Written Answers Nos. 170-194
170. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Indecon Report will be available; if a stadium (details supplied) is included as part of the industry footprint in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25908/19]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Bord na gCon have informed me that, in September 2018, they announced a comprehensive strategic review into the future needs of its 16 licensed stadia, including Mullingar Greyhound Stadium, was to take place. In January 2019, following a competitive tender process, Indecon Economic Consultants were chosen to undertake the independent review and a completed overall report is expected later this year.
171. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when decisions will be made on aquaculture licence applications by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25985/19]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism.
Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body. Full details of the appeals process can be obtained at: www.alab.ie/appealsprocess/.
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of the applications referred to by the Deputy is now concluded. Every effort is being made to expedite determinations in respect of these applications having regard to the complexities involved.
As these licence applications are under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
172. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under TAMS 2 by each tranche in tabular form; the number of approved applications; the number of payment claims logged; the number of payment claims that have been approved for payment; the funds allocated to the scheme under the 2014-2020 RDP; the amount expended to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26041/19]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 provides for an indicative budget of €395m across the seven TAMS measures. A total of 9,502 applications have been approved for payment to date with expenditure totalling over €149m which includes transitional expenditure of €11m. Payments continue to issue at an average of €1.5m per week.
As the following table outlines, there are approximately 10,000 outstanding payment claims which have yet to be submitted. Details are set out below on approved applications and those on which payments have been made:
|
Tranche No. |
Applications Approved |
Payment Claims Received |
|
1 |
2,597 |
1,795 |
|
2 |
1,945 |
1,249 |
|
3 |
1,664 |
842 |
|
4 |
1,468 |
726 |
|
5 |
1,439 |
673 |
|
6 |
937 |
619 |
|
7 |
1,598 |
1,046 |
|
8 |
1,449 |
916 |
|
9 |
2,087 |
1,213 |
|
10 |
1,641 |
573 |
|
11 |
1,297 |
325 |
|
12 |
1,881 |
231 |
|
Total |
20,003 |
10,208 |
173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions for emissions reduction for the agricultural sector in the climate action plan published recently; the annual savings in emissions and annual net cost; and the total savings over the period covered by the plan. [26042/19]
View answerThe All-of Government Plan to tackle climate breakdown sets out a target of cumulative abatement of between 16.5 and 18.5 Mt CO2 eq over the period 2021 to 2030 for the agriculture sector. In addition, the sector will also deliver an additional 26.8 Mt CO2 eq through better land use management such as afforestation and improved management of peaty grasslands.
The plan identifies 34 actions for the sector that will contribute to our transition to a low carbon economy and society across abatement measures, carbon sequestration measures and displacement of fossil fuels and reflects our three pillar policy approach to achieving carbon neutrality without comprising sustainable food production of:
1. Reducing agricultural emissions;
2. Increasing carbon sequestration; and
3. Displacing and substituting fossil fuel and energy intensive materials.
These actions in the plan are informed by the recent Teagasc Marginal Cost Abatement Curve report (MACC) - An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030 as an identifiable suite of actions for delivery. These actions include both efficiency measures such as the Dairy EBI programme and technical measures such as changes in fertiliser type or low emissions slurry spreading as well as a series of forestry and bioeceonomy measures.
Marginal Abatement Cost Curves (MACCs) are very beneficial in terms of identifying the most cost-effective ways of meeting the targets both within and between sectors and also in identifying options that cost less than the marginal benefit from abatement. MACCs provide a useful framework to engage stakeholders on opportunities to reduce emissions. However, the total amount of abatement achieved will be highly dependent on the uptake of mitigation innovations. These innovations have been well researched and proven under Irish conditions and are now considered to be best practice by our Farm Advisory Service.
While the target for the sector is challenging, immediate action and early adoption is key and there are three important actions that can be advanced immediately.
- Deepening engagement with farmers and other stakeholders to promote the necessary deployment of new technologies and changes in farming practices.
- Improving nitrogen use efficiency such as widespread adoption of low emissions slurry spreading or introduction of clover in grassland swards; and
- Continuing our support for research and innovation such as the potential of novel feed additives in grass based production systems.
I will work to ensure that the next Common Agriculture Policy is aligned with this ambition and that climate action is mainstreamed in the development of our CAP strategic plan to ensure the delivery of this target. While the mitigation potential for agriculture is limited, agriculture can and must play a key role in contributing to Ireland’s climate change and energy targets in the years ahead.
