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Wednesday, 27 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 687-701

Hen Harriers

Questions (687)

Matt Carthy

Question:

687. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recipients by county that receive payments under the hen harrier programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7916/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by a Hen Harrier Project Team. The information below is sourced from the Project Team.

The breakdown per county of payments made for 2019 breeding season is shown below.

County

Number of participants paid

Clare

300

Cork

207

Galway

251

Kerry

253

Laois

54

Limerick

292

Monaghan

30

Offaly

19

Tipperary

115

Mayo

2

Waterford

2

Total

1,525

Sheep Welfare Scheme

Questions (688)

Matt Carthy

Question:

688. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of recipients of the sheep welfare scheme by county; the average payment to each recipient by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7917/20]

View answer

Written answers

The table below sets out payments by county for Year 3 of the Sheep Welfare Scheme.

County

Number paid

Amount Paid

Average Payment

Carlow

391

€498,532.60

€1,275.02

Cavan

371

€263,482.10

€710.19

Clare

183

€72,766.10

€397.63

Cork

898

€830,717.17

€925.07

Donegal

3,239

€2,119,939.55

€654.50

Dublin

100

€113,826.00

€1,138.26

Galway

2,216

€1,807,940.84

€815.86

Kerry

1,586

€1,839,107.10

€1,159.59

Kildare

342

€470,866.91

€1,376.80

Kilkenny

276

€313,899.40

€1,137.32

Laois

211

€184,165.28

€872.82

Leitrim

621

€537,384.12

€865.35

Limerick

78

€81,683.10

€1,047.22

Longford

186

€136,212.90

€732.33

Louth

202

€238,832.57

€1,182.34

Mayo

2,729

€2,032,818.12

€744.89

Meath

497

€637,085.07

€1,281.86

Monaghan

189

€139,696.89

€739.14

Offaly

251

€278,982.40

€1,111.48

Roscommon

907

€773,317.80

€852.61

Sligo

810

€623,173.60

€769.35

Tipperary

413

€494,040.70

€1,196.22

Waterford

221

€341,097.40

€1,543.43

Westmeath

357

€335,174.20

€938.86

Wexford

523

€567,323.40

€1,084.75

Wicklow

797

€1,099,897.20

€1,380.05

Total

18,594

€16,831,962.52

€905.24

Question No. 689 answered with Question No. 666.

Meat Processing Plants

Questions (690)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

690. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that current capacity output will continue at meat processing factories and facilities to meet the commercial demand required for their products in view of the number of positive test results for Covid-19 for employees at these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7994/20]

View answer

Written answers

A national Outbreak Control team has been established by the HSE to deal with all issues relating to Covid 19 in meat plants. My Department is represented on this committee and it is expected that recommendations, including any in relation to testing, will issue from this group in due course. Any clusters of cases in individual meat plants, in common with clusters in other workplaces, are dealt with by local HSE-led outbreak control teams.

Officials from my Department and from the Food Business Operators are working closely with the Outbreak Control team to ensure that processing continues in a manner that is consistent with public health advice.

Live Exports

Questions (691)

Brendan Smith

Question:

691. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the boat capacity licensed to date for the export of live animals in 2020; if he is satisfied that this capacity is adequate; if not, the plans he has to licence additional capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/20]

View answer

Written answers

In the context of vessels dedicated to the transport of livestock from Ireland, there are currently three such vessels licensed by my Department. The capacity of these vessels depends on the particulars of the consignments being shipped.

My Department has not been made aware of any capacity concerns by exporters.

In relation to the licensing of new ships, any applications for approval are assessed in the normal manner by contacting the Department to arrange inspection of the proposed vessel. My Department will continue to facilitate ship operators and exporters regarding inspections of any new vessels as needed.

Ireland sets a high standard relating to the approval of ships for livestock transport. This approach contributes to maintaining Ireland’s reputation as an exporter of livestock of the highest health status.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can continue in both an economic and sustainable manner, with strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being exported.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (692)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

692. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if agricultural schemes due for payment in 2020 are in line for payment on time in view of the fact that inspections may not be carried out due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8057/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department continues to prioritise the issuing of payments under the various schemes available to farmers. For example, GLAS and Organic Farming Scheme balancing payments were recently brought forward by a number of weeks and balancing payments under the Sheep Welfare Scheme also issued recently. Payments under TAMS are also continuing, at an average of €1.3m per week.

