Written Answers Nos. 555-574
555. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the locations cattle were exported from to Northern Ireland for slaughter since Covid-19; the locations these cattle went after slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13838/20]
View answerData on cattle movements to Northern Ireland in the Covid19 period to date has been already been supplied to the Deputy. My Department does not have data on cattle movements within Northern Ireland.
Queries related to the movement of cattle within another jurisdiction should be addressed to the relevant competent authority which, in the case of Northern Ireland, is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
556. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stakeholders in the beef industry he will be engaging with, aside from the beef taskforce, to ensure the best possible supports are put in place in view of the announcement on 25 June 2020 of €50 million to be made available for beef finishing farms; the estimated level of support which will be made available to each individual applicant; the potential qualifying criteria that will be applied; when he expects to be in a position to apply to the EU for the necessary state aid approval under the Covid-19 temporary state aid framework; when he expects to be in a position to formally roll out the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13922/20]
View answerThe €50 million Beef Exceptional Aid package is targeted towards beef finishers in recognition of the fact that they have borne the most immediate and severe economic impact arising from the market disturbance arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme is being designed to be as farmer friendly as possible to ensure that the support can be most effectively targeted where it is needed.
My Department officials have engaged with farming stakeholders, who were also invited to make written submissions regarding the development of the scheme. These submissions are now under consideration.
The measure is required to be notified to the European Commission under the new COVID-19 temporary exceptional aid framework. My Department is currently finalising the required documentation and expects to be in a position to submit the formal notification shortly.
I hope to be in a position to announce details of the measure, including terms and conditions, in August.
557. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the costings carried out on the programme for Government; and if he will provide documents on those costings. [14022/20]
View answerThe Agriculture and Food chapter of the Programme for Government commits to supporting farmers and food businesses, which underpin the vitality of rural villages and towns across the country. It acknowledges that the sector has come through a difficult number of years, dealing with many challenges such as Brexit, COVID-19, significant market disruption in the beef sector and extreme weather events. It also emphasises that farm families and food businesses are the heartbeat of rural Ireland, and that the Government will work with the sector to improve farm incomes and protect the family farm for future generations. It also seeks to drive innovation and improvements in land management to reduce emissions and build on Ireland’s green reputation for producing high-quality and sustainable produce at the least environmental cost, ensuring the long-term outlook for the agrifood industry remains positive and vibrant.
The available Programme for Government briefing documents have been published and can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7b927-programme-for-government-documents/.
558. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within his Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/20]
View answerMy Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all and has a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy in place. This policy, which was launched in 2018, embraces, promotes and builds on my Department's core values in the areas of diversity, equality and inclusion for all employees.
In October 2019, following public procurement procedures, my Department awarded a contract to Aurion Learning for the delivery of an ‘Equality and Diversity in the Workplace eLearning Resource’ for its staff. A payment in excess of €10,000 was issued by to Aurion Learning following successful completion of the eLearning resource.
559. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure his Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14064/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department generally avails of the legal services of the Chief State Solicitor's Office and its own Legal Services Division. However, occasionally it engages private Solicitor firms and Junior and Senior Counsel for external legal advice. The amount spent by my Department on external legal fees for the specified years is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Expenditure incurred on External Legal Fees |
|
2016 |
€37,574 |
|
2017 |
Nil |
|
2018 |
€14,404 |
|
2019 |
€53,914 |
|
2020 |
Nil |
560. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an itemised schedule including headings of grants and or funding provided to the Irish Greyhound Board in 2019 and 2020 will be provided; the way in which funding is released to the board; the measures in place to ensure funding is used correctly; and the terms and conditions attached to the funding. [14088/20]
View answerBord na gCon (BnG) 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. BnG is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
All Exchequer funding for BnG for the years 2019 and 2020 was provided under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund).
Monies from the Fund are provided to BnG under certain conditions and these were as follows for the years 2019 and 2020:-
- BnG must comply with its obligations under legislation and the various codes and directives issued by Government and by my Department.
