Written Answers Nos. 1467-1485
1467. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a scheme to assist those that have suffered a farm accident to adapt their farm and machinery in order to support their continued working on the farm; if not, if consideration will be given to such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22421/20]
View answerFarm safety is a critical issue facing farming today. Statistics show that accidents on farms cause more workplace deaths than all other occupations combined.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has primary responsibility for Health and Safety on Farms, while the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is fully supportive of their work and assists in the promotion of safe farming practices.
At present, there is no scheme within my Department to provide grant-aid towards the funding of tractor and machinery adaptation. However, there are tax reliefs available to assist farmers in making modifications to farm vehicles and machinery. Details of these reliefs that are in place can be obtained from the Revenue Commissioners.
1468. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a list of those that lobbied for the amendment to negate the need to report infectious diseases in meat plants in 2016 will be provided. [22460/20]
View answerA total of 149 meat premises are approved by my Department, of which the Department has a ‘permanent presence’ at the 49 premises which slaughter animals, and carries out risk-based inspections and controls at the remaining approved meat premises. My Department’s statutory responsibility is to ensure that these premises operate in compliance with the EU’s food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department is also supporting the Health Service Executive and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of relevant guidance in DAFM-approved food plants.
I understand that the Deputy’s question refers to regulations made under the Safety, Health and Welfare Act of 2005, which are under the remit of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. My Department does not have any records in respect of these regulations.
1469. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the beef finishers scheme will be reviewed to incorporate cattle from here that are slaughtered in Northern Ireland (details supplied). [22471/20]
View answerFollowing significant engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department secured Government approval for additional exchequer funding for a support scheme targeted at beef finishers, with funding of €50 million announced on 12 June. The Beef Finishers Payment (BFP) provides support for beef finishing enterprises who were most affected by the market disturbance caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme, which opened for applications in mid August will pay in the region of €100 per animal to beef finishers who slaughtered bovine animals in IE between 10/20/20 and 12/06/20 up to a maximum of 100 head/herd. The measure was notified to and approved by the EU commission under the COVID-19 temporary state aid framework.
The scheme is limited to payment based on bovine animals slaughtered in Ireland. It is not possible to revisit the scope of the scheme to include animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland. Robust verification of eligibility is essential for audit purposes and the Department's Animal Identification and Movement System provides slaughter data only in respect of Ireland.
In addition. the basis for additional exchequer funding was the market disturbance experienced as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The R3 Steer price for the reference period relating to the measure was consistently higher in Northern Ireland than in Ireland.
1470. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to his Department in Civil Service accommodation outside Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22473/20]
View answerMy Department works in cooperation with the Office of Public Works (and with other Departments and Offices) to maximise the use of office space in accordance with the OPW's Property Asset Management Delivery Plan, to ensure that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio.
In the main, desk spaces available in the Department's Regional Offices and District Veterinary Offices are fully allocated. The majority of these Department offices have a number of "hot desks" available for use by visiting Headquarters staff, or for outdoor staff who cover large and often remote geographic areas.
There is some office space available currently in the Drumshanbo and Limerick RVO buildings. There was space available in the Department's offices at Johnstown Castle in Wexford but this has recently been allocated to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for their use.
It should be noted that where any vacant space exists in my Departments offices, consideration is being given to how it can best be utilised to facilitate physical distancing and mitigate against Covid 19 where staff attendance is required.
1471. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the outcome of the ANC review in County Donegal; the townlands that were excluded; the reason they were excluded; the details for each townland exclusion and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22501/20]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy in relation to townlands in Donegal is currently being compiled. The data will be forwarded directly to the Deputy shortly.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Background
The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme has been in place for over 40 years in Ireland, under a number of different names. In essence, the scheme provides financial compensation to farmers in light of the additional cost they incur in farming land that is designated as disadvantaged/constrained.