The Teagasc MACC identified an abatement potential (annual savings in emissions) of 1.85 Mt CO2 eq per year from agriculture between 2021 to 2030 (including those measures at a cost of over €50 per tonne), 2.97 MtCO2eq from land use change (carbon sequestration), and energy saving and fossil fuel displacement of 1..37 MtCO2 eq which combined delivers a 6.19 Mt CO2e per annum saving for the periods 2021-2030 at a net cost (including efficiency savings) of circa €34 million per annum.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the latest international data and reporting on forecasted global increase in food demand by 2050 will be provided. [26043/19]
View answerOne of the most referenced forecasts for food demand to 2050 is work carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), ‘World Agriculture Towards 2030/2050, The 2012 Revision’. This report predicted that if consumption patterns do not change, agricultural production will need to increase by 60% relative to 2005/2007 to meet food demand in 2050.
A further piece of research by the FAO, ‘The Future of Food and Agriculture – Alternative Pathways to 2050’ (FAO, 2018), analysed food demand to 2050 in more detail. This research, using a scenario approach, forecast an increase of between 25% to 75% in the demand for, and production of, agricultural products to 2050.
The ten year OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook, published annually, gives a more short-medium term forecast of food demand. It brings together the commodity, policy and country expertise of both organisations and input from collaborating member countries to provide a consensus assessment of the ten-year prospects for agricultural and fish commodity markets at national, regional and global levels. The 2019-2028 Outlook is due for publication in early July.
While almost all forecasts of food demand growth indicate it will be driven by population growth, urbanisation, increasing per capita incomes, dietary patterns and consumer preferences, the Deputy will appreciate that projections and forecasts for markets and food demand are based on past information and assumptions about what will happen in the future. As a result, they are subject to substantial uncertainties.
175. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on proposals (details supplied); and the estimated full year cost of such a proposal. [26045/19]
View answerThe interest in the Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS) measure of TAMS II has been very strong with over 2,000 farmers approved to purchase machinery. In relation to payments, over 850 applicants have already been paid over €10m under the LESS Scheme. In addition, a further 495 Young Farmers have invested in this equipment bringing the total spend under TAMS II on LESS to date to €15.2m. The adoption of dribble bar, shallow injection and trailing shoe technology is making an important contribution in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the Irish livestock sector.
The TAMS II Scheme, is co-funded by the EU and approved by the EU Commission as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 -2020. Under these provisions, there is no scope to offer an increased grant rate over and above the existing 40% standard rate and 60% rate for Young Farmers.
Policy on VAT is matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
176. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if Inland Fisheries Ireland has considered examining the feasibility of reintroducing the grey wolf species as a measure to improving salmon stocks as a result of the trophic cascade effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25901/19]
View answerThe remit of my Department and of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) as regards wildlife is confined to inland fisheries species. The Department and IFI have no remit in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. The feasibility of reintroducing the grey wolf is a matter for consideration by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
That Department has advised that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (the IUCN) have developed Guidelines on Reintroductions and Conservation Translocations. These guidelines were developed by conservation experts and practitioners and they provide the benchmark for international best practice in this field. The IUCN document sets out an initial checklist for those considering a reintroduction project. One of the first requirements is that: “There should …. be strong evidence that the threats that caused any previous extinction have been … removed.”
Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht have further advised my Department that any feasibility assessment for the reintroduction of the wolf to Ireland would not meet this requirement.
177. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact Inland Fisheries Ireland is refusing to communicate with an association (details supplied) and is refusing to allow members of the association attend meetings of the fish farms working group and that no IFI officers attended the AGM of the association in February 2019 for the first time in many years; and if he has discussed the issue with IFI and the association. [25925/19]
View answer178. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an association (details supplied) has deep concerns over the increased costs in purchasing trout from Inland Fisheries Ireland facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25926/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together.
I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that communication with the National Anglers Representative Association (NARA) is on-going.
In addition, I am advised that, shortly after the establishment of the Fish Farm Working Group from across a range of disciplines within IFI, angling federations, including NARA, were invited to nominate two representatives to participate in the Group's deliberations. IFI have never refused to facilitate attendance by any nominated representative and the NARA representatives have attended when the meetings of the Group have been held.
The group last met on 29 April, a meeting I attended with senior officials of both my Department and IFI, and the Group collectively agreed to meet again when a number of matters under discussion have been progressed.
As regards recent modest increases in the cost of trout provided from IFI Fish Farm, this matter was discussed within the Group including with angling representatives. It would be preferable if the operations were entirely self financing covering their costs on a fully allocated basis.
However, the fact is that even with the modest price increases, the cost of fish supplied remains significantly below production cost and this represents a substantial subsidy from public funds for a select number of clubs who avail of the service.