- In addition, BnG must comply with sections 14 & 15 of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 which emphasise the link between funding and delivery on strategic plans, good governance and reporting.
- BnG must not enter into future significant capital commitments without the prior approval of my Department.
- BnG must not dispose of publicly funded assets without the prior approval of my Department.
- BnG must comply with the provisions of DPER Circular 13/2014- Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds – Section 5 refers, copy attached and to the Public Spending Code (http://publicspendingcode.per.gov.ie/).
BnG was obliged to provide my Department with the following documents :
- Draft unaudited annual accounts for the preceding year, by the end of February of the current year, following their presentation to the BnG Board.
- Cumulative Profit and loss account on a monthly basis (together with supporting documentation breaking out figures into Tote & Track operations), to be supplied to my Department the day following their presentation to the BnG Board.
- Cumulative Balance Sheet & Cash Flow Statement to be provided on a quarterly basis the day following their presentation to the BnG Board, e.g. Reports in respect of Q1 of the current year will be forwarded to my Department following the April Board meeting.
- A certificate of assurance, (signed by the CEO & CFO, or equivalent executives) certifying that the funding provided in the previous year was used in accordance with the conditions under which it was granted, should be provided to my Department after all the money provided has been expended.
- In addition to the €500k which BnG currently allocates to addressing the pension liability, a further sum of €800k from the 2019 and 2020 allocation from the Fund is to be reserved to address the pension liability.
- In addition, there is considerable emphasis on governance; the Annual Report of BnG must be noted by the Cabinet and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. This Report would have been subject to audit and clearance by both BnG's internal auditors and the C&AG.
- My Department and BnG sign an annual Performance and Oversight Agreement and a Division within my Department monitor the achievement of the goals and targets set out in that Agreement.
- Finally, there are regular bilateral governance meetings at higher management and Ministerial level to discuss the policies, performance and funding of BnG.
In addition to the conditions and arrangements outlined above, my Department instructed BnG to apply the Fund in the following manner for 2019;
|
Category |
Not more than % set out below |
|
Prize money |
60% |
|
Operational grants to private tracks |
3% |
|
Regulatory & administrative costs of BnG and other statutory functions of Bord na gCon |
37% |
Support was provided to BnG in accordance with the following agreed 2019 drawdown schedule; January: €8.4m - March: €4.2m – May: €2.1m – September: €2.1m Total: €16.8m.
My Department instructed BnG to apply the 2020 Fund in the following manner:
A minimum of 10% of the total fund to be spent on welfare and integrity with the remainder as set out below.
|
Category |
Not more than % set out below |
|
Prize money |
60% |
|
Operational grants to private tracks |
3% |
|
Regulatory & administrative costs of BnG and other statutory functions of Bord na gCon |
27% |
The following drawdown schedule of payments was agreed between BnG and my Department in relation to disbursement of the 2020 Fund: January: €8.4m - March: €4.2m – May: €2.1m – September: €2.1m Total: €16.8m.
561. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 925 of 5 March 2020, the number of investigative officials in his Department in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the locations of the office of each; the number of investigations carried out in each of the years; the number that were successfully prosecuted; the number that failed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14209/20]
View answerInvestigations and prosecutions are carried out by many Line Divisions in the Department but Investigations Division is the Specialist Division taking the more complex and serious cases through the courts. The Division is a key element of the Department’s enforcement capability, underpinning the quality and traceability standards which facilitate trade and provide reassurance to consumers and customers. The Division investigates alleged wrongdoing across all areas of the Department.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Division is as follows:
|
Year |
Lead Investigators @ 1 January |
Headquarters of investigators |
Cases logged |
Prosecutions |
Successful prosecutions |
Unsuccessful prosecutions |
|
2018 |
4 |
3 in Backweston Campus, Kildare; 1 in Kilkenny DVO |
29 |
9 |
8 |
1 |
|
2019 |
4 |
3 in Backweston Campus, Kildare; 1 in Kilkenny DVO |
31 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
|
2020 |
4 |
3 in Backweston Campus, Kildare; 1 in Kilkenny DVO |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prosecution figures relate to cases finalised each year; the cases would have been initiated in previous years. Prosecutions in 2020 have been impacted by delays in the Courts which arise as a consequence of COVID-19.