In advance of payments under the 2019 ANC scheme, Ireland was required under EU Regulation to change the approach used to designating land as eligible for payment under the scheme. Up to that point, Ireland had been identifying eligible areas using a range of socio-economic indicators such as Family Farm Income, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture, stocking density etc.
From 2019, eligible areas were instead required to be designated using the following list of bio-physical criteria:
- Low Temperature
- Dryness
- Excess oil moisture
- Limited soil drainage
- Unfavourable texture and stoniness
- Shallow rooting depth
- Poor chemical properties
- Steep slope
Where a townland displayed one or more of the listed criteria at a level above the threshold of 60% as set out in the Regulation, the townland was identified as constrained.
It was then necessary, under the Regulation, to ‘fine tune’ these constrained areas by reference to the following three categories. Areas above the ‘fine tuning’ threshold in any of the three categories below were deemed to be not eligible for the 2019 ANC Scheme:
A. District Electoral Divisions (DEDs) that displayed a stocking density over a 3 year average at a level above 1.8 livestock units (LU) per hectare
B. DEDs that displayed an average level of above 15% of the agricultural area taken up by arable crops
C. DEDs that displayed a combination of greater than 8% arable coverage and a stocking density of between 1.4 – 1.8 LU per hectare
A third step provided for in the EU Regulations allowed for land to be deemed eligible if it qualified under certain specific constraints. These were:
A. Where 50% or more of the DED is covered by the Natura 2000 Directives lands and the National Heritage Areas.
B. Where the land holding in the DED is in multiple blocks (fragmented) and where the average farm size in a DED is less than 80% of the national average, i.e. less than 25.6 hectares.
C. Where more than 50% of the townland is in permanent grassland and the average field size is less than 4 hectares.
In the case of the category of specific constraint relating to field size and permanent grass cover, this constraint was further focused by reference to national Family Farm Income data. Where this category of constraint applied, national level Family Farm Income statistics were used to identify the cohort most in need of financial support.
Taken together, the above steps identified the lands deemed eligible or ineligible under the scheme in 2019.
Outcome of the process
Following the review, the vast majority of land that was eligible under the existing Scheme remained eligible under the new approach. Nationally, some 700 townlands that would have previously been eligible were no longer eligible under the new designation. A degressive payment was put in place for 2019 and 2020 for farmers who were affected financially by the change in the status of the land. Over 2,000 townlands became eligible under the new approach and were eligible to receive a payment for the first time in 2019.
Appeals Process
DAFM wrote to all impacted farmers advising of the status of their lands under the 2019 ANC scheme. These letters included a form to initiate an appeal to the Independent Appeals Committee. Where an appeal was sought, detailed information in relation to all the steps in the process outlined above was provided to each appellant. This information indicated at which stage the townland in question had not reached the eligibility criteria, and the figures relating to each category. Thus, all the relevant data was provided to appellants.
In each case, the appeal was subject to a full review of underlying data by the Appeal Board. Following the completion of the work of the Independent Appeals Committee, all farmers who had submitted an appeal were notified of the outcome of the appeal. Where an appeal was deemed to be unsuccessful, farmers were advised that they could further appeal the decision to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Position in Donegal
Following the redesignation process, a total of 2,631 townlands located in Donegal were deemed to be eligible for the scheme. A total of 48 townlands were deemed not to be eligible. The Department received appeals in relation to 34 of these ineligible townlands. Following the review of these appeals by the Independent Appeals Committee, 3 of these townlands were subsequently made eligible following the completion of the appeals process. This has brought the total number of eligible townlands located in Donegal to 2,634.
Letters issued to the farmers whose appeals were unsuccessful to advise them of their right to appeal the decision to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Please see attached table that details
- the townlands that were determined not to be eligible following the initial completion of the re-designation process,
- the reason why the townland was not determined to be eligible by reference to the steps in the process outlined above,
- whether an appeal was submitted in relation to the townland and
- whether the appeal was successful or not.
