Written Answers Nos. 1566-1584
1566. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to safeguard the Irish fishing industry in the context of Brexit; the contingency plans in place to support the sector in the event of no EU-UK agreement being reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/20]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that Fisheries is a very important priority for Ireland. We are seeking to protect the interests of the Irish fleet in terms of both quota share and access to UK waters. From the outset of the negotiations, Ireland and our EU partners have been clear on our level of ambition in this area and on the fact that progress on an overall trade deal is linked to progress on fisheries. This is reflected in the EU negotiation mandate and the draft EU legal text. This Government fully supports the EU negotiating mandate to maintain quota shares and current access going forward.
Since taking office, I have held meetings with both Michel Barnier and the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius by video link. I have made it clear to both Mr Barnier and the Commissioner that we are placing our full reliance on them to deliver on the agreed EU negotiation mandate that sets down clearly the EU objective to “uphold existing reciprocal access conditions, quota shares and traditional activity of the Union fleet."
I have also met with representatives of the Irish fishing industry on 12th October, where I listened carefully to the clearly articulated challenges facing the fishing industry in the context of Brexit. I made clear that I will be pressing for a fisheries agreement with the UK that upholds both existing quota shares and existing reciprocal access to UK waters. I will continue to press for the maintenance of the linkage of fisheries to the overall economic partnership agreement as this will be central to a successful agreement. I assured the industry representatives of my commitment and that of the Government to work towards a fisheries agreement with the UK that protects their interests and ensures a long-term future for our coastal communities dependant on fisheries
In the event that a Fisheries Agreement between the UK and the EU is not put in place by the end of 2020 (the EU has specified that such an agreement must be agreed in the overall context of future partnership), the key issues for the Irish fishing sector are the potential loss of access for Irish and other EU vessels to the UK fishing zone, the need to ensure ongoing protection of fish stocks in the waters around Ireland from a subsequent increase in fishing activity and potential supports for the seafood sector to meet the challenges they may face. It is important to be aware that, if a fisheries agreement is not agreed, the EU and Ireland could also face a loss of quota share. In this situation, it will be necessary for a co-ordinated European response to ensure a proportionate and equitable use of mitigation measures for the EU fishing fleet, overseen by the EU Commission.
Following the threat of a UK departure without a Withdrawal agreement, the EU Member States prepared an EU Brexit Contingency plan that was published on the 10th April 2019. This highlighted fisheries as one of the most immediately critical issues facing the EU in a no-deal Brexit. In the event of a Fisheries Agreement is not agreed, we could immediately face the situation of the UK deciding to deny EU fishing vessels from EU waters in 2021.
I am preparing for all scenarios, while strongly supporting the negotiation of a Fisheries agreement in line with the negotiating mandate. I will be seeking additional EU funds to support mitigation measures if they become necessary. In that regard, the €5 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund agreed as part of the EU budget for the next seven years recognises that if a future relationship agreement is not in place, it will be essential to provide financial support to counter unforeseen and adverse consequences in Member States and sectors that are worst affected and this would clearly apply to the fisheries sector.
1567. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of herds which have TB restrictions placed on them; if his Department can remove restrictions on herds more quickly after testing negative subsequently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33929/20]
View answerAs of 25th October 2020, the number of Herds with TB restrictions placed on them is 2,873. While TB 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 is now at its highest level since 2012 and reactor numbers are now at 2009 rates. Herd incidence is a measure of the number of new restrictions relative to the total number of herds tested in a given period.
A herd restricted under Irish legislation is, for the purpose of the TB eradication programme, equivalent to Officially Trade Free (OTF) status withdrawn or status suspended in Directive 64/432/EEC.
To comply with the Directive, the officially tuberculosis-free status of a herd is to remain withdrawn until cleansing and disinfection of the premises and utensils has been completed and all animals over six weeks of age have reacted negatively to at least two consecutive tuberculin tests, the first no less than 60 days and the second no less than four months and no more than 12 months after the removal of the last positive reactor.
Please see www.bovinetb.ie for more information.
1568. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the process by which the hand-sanitiser ViraPro received PCS certification; if the product was tested by his Department before certification was issued; if replacement products have since received certification from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33930/20]
View answerBiocidal products, including hand sanitisers, may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and are entered on the Biocidal Product Register" in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013.
The hand sanitiser Virapro was approved by our Biocides Unit and placed on the approved register of biocide products on 21st April 2020
The product had been registered on the basis of the documentary application, including a technical specification that it contained 70% ethanol which is a common standard for hand sanitiser products and fully complies with regulations.