I am very conscious of the important role that timely payments under such schemes plays at this challenging time for farmers. The Department expects to be on schedule with its payments in 2020.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (693)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

693. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a grant similar to the restart grant for livestock marts that had to close during the Covid-19 crisis or were impacted by a 25% reduction in turnover to assist them out of the crisis caused by the pandemic in view of the fact marts are not eligible for the scheme announced by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, as they are a high turnover-low margin business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8127/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am acutely aware of the issues presented to the agri-food sector by COVID-19, and I recognise the vital economic and social role that livestock marts play in cattle and sheep farming in Ireland, and note the engagement between marts, their representative organisations and my Department, which has resulted in marts being permitted to conduct limited operations at this time.

The restrictions arising out of Ireland’s public health response to the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19 is affecting every aspect of Irish life, and marts are no exception. On 31st March, my Department informed each licensed livestock mart that they could put in place alternative trade facilitation mechanisms that would support the orderly sale of animals necessary to support the essential business of farming. Any livestock mart wishing to engage in limited activities to facilitate the buying and selling of livestock was asked to submit for approval a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) demonstrating to the Department’s satisfaction that the individual mart would be in a position to operate in full compliance with HSE guidelines in relation to hygiene and physical distancing. 80 of the 86 licensed marts submitted SOPs, and were approved to operate.

My Department will continue to engage constructively with marts and representative organisations. In recent weeks a lot of preparatory work has been done, so that when considered appropriate in the context of the broader approach to Covid-19, further activities in marts can be facilitated while continuing to ensure the safety of mart staff and clients.

With regard to the financial challenges currently faced by marts, I have engaged with the banks on the specific liquidity and financing needs of farmers, fishers and agri-food businesses and have stressed the need for the banks to support and work with their customers through this challenging period. All the banks have announced that they will offer flexibility to their customers, and that they may be able to provide payment breaks or emergency working capital facilities. The advice is that farmers, fishers and agri-food businesses should engage with their bank at an early stage to discuss emerging cash flow issues. I welcomed the recent announcement by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland that their members, including the five main retail banks, have extended their payment break from three months to six months for those directly impacted by Covid-19.

In terms of supports, agri-food businesses, including marts, are eligible for the wide range of supports put in place for businesses generally. This includes the National COVID-19 Income Support Scheme, encompassing both the COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme and the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. The €250 million SBCI COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, co-financed by my Department, has also been deployed to address liquidity and financing needs of eligible businesses arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. For smaller businesses of less than 10 employees, Microfinance Ireland is also offering a COVID-19 Business Loan, providing working capital loans up to €50,000. The Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS), also co-financed by my Department, was launched last year and made €300m of investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses. Loans are competitively priced, for terms of 8-10 years, and support strategic long-term investment. As a result of the significant and sudden financial impact of the pandemic on businesses a second tranche of €200million, with up to 40% available to the agri-food sector, will be made available through the banks, with details to be announced shortly.

In addition, the Government has announced agreement of a further suite of measures to further support businesses that are negatively impacted by Covid-19. Work has commenced on a €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme to support lending to SMEs, including agri-businesses, farmers and fishers, for terms ranging from 3 months to 6 years, which will be below market interest rates. Other measures include a €10,000 restart grant for micro and small businesses based on a rates waiver/rebate from 2019; a three-month commercial rates waiver for impacted businesses; and the ‘warehousing’ of tax liabilities for a period of twelve months after recommencement of trading, during which time there will be no debt enforcement action taken by Revenue and no interest charge accruing in respect of the warehoused debt.

My Department and agencies will continue to monitor the impacts on the agri-food sector as the situation evolves, and to provide appropriate supports to the sector. Senior officials from my Department remain in constant contact with stakeholders right across the sector to share information on emerging issues and contingency planning, and we will continue to develop appropriate supports as the situation evolves.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (694)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

694. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to liaise with producers in the beef and dairy sectors with a view to ensuring viability in the short term and continued prospects in the future in national and international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/20]

View answer

Written answers

My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across both the beef and dairy sectors. More than ever in the ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic, I am aware of this need for ongoing contact as the situation has evolved. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue.

There are likely to be significant economic impacts for the agri-food sector, arising from reduced demand in key markets around the world. The loss of high value food service customers is already of significant immediate concern.

The response to the economic impacts on the sector should include a strong, shared EU response, using the instruments available in the Common Agricultural Policy. I have already highlighted to Commissioner Wojciechowski the serious consequences for farmers and the food industry and the need to ensure that the full range of market supports available under the Common Market Organisation Regulation are made available. These supports include Aids to Private Storage and Exceptional Aid measures, flexibilities when it comes to on-farm inspections and early payment of the Basic Payment Scheme.

