Written Answers Nos. 384-402
384. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) can opt out of the beef genomic scheme under force majeure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15061/19]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme state that, where a contract is terminated by an applicant, all monies paid under the Programme shall be repaid to the Department except in certain cases including where force majeure applies.
Where a beneficiary is unable to continue complying with the requirements of the Programme for reasons beyond his/her control, a case may be made under force majeure to terminate participation in the Programme. In such cases the applicant should inform the Department in writing including any relevant evidence they have to substantiate their position.
To-date, no such contact or correspondence has been received from the person named. However, staff from my Department have made contact with the person named and have advised him that he may submit written reasons for his possible withdrawal. On receipt of such a submission, my Department will consider whether force majeure is applicable in this case.
385. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current named licence holder of the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Horse studbooks is Horse Sport Ireland and not a society (details supplied); the expiry dates of these licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15067/19]
View answerHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) is approved to maintain a breeding programme under Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 for the Irish Sport Horse and the Irish Draught Horse. This approval is valid until 1st July, 2019.
386. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the public and EU tender process that will apply to the granting of a new licence renewal of the Irish Sport Horse and Draught Horse studbooks; his plans to apply a licence fee (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15068/19]
View answerApproval to recognise a breed society and the approval of its breeding programme is carried out by my Department as the Competent Authority in line with European legislation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012).
The legislation concerned does not refer to a public and EU tender process nor address license fees. The processes operated by my Department in this area are fully in line with this legislation.
387. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Horse Sport Ireland has the right or otherwise to veto the transfer of the Irish Sport Horse and Draught Horse Studbooks to another party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15069/19]
View answerA report by Indecon International Consultants - ‘Review of Certain Matters relating to Horse Sport Ireland’ - was published by my Department on June 27th 2017.
Indecon recommended that the newly elected Board of HSI should consider the merits of transferring the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Studbooks to the Irish Horse Board (IHB) which would be treated impartially as an affiliate. It is a matter for the Board to determine whether this is the most effective way to achieve the breeding and production objectives for the breeds concerned.
388. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to use of white wolves by a circus (details supplied) currently touring the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15194/19]
View answerOfficials from my Department visited the circus in question and they confirmed that there no wolves performing or travelling with the show.
There were several breeds of domestic canine present in the circus. My inspectors assessed the conditions of the animals in question and were found to be of good standard.
389. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU Commission has raised concerns with his Department regarding the establishment of a Border inspection post at Rosslare Europort; if so, the nature of these concerns; the anticipated timeline of works related to the Border inspection post there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15205/19]
View answerThe dossier requesting the approval of facilities located around Rosslare Port as a Border inspection post (BIP) was sent to the European Commission by my Department on the 14th of February.
The Commission has subsequently communicated to my Department that it has approved the facilities to be designated as a BIP for the importation of products of animal origin for human consumption and products of animal origin not for human consumption, excluding bulk products and non-containerised liquids and oils.
Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with the Commission in regards to the designation of Rosslare Port facilities for the importation of live animals and, as such, that approval is still pending. We expect an update on this application shortly.
Construction is ongoing at the facility location in Rosslare and the builders have been made aware of the new deadlines that have been set as a result of the votes and legislation that has been passed in the UK parliament.
390. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislation in place to protect trees and to cease tree felling on private lands during bird nesting periods; if the removal of trees during redevelopment requires planning permission; the steps he is taking to greatly increase tree cover in rural and urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15277/19]
View answerThe Forestry Act 2014 specifies the requirements to obtain a tree felling licence, prior to commencing certain tree felling operations. This is regardless of whether a tree or trees are on public or private property. My Department also published the Felling and Reforestation Policy document in May 2017 to provide a consolidated source of information on the legal and regulatory framework relating to tree felling.
Applications for felling licences may like other forestry-related operations, be subject to a screening process under the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Birds and Habitats Directives, to assess if the operations will have a significant impact on the environment and habitat. If a significant effect is likely or where uncertainty exists, the Department must request a Natura Impact Assessment from the applicant and may carry out an Appropriate Assessment to gauge the nature of the impact and the effectiveness of any mitigation measures proposed to avoid adverse effects.
Applications for felling licences are published on my Department's website which provides an opportunity for people to make a submission on the proposed felling within a 30 day period. Where a felling licence has issued, a 28 day time limit for the receipt of appeals applies in all cases. A site notice must also be displayed at the entrance to the site prior to the commencement and during the harvesting operations. All those involved in tree felling must ensure that a felling licence has been issued by my Department. It is an offence to fell trees without a licence unless an exemption applies.