IFI advise that internal consultations with its senior leadership which includes Divisional Managers and Regional Directors has not revealed any invitation to attend the NARA AGM for 2019.
179. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 13 June 2019, the details of the companies in two lease undertakings identified in his reply; the standard exploration licence the applications are related to; when an application for a lease undertaking was first made; and when his Department was first notified of a discovery at the site. [25980/19]
View answerMy Department is currently considering applications for two Lease Undertakings. The first application was received in October 2012 in respect of Standard Exploration Licence 2/07 (Hook Head) operated by Providence Resources Plc. The discovery of oil on the acreage encompassed by the Licence was first notified to the Department in 1971 by Marathon Petroleum Ireland Ltd. Providence Resources Plc was awarded Standard Exploration Licence 2/07 on this acreage on 1 February 2007, undertook drilling on this Licence in 2007 and 2008 and communicated the results to my Department.
The second application was received in April 2019 and is currently being validated and as such remains commercially sensitive at this time.
180. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the two lease undertakings identified in correspondence are for sites (details supplied); when these lease undertakings were first issued; and the licensing terms under which they were issued, that is, 1992 or 2007. [25981/19]
View answerThe two Lease Undertakings referenced in my letter of 8 May 2018 to the Ceann Comhairle are the Dunmore Lease Undertaking and the Helvick Lease Undertaking operated by Providence Resources PLC. The Lease Undertakings were issued on 1 March 2016 and are subject to the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production 2007.
181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is considering an application for a lease undertaking at Hook Head under a site (details supplied); when the application was first made; and when a decision will be made. [25982/19]
View answerSection 57 of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960 requires the Minister to lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas every six months a report detailing all exploration activities including petroleum exploration authorisations granted during the period of the report. The last such report laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas was in respect of the six-month period ending 31 December 2018. In addition, a report on the status of all petroleum authorisations is published on a quarterly basis on my Department's website. The most recent such report was published on 31 March 2019. This report referenced that my Department is in receipt of an application for a Lease Undertaking in respect of the remaining aspect (Hook Head) of Standard Exploration Licence 2/07 Operated by Providence Resources Plc. This application was first received in October 2012 and remains under consideration by my Department.
182. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the NTA to respond to queries raised in correspondence regarding cycling infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25861/19]
View answerI am informed that it appears from the information supplied by the Deputy that recent reminders issued to the National Transport Authority (NTA) used an incorrect email address.
I have now forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
183. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost estimate for the proposal within the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035 of the NTA to extend the Luas cross city northwards towards Finglas. [25867/19]
View answer185. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new carriages purchased for the Luas network in each year since 2009, in tabular form; and his plans regarding the purchase of additional carriages. [25869/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 185 together.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including Luas infrastructure and fleet.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
184. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the city centre resignalling project. [25868/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area including, in consultation with Iarnród Éireann, the City Centre Resignalling Project.
Noting the role of the NTA in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
186. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the NTA to respond to a previously submitted query (detail supplied). [25870/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA). In relation to the specific question, I have been informed that the NTA has no record of receiving it. I have, however, since forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
187. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has been consulted regarding the cost-benefit analysis study that Dublin Port Company commissioned to examine if an investment in berths at North Wall Quay is made; his plans to make a contribution to the cost-benefit analysis in the context of making Dublin a cruise destination as a home port or stop over destination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/19]
View answerI met with Dublin Port Company recently regarding its capital development plans and rationale for prioritisation in the context of Brexit, as well as the specifics with regard to cruise berths. At the meeting, Dublin Port outlined the ambitious development programme underway to provide additional cargo handling capacity at the port to cater for the growing economy.
Dublin Port Company advised that they are currently carrying out an economic cost benefit analysis study on a proposal to extend the North Wall Quay to provide berths suitable for the largest cruise ships. They intend to publish this study as part of a wider public consultation.
In line with National Ports Policy Dublin Port Company receives no State funding and my Department will not be providing any monetary contribution towards the cost benefit analysis.
188. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the eligibility for a disabled parking permit or European parking cards will be extended to provide for persons with dementia and Alzheimer's; his views on whether persons with invisible disabilities should be able to apply for the permit in order to travel with greater ease and live more independent lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25993/19]
View answerThe Disabled Parking Permit (also known as the European Parking Card or Disabled Parking Badge) is available to people living in Ireland whose mobility is severely restricted, whether they are drivers or passengers, and also to those who are registered blind. In 2010 the Department conducted a review of the Disabled Parking Scheme, in consultation with various stakeholders and one of the issues examined was eligibility for the scheme. As a result of the review the scheme was revised so that permits are now given on the basis of mobility impairment rather than the diagnosis of a particular condition or illness. This is in line with the original intention of the scheme.