Lead investigators are supported by other Investigations Division staff and colleagues from other areas of the Department as required. Staff numbers in the Division are static overall with short term fluctuations to facilitate mobility and retirements.
562. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 2020 basic payment scheme entitlements of a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [14229/20]
View answerThe above named is the transferee on five separate Transfer of Entitlements applications for 2020. Four of the transfer of entitlement applications have been completed. Further information is required in relation to the fifth transfer application and officials in my Department have contacted the party concerned.
Once the required information is received, the final transfer of entitlement application will be processed without delay.
563. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the promised food ombudsman will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14339/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to the establishment of a new authority to be called the National Food Ombudsman to enforce Directive (EU) No. 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices.
My Department has been preparing for the transposition of the Unfair Trading Practices Directive into national legislation before the 1 May 2021 deadline. The preparations included the launch of a public consultation process in October 2019 which resulted in over 650 submissions received from individuals, stakeholder organisations and public representatives.
My Department is also in consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which has responsibility for certain related national legislation, namely the Consumer Protection Act 2007 S.I. No. 35/2016 (Grocery Goods Undertakings) Regulations 2016. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), under the aegis of that Department, is the enforcement authority for S.I. No. 35/2016.
Following the completion of the required assessment of the legal and operational matters associated with the Directive and the commitment in the Programme for Government, I will be in a better position as to advise of the timeframe for the establishment of the new office of National Food Ombudsman.
564. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a BEAM, beef exceptional aid measure, type scheme for sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14341/20]
View answerThe sheep sector is an important element of the Irish economy and I am conscious of the importance that this sector plays in rural Ireland, especially during this difficult period.
My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agrifood sector since the start of the pandemic. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, and ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue.
It should be noted that, for the sheep sector, national average price and slaughter volumes in 2020 to date are above 2019 levels. I believe that the current range of supports available to sheep farmers, together with ensuring market access to as many markets as possible, are appropriate supports for the continued development of the sector. My Department will nevertheless continue to monitor closely developments across the entire sector.
565. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a beef data and genomics programme herd payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14431/20]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.
The application under the 2019 programme year for the person named has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly.
566. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a felling licence application (details supplied); if the licence will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14443/20]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence was received for the reference given in November, 2019. Every application for a forestry licence must undergo careful assessment for the potential effects the proposed operations may have, on their own or in combination with other plans or projects in the area.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department made changes to the assessment procedures used when examining all forestry licence applications. These changes 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). These findings meant that, in order to grant licences, which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable. These changes, which are substantial, have led to delays in processing applications. My Department has devoted considerable time and energy to introducing a robust and workable system and is now recruiting significant extra resources, both ecologists and forestry inspectors, to address the backlog. A project management approach to clearing the backlog, by best and most targeted use of resources, is being put in place.
On initial examination of this application, it was determined that five designated sites were proximate to the tree felling site. The possibility that the proposed tree felling may have an impact on any one of these sites cannot yet be excluded. Therefore, officials of my Department will complete the Appropriate Assessment report and determination. It is also open to the applicant to have a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) completed by a suitably qualified person at their own expense and submit it for review by my Department’s Ecology Unit which can considerably speed up assessment of the file. If the applicant wishes to complete a NIS, they should contact my Department for guidance.
Once the assessment of the application is complete, the forestry inspector will make their recommendations, which will form the decision on the application. The decision will be issued to the person named and any person who made a submission on the application. The decision may be appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee within 28 days.
567. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the Dutch Government to ban mink farming in view of recent studies that showed an increasing rate of Covid-19 infection amongst mink at Dutch fur farms and the discovery that the animals may have transmitted the virus to farm employees; if he has examined Irish mink farms in response to these findings; his plans to review the operation of those farms accordingly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14470/20]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has written to mink farms in Ireland to provide information on SARS-CoV-2 infection in mink and to advise on the precautions that should be taken to prevent their mink being exposed to the virus. This advice includes strict adherence to the HSE public health guidelines on COVID 19.
