Written Answers Nos. 165-185
165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether many third-level students and prospective third-level students are unjustly categorised as mature dependents in the SUSI grants system; her further views on matters (details supplied) in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17796/20]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October. Otherwise, he/she would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address.
A student’s status for grant purposes is defined at their first point of entry to an approved further or higher education course or at their point of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and continues to apply for the duration of their studies.
When considering whether a student meets the conditions to be assessed independently of his or her parents, the grant awarding authority (SUSI) is obliged to satisfy itself beyond doubt that an acceptable degree of proof of independent living in the relevant period has been submitted by the grant applicant. The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as requested by the grant awarding authority.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
Further information regarding class of applicant (independent or dependent) and the types of documentation accepted as evidence of living independently from parents is available from SUSI’s website: https://susi.ie/eligibility/applicant-class/
If the student in question considers that he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, he may appeal this decision to SUSI within the statutory time limit of 30 days of his decision letter.
Where an individual applicant has an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted online by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe of 30 days.
166. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the decision to postpone the leaving certificate results from 13 August to 7 September 2020; the measures that will be taken to ensure students will be able to secure accommodation in view of the fact they will be starting later than other students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17798/20]
View answerAs a result of the Covid-19 pandemic a system of Calculated Grades was put in place by my predecessor due to the inability to run the Leaving Certificate examinations as normal this year. The purpose of this process is to allow as many students as possible to progress to employment, further education and training, or higher education in a way that is fair and equitable to all Leaving Certificate students.
When my predecessor announced that students would be provided with the opportunity to receive Calculated Grades, he announced that the results would be as close as possible to the traditional date for release of Leaving Certificate results. At no time was 13 August announced as the date of release of Calculated Grades results.
On 16 July, I announced that students will receive their Calculated Grades on 7 September. This is the earliest possible release date given the rigorous and robust quality assurance checks required to ensure the process has executed with equity and fairness to all students and to ensure that the 2020 results enjoy the same status as those of previous years.
CAO first round offers are expected to issue on 11 September 2020. As in other years, the Calculated Grades results will have been provided to the CAO a short time in advance.
In relation to student accommodation, many Higher Education Institutions set aside a portion of their accommodation for first year students, which may be of assistance to students sourcing accommodation. However while I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current times, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the rental market.
167. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to review the school bus transport scheme in view of the difficulties that arise with the scheme each year and in particular in the lead up to the commencement in September of the academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17799/20]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
In the 2019/2020 year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application ansd payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
All school transport services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.
Last autumn my Department announced a review of the School Transport Scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way to meet the objectives of the scheme. The terms of reference and scope of the review have been finalised and a cross-departmental steering group led by my Department established. The review will build on the proposals in the Programme for Government as they relate to school transport.
168. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress in relation to the provision of the five-year school building capital investment programme; her plans to introduce a new five year school building capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17807/20]
View answerUnder the National Development Plan 2018 to 2027, €8.4 billion is due to be invested in primary and post primary school buildings. The Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the School Building Programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve circa 360 large scale projects and circa 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.
While good progress continues to be made with the rollout of projects, the enhanced funding levels envisaged under the National Development Plan period 2018-2027 is weighted towards the second half of the NDP period.
My Department’s website shows the current position on all school projects on the Capital Programme, as well as listing the schools that have had large-scale projects completed from 2010 to date.
These are listed on a county basis. The information is available at www.education.ie and is updated regularly.
The main focus of resources over the last decade and for the coming period is on provision of additional capacity to cater for increasing demographics. The second half of the NDP (from 2023 onwards) will see an increasing focus on the upgrade and refurbishment of the existing school stock. This upgrade and refurbishment programme will include a deep energy retrofit of schools built prior to 2008. Planning for this retrofit programme is progressing with a number of pilot projects underway.
169. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the sale of a school in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17808/20]
View answerThe property referred to by the Deputy is not in my ownership. In common with other buildings of its kind, there may be a charging lease in place to protect the State's investment in the property.
In circumstances where a property has ceased to be used as a school, and a request is received from the property owner to release the State's interest secured under a charging lease, such requests are considered in the context of the specific circumstances which pertain to the individual property.