Following Ireland’s efforts in leading an agreed EU-27 statement on the need for further supports, the Commission have introduced Aids to Private Storage for Dairy (SMP, Butter, Cheese), Beef and Sheepmeat. Private Storage Aid (PSA) is a risk management tool/safety net available to EU producers of certain agricultural products under the CMO regulation (1308/2013). The aim is to facilitate producers to store the product for a stipulated temporary storage period.

I am also working with my colleagues in Government to ensure that all businesses, including those in the agri-food sector, get access to suitable supports, and the measures in place are being kept under review.

My Department and agencies will continue to monitor the impacts on the agri-food sector as the situation evolves, and to provide appropriate supports to the sector. Senior officials from my Department remain in constant contact with stakeholders right across the meat and dairy sectors to share information on emerging issues and contingency planning, and we will continue to develop appropriate supports as the situation evolves.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (695)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

695. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects to be in a position to enhance the prospects of the beef and dairy sectors in the future while at the same time complying with carbon reduction targets without damaging the industry and its food production capacity at a time of worldwide concerns regarding food security and availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/20]

View answer

Written answers

While Ireland is internationally recognised as having one of the most carbon efficient systems of dairy and beef production in the EU, there is huge variability in carbon efficiency within the country. The Teagasc Sustainability Survey shows that the top performing third of farms emitted, on average, 9.6 kg CO2 equivalent per kg beef, compared with 14.9 kg for the bottom performing third of cattle farms. Reducing this variability is a real opportunity to make progress in reducing emissions from cattle production in Ireland with positive economic dividend on the farms concerned. Schemes such as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme-Sucklers (BEEP-S) are focused on improving the carbon efficiency of the beef herd.

My Department is progressing a draft roadmap called ‘Agclimatise’ which aims to translate the targets in the National Climate Action Plan into more detailed actions with clear performance indicators. Actions proposed for the agricultural sector include: enhancing soil fertility and nutrient efficiency, promoting the use of protected nitrogen products, developing enhanced dairy and breeding programmes and developing a charter with animal feed manufacturers on the crude protein content of livestock. The pathway to delivery is challenging, and will require greater collaboration between farmers, industry, Government and other stakeholders to deliver on-farm impacts.

I am confident that the agriculture sector as a whole will contribute significantly to achieving Ireland’s climate targets and its transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society, with collaboration, co-operation and collective responsibility being key in achieving this ambition.

Fishing Industry

Questions (696)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

696. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which various fish stock at sea and internal waterways have fluctuated over the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8195/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters. The CFP specifically calls for the progressive restoration and maintenance of populations of fish stocks above biomass levels capable of producing Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY). This will lead to healthy fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and to more sustainable fishing patterns.

An important aspect of the work to achieve and maintain MSY is to form a detailed picture of the biological status of the stocks of the stocks which are fished by our fleet. Scientific information on the state of the fisheries exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute with data from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and is published in the Stock Book each year. The most recent Stock Book, 2019, contains 74 stocks that are subject to the scientific advice of the Marine Institute. I have attached two tables (Tables 1 and 2) taken from the Stock Book that show the fluctuations of fish stocks over the last five years.

Of these 74 stocks, 35 are assessed as being sustainably fished in 2019. This number has grown every year since 2013. The number of stocks being over-fished has declined from 22 in 2014 to 13 in 2019. In the five year period referred to by the Deputy, the number of stocks fished sustainably has consistently increased, while those over fished have declined. These trends should ultimately lead to healthier fish stocks and higher quotas for Irish fishermen.

Fishing opportunities for each Member State are agreed on an annual basis at the EU Fisheries Council of Ministers on the basis of a proposal produced by the European Commission that is informed by the best available scientific advice. This, in turn, can lead to fluctuations in quotas, both increases and decreases. At the negotiations for 2020 Total Allowable Catches and quotas, there were increases in a number of stocks of importance to Ireland such as Haddock, Monkfish and Megrim in the Celtic Sea. This outcome shows that the many years of intensive, industry-led conservation measures are paying off. I am confident that, through the CFP, we will be able to ensure the sustainability of our fish stocks. This will ensure the economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processors, thereby supporting the families and communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry.