The possibility of extending the eligibility criteria for the scheme to include people with invisible disabilities such as those mentioned by the Deputy has been raised on a number of occasions and the Department has consulted extensively with the joint issuing authorities of the scheme, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWC), on this matter. In light of this consultation there are currently no plans to change the criteria.
I would particularly emphasise to the Deputy that issuing a large number of extra permits by extending the eligibility criteria would in fact put the existing scheme under significant additional pressure and compromise the availability of disabled parking spaces in general.
189. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the chair of the collaborative forum of former residents of mother and baby homes and related institutions will be replaced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25989/19]
View answer190. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vacancies on the collaborative forum of former residents of mother and baby homes and related institutions; when the vacancies will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25990/19]
View answer191. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the report of the collaborative forum of former residents of mother and baby homes and related institutions will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25991/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 191, inclusive, together.
Following the receipt of the Collaborative Forum's first report, I signalled the opportunity to take some time to reflect upon the learning from the process to date. In this way the mandate of the Forum can be refined to further enhance the State's engagement with former residents. The Forum itself also suggested a revisiting of these matters.
I am currently examining how best to conduct a focused interim evaluation which involves the Forum members and considers important issues relating to the Forum's composition and mandate.
Delivering its first report within 6 months was a significant achievement and reflected the strong commitment and dedication of Forum members to this task. It was understandable therefore that the former Chair and a small number of members signalled their intention to step down when the first report had been finalised and they have subsequently done so. I am actively considering a suitable appointments to these current vacancies to ensure the continuity of the process.
As the Deputy will be aware, Government Ministers regularly seeks legal advice from the Attorney General in the context of decisions on the publication of any report. Following its consideration of the Attorney's advices, the Government decided that the full report of the Collaborative Forum could not be published ahead of the Commission of Investigation's final report. Instead, as an initial step, I published the full set of recommendations made by the Forum in its report.
The Commission is due to deliver its final report by February 2020. At that time, I will reconsider publication of the Forum's report subject to any further advices of the Attorney General. I have sent a copy of the full report to the Commission of Investigation for its appropriate attention and consideration in the context of its statutory investigations.
The Government has committed to advancing consideration of the report and a comprehensive analysis of the recommendations by relevant Departments continues to be developed.
192. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the net amount of funding that has come into to the Dormant Accounts Fund to date in 2019 after repayments to the banks of reclaimed funds; the amount he plans to spend on projects out of the fund in 2019; the spend to date; the amount of uncommitted funds on hand not including the statutory reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26048/19]
View answerWith regard to transfers to and from the Dormant Accounts Fund for 2019, the most recent information available to me from the NTMA covers the period to the end of May 2019. At that point €61.8 million had transferred into the fund from dormant accounts within relevant financial institutions and a total of €10.6 million had been reclaimed from the fund. Therefore, the net value of transfers into the fund for 2019 to the end of May was €51.2 million.
With regard to expenditure on measures approved in Dormant Account Fund Action Plans, as the Deputy is aware, measures approved in Action Plans subsequently require voted Government expenditure to be made available. For 2019 the total voted expenditure dedicated to Dormant Accounts measures across relevant Government Departments was €39 million. The delivery of these measures is a matter for each relevant Department. Within my own Department the total voted allocation for Dormant Accounts measures in 2019 is €12.057 million and, to date, expenditure of €1.76 million has been incurred. As in 2018 my Department intends to spend the full allocation in 2019.
Finally, at the end of May 2019, the balance in the fund was €340.87 million and the reserve fund stood at €94.62 million. Commitments made in Dormant Accounts Action Plans have a total liability of €60.67 million. Therefore, the amount of uncommitted funds at the end of May 2019 stood at €185.57 million. I have recently commenced the process of developing the next Action Plan which will increase the level of commitments on the fund.
193. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of social welfare payments for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25860/19]
View answerThe person concerned has made an application for One Parent Family Payment and Supplementary Welfare Allowance and has been refused both. The claim for One Parent Family Payment has been refused on two grounds:
1. she has failed to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition and
2. she has failed to show that her means are below the maximum applicable rate (€342.00)
The person concerned has currently appealed the decisions and a submission from the Deciding Officer has been forwarded to the Appeals Office.
The claim for Supplementary Welfare Allowance has been disallowed on the Habitual Residence Condition and a submission by the Deciding Officer has subsequently been submitted to the appeals office. The Appeals Office will issue their decision in due course.
The person concerned has received exceptional needs payments and should she wish to make further claims they will also be considered.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a carer's allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25871/19]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 25 April 2019. The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