In all of the cases in the table, the townlands in Donegal were deemed ineligible at the fine-tuning stage. In particular, 43 of the townlands were excluded under the fine turning category relating to arable land. The relevant benchmark in this regard is that DEDs with over 15% of agricultural area taken up by arable land were excluded under fine tuning. The range of values for the cases in question was 19%-34%.
The remaining 5 townlands were also excluded at the fine-tuning stage as they are in DEDs that displayed a stocking density over a 3 year average at a level above 1.8 LU per hectare
Having been excluded at the fine-tuning stage, the townlands in question did not subsequently fall into any of the three categories that would have qualified them as eligible as an ‘area of specific constraint.’
Further detailed data in relation all of the relevant townlands for each of the steps of the process is contained in the attached excel file. There is a lot of data in the table, and it matches up to the steps as outlined above. As an aid to interrupting the table I will expand upon Townland E12702 – Blanket Nook.
Step 1 – is the townland over 60% constrained
The green columns refer to the calculations across the biophysical criteria. In this case the total percentage of the townland agricultural biophysical area that is deemed to be constrained is 98.22%. Therefore, at this first step the townland is considered to be constrained as it surpasses the 60% threshold. All the townlands in question pass this threshold.
Step 2 – is the townland fine tuned out?
The blue columns refer to the fine tuning process. In this case, the townland is fine tuned out as the average arable area in the DED is 34.07%. This is higher than the 15% threshold and thus the townland is fine tuned out of eligibility on this basis. The majority of townlands are fine tuned out on this basis. Rows 50-54 on the other hand are fine tuned out as the DED has a stocking density higher than 1.8 LU per hectare.
Step 3 – Having being fine tuned out, does the townland become eligible under any of the criteria related to Areas of Specific Constraints.
The yellow columns refer to the areas of specific constraints process. In this case, the townland does not meet the threshold in any of the 3 possible categories, as follows
a. The townland does not have an area greater than 50% covered by N2k directives etc. In this case the figure is 27.77%
b. The average farm size in the DED is not lower than 80% of the national average. In this case the average is 47.26 ha
c. The joint criteria of the townland having more than 50% permanent grassland and an average field size less than 4 hectares has not been met. In this case, the figures are 23.49% and 3.78 ha
1472. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for each role in tabular form. [22521/20]
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 Advisors 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 Advisors 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 Advisors have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisors. 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.
1473. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated and spent to date, respectively per project from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22540/20]
View answerMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20 is the principal source of development funding for the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors and is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
My Department is preparing the information requested by the Deputy and will send it directly to him in the coming days.
1474. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reconvene the tuberculosis forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22547/20]
View answer1475. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the recent changes to the tuberculosis eradication programme with particular reference to the issue of tuberculosis herd history risk statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22548/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1474 and 1475 together.
My Department is in the process of organising the reconvening of the Bovine TB Forum.
The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (July 2019) identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”.
In line with this proposal from the Forum, my Department developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB. Farmers are already provided with information in relation to their TB risk, but this new report presents this in a very much more user friendly, detailed and practical form.
While bTB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence at 4.2% is now at its highest level since 2012 while reactor numbers at 21,000 are back at 2009 rates.
It is imperative that stakeholders work together in reducing TB rates to support and protect farm families.
1476. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will engage with the tuberculosis forum regarding the recent tuberculosis history letters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22695/20]
View answerThe Bovine TB Forum is due to reconvene shortly and my Department will continue to engage in this round table effort to eradicate Bovine TB. The Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (July 2019) identified the need for effective information to be provided to farmers. It advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. My Department developed the TB Herd History Risk Statement and Report in line with that proposal.
1477. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the backlog in the issuing of felling licences will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22696/20]
View answerI am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP). These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others. These findings meant that in order to grant licences which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable. All licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system.
