Gary Gannon
Question:407. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health his plans to support the Rotunda Hospital in relation to its chronic lack of space and aging infrastructure [39525/20]
View answerHospital Facilities
Questions (407)
Written answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
GLAS Issues
Questions (408)
Brendan Griffin
Question:408. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a GLAS penalty appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39264/20]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and is fully up to date with their payments.
The participant was selected for an on farm inspection and has requested a review of the inspection findings.
The Department will inform the applicant directly, in writing, of the outcome once the review has been completed.
Basic Payment Scheme
Questions (409)
Paul Kehoe
Question:409. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer can retain a single farm payment after installing solar panels on the farm land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39266/20]
View answerWritten answers
Solar panels are considered as ineligible features within a land parcel and deductions to the eligible area must be made in accordance with the guidelines set out in the “Guide to Land eligibility” booklet published by my Department in 2015. A land parcel containing solar panels may be considered eligible once there is an agricultural activity (e.g. grazing sheep) within the parcel. Other requirements, as set out in the terms and conditions for the various area-based schemes must also be respected for the purposes of the basic payment scheme