It is most important to recognise that COVID-19 is predominantly a disease of humans. It is our understanding that the Department of Health is not aware of any human cases of COVID-19 associated on mink farms.The experience to date during the global pandemic is that while certain animal species, including dogs, cats, ferrets and mink, are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus, the number of positive cases in animals worldwide remains very low. DAFM has composed a Frequently Asked Questions document for animal owners in line with current public health advice which is available to view at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/customerservice/coronaviruscovid-19/faqsregardingcovid-19foranimalowners/.
The Programme for Government 2020 contains a clear commitment regarding the prohibition of fur farming and Department officials are currently preparing the appropriate draft heads of a Bill to facilitate the achievement of this objective with a view to seeking Government authority at an early date.
568. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the Departmental briefing paper on his role, remits and powers afforded to him upon appointment to the Cabinet. [14517/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the briefing material I received on my appointment as Minister will be published on my Department’s website in the coming days.
569. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason determined by his Department for the large discrepancy in prices secured by beef farmers from processors in this State compared to those in British markets; if he will conduct research into this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14542/20]
View answerThe Irish beef sector is export oriented, with up to 90% of production exported. Almost half of Irish beef by volume is exported to the UK market.
The price paid for cattle is a matter for suppliers and sellers.
Demand and supply, currency valuation, transport and processing costs, national consumer preferences for domestic product and other external factors such as COVID, the relative price of alternative protein sources and the strength of the economy, are all factors that feed into determining the price of cattle and other agrifood products.
In line with a recommendation in the Beef Stakeholder Agreement reached last September, Bord Bia now publishes a detailed weekly "Beef Market Tracking" update which presents data on a range of indicators in an accessible format. This includes price comparisons, a comparison of Irish composite prices (for all product, and for prime cattle) with an 'export benchmark price', which reflects the relative importance of key markets for Irish beef; an index of wholesale and retail prices; and a by-product market indicator.
This analysis is available at:
https://www.bordbia.ie/farmers-growers/prices-markets/cattle-trade-prices/beef-market-tracking/
570. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to encourage younger entrants into the farming sector considering that the latest Teagasc figures suggest that one in three farmers is over sixty years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14543/20]
View answerThe National Farm Survey figures just released by Teagasc reflect an ageng demographic trend in farming that is EU-wide. My Department has a range of measures in place to support young farmers and generational renewal, as part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and nationally.
Under the CAP, the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme provides financial support to young farmers and new entrants to farming during the crucial early years immediately following the setting up of a farm enterprise. Under the Basic Payment Scheme, farmers can apply to the National Reserve for an allocation of entitlements or a top-up to their low value entitlements. Successful applicants can receive support up to the national average unit value per entitlement, which works out at approximately €260 per hectare including greening. Since 2015, the National Reserve has provided almost 8,000 young farmers with a new allocation of entitlements, or a top-up to the value of their existing entitlements. These are allocated on a permanent basis. For example, if a farmer is allocated entitlements from the National Reserve in 2015 worth €5,000, this allocation would have been made in all Basic Payment years from 2015 to 2019, totalling €25,000 over those years. The cumulative effect of these payments from the National Reserve amounts to approximately €137 million over this period.
The Young Farmers Scheme provides a further additional payment to eligible farmers, which comes from an allocation within the national direct payments ceiling. This Scheme was established in 2015 to encourage the participation of younger farmers in agriculture in the initial stages of their career and provided payments of €68 extra per payment entitlement, for a maximum of 5 years, based on activated entitlements. Almost €100m has been distributed to over 8,000 successful applicants each year under the Young Farmer scheme with an average annual payment per young farmer of approximately €2,300.
Additionally, under the TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, co-funded under the Rural Development Programme, young farmers can avail of the enhanced grant rate of 60% as compared to the standard rate of 40%. Some €101 million has been paid under this Scheme.