In regard to this particular property, I can confirm that my Department has no record of having received a request from the property owners to release my interest in this property. When a request is received my Department will consider it and revert to the property owners.
170. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to amending the qualifying criteria for the pandemic unemployment payment in particular in relation to the year that income is reviewed to calculate the payment rate (details supplied). [17700/20]
View answer182. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the anomaly will be addressed in the pandemic unemployment payment for taxi drivers that having had proven earnings in excess of €350 per week in 2019 are now on the reduced rate of €203; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17949/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 182 together.
The COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. This week my Department issued payments valued at €97 million to 313,800 people for the pandemic unemployment payment. This represents a decrease of almost 100,000 in the last 2 weeks.
To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a person must have been in employment immediately prior to the 13th March and lost their income from employment due to the onset of the pandemic. Self-employed people must have suffered a collapse in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work.
A two-level payment structure to link the pandemic unemployment payment to gross prior earnings was recently introduced so that it remains a strong support but is fair and targeted. Where an employee's gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher there is no change to their rate of payment. If their gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment was adjusted to €203. Where a person is self-employed their average weekly income for 2018 was used to determine their rate of payment for the pandemic unemployment payment. This is the last tax year for which complete data on self-employed income is available.
Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case with further details available on www.gov.ie.
Where an individual’s rate is reduced to the flat rate €203 per week and their family circumstances are that they have adult or child dependents it may be more financially beneficial to apply for a jobseekers payment. The jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s benefit for the self-employed schemes provide a social insurance contribution-based support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. If a person does not meet the qualifying conditions of the scheme they may be eligible to apply for the means tested jobseeker’s allowance scheme. The maximum weekly rate of payment for these schemes is €203 and increases may also be paid for any qualifying adults and children.
The Enterprise Support Grant has recently been extended and will be made available to small business owners who transition from the pandemic unemployment payment to re-open their business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
The Government has set employment recovery as its top priority and a key element of the July Stimulus Package will be enhancing the supports available to people who lost their employment to assist people back into work.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
171. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the Oireachtas enquiries line in view of staff working remotely. [17707/20]
View answerThe Department provides a dedicated mailbox for each of the main schemes whereby Teachtaí Dála (TDs) can raise specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area. These mailboxes are monitored every day and have been operating very quickly, efficiently and effectively.
We also operate within the Parliamentary Question (PQ) system and the Public Representative question to the Minister (REPs) system. All are designed to ensure that TDs have a variety of mechanisms to raise issues relating to their constituents or to the operation of the Department.
With the onset of COVID-19 the imposition of social distancing meant that the Department had to reduce the number of staff working from within the traditional office environment. Large numbers of our scheme administration staff are now successfully working from home. We have been able to redirect work to them electronically and overall productivity has been maintained at pre-COVID levels.
However, with the significant reduction in staff “onsite”, we had to review the provision of some telephone services – the main Customer Call Centres were maintained but the scheme level TD Enquiry lines had to be suspended as there weren’t sufficient staff onsite to deal with them. This is being kept under ongoing review and as social distancing measures are eased and more staff return to the office, we hope to be in a position to reintroduce these enquiry lines.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy
172. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will address matters raised in correspondence from a person (details supplied) regarding split EU pensions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17736/20]
View answerThe person concerned applied for State pension (contributory) on 2 October 2018, in advance of reaching pension age in June 2019. According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 389 paid full-rate Irish social insurance contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for standard State pension (contributory) based solely on their Irish social insurance record.
Under European Union regulations, the insurance records of other Member States can be combined to satisfy the 520-contribution condition and give entitlement to a proportional or pro rata pension. The person’s Irish and EU (German and UK) contributions were combined to establish their entitlement to an EU pro rata State pension (contributory). They have 2,209 contributions and credits, composed of 389 Irish paid full-rate contributions, 36 Irish credited contributions, and 1,784 EU contributions.
The rate of entitlement is based on the proportion of Irish full-rate social insurance contributions to the person’s total combined Irish and EU social insurance contributions. The greater the number of Irish contributions paid by a person, the higher their weekly rate of EU pro rata State pension entitlement. This is published on the gov.ie website. Conversely, a greater amount of full-rate EU contributions would yield a lower rate of pro rata pension.