I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and they have been challenging to implement such is the scope and breadth of them, which has unfortunately meant that there have been delays in issuing licences. It has taken substantial resources and effort to introduce a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements, and I believe we now have that in place. A majority of my Department's 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 prioritises 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, is overseeing and monitoring 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 only applications which have a realistic chance of being planted, to ensure all applications are of the required standard and quality, and to submit NISs in accordance with the guidance provided.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to review the forestry appeals process to ensure that it is aligned with other comparable appeals processes. That is why a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced. The public consultation period for the draft Bill recently closed, with almost 9,000 submissions received. These submissions will inform the updated version of the Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas. The introduction of these amendments will be accompanied by an on-line portal on which forestry licence applications and site details will be easily accessible to any interested party
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.
1478. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the deadline for the beef finisher scheme beyond 9 September 2020; if he will extend the eligibility period beyond 12 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22697/20]
View answerI am acutely aware that current delays in issuing licences has led to difficulties for some in the sector. My Department is intensively engaging with all relevant stakeholders on these issues. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP). These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others. These findings meant that in order to grant licences which fully meet environmental requirements, fundamental changes to the licensing system were unavoidable. All licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system.
I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and they have been challenging to implement such is the scope and breadth of them, which has unfortunately meant that there have been delays in issuing licences. It has taken substantial resources and effort to introduce a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements, and I believe we now have that in place. A majority of my Department's 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 prioritises 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, is overseeing and monitoring 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 only applications which have a realistic chance of being planted, to ensure all applications are of the required standard and quality, and to submit NISs in accordance with the guidance provided.
There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to review the forestry appeals process to ensure that it is aligned with other comparable appeals processes. That is why a draft amendment to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 is being introduced. The public consultation period for the draft Bill recently closed, with almost 9,000 submissions received. These submissions will inform the updated version of the Bill which will be presented to the Oireachtas. The introduction of these amendments will be accompanied by an on-line portal on which forestry licence applications and site details will be easily accessible to any interested party
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.
1479. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of special advisers that will be hired by his Department. [22771/20]
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 Advisors is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil were issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to my Department in August 2020.
The appointment of individual Special Advisors 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 Advisors have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
1480. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the steps that have been taken to advance the commitment in the programme for Government to increase the rate of aid available to private enterprise through Leader from 50% to 75% for capital projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21499/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a number of commitments in relation to the LEADER programme, including the question of increasing the rate of aid applicable to private enterprises from 50% to 75%.
My Department has engaged with a number of Local Development Companies who work closely in the delivery of the LEADER programme, to obtain their views on the proposal for an aid rate increase for private enterprises.
On foot of these discussions, my officials are preparing a report for me, setting out the various issues to be taken into consideration in addressing the commitment in the Programme for Government.
I expect to receive the report from my officials shortly.
1481. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21683/20]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
The Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund was intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19. The criteria of the scheme stated that any grants awarded would be dependent on the need identified and organisations approved for funding were prioritised on that basis.
In this context it was considered that organisations that receive 80%, or more, of their funding from State sources are considered to have had a significant and stable source of income over the period under consideration, as the State has continued to provide that funding. On the basis of the information provided by the organisation in question, in their application to the Stability Fund, that organisation is in receipt of more than 80% of its funding from State sources and regretfully, has not been awarded funding under the COVID Stability Scheme.
Unsuccessful applicants were offered leave to appeal and I can confirm that the organisation in question is currently engaged in that process.
Over one thousand applications were received during the application period. Due to the considerable interest in the Stability Scheme and to facilitate prompt drawdown, applications were assessed in batches and funding has been released in tranches. To date three tranches have been announced, supporting more than 480 organisations with funding of over €25 million. This funding is supporting the delivery of many critical frontline services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants is available on my Department’s website. Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
1482. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the details of individual grants made under section 33 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 for the provision of homes and shelters for animal welfare in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [22341/20]
View answerUnder Section 33 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, the Minister may make grants to any person concerned with the provision of homes or shelters for stray or unwanted dogs or with the welfare of dogs. The funding is used to provide grants to animal welfare organisations for the provision of shelters for dogs and to assist with neutering and re-homing programmes.