There are also a number of national taxation measures aimed at young farmers, specifically the ‘100% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers’ (530 claims costing €1.6million in 2017) and the ‘Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers’ (1,056 claims costing €16.8 million in 2018). Both of these measures assist farm succession and transfer. Other measures such as the relief from income tax for long-term leasing also benefit young farmers by increasing land mobility.
In addition, in 2017, the 'Succession Farm Partnership Scheme' was launched. This provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist with the transfer of farms within a partnership structure, promoting and supporting the earlier intergenerational transfer of family farms. This Scheme also encourages important conversations within farm families regarding succession planning.
Teagasc’s recent publication “Teagasc Education Vision – meeting future needs” outlines the importance of education for young farmers and the development of their skills through education and training. This core function of Teagasc is supported and funded by my Department.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme also provides a source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort that do not have high levels of security. A new tranche of funding under this Scheme will be made available shortly.
Supporting young farmers and generational renewal continues to be a priority for my Department and will form an important part of the CAP post-2020. These negotiations are ongoing but the designation of supporting generational renewal as a key objective of the new CAP reflects the importance and determination to address this challenge, and my Department and I will continue to actively engage on these issues.
571. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a financial support scheme to those poultry farmers who were affected by Avian influenza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14544/20]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that my Department will provide a once-off financial support scheme for a number of poultry flocks impacted by an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza this year.
This particular strain of avian influenza (subtype H6N1) has no food safety implications, but does impact on flock productivity.
I want to acknowledge that the flock owners in question have taken the correct action in depopulating their flocks for the greater good of the sector. In light of the significant economic impact this has had on their business, I am pleased to be able to provide some assistance towards the costs of depopulation which they have incurred.
The affected flock owners will receive details of the scheme including terms and conditions in the coming days.
572. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 611 of 30 June 2020, if he will provide the evidence on which the statement is based (details supplied). [14581/20]
View answerIn order to provide a safety net support scheme to fishermen during a period of market disruption caused by the Covid 19 Pandemic, complementing the income supports available from Government through the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme, and at the unanimous request of representatives of fishermen, a Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme was introduced with effect from June 2020. The Scheme adds to the income supports already available by supporting the fixed costs of fishermen who choose to avail of this safety net scheme by ceasing fishing for a one or two month period. Supports ranged from €500 per month for the smallest vessels under 8 metres to €6,000 per month for the very largest vessels over 24 metres.
Similar to fishing vessels from other EU member states including Spain, France and UK that continued to fish in the Irish EEZ, the vast majority of the Irish fishing fleet clearly considered it worthwhile to fish and just 66 vessel owners opted to tie-up their vessel in June.
573. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén fáth ar fágadh tuairisc a rinne comhlacht (sonraí tughta) don Roinn maidir le Cé Ros a’Mhíl gan foilsiú ar feadh trí bliana; an bhfuil i gceist aige anois gníomhú ar mholtaí dearfacha na tuarascála agus cinneadh a dhéanamh airgead a chur ar fáil leis an gcé dhomhainmhara a thógáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [14633/20]
View answerTá sé Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh ainmnithe faoi úinéireacht an stáit (FHC) atá suite i mBaile Chaisleáin Bhéarra, Daingean Uí Chúis, an Dún Mór Thoir, Binn Éadair, na Cealla Beaga agus Ros an Mhíl, faoi úinéireacht ag mo Roinnse agus déanann an Roinn iad a chothabháil agus a chur i bhfeidhm, faoi reacht.
Cuireann an Roinn maoiniú ar fáil ar bhonn bliantúil do na Lárionaid Chuain Iascaigh, lena n-áirítear Ros an Mhíl, faoin gClár Forbartha Infreastruchtúir Cuanta Iascaigh agus Cósta. Tá dul chun cinn déanta le blianta anuas ar chlár céimnithe chun bonneagar Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl a fhorbairt agus tá infheistíocht shuntasach déanta ann. Ar an iomlán, rinneadh tuairim is €31m a infheistiú i bhforbairtí caipitil i Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl idir 2000 agus 2019. Ina theannta sin, tá breis is €1.5m leithroinnte chun oibreacha caipitil a dhéanamh sa chalafort in 2020.
