Written Answers Nos. 899-923
899. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding streams available from her Department arising from the July stimulus to local authorities for town centre pedestrianisation programmes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20504/20]
View answerThe July Stimulus Package provided an additional €15 million in capital funding for my Department. The additional funding includes an extra €10 million for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to assist rural towns and villages in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Total funding available for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme this year will now amount to €25 million. This year’s scheme has been tailored to focus on interventions that can support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages, and assist them in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
The type of projects that will be funded under the scheme could include, for example, public realm adaptations to provide outdoor dining areas, event spaces, meeting areas and other innovative proposals to encourage people back into towns and villages. These project proposals, which will be developed by the Local Authorities in conjunction with local businesses and community groups, could involve the pedestrianisation of some areas.
The objective of the investment under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme this year is to help economic and social recovery by increasing footfall in rural towns and villages, helping businesses to reopen safely, and by providing amenity areas that support social distancing.
900. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the locations identified for the €15 million worth of capital projects in the area of rural and community development as outlined in the July stimulus plan by county. [20724/20]
View answerThe July Stimulus Package provided an additional €15 million in capital funding for my Department. The additional funding includes an extra €10 million for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme to assist rural towns and villages in responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19. The Stimulus Fund allocation also includes a provision of €5 million for upgrading and improving community centres, community facilities and community buildings.
The funding available for the Town & Village Renewal Scheme will help to stimulate economic activity by increasing footfall in rural towns and villages, by improving the public realm, helping businesses to reopen safely and providing amenity areas that support social distancing.
The location of projects to be funded under the scheme will be determined by project proposals submitted by Local Authorities. Successful projects will be announced under a number of different funding tranches and details of the successful project locations will be made available as each tranche of funding is finalised.
The €5 million fund for upgrading and improving community centres, community facilities and community buildings will be utilised through a once-off scheme which will make use of the existing Community Enhancement Programme structures. Each Local Authority area will receive a funding allocation, with funding decisions being made at local level by Local Community Development Committees. Details of the projects to be funded will be made available once the decision making process is complete later this year.
901. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is considering a stream of funding for the various Leader programmes nationwide that are coming to the end of their 2020 programme and that are waiting on the new programme from 2021 to continue operating; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20923/20]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme for rural development which is co-funded by the European Union. The current seven-year programme (2014-2020) will come to an end this year as far as new project commitments are concerned. Projects approved before the end of December 2020 will have up to June 2022 to complete their activities and submit payment claims to my Department.
The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) across the country. Under Funding Agreements in place with my Department, the LAGs are contracted to deliver the LEADER programme up to the end of 2020 within the funding allocations specified in each Agreement, and with a provision for an extension of the Agreements.
The LAGs, in turn, have Service Level Agreements with the Local Development Companies where these companies act as their Implementing Partners.
In the coming months my Department will be engaging with all the LAGs to ensure an orderly wind up of the current LEADER programme. Any review of funding or extension of the Funding Agreements that may be required post-2020 by the LAGs will be undertaken as part of this process, having regard, inter alia, to any arrangements that may be agreed at European level in relation to the next LEADER programme.
902. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she, her Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if she will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19643/20]
View answerNeither I or my advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; However, my Minister of State, Joe O'Brien T.D. used private email on occasion, copies will be forwarded to the Deputy under separate cover.