The level of grant aid provided to organisations under this funding from 2015 to 2019 is set out in the table below. The budget provision for 2020 is €100,000. It is expected that grant aid will issue later in 2020.
|
Animal Welfare Organisation |
Grant aid in 2015 |
Grant aid in 2016 |
Grant aid in 2017 |
Grant aid in 2018 |
Grant aid in 2019 |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
ISPCA |
10,000 |
33,000 |
35,000 |
35,000 |
35,000 |
|
Irish Blue Cross (IBC) |
19,000 |
20,000 |
25,000 |
25,000 |
30,000 |
|
Cara Rescue |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
|
Babydog Rescue |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2,000 |
|
Cottage Rescue |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
MADRA |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
2,600 |
5,000 |
|
Paws Animal Rescue |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
RCDR Renvyle |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2,000 |
|
Royal Dog Rescue |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
* |
2,000* |
|
Animal Help Net |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
WAGI (formerly Clare Greyhound project) |
N/A |
N/A |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
HART Cork |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1,000 |
|
Mo Chara Animal Rescue |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2,000 |
|
Mayo SPCA |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2,500 |
|
Total |
35,000 |
59,000 |
77,000 |
78,600 |
95,500 |
*For Royal Dog Rescue €1,000 was paid in 2019 in respect of 2018 grant aid.
1483. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the responsibilities local authorities have in relation to the implementation of Control of Dogs Act 1986, the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. [22342/20]
View answerUnder the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended by the Control of Dogs (Amendment) Act 1992, local authorities are responsible for all operational matters relating to the control of dogs. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against owners, where appropriate.
Local authorities may enter into agreements with each other to provide dog wardens and dog shelters. Under the Acts, local authorities may also enter into agreements with the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA), or a person or organisation connected with animal welfare to provide these services.
Accordingly, as all operational matters relating to the Control of Dogs Acts are matters solely for each local authority, it is a matter for each local authority to ensure the enforcement of all relevant legislation in a fair and consistent manner.
Implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
1484. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands when the local authority control of dogs statistics 2019 will be published. [22343/20]
View answerMy Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2018 is available at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/.
It is planned to publish the 2019 Dog Control Annual Statistics on Gov.ie during October.
1485. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands the status of the rural housing renovation grant which was first proposed in 2017 (details supplied); the amount of funding granted by geographical location to date; the number of applications made; the number approved and declined, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21126/20]
View answerThe Action Plan for Rural Development 2017-2019 included a commitment to develop a pilot initiative to encourage increased residential occupancy in town and village centres. It was originally envisaged that a small grants scheme might be introduced to encourage the regeneration and repurposing of vacant buildings in town centres for residential purposes.
A Steering Group with representatives from a number of Government Departments and the Local Government sector was established to guide the process and it was considered that a more integrated solution, involving all aspects of town living, was required.
On foot of a recommendation from the Steering Group, the pilot Town Centre Living Initiative was launched in October 2018. The aim of this initiative was to explore how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages and, at the same time, address the issue of vacant properties. Funding of up to €100,000 was made available for this purpose through the Local Authorities, focusing on 6 towns with different characteristics in different parts of the country.
An independent report on the pilot Town Centre Living Initiative was published on 22nd June 2020. The report outlines the approach taken by each town under the pilot and sets out the key issues identified to encourage increased town centre living and the repurposing of vacant properties for modern living. The report highlights the multiplicity of factors that need to be addressed which cut across a number of Government Departments and agencies highlight that action is needed at all levels, including from national and local government to communities on the ground. The cross-cutting actions needed span multiple government departments and agencies.
A Steering Group is now being established to review the suggested actions identified in the report and a set of proposals for new policy measures to further encourage and support people to live in rural town centres will be brought forward to Government.
The full report on the Town Centre Living Initiative is available on the gov.ie website at
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/77498/3b9f04d1-987f-4ed9-ac4c-750162e3f2a6.pdf#page=null.