Tá an fhéidearthacht maidir le tionscadal beart domhainmhara ag Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl á mheas ag an Roinn le tamall anuas. Choimisiúnaigh an Roinn comhairleoirí DKM chun Anailís Costais is Tairbhe a dhéanamh ar a bheadh i gceist le céibh domhainmhara a fhorbairt ag Ros an Mhíl. Cuireadh dréacht-thuarascáil ar aghaidh chuig an Roinn i Meitheamh 2017. Rinneadh an tuarascáil a mheas ach níor glacadh léi go foirmeálta riamh.
Ó dréachtaíodh an tuarascáil sin, tá athrú tagtha ar roinnt de na bunphrionsabail a bhí mar thaca leis an gcéad anailís a rinneadh. In 2018, choimisiúnaigh an Roinn comhairleoirí innealtóireachta ina dhiaidh sin chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na réitigh dearaidh, ar na roghanna scóipeála agus ar ghnéithe oibríochta a d'fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist lena leithéid de thogra amach anseo. Fuarthas an tuarascáil sin in Aibreán 2019 agus tá sí á meas go hiomlán faoi láthair ag an Roinn; ach, aithníodh sa tuarascáil an gá atá le fiosruithe eile suímh a dhéanamh ag Ros an Mhíl.
Chuathas i mbun na n-oibreacha i ndáil le fiosrú suímh i Lúnasa/Meán Fómhair 2019 agus tá siad sin tugtha chun críche anois. Táthar ag súil go bhfoilseofar an tuarascáil deiridh sna seachtainí amach romhainn. Tacóidh torthaí na tuarascála seo chomh maith leis an measúnú foriomlán ar na réitigh dearthóireachta agus roghanna scóipeála a d'fhéadfadh a bheith i gceist chomh maith le heolas a dhéanamh ar aon chinneadh eile a bhaineann leis an tionscadal seo amach anseo.
Mar a bhíonn le gach forbairt sna sé Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh, ní dhéanfar aon chinneadh eile amach anseo i ndáil le tús a chur leis an tionscadal seo i Ros an Mhíl a mheas ach ar an mbonn maoiniú státchiste agus tosaíochtaí náisiúnta iomaíochta a bheith ar fáil.
574. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a group (details supplied) has been excluded from the childcare sub-committee convened in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic to discuss the impacts on the childcare sector and plan for the future reopening of service; and if it will be included in future committee discussions. [13737/20]
View answerAn Advisory Group on the Phased Reopening of the early learning and care sector was established in May 2020 to provide expert advice and guidance to my Department in preparing for the reopening of the sector. The Advisory Group has met on a weekly basis since its first meeting on 13 May.
In establishing the Advisory Group, six places were provided for sectorial representatives, which were filled by members of the Early Years Forum Plus group (EY Forum plus), which is made of stakeholders , including representatives of childcare providers, children and parents. The group referred to by the Deputy is a member of the EY Forum plus.
The EY Forum plus decided on its nominees to the Advisory Group and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Five of these groups are representatives of childcare providers, in both the private and community sectors.
Childminding Ireland and SIPTU were added as members of the group, as they represent other key stakeholders, childcare staff and childminders. Pobal, Tusla and Childcare Committees Ireland, the representative group of the County Childcare Committees, are also members of the Advisory Group.
A number of provider representative groups contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group. It was decided not to expand the membership of the Advisory Group, as it was working effectively as a small focused group. The Minister instead established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. The Reference Group includes representatives from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers, the Association of Full-time Day Care Providers, St Nicholas Montessori and a number of service providers.
Contributions from the membership of both Groups have informed my Department's strategy and decision making process for the reopening of the ELC and SAC sector from 29 June. I look forward to meeting and working with the groups in the coming weeks, especially the Early Years Forum Plus, who I am due to meet with next week.