|
Number |
Schedule of Correspondence |
Summary of what the correspondence relates to |
Attachment |
Date of correspondence |
|
1 |
Email from Department official, attaching draft press release for approval, copied to MoS private e-mail address |
Stability Fund draft press release provided to Minister of State. |
Stability Fund draft Press Release document |
21072020 |
|
2 |
Email from Department official re internal expressions of interest for post of Private Secretary to Minister of State, copied to MoS private e-mail account |
Application for the position of Private Secretary to Minister of State. |
Expression of Interest for the Post of Private Secretary to the Minister Of State |
28072020 |
|
3 |
Email from MoS private email account re Delegation of Functions |
Communication with Adviser to Minister re proposed Delegation of Functions |
None |
28072020 |
|
4 |
Items* forwarded to MoS Green Party e-mail address by DRCD |
3 emails |
28072020 |
|
|
*Copy for information of previous Community Service Programme Briefing note |
Previous Community Service Programme briefing note provided to Minister of State for background information |
Briefing note of 17/7/2019 |
22072020 |
|
|
*Copy for information of previous internal DRCD Submission 00037-20 re Community Service Programme |
Previous submission re-Community Service Programme provided to Minister of State for information |
Submission DRCD 00037-20: Extension of the 2020 CSP Support Fund in line with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. |
22072020 |
|
|
*Copy for information of previous internal DRCD submission 00020-20.pdf re Community Service Programme |
Previous submission re-Community Service Programme provided to Minister of State for information |
Submission DRCD 00020-20: proposal to utilise the 2020 CSP support fund to enable CSP organisations retain their staff during the current covid-19 crisis |
22072020 |
903. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the meetings she and her Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date in tabular form (details supplied). [19660/20]
View answerThe tables below provide the details of the meetings which I and the Ministers of State, Joe O'Brien T.D. have had since the formation of the Government.
|
Minister |
Heather Humphreys T.D. |
|
Date |
Meeting |
|
9 July 2020 |
Irish Hotels Federation |
|
30th July 2020 |
Pre-Budget 2021 Forum |
|
Minister of State |
Joe O'Brien |
|
Date |
Meeting |
|
3 July 2020 |
The Wheel |
|
3 July 2020 |
Irish Local Development Network |
|
6 July 2020 |
Community Work Ireland |
904. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of her advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19677/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil are currently awaiting Government approval.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers, to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy, and a Press Adviser, said persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
905. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names and salaries of her special advisers; and the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in her Department [19727/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management (PSMA) Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PSMA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers, to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy, and a Press Adviser; said persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Full details of salaries and allowances paid to Members of the Oireachtas are available to the Deputy and the public on the website of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Members of the Oireachtas are paid a basic salary plus a salaried allowance based on any additional positions they hold.
906. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the community groups supported by the community services programme in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [19886/20]
View answerThe Community Services Programme, or CSP, supports more than 400 community organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions (FTEs) and a manager, where warranted.
Details of the organisations supported under the CSP in 2019 are set out in the table 1 below, with the 2020 organisations set out in table 2.
In addition, the following six organisations are approved to commence contract under the CSP in the coming weeks once the Covid restrictions have been lifted and the services are fully operational.
|
Organisation |
County |
|
Bluestack Special Needs Foundation Company Limited By Guarantee |
Donegal |
|
Bundoran Community Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Donegal |
|
Donegal Famine Heritage Centre (Dunfanaghy) Company Limited By Guarantee |
Donegal |
|
Inchicore Community Drug Team Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dublin |
|
Coiste Forbartha an Fhal Carraigh Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Rathaiochta |
Donegal |
|
Offaly Integrated Local Development Company Limited by Guarantee |
Offaly |
907. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a walking project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20521/20]
View answerMy Department does not appear to have received an Expression of Interest in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy. However, my Department is still accepting Expressions of Interest under the scheme in question. There is currently no closing date for receipt of Expressions of Interest.
Expressions of Interest must be made through Local Authorities and/or Local Development Companies in respect of trails that are suitable and eligible for inclusion in the scheme. Further details of the process are available on my Department's pages of the Gov.ie website.
908. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a walking project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20522/20]
View answerI can confirm that an Expression of Interest has been received by my Department in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy.
A review of the relevant scheme is currently in train and decisions in respect of Expressions of Interest under the scheme will be taken following the completion of the review. It is anticipated that the review process will be concluded in the final quarter of this year.
909. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in her Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20625/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management (PSMA) Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PSMA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers, to work with me, a Special Adviser on policy, and a Press Adviser; said persons will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
A breakdown of staff seconded into DRCD by grade is supplied in the table below. The staff in question operate in various roles with varying responsibilities appropriate to their grade across the structures of the Department. Staff seconded into DRCD retain their existing terms and conditions. Please see table below:
Staff Seconded to DRCD
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
Standard Scale PPC (minimum to maximum) |
Standard Scale Non PPC |
Higher Scale PPC |
Higher Scale Non PPC |
|
Agricultural Inspector Technical Grade – AP equivalent |
2 |
€63,523- €88,158 |
€60,434 €83,881 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Assistant Agricultural inspector Technical Grade – AO equivalent |
5 |
€33,971- €66,118 |
€35,836 €62,904 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
€67,659- €83,740 |
€65,356 €79,681 |
€74,068 €91,961 |
€70,490 €87,495 |
|
Higher Executive Officer* |
3 |
€48,868- €61,545 |
€46,517 €58,556 |
€51,722 €63,547 |
€49,226 €60,462 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
€32,405- €61,545 |
€31,024 €58,556 |
€45,502 €63,547 |
€43,318 €60,462 |
|
Total |
12 |
|
|
|
|
*1 x HEO is in receipt of allowance pertaining to assignment to Private Secretary duties.
Currently the allowance is €19,653 per annum for officers on modified PRSI and €20,685 per annum for those on full PRSI.
910. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the payments for services or goods by her Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20782/20]
View answerNo payment has been made to the company concerned since the establishment of my Department in July 2017.
911. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if she will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21034/20]
View answerThe details sought by the Deputy are set out in the tables below.
2020 Advertising expenditure (Year To Date)
|
- |
€ |
|
Development of script for Community Call radio advertisement |
€1,845 |
|
Total for 2020 YTD |
€1,845 |
2019 Advertising expenditure
|
- |
€ |
|
Control of Dogs notifications placed in print media |
€6,116 |
|
National Walks scheme notifications placed in print media |
€4,802 |
|
Rural Policy notifications placed in print media |
€1,170 |
|
Total for 2019 |
€12,088 |
2018 Advertising Expenditure
|
- |
€ |
|
Project Ireland 2040 notifications placed in print media |
€7,492 |
|
Total for 2018 |
€7,492 |
912. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the threat to the number of persons employed in timber processing mills throughout the country due to a shortage of timber supply; the actions he will take to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20537/20]
View answer967. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he plans to guarantee the sufficient quantity of Irish timber will be available to timber processing mills in 2020. [20538/20]
View answer968. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty in the processing of timber felling and planting licences (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20539/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 912, 967 and 968 together.
The commencement of the Forestry Act, 2014 in May, 2017 brought about significant changes in the consent process for forestry operations. The Act makes provision for third-party submissions and establishes the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
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 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. All licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system.
I am acutely aware that delays in issuing licences have led to difficulties for some in the sector. Felling licences are now valid for up to 10 years and may cover several felling events, such as thinning then clear felling on the same plot. Landowners considering future operations, have the opportunity of applying for a tree felling licence well in advance of any operations taking place.
My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. 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 the current backlog has arisen. 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. A large majority of our licensing decisions are being confirmed at the Forestry Appeals Committee which gives confidence in these revised procedures.
My Department has a detailed project plan in place for dealing with the current backlog and new applications which includes significant investment in extra resources required to deliver the plan. These resources are a combination of additional ecologists, forestry inspectors and administrative staff where required.
The project plan is a targeted, process-driven approach which prioritise files in a manner which will result in an increased number of licences being issued in the short-term and will deliver a return to expected timelines in the longer term. Applicants who have or are prepared to submit a Natura Impact Statement, where appropriate, will be prioritised.