In line with the procedures put in place to ensure sufficient Hand Sanitiser products to respond to the unprecedented demand at the time, the administrative checks applied at registration included the provision of a Safety Data Sheet for the Virapro product from the supplier which was submitted with the application for registration. Following a request by my Department, a revised Safety Data Sheet for the product was submitted before registration was granted. A data sheet for the active ingredient ethanol was not submitted with the application. As this is an administrative process, no samples were submitted as part of the approval process.
It is important to note that the primary issue with the product subsequently was that it did not conform to the approved specification.
All applications for registration of biocidal products are evaluated and those that fully comply with the regulations continue to be approved. There are more than 450 hand sanitising products listed on the register of approved products.
My Department is continuing to increase its testing of product on the market to provide reassurance in relation to compliance with approved product specifications. Test results available so far indicate no safety issues with other sanitiser products sampled.
1569. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to support the upgrade of internet facilities in marts as a matter of urgency; his plans to reopen marts before the end of the six week lockdown to take account of the difficulty many farmers are having with trying to sell stock online in order to keep the food supply chain working as normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33931/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the Covid19 crisis, my Department has worked intensively, in cooperation with marts representative organisations, to ensure that marts may remain in operation. I would like to commend the representative organisations for this good and necessary cooperation. I would like to commend also the marts themselves, and farmers around the country, for the resilience they have shown in the face of this pandemic, and the speed with which they have adapted to the new circumstances.
My Department has adapted the conditions under which marts must operate since April, to reflect the various measures introduced by the Government to stop the spread of Covid19 and to allow marts to continue to operate.
From April to June 8th , marts operated without public attendance at sales rings, with marts able to operate transactions online or facilitate the brokering of sales, including the weighing and viewing of stock and the safe processing of financial transactions for buyers and sellers. From June, as other public health restrictions lifted, public attendance at sales rings was again permitted in marts subject to strict compliance with Covid19-specific standard operating procedures in each mart, based on the HSE Covid19 rules.
On 19th October, the Taoiseach announced that the whole country would move to Level 5 of the Framework for Living with COVID-19 for a period of 6 weeks, starting midnight on Wednesday, the 21st. Protecting the agri-food sector and people in rural communities is at the centre of my Department’s direction, on 20th October, that sales rings must close, however that all mart business may continue by conducting sales by brokering transactions or by using online platforms.
From a position where few marts had online systems in place in April, there has been a rapid take up of the new systems by marts over recent months. Currently the vast majority of marts have online systems in place and are operating through online platforms. Some remaining marts are in the process of installing online systems. Thousands of cattle and sheep have been bought and sold successfully using the various online platforms. As with any new technology, there have been some glitches and these have been dealt with as they arise.
Online sales are reaching a much higher number of farmers, dealers, and agents than sales on marts premises did, even prior to the start of Covid restrictions. On Saturday 24th October, the online sales companies reported to my officials that at one stage that day more than 40,000 people were logged in to online mart sales. The majority of marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices.
Since the introduction of Level 5, during the first five days on which marts were in operation using online sales, the cattle throughput in marts came to 36,034 head – this compares to 42,918 head in the corresponding five day period in 2019. This means that, despite the undoubted immediate disruption caused by moving to Level 5, mart throughput of cattle was 84% of the figures for that period in 2019. This demonstrates that marts have been able to continue to operate and farmers have been able to continue to buy and sell, thanks to the commitment and resourcefulness of the marts and service providers involved. Buyers may still view animals in person by prior appointment with the relevant mart.
These figures are testament to the hard work and commitment of marts to keep operating in this difficult period. My Department will continue to monitor the situation, and to adapt measures applied to marts in line with public health guidelines. I have no plans to reintroduce physical presence at sales at marts premises while Level 5 remains in force.
1570. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide all disbursements of capital spending above €20 million on completed projects for each year since 2016 by name of project, department or body responsible for delivering project, county, NUTS3 region, type of investment, construction commencement, completion year and actual cost in tabular form. [34184/20]
View answerMy Department has completed one capital project over €20m since 2016.
In 2019, the project for the remediation of the East Tip, Haulbowline Island, Co. Cork under NUTS 3 Region Cork/South West IE053 was completed. My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island in 2012.
In the period up to 2017, expenditure was focussed on preparing for and securing the necessary planning and waste licence consents, and upgrading the island infrastructure in anticipation of works. Construction work on the East Tip site commenced in October 2017 and remediation works are complete with the project now in a maintenance phase.