The person’s pension entitlement has been calculated correctly under the provisions of both Irish and European Union legislation. How their entitlements to pensions in Germany and the UK are calculated is a matter for the pension authorities in those countries.
The person concerned qualified for an EU pro rata State pension (contributory) at the current weekly rate of €47.80 and was notified in writing of this decision on 29 April 2019. They were provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based. The person appealed this decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. They will be notified in writing of the outcome of the Appeals Officer's review.
Social security provisions have existed in EU law for more than 30 years, and are contained in Regulations (EC) No 883/2004 and 987/2009. As such, Ireland and other EU Member States are bound to abide by these regulations as they are applied to pension payments. Social insurance contributions made in other EU countries may be used to determine eligibility for contributory pensions, but cannot be used to increase the rate of payment. Any changes to this system would have a significant impact on the Social Insurance Fund and consequently the Exchequer.
While the State pension non-contributory is not payable to a person residing outside of the state, a customer can go abroad in exceptional circumstances for a limited period. The Department will review their entitlement when they return.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
173. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement assessed since post-Covid-19 changes were made to the scheme; and the communication and outreach undertaken by her Department to advise persons that they were now eligible to apply for rent supplement (details supplied). [17744/20]
View answer174. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide updated operation guidelines for rent supplement provided to community welfare officers in circumstances in which rental costs exceed 2016 limits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17745/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.
Rent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting approximately 21,572 recipients.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that for those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Since the introduction of the Government’s Covid emergency response approximately 7,100 customers have been provided with rent supplement support; in addition, there are some 945 pending applications awaiting a decision or in the process of providing the necessary documentation to the officer dealing with the claim.
In recognition of the on-going rental market difficulties, the Department continues to implement a targeted case-by-case flexible payment policy approach that allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. To date, approximately 15,900 cases have been provided additional flexible payment arrangements, i.e. have received support in excess of the prevailing 2016 rent limits.
In the context of the Covid emergency, for persons to be eligible for Rent Supplement, once it has been confirmed that they are a bona fide tenant, the two standing qualification criteria apply:
- The customer was in receipt of Rent Supplement in the last 12 months before the date of application; or,
- The customer was living in private rented accommodation prior to the Covid emergency (at least 4 weeks), could afford their rent at the beginning of the tenancy and were now unable to continue to pay the rent because of a substantial change in their circumstances.
The principal underlying criteria for access to the Scheme have not changed: an applicant receiving a primary social welfare payment or reduced income with an identifiable rental commitment can apply. Rent supplement’s core customer message remains in line with previous policy, and is supported by the existing customer information available explaining the Scheme’s objectives and criteria. Where a tenant approaches the Department for support towards their rental commitments, the application will be considered by the officer dealing with their case.
The overarching Covid-19 response in the case of rent supplement is to provide a flexible case-by-case driven solution for customers, providing temporary income support during the emergency for their housing costs. The scheme has not fundamentally changed, and I am satisfied that the appropriate information is available to both officers and the general public with respect to the scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
175. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an appeal of a reduced pandemic unemployment payment in the case of a person (details supplied). [17747/20]
View answerFollowing a review of the person’s record, I can confirm that his Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment has been re-rated to €350 per week. Any arrears due will issue next week.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
176. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for disallowing employee and self-employed incomes to be combined for the purposes of calculating pandemic unemployment payments; the reason persons are receiving reduced payments based on transitioning from being an employee to being a sole trader during the tax year if they must be treated separately; if her attention has been drawn to persons that moved from an employee position in 2018 to become a sole trader towards the end of the year and find their welfare payments are calculated based exclusively on time as a sole trader which may only be weeks or months and yet this income is divided by 12 months and their benefits are calculated based on a reduced amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17757/20]
View answerThe COVID 19 pandemic unemployment payment was introduced as an emergency measure to meet the surge in unemployment which resulted from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. To be eligible for the pandemic unemployment payment a person must have been in employment immediately prior to the 13th March and lost their income from employment due to the onset of the pandemic. Self-employed people must have suffered a collapse in their trading income to the extent that they are available to take up other full-time work.