Fish stocks in inland waterways fall with the remit of the Department of Communication, Climate Action and the Environment and its agency Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Table 1 Summary of FEAS evaluation of fishing mortality in relation to FMSY for stocks of interest to Ireland.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Pressure status

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Fished Below Fmsy

26

36

28

38

29

39

32

43

35

47

Fished Above Fmsy

19

26

15

20

17

23

16

22

13

18

F Unknown, Fmsy or not defined

27

38

31

42

28

38

26

35

26

35

Total Number of Stocks

72

74

74

74

74

Table 2 Summary of FEAS evaluation of SSB in relation to biomass reference points for stocks of interest to Ireland.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Stock biomass status

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Num

%

Stock biomass above MSY Btrigger

20

28

22

30

27

36

26

35

25

34

Stock biomass below MSY Btrigger

14

19

19

26

15

20

16

22

15

20

Stock biomass Unknown or undefined

38

53

33

45

32

43

32

43

34

46

Total Number of Stocks

72

74

74

74

74

Forestry Sector

Questions (697)

John McGuinness

Question:

697. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the numerous issues raised with him by the forestry industry regarding licences for forestry operations; his views on whether there is a crisis situation in the industry; if so, the way in which he plans to address it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8240/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware that there are currently delays to issuing forestry licences and acknowledge that this is causing difficulties for some in the sector. My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues.

The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP). These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others. These findings meant that in order to grant licences which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable. As you know, my Department is the forestry licence consent authority and, since 2017, all licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system.

I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and they have been challenging to implement such is the scope and breadth of them, which has unfortunately meant that there have been delays in issuing licences. It has taken substantial resources and effort to introduce a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements, and I believe we now have that in place. In order to fully implement this system and to issue licences within accepted timescales, my Department is devoting extra resources to deliver these new procedures, as follows:

- New forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. More forestry inspectors will be recruited in 2020.

- Two new ecologists have joined the Department ecology team, with four more to be appointed shortly.

- We have engaged external ecological expertise to help with the backlog of files. Four local ecologists have also been contracted provide extra support. Further, an ecology contract with five new ecologists is due to be signed very soon.

- Additional administrative staff have been assigned to the Agriculture Appeals Office to assist with the increased workload of the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- Three planning officers have been contracted in to work with the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- A specialist mapping expert has been assigned to forestry issues.

To date in 2020, 719 tree felling licences have issued with a volume of 1.8 million m3. In terms of afforestation licences processed, my Department has issued 248 afforestation licences for 1,859ha and 155 forest road works licences for 56km of forest roads, for the year to 22nd May 2020. Furthermore, from January 2018 to the end of March 2020, there are valid afforestation licences for some 3,300ha that have not progressed to planting. I would encourage landowners with valid afforestation licences to plant their land this year. They will then access the premiums available under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme.

I have an unwavering commitment to supporting the forestry sector and this commitment has been borne out during the current pandemic. Forestry licensing has been deemed an essential service during the Covid-19 outbreak. Officials of my Department have continued to work under restricted circumstances, to ensure that forestry licences and payments have issued daily during the health crisis.

I acknowledge that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Questions (698)

John McGuinness

Question:

698. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applicants under the TAMS grant scheme will be notified of the outcome of their application and the amount being approved; and if an application by persons (details supplied) will be expedited. [8242/20]

View answer

Written answers

An application for grant aid under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS ll was submitted by the above named on 1 October 2019.

The application was approved subject to the terms and conditions of the Scheme. The above named were notified of approval by letter dated 30 December 2019. The approval letter included details of all the approved investments, which are due to be completed by 30 December 2020.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (699)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

699. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of visits his Department paid for or were directly carried out by vets, public or private, or other inspectors or representatives to meat plants since the outbreak of Covid-19; the reports provided regarding hygiene, health and safety and compliance with public health guidelines; the details of those reports; if those reports indicated concerns in respect of hygiene and health and safety in the context of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8278/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department’s statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the DAFM-approved meat plants operate in compliance with the EU’s food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards.

Approximately 250 veterinary and technical staff from my Department are routinely involved in supervising, regulating and controlling these standards at DAFM approved meat plants. Department veterinary staff resources in meat plants are supplemented by a group of approximately 700 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, who are Private Veterinary Practitioners contracted by the Department to deliver ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of animals and poultry in meat plants. A total of 149 meat premises are approved by my Department, with specific approvals for activities including slaughtering, deboning and/or cold storage of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry. Of these, DAFM has a ‘permanent presence’ at the 49 premises which slaughter animals and carries out risk-based inspections and controls at the remaining approved meat premises.

In addition, 7 inspectorate and technical staff from my Department’s Beef Carcase Classification Division monitor carcase classification in 38 beef and pig premises to ensure that it is in compliance with EU and Irish Legislation.