There are a number of exemptions provided for in the Act that mean, in specific circumstances, a tree felling licence is not required. For example:
- If a tree is located outside of a forest area and within an urban area (as defined by the Forestry Act 2014),
- If the felling of a tree or trees is being carried out by a public authority in the course of their statutory functions,
- If a tree is within 10 metres of a public road and which, in the opinion of the owner is dangerous to persons using the public road on account of its age or condition does not require a felling licence.
It is worth noting that it is the responsibility of the landowner or the person felling the tree to ensure that they are acting within the law. None of the exemptions under Section 19 of the Forestry Act 2014 serve to remove any restriction on the felling or removal of trees under (a) the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2013, (b) the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2000, or (c) any other enactment.
It is an offence under the Wildlife Acts to cut or burn a hedgerow or trees in a hedgerow during the bird nesting season between the 1st of March and the 31st of August. Hedgerows and trees in a line and other landscape features are designated features and removal may require screening for the likely impact on the environment or habitat. Approval from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) may be required if the proposed removal is in a designated European Site such as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) or a Specially Protected Area or a Natura Heritage Area (NHA). Offenders could be prosecuted by An Garda Síochána or the National Parks and Wildlife Service and could also impact on those claiming the Basic Payment Scheme payments from the Department.
Tree felling and tree planting that is carried out by public authorities is a matter for that authority and outside the remit of my Department. However, developments requiring deforestation may require an Environmental Impact Assessment, Planning permission and a felling licence under the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2015. Forest owners are entitled to seek a written formal declaration under Section 5 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) as to whether the local planning authority considers their proposed project requires planning permission.
My Department is committed to greatly increasing forest cover through the implementation of the Forestry Programme since 2015. The continued expansion of the forest estate is a priority and generous grants and 15 year premiums are available to land owners who convert to forestry. Between 2015 and 2018, 22,354 hectares of new forest has been planted by 3,504 forest owners. Total expenditure in the same period for both existing and new forest owners and for promotional and ancillary activities under the Forestry Programme amounted to €404.6 million.
391. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider matters (details supplied) in relation to beef farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/19]
View answerIn early March, I met with a delegation from the group mentioned in correspondence received from the Deputy. The meeting was constructive and I believe there was good engagement across a range of important issues.
I am very conscious of the role played by the beef sector in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland, as reflected in the Dáil debate on this topic last week.
I am deeply committed to fully supporting and developing Ireland’s beef sector. I am strongly of the view that the existing range of supports available to suckler farmers, together with ensuring access to as many markets as possible, both for live animals and beef exports, are appropriate for the continued development of the sector.
I am aware of the current challenges facing beef farmers, with a sustained period of low prices, following on from additional costs last year arising from the unprecedented weather events. However, as Minister, I cannot intervene directly in any commodity price; cattle prices are a matter for the processing industry and the farmers who supply it. Cattle prices are influenced by a variety of factors such as the level of consumer demand, production levels and exchange rate differences. Brexit also presents enormous challenges and ongoing uncertainty for the entire beef sector.
I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and in particular the beef sector, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions of the European Union are very well aware of the likelihood of a significant impact of a disorderly Brexit on Ireland’s economy because this has been part of the discussion from the beginning, and indeed this is explicitly recognised in the Commission’s own communication on contingency planning.
Most recently, I held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Hogan at the end of January to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food sector, and on the beef sector in particular. We discussed the unique exposure of the sector to the threat of a disorderly Brexit, and the challenges that it could present. I stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on farmers and the food industry, including through traditional market supports such as intervention and Aids to Private Storage (APS), through exceptional aid under the CAP's Single Common Market Organisation regulation, and through increased flexibility under State Aid regulations. Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EU’s readiness to respond and support Ireland and we will remain in contact on these issues as the situation evolves.
In relation to bonus payments by factories, a Quality Payment System (QPS) providing for differentiated payments in respect of certain grades of cattle at slaughter plants was put in place in 2009. Additional bonus payments, and the conditions required to obtain them, are determined by processors, to incentivise or reward production meeting the specifications of retail customers. They are not conditions determined by law and my Department has no role in their operation.
One of the unique strengths of the agri-food sector has been the shared vision for the sustainable development of the sector in Food Wise 2025. It is crucial that we all continue to work together. I have highlighted the need for stakeholders to recognise their inter-dependency, and to increase the strength of all links in the supply chain, including the development of Beef Producer Organisations.
392. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of court prosecutions initiated by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in each of the years 2014 to 2018; the result of each of these court cases; the number and values of fines issued in each year; the value of fines collected each year; the value of fines still outstanding in respect of these prosecutions; the arrangements in place to collect the outstanding fines; if he will provide an age analysis of these outstanding fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15336/19]
View answerUnder the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. Accordingly, I am precluded from having any role in relation to any operational control activities or actions by the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority or the Naval Service.
As the information requested relates to operational matters, I have requested the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to respond directly to you on the specific information requested.
393. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of court prosecutions initiated by his Department in each of the years 2014 to 2018; the result of each of these court cases; the number and values of fines issued in each year; the value of fines collected each year; the value of fines still outstanding in respect of these prosecutions; the arrangements in place to collect the outstanding fines; if he will provide an age analysis of these outstanding fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15345/19]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested in relation to the number of court prosecutions initiated by my Department, the result or current status of these cases and the value of fines issued for each year is set out in the table.
The Deputy will be aware that neither I, nor my Department, has any function in relation to the collection of fines, which rests with the Courts Service and consequently such records are not maintained by the Department.
|
Year |
No. of Prosecutions initiated |
No. of Convictions/Ongoing |
Total Fines € |
|
2014 |
13 |
13 convictions |
21,950 |
|
2015 |
34 |
31 convictions 3 ongoing |
43,806 |
|
2016 |
31 |
30 convictions 1 ongoing |
23,775 |
|
2017 |
18 |
17 convictions 1 ongoing |
72,250 |
|
2018 |
26 |
4 convictions 22 ongoing |
1,200 |
394. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has undertaken procurement processes in relation to consultancy agencies media or otherwise to assist it with formulating or contributing to policy messaging on social media or videos on behalf of his Departmental strategies or policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15381/19]
View answerMy Department has not undertaken procurement processes in relation to consultancy agencies - media or otherwise - to assist it with formulating or contributing to policy messaging on social media or videos on behalf of my Departmental strategies or policies.
395. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his departmental officials have been contributing to and taking part in Government of Ireland social media messages; the way in which they are co-ordinated in each of the policy areas of his Department; the Department that is the lead Department in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15398/19]
View answerThe Press and Communications Office in my Department is the primary point of contact between the Department and members of the media, as well as members of the general public. The office is responsible for communicating with media and members of the public regarding the work of the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Department's social media presence is also managed by the Press and Communications Office.
Communications Division has responsibility for postings on social media on behalf of my Department. Communications Division prepares social media content based on press releases issued on behalf of the Department or Minister(s), events and information on schemes and services available through the Department. The Communications Division also liaises with Divisions across the Department to coordinate information on policies and programmes that can be communicated through my Department's social media channels of Twitter and YouTube. Communications Division "retweets" content from other Government Departments relevant to my Department's work.
396. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the maximum grant available under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund sustainable aquaculture scheme has been increased to €1 million; if so, the date from which this is operable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15428/19]
View answerSince 2016, my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme 2014-20 has been providing a wide range of supports to our seafood sector to foster its sustainable development. Supports to the aquaculture sector are provided through two EMFF schemes, namely a Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme and a Knowledge Gateway Scheme. In line with the objectives of my Department's National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development, the EMFF Knowledge Gateway Scheme seeks to foster innovation and technological development in the aquaculture sector, while the EMFF Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme focuses on promoting capital investment in the sector to incentivise growth in production and value and assist the sector in increasing its sustainability.
The support rates under the Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme were last amended in May 2017 when, with the approval of the stakeholder monitoring committee for the Programme, the maximum grant available was increased from €500,000 to €1 million. Support is provided at 50% of eligible costs for new farmers, 40% for SMEs and 30% for non-SMEs. SMEs can avail of a special higher 50% rate for projects concerning seaweed farming, land-based re-circulating systems, and for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture.
397. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has an operating language scheme in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003; and the date when such a scheme was introduced. [15483/19]
View answerMy Department has an Irish Language Scheme in place in accordance with the Official Languages Act 2003. The present Scheme commenced with effect from 24 October 2016 and work on preparing the next Scheme will commence shortly.
The scheme is available on my Department's website:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/gaeilge/ScimTeanga1619IrishLanguageScheme100217.pdf
398. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he discussed the roll out of 5G technology and the use of a company (details supplied) during his St. Patrick's Day visit to Canada. [14869/19]
View answerThe itinerary for my recent visit to Canada as part of the Government’s St Patrick’s Day Programme included meetings with a wide range of stakeholders on a variety of issues, however not on the issue to which the Deputy refers. In relation to the roll-out of fifth generation (5G) networks, these are expected to be commercialised over the next few years. Roll-out of 5G technology in Ireland is primarily a matter for private mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis. Mobile network operators function in a liberalised market in Ireland, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions, as provided for in Section 11 of the Communications Regulations Act 2002.
There are statutory provisions to ensure that operators of networks and services in Ireland take appropriate measures to manage risks to the security of their networks and services, and to guarantee their integrity. These requirements are set out in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 333 of 2011). ComReg is responsible for ensuring compliance with these provisions.
399. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a domestic waste collection waiver or rebate for those full-time carers caring for family members who are doubly incontinent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14931/19]
View answer400. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to a working group established to consider introducing a domestic waste collection waiver or rebate for those full-time carers caring for family members who are doubly incontinent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/19]
View answer405. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position in relation to the promised €75 annual support towards domestic waste charges for persons who have lifelong or long-term medical incontinence; when this will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14822/19]
View answer406. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a domestic waste collection waiver or rebate for those full-time carers caring for family members who are doubly incontinent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14933/19]
View answer407. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to a working group established to consider introducing a domestic waste collection waiver or rebate for those full-time carers caring for family members who are doubly incontinent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/19]
View answer412. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when a waiver will be issued for persons with disabilities and incontinence issues in regard to waste bills; and the reason persons are still waiting since the announcement of June 2017 for this introduction. [15158/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 399, 400, 405 to 407, inclusive and 412 together.
My Department continues to engage with a number of relevant stakeholders and agencies including the HSE and the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in an effort to develop a mechanism to provide a support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of this element of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputies that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.
401. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of electric vehicle charging points available by county in tabular form; the number of electric vehicle charging points which are expected to be rolled out by county in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14985/19]
View answerProviding adequate charging infrastructure is critical to ensure continued growth in electric vehicles. Home charging is the most cost-effective way to charge an electric vehicle and is the primary method of charging for the majority of electric vehicles both internationally and in Ireland. A Government grant of up to €600 is available, via the SEAI, to the purchasers of new and second-hand electric vehicles to support the installation of home chargers.
Under the first call for applications from the Climate Action Fund, I approved funding of up to €10 million to support ESB eCars to develop a nationwide, state-of-the-art electric vehicle fast charging network. The project includes the installation of 90 high-power chargers, upgrading 50 existing standard chargers to fast chargers and replacing over 250 existing standard chargers with next generation high reliability models.
This project successfully completed the assessment stage and the validation stage is now underway. On completion of this stage further detail on the project, including information in relation to the location of chargers and a timeline, will be set out.
At the end of 2018, there were over 7,600 electric vehicles on the road in Ireland – a doubling of the total from the previous year. It is estimated that the implementation of the ESB eCars project will provide the necessary fast charging infrastructure to support at least 40,000 electric vehicles.
The following table, provided to my Department by ESB eCars, sets out the number of publically available standard charge points and fast chargers on the eCars network in each county. In addition there are public chargers provided by local authorities, retail outlets and private companies.
|
County |
Standard Charge Points |
Fast Chargers |
|
Donegal |
26 |
3 |
|
Sligo |
10 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
6 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
20 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
20 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
16 |
1 |
|
Galway |
28 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
10 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
10 |
0 |
|
Longford |
10 |
1 |
|
Meath |
22 |
2 |
|
Louth |
24 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
160 |
18 |
|
Kildare |
28 |
4 |
|
Offaly |
14 |
0 |
|
Laois |
16 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
26 |
3 |
|
Carlow |
12 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
26 |
4 |
|
Kilkenny |
14 |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
16 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
24 |
2 |
|
Clare |
16 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
26 |
4 |
|
Cork |
58 |
7 |
|
Kerry |
28 |
1 |
|
Total |
666 |
78 |
Funding for public charging in local communities is available through the Better Energy Communities Scheme. The scheme, which is administered by the SEAI, supports community-based partnerships, many of which include local businesses and enterprises. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with the SEAI, is working on how best to support the provision of greater levels of on-street public charging.
402. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when electric chargers for electric cars will be back up and running in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15006/19]
View answerThe majority of the existing network of publicly accessible charge points were rolled out by the ESB through its eCars programme. This network includes over 650 standard public charge points and 78 fast chargers, mainly on national routes to facilitate longer journeys. A map showing the charge points, including their status and availability, is available on the ESB's website at www.esb.ie/ecars. The operation and maintenance of these charge points is a matter for ESB eCars and therefore not in my remit, however, my Department has contacted ESB eCars regarding charging post locations in Counties Cavan and Monaghan. In addition, to a fast charger in Monaghan town, the charging post locations, each with 2 standard charging points, are as follows;Monaghan
- Louis Convent, Castle Street, Carrickmacross, Monaghan,
- Market Street, Carrickmacross, Monaghan
- Off Thomas Street, Castleblaney, Monaghan
- Old Cross Square, Monaghan, Monaghan
- Town Centre Car Park, Off Fermanagh Street, Clones, Monaghan
Cavan
- Main Street, Bailieborough, Cavan
- The Grove, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan
- Market Street, Cootehill, Cavan
- Dublin Road, Cavan Town, Cavan
- Farnham Street, Cavan, Cavan
Of these charge points, The Grove, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan and Town Centre Car Park, Clones, Monaghan have issues which cannot be repaired. These are marked as not being currently operational on the ESB eCars' online map.
These units are due to be replaced towards the end of the year when ESB takes delivery of replacement units. The remaining units are operational.
