on 23rd March 2018 at 11.00hrs. The Committee is chaired by the Coast Guard, which is a Division of my Department and its membership includes the Irish Cave and Rescue Organisation (ICRO), Civil Defence, Mountain Rescue Ireland, An Garda Síochána, the Air Corps, and the Department of Justice and Equality
The purpose of the Committee is to monitor the provision and development of mountain and cave rescue facilities; to provide liaison between the Irish Mountain Rescue Association and its Mountain Rescue Teams and the Irish Cave Rescue Association, relevant Government Departments and other public bodies; and to advise on the allocation of small state grants for Mountain and Cave Rescue. The Committee meets at least twice a year. It has not produced any formal recommendations for action for my attention in the past two years.
225. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to amend driving licence regulations in view of difficulties arising for persons returning from the United States of America (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10745/18]
View answerIrish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. It is important to remember that driver licensing law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet high standards of safety. The standards for testing drivers are set at EU level.
As such, all EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, we may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. These are not a straightforward matter, and reaching them is not a matter of political will. They can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The RSA has previously explored reaching agreement on exchange with the USA. However, US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level, meaning that there are 50 licensing systems with widely varying standards. Agreement with any one state would mean taking into account the exchange relations between that state and the other 49. The RSA determined that agreement would not be possible.
When people come to Ireland with a non-exchange licence, we have no option but to require them to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence. This is a matter of public safety. While many may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring this.
At present, people with a full but non-exchange licence go through the normal driver learning process with one exception, namely that they do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.
I am aware of the difficulties, in terms of time, cost, and frustration, which this can cause. As Minister I have to balance this against a duty to public safety. The single largest cause difficulty is the requirement to undertake the 12 mandatory 'Essential Driver Training' lessons. I agree that this is excessive for experienced drivers. I have consulted with the RSA, and last week I announced that I have decided to introduce a 'short EDT' of 6 lessons for people with non-exchange licences.
Some might have preferred to abolish the EDT altogether for people in this position. I consulted with the RSA on this possibility, but it is clear that some lessons would be useful in helping people to adjust to Irish driving rules and conditions and in preparing people for the driving test.
226. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10748/18]
View answerThe regulation of small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing of SPSV drivers, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
227. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of each instance of advertorial content commissioned by his Department and agencies under its remit in the past 12 months; the date this content was published; the purpose of this content; the cost of its publication; the publication or platform on which it was published, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10780/18]
View answerMy Department has not commissioned any advertorial content in the timeframe requested by the Deputy.
As regards the agencies under my Department's remit this is a matter for themselves. I shall however issue the Deputy's question to them for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days she should contact my private office.