Changes were announced to the structure of the pandemic unemployment payment which means that it continues to be a strong support but is also fair and targeted. Payment is now linked to prior earnings. Where an employee's gross weekly earnings were €200 or higher there is no change to their rate of payment. If their gross weekly earnings were under €200 the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment was adjusted to €203. Where a person is self-employed their gross average weekly income for 2018, the last tax year for which verifiable data on self-employed income is available, is used to calculate the rate of the pandemic unemployment payment. Any person who feels that the assessment of their earnings, based on returns already submitted to Revenue, is inaccurate can ask for a review of their case with further details available on www.gov.ie. Combining employee and self-employed income could potentially reduce average weekly earnings in the case of employee earnings, particularly where an employee has relatively small amounts of self-employment income, as the respective earnings would then be assessed over a full year. The nature of self-employment is such that it is not possible, for Revenue and PRSI purposes, to attribute self-employment income to any particular week, and earnings are assessed on a full-year basis.
Where an individual’s rate is reduced to the flat rate €203 per week and their family circumstances are that they have adult or child dependents, it may be more financially beneficial to apply for a jobseekers payment. The jobseeker’s benefit and jobseeker’s benefit for the self-employed schemes provide a social insurance contribution-based support for people who have lost work and are unable to find alternative full-time employment. If a person does not meet the qualifying conditions of the scheme they may be eligible to apply for the means tested jobseeker’s allowance scheme. The maximum weekly rate of payment for these schemes is €203 and increases may also be paid for any qualifying adults and children.
The Enterprise Support Grant has recently been extended and will be made available to small business owners who transition from the pandemic unemployment payment to re-open their business. The grant, of up to €1,000, will be payable to self-employed micro enterprises which employ fewer than 10 people, have an annual turnover of less than €1 million and are not eligible for support from the COVID 19 Business Restart Grant or other similar business reopening grants. The Department is developing the systems to put it into effect and will communicate how to access the grant in the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the matter.
177. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the reintroduction of a transitionary pension from 65 to 66 years of age as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17765/20]
View answerThe new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” proposes an “Early Retirement Allowance or Pension” for 65 year olds paid at the same rate as Jobseeker's Benefit without a requirement to sign on, partake in any activation measures or be available for and genuinely seeking work. The new payment will be introduced as early as possible for those who are retired from employment. Officials in my Department are currently considering the design of the scheme and assessing the necessary legislation, ICT system requirements and administrative processes required for the introduction of this payment.
Furthermore, a Commission on Pensions will be established to examine sustainability and eligibility issues in relation to State pensions and the Social Insurance Fund. The Commission is to report to Government by June 2021 on options including the qualifying age, contribution rates, total contributions and eligibility requirements. The Government will take action, having regard to the recommendations of the Commission, within six months.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
178. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a matter will be clarified (details supplied) regarding the collection of social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17767/20]
View answerThe use of signing pads in Post Offices was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the reintroduction of signing pads is currently underway on a phased basis by An Post. This gives rise to different payment arrangements being operated in the Post Offices concerned.
If a customer has concerns regarding these arrangements, there are further options available to them such as the appointment of a temporary agent to collect the payments.
179. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when qualifying entrepreneurs can apply for the enterprise support grant for businesses impacted by Covid-19 (details supplied). [17832/20]
View answerThe Enterprise Support Grant is being extended to assist eligible self-employed recipients who are exiting the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme after 25th June 2020 to re-start their business. A once-off grant will be awarded for 80% of eligible costs up to a maximum of €1,000 covering vouched costs associated with re-opening a business which was closed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The grant will be available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including, employing fewer than 10 people, having an annual turnover of less than €1 million and not being liable for commercial rates. This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.
Funding of €12 million has been provided for this grant and my Department is developing the systems to put this grant into effect and will communicate how to apply for the grant over the coming weeks.
I trust that this clarifies the position at this time.
180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the entitlement of a person (details supplied) to a contributory pension will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17902/20]
View answerPension entitlement is determined on the basis of the eligibility conditions applicable on the date an individual reaches pension age. The person concerned was born in 1956. The new Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” states that the planned increase in the State pension age (to 67 years) next year will be deferred. This will require amendment to primary legislation which will be introduced later this year.
Future pension entitlement will depend on factors such as a person’s social insurance record, their attachment to the workforce, and their countries of employment. It is advisable that all contributors maintain their social insurance record as fully as possible over their working life.