A Project Management Board, with a dedicated Project Manager, will oversee and monitor delivery. There will be a continuous review of the process, in order to effect efficiencies. A communication plan to keep stakeholders fully and regularly informed of progress, with a dedicated central resource to deal with queries, is a key element of the project. While much of the success of the project plan lies with my Department, stakeholders also need to engage with it. This will require a commitment from forestry companies to submit applications that are of the required standard and quality, and to submit NISs in accordance with the guidance provided. In addition, the Government has agreed to a number of amendments to the Appeals Act in order to align the forestry licensing system with other planning systems, and this will streamline the system and make it more efficient.
I am more than aware 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.
913. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter in relation to young farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19549/20]
View answerTeagasc is the primary education provider for the farming community delivering a wide range of programmes on a full-time, part-time and distance education basis including the Green Cert Programme.
I am advised that Teagasc has not cancelled any courses arising from COVID 19. In regard to full-time courses, its agricultural colleges plan to reopen in September for the 2020/21 academic year. Delivery will involve a combination of face-to-face and remote delivery in line with arrangements elsewhere in the Further and Higher education sectors. Potential applicants can still apply online for full-time Teagasc courses.
Part-time and Distance education Green Cert courses in progress pre-COVID are continuing. It is intended that new courses will continue on a normal rolling basis - start dates may be somewhat affected by the disruption of recent months.
914. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a scheme similar to the rural environment protection scheme as underlined in the Programme for Government; when he expects to introduce this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19558/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government has set out clearly our strategy for agri-environment policy not least our ambition to allocate €1.5bn to a flagship environmental scheme under the next CAP. I have been very clear that the strong environmental ambition for the sector must be matched by a suitable CAP budget. This will be included in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and we aim to pilot some elements of this in the transitional phase between the CAP programming periods as well as adopting the best elements of our existing agri-environment schemes.
I am particularly impressed, for example, with some of the early lessons from the locally-led schemes currently run by my Department and I know GLAS has delivered some really meaningful environmental results. It is important therefore that we reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t worked in designing new measures. There are a number of variables still undecided which mean it is difficult to be definitive at this stage about the precise details of future schemes. These include agreement on the legislative framework, both transitional and next CAP.
We are pressing hard for the earliest possible adoption of the EU regulations to facilitate the operation of schemes during the transitional period as the first priority. This is to provide some certainty until such time as CAP regulations and associated funding arrangements are agreed. As soon as we have this legal certainty, we will provide clarity and engage with all the relevant stakeholders on next steps.
This is priority work for me and my Department over the coming months. I attended my first meeting of our CAP consultative committee with the stakeholders recently and I see that forum as being key to the planning for our future policy on these issues.
915. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application (details supplied). [19564/20]
View answerThe applicant named submitted a payment claim under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II on 10 July 2020. The application in question has been approved for payment and the applicant can expect payment shortly.
916. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he, his Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if he will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19629/20]
View answerNone of the Ministers in my Department nor their advisors have used private email for official Government use since the formation of the Government.
917. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings he and his Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date, in tabular form (details supplied). [19646/20]
View answerThe information requested is in the attached file.
918. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of his advisers and those of the Ministers of State; the remuneration packages of same; and the date of commencement in their role. [19663/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, are currently awaiting approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned one person to work with me as Special Adviser and that person will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
919. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding his Department provided to each State agency under the remit of his Department in 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [19684/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested in relation to the amount of funding my Department provided to each State Agency in 2019, and to date in 2020, is set out in the attached table.
|
Name of State Body |
2019 € |
2020 to date € |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
0.400m |
0.120m |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
38.195m |
13.005m |
|
Marine Institute |
35.917m |
19.895m |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
16.195m |
7.249m |
|
Bord Bia |
46.619m |
27.571m |
|
Teagasc |
137.5m |
90.260m |
|
National Milk Agency |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Coillte |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Bord na gCon |
16.800m |
14.700m |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
67.200m |
47.600m |
|
Irish National Stud |
Nil |
Nil |
920. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names and salaries of his special advisers; the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, are currently awaiting approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned one person to work with me as Special Adviser and that person will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The salaries of Ministers and Ministers of State are not matters determined by my Department.
921. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to prevent puppy farming and the trafficking of animals and pets in and out of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19818/20]
View answerI absolutely condemn the trafficking of animals and pets into and out of the country and I call on anyone with knowledge of such illegal activity to report it without delay to the relevant authorities. Customs officials and members of an Garda Síochána are authorised to check the paperwork of incoming and outgoing pet animals.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has policy responsibility for matters pertaining to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, while the local authorities are responsible for operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities.
The movement of pet animals to and from Ireland is governed by EU legislation on the non-commercial movement of pet animals, and on commercial trade in pet animals.
Under EU law, dogs, cats and ferrets moved between EU Member States must be accompanied by an EU pet passport, be microchipped, and have a valid rabies vaccination. Premises engaged in the commercial export of dogs and certain other (non-farmed) animals from Ireland must be registered with my Department. Before export, these animals must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no obvious signs of disease and are fit to be transported. The animals must also have a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian. Exporters must comply with EU law on the protection of animals during transport.
Commercial movements of certain animals, including dogs, cats and ferrets, directly into Ireland from a third country, currently does not take place, as Ireland does not have a Border Control Post designated for the import of such animals. Any such imports must currently enter the EU through a Border Control Post designated for such animals in another EU Member State before entering Ireland.
Under the EU rules on pet travel, DAFM officials carry out random compliance checks on pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from other EU countries. Compliance checks are carried out on all pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering Ireland from outside the EU.
My Department actively engages on the issue of pet trade. Ireland takes an active role in this issue at the European level, as a member of a group of a number of EU Member States and animal welfare charities established to consider issues relating to the pet trade.
My Department is also a member of the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group formed in 2015 by a number of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and classified advertising websites to address irresponsible advertising of pets online. This group has played an important role in outlining to the general public the welfare issues that can be associated with purchasing a pet from an advertisement on line.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which focuses on early intervention and contains strong enforcement powers, marked a significant step forward in the modernisation of the law relating to animal welfare, reflecting societal concern for animal welfare.
Section 11 of the Act imposes a duty on everyone to protect the welfare of the animal under their control. Section 12 of the Act makes it an offence to neglect or cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, or endanger the health or welfare of an animal.
My Department operates an anonymous helpline through which members of the public can report animal welfare concerns. The helpline can be contacted at Call Save: 0761 064408, 01 6072379, or by email, animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
922. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the views of a number of animal welfare groups that an upcoming shipment of live animals from Ireland to Libya could contravene EU rules on protecting transported live animals to third countries; his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19925/20]
View answerThe export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. It plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards. In 2019, the combined total value of animal exports to the Irish economy was €167 million. The vast majority of animals moved are for trade within the EU. A smaller proportion are exported to non-EU countries.
The proposed journey in question, as with all live export shipments from Ireland, will be conducted in full compliance with the legislative requirements.
My Department implements a stringent system of controls on the welfare of animals being exported, in particular, through a comprehensive legislative framework relating to the transport of animals by sea (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016).
Cattle being exported are monitored during the prescribed isolation period by Department Veterinary Inspectors and, in some cases, by Official Veterinarians from the importing countries. This is in addition to work carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners who carry out the testing required prior to export to enable certification. Animals are inspected and certified by Official Veterinarians from the Department with regard to their health status and fitness for travel.
All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office at least 48 hours in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport regulations.
Ireland continues to work closely with other EU Member State and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. In this regard, Ireland has reaffirmed its on-going commitment to animal welfare through additional OIE multi-annual financial assistance (€75,000 per annum over the period 2017-20) to support its activities directed towards enhancing animal welfare worldwide.
923. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the justification for a decision (details supplied); if this matter will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20042/20]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