The total expenditure incurred by my Department (including expenditure commissioned by Cork County Council acting as my agents for the project and reimbursed through the Department) to the end of 2019 is €25,034,676.
1571. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if access to the LIS will be provided to urban local authorities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32603/20]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
The LIS is targeted at roads in rural areas. The main condition of eligibility for the scheme is that road projects must provide access to parcels of land of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons engaged in separate agricultural or harvesting activities. Local Authorities have discretion, subject to a maximum of 25% of their allocation, to fund non-public amenity roads leading to important community amenities such as graveyards, beaches, piers, mountain access points or other tourist/heritage sites.
Given the objectives and conditions of the scheme, I currently have no plans to extend the LIS beyond the Local Authorities delivering the scheme in rural areas.
1572. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider public libraries to run click and collect services under level 5; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32878/20]
View answer1573. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the arrangements made to ensure that the library service continues to function on a click and collect basis to ensure that vulnerable persons can continue to have access to the library service. [32924/20]
View answer1574. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has circulated an instruction to local authorities to cease call and collect public library services for the duration of the current level 5 restrictions. [32926/20]
View answer1575. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason it is deemed essential for public library staff to attend work when the library cannot open to the public; the work within the closed public library that makes the staff there essential; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1572 to 1575, inclusive, together.
My Department has not issued any specific instructions to local authorities regarding the ‘contact and collect’ library service. The ‘Plan for Living with COVID-19’, issued by Government, states that all museums, galleries and other cultural attractions, including all public, school and academic libraries, are closed to the public under Level 5 but are available for online services. The public health risk is deemed such that people are being asked to stay at home, apart from essential work or attending school. It is vital that we limit our contacts and trips outside of our homes and this currently includes visits to the library. That said, some libraries are offering a delivery service of library items including books, audiobooks and DVDs to vulnerable households, in line with arrangements put in place earlier this year to support those who were cocooning.
An excellent online library service is available nationwide and my Department has invested some €400,000 in the online service this year alone. It provides access to more than 48,000 eBooks and 33,000 audiobooks, 4,000 magazines, 2,400 online newspapers from over 100 countries, more than 500 e-learning courses and 100 online language courses.
The provision of the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority under the Local Government Act 2001. Under the Act, each local authority Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of their local authority and this also applies during the current pandemic. Accordingly, it is a matter for each Chief Executive to determine what is essential work for their staff.
1576. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action she has taken in relation to whistle-blower disclosures made to and regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32393/20]
View answer1577. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an audit of an area (details supplied) took place in March 2020; and the actions that have been taken by the relevant authorities on foot of its findings. [32394/20]
View answer1578. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the appointment by the local authority of an external person to work with a body (details supplied) in relation to ongoing issues there has taken place; and the cost of this external assistance. [32395/20]
View answer1579. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a body (details supplied) was fined in 2015 by Pobal; the reason for this; and the actions taken by relevant bodies since to avoid a repetition of the actions that resulted in this fine. [32396/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1576 to 1579, inclusive, together.
In January 2020 the Local Government Audit Service (LGAS) carried out an audit of Waterford Area Partnership (WAP) in relation to SICAP, covering the 2018 financial year. Findings highlighted weaknesses in the current control environment. The financial management and governance of the company were identified as requiring immediate action. There had also been some contact in relation to the matter by individuals within WAP to both my Department and Waterford City and County Council, however no protected disclosures were made.
Officials from my Department, Pobal and Waterford City and County Council have met regularly since January to discuss the audit findings and to agree solutions. The overall priority has been to ensure the continued delivery of programmes such as the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and that supports and services to disadvantaged individuals and communities continue to be delivered, particularly in the context of COVID-19, while also ensuring that the findings of the audit process are addressed as quickly as possible. As part of this process, WAP were required to submit a detailed proposal setting out the actions and timelines for addressing the audit findings and the associated costs.
The plan submitted indicated an acceptance by WAP of the audit findings and a willingness and openness to address the issues arising. The local authority, Pobal and DRCD acknowledged the continuing work being undertaken by WAP and in particular their ongoing work through SICAP and their contribution to the local efforts to address the unprecedented level of need arising from the COVID-19 crisis.
It was also agreed to work with and support the WAP Board of Directors in building on their efforts to date to address governance weaknesses. As part of the collaborative approach to date, an external company has been engaged to work with WAP to put in place a more sustainable governance structure to ensure the continued delivery of social inclusion programmes in Waterford. The cost of this external support is €25,168.