Under current eligibility conditions an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for State pension (contributory). Credits cannot be used to satisfy this condition. 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.
The person’s social insurance record indicates that much of their working life has been spent in self-employment. Under current social welfare legislation, a qualifying condition for State pension (contributory) for self-employed contributors is that all self-employment liabilities must be paid in full. Failure to discharge any outstanding liabilities for any years of self-employment contributions may result in a delay in the date of eligibility for State pension (contributory).
The person concerned should apply for State pension (contributory) approximately 6 months before reaching pension age. Their entitlement to pension will then be determined on the basis of the eligibility conditions in force and they will be notified in writing of the decision. Deciding Officers must remain within the provisions of the governing legislation when determining pension entitlements.
An alternative to the State pension (contributory) is the means-tested, residency-based State pension (non-contributory). Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant as applicable. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments. Applicants with assessed weekly income of less than €262.50 (at current rates) may qualify for a State pension (non-contributory).
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
181. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons on jobseeker's payment that go abroad for a holiday will have their payments affected in view of SI No. 242 of 2020; if the instrument applies to countries on the green list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17912/20]
View answerIn normal circumstances, jobseeker payments provide flexibility for a person, going on holidays, to leave the State for two weeks. During this period the standard conditionality of being available for work would be suspended.
In light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, my Department introduced regulations which require that any such holiday arrangements must comply with the Covid-19 General Travel Advisory in operation by the Department of Foreign Affairs. That continues to be the position today.
Exceptions may be made for people travelling for urgent family reasons - for example, where there is an illness in the family.
I trust this clarifies the matter at this time.
183. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a grant application (details supplied) will be successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17762/20]
View answerThis year, the supports provided through programme referred to by the Deputy have been tailored to help rural communities in designated areas respond to the new COVID-19 environment.
Project applications under the Measure of the programme referred to by the Deputy are selected by the Local Authorities for onward submission to my Department for consideration. My Department does not yet appear to have received an application in respect of the group in question.
The Measure referred to will support projects which will enable friends and families to socialise outdoors in safe, accessible, community spaces in the context of the COVID-19 public health guidance. It will include support for items such as picnic benches/tables, outdoor covered seating or BBQ areas, public lighting, bicycle stands, and bandstand/stage areas.
I understand that the proposal referred to by the Deputy relates to the development of an all-weather sports pitch. While the application, if received, will be evaluated on its merits, it is not the intention of the Measure to fund sporting infrastructure of this nature.
Further information in respect of the funding available under the programme is available on the Gov.ie website. The closing date for receipt of applications from the Local Authorities is 28th August 2020.
184. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a suckler based application for EU protected geographical indication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/20]
View answerA Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is a product, which must be produced, processed or prepared in a particular geographical area, and where a specific quality, reputation, or other characteristics are attributable to that area. I believe that such schemes can provide a positive economic opportunity for producers and for rural areas.
Officials from my Department have been working with Bord Bia on an application for a PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef focussing on the reputation of high quality beef produced through Ireland’s grass-based production system, incuding suckler beef. In my view, it is important that the application for PGI seeks to achieve the optimum outcome for Irish farmers.
I am committed to supporting and developing Ireland’s beef sector, which plays an important role in sustaining the rural economy and rural communities across Ireland and I recognise the importance of suckler farming in this regard. The beef sector has many strengths and one way of capitalising on these is through the means available under the EU Geographical Indications schemes, which highlight to consumers the value adding characteristics of a given product carrying a Geographical Indication logo.
185. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeline for the proposed food ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17720/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to the establishment of a new authority to be called the National Food Ombudsman to enforce the provisions of Directive (EU) No. 2019/633 Unfair Trading Practices (UTP Directive), which must be transposed into Irish law by 1 May 2021. Any proposed measures that extend beyond the minimum harmonisation requirements of the UTP Directive would require primary legislation.
My Department has been in consultation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in preparation for the transposition into national legislation of the Directive. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), under the aegis of that Department is the enforcement authority for S.I. No. 35/2016 (Groceries Goods Undertakings Regulations, 2016).
The legal and operational matters associated with the transposition of the UTP Directive and the associated Programme for Government commitment are currently being assessed.