In relation to inspections carried out by Departmental staff in connection with my Department’s statutory responsibilities as outlined above, 406 veterinary inspections were carried out in DAFM approved meat plants in the first quarter of 2020. The number of inspections carried out in the second quarter will not be available until the end of that period. In addition, 208 carcase classification inspections by Beef Carcase Classification Division were carried out in the meat plants up to 22nd May 2020.

As you will be aware, in the context of the pandemic, primary responsibility for public health policy and implementation rests with the Department of Health and the HSE. Responsibility for health and safety in the workplace rests with the Health and Safety Authority, under the auspices of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

As part of the whole of Government response to the pandemic, my Department will continue to contribute to the HSE-chaired National Outbreak Control Team and will provide any support required to the HSE at local and national level. My Department has assisted in the dissemination of the HSE guidance to the DAFM approved meat plants. In addition, my Department has sought an update from plant management on the measures which have been put in place in each plant to implement these guidelines. To this end, along with its statutory role in relation to food safety, animal welfare and animal health, my Department will support the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of the guidance in DAFM-approved meat plants.

Electric Vehicles

Questions (700, 728, 729)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

700. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1006 of 13 May 2020, if he will identify specifically the locations in which new, not replacement, charging points have been established; the way in which his Department determined the location of those new charging points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7985/20]

View answer

Brendan Smith

Question:

728. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that will be made in installing additional fast charging points for electric vehicles in County Cavan in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7804/20]

View answer

Brendan Smith

Question:

729. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress that will be made in installing additional fast charging points for electric vehicles in County Monaghan in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7805/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 700, 728 and 729 together.

The Climate Action Plan commits to developing the EV charging network necessary to support the growth of EVs to at least 800,000 by 2030 and set a target for the supply of infrastructure to stay sufficiently ahead of demand. Key Actions in the Climate Action Plan include:

- Commence the ESB Electric Vehicle High Power Charging Infrastructure Development Project, supported by the Climate Action Fund, which will support growth to at least 40,000 electric vehicles

- Include electric vehicle fast chargers as a category eligible for support in the next call for Expressions of Interest from Climate Action Fund

- Expand the Electric Vehicle Home Charger Grant to include shared parking (e.g. in apartment blocks)

- Carry out an updated needs analysis for fast chargers based on a level of 75,000 electric vehicles by 2022, taking into account market developments.

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. ESB eCars will also contribute an additional €10 million to support the roll out of this initiative.

More than 50 high power charging hubs are being funded on motorway and national road sites. These hubs will be able to charge between two and eight vehicles simultaneously and are capable of providing up to 100 km of electric driving range in as little as six minutes. In addition to the high power charging hubs, up to 50 locations will also see Standard 22kW AC chargers upgraded to 50kW DC fast chargers, providing additional fast charging capacity around the country.

Since the project began in September 2019, ESB has focused on the replacement of aging problematic chargers in the existing network which results in new charging points being established. Over 140 of these chargers have now been replaced and this work is continuing. In addition, two new multi charger sites were delivered, one each in Kilcullen, Kildare (M9) and the Galway Plaza (M6). These locations will be upgraded to include 150kW chargers once this type of charger is made available by the manufacturer with delivery expected in June following an extensive procurement process.

Since October 2019 three Standard AC chargers have been replaced in County Cavan, with a further ten being replaced in Counties Meath (7) and Monaghan (3).

In the last week with the easing of Covid 19 restrictions standard AC chargers in Kells and Cavan Town have been replaced with new DC Fast chargers, providing much higher charging speeds with further installations planned for Sligo Town, Drogheda, Galway City and Kenmare.

There are currently two fast chargers and five Standard AC chargers in County Monaghan. Three of these have recently been replaced. No additional fast chargers are planned for Monaghan in the first stage of this project being rolled out by ESB eCars.

More multi-fast charger sites are currently in the planning phase and will be delivered in the coming months. These sites are being selected based on a range of factors including the level of traffic, current charge point usage (if applicable), electrical grid capacity, site host terms of agreement, rest facilities available, accessibility and the physical space at the site for the required equipment.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (701)

Norma Foley

Question:

701. Deputy Norma Foley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when leisure fishing can commence in view of the fact that this can be an individual activity. [8103/20]

View answer

Written answers

Angling activity was not ceased but, like other activities considered as exercise, was subject to the advice issued by NPHET in the context of National measures in relation to Covid-19.

Inland Fisheries Ireland issued angling guidelines on 27 March and updated these guidelines on 5 May, on both occasions, following the advice of NPHET.  Any further revision will again be based on such advice.

I am happy to advise that angling representative bodies have confirmed to me support for the guidelines and continue to encourage their members to comply with all measures advised by NPHET.

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