On the separate matter of monies being reclaimed by Waterford LCDC (who manage the SICAP contract locally), on foot of a Pobal audit, it was established that WAP spent some of their 2015 SICAP allocation outside programme rules. This resulted in a financial correction being imposed on WAP. SICAP programme rules must be strictly applied and complied with, particularly given that the programme is part funded by the EU through the European Social Fund.
1580. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 1481 of 8 September 2020, the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32520/20]
View answerMy Department 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.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, four tranches of successful applications have been announced, allocating funding of €30,073,923 to 568 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants is available here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
Unsuccessful applicants were offered leave to appeal and I can confirm that the organisation in question is currently engaged in that process. It is hoped that a decision will be made shortly and conveyed to the applicant as soon as possible thereafter.
1581. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if assistance can be provided to a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32742/20]
View answerCommunity organisations such as the one referenced by the Deputy are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.
My Department introduced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises in the context of COVID-19, which included a Stability Fund of up to €35m. While this has now closed to new applications, community centres that met the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund.
My Department also funds the Community Enhancement Programme. The 2020 programme was launched in June with funding of €2m providing small capital grants to community organisations towards enhancing facilities. Separately, under the July stimulus package my Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. While both these programmes have recently closed it is hoped to run the CEP programme again in 2021.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. It is expected that the Programme will open targeted calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in 2021.
More generally, depending on the activities carried out in the facility, there may be different types of funding available from a range of Government Departments and agencies. I recommend that the group in question engage with both the Local Community Development Committee and the Local Development Company in their area for any updates in this regard.
1582. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an appeal application following the decision to refuse a centre (details supplied) funding under the Covid-19 stability fund scheme; when a decision on this appeal will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32857/20]
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.
This fund is providing up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1.The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2.The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3.Persons with a disability.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, four tranches of successful applications have been announced, allocating funding of €30,073,923 to 568 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. A full list of successful applicants are available on my Department’s website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
Regrettably some organisations were unsuccessful in their application for various reasons. These reasons have been communicated to each unsuccessful applicant individually. I understand some organisations may be disappointed with the outcome, or may have additional or updated information they wish to be reviewed. For that reason, there is a Stability Scheme Appeals Process, which is being administered by this Department. The organisation in question engaged in this process and a decision on their appeal was issued recently.
1583. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter in relation to Leader funding (details supplied); if she will provide clarity on Leader allocations for 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32995/20]
View answer1584. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funds she secured in Budget 2021 for projects, delivery and administration of a Leader programme in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33014/20]
View answer1587. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding has been allocated for new Leader projects in 2021; if so, the amount allocated; if separate funding has been allocated for the delivery and administration of the Leader programme 2021; if the National Rural Development Plan for the period 2021 to 2023 which is identified as a priority in the programme for Government will be launched shortly; if there is a time frame for the completion of the plan and for the launch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33039/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1583, 1584 and 1587 together.
LEADER forms part of Ireland’s national Rural Development Programme and is co-funded by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The current 2014-2020 LEADER programming period concludes in December 2020.
Proposals for new regulations for the CAP 2021-2027 were launched in June 2018 by the European Commission. However, given the protracted nature of discussions on the post-2020 CAP and the wider EU Budget at EU level, there has been a delay in adopting these proposals. This means that the next LEADER programme will not commence until January 2022 at the earliest.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to prioritise a State-led programme to bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme and the next EU programme. The objective of this commitment is to allow local-led rural development projects to be delivered under a Transitional Programme until the new EU programme commences.
The European Commission has published proposals for transitional measures to allow for continuity between the programming periods. The Commission's proposals are still under discussion at EU level and there are a number of issues yet to be resolved, including the duration of the transitional period.
Nonetheless, I hope to be in a position shortly to announce the details of a Transitional LEADER Programme for Ireland, to come into effect in 2021.
An extra €4 million has been provided for LEADER in Budget 2021, to bring the total allocation for next year to €44 million. I can confirm that the allocation will be used to fund a combination of existing projects as they come to completion, as well as for new projects to be approved under the Transitional Programme and to support the administration costs of Local Action Groups in closing out the existing programme and delivering the Transitional Programme.
It is important to recognise that LEADER is a multi-annual programme and that payments in respect of projects which are approved in any given year are generally not drawn down until subsequent years, depending on the nature and scale of the projects concerned. In this context, costs related to projects under the Transitional Programme are also likely to be met from the provision in my Department’s Vote in 2022 and 2023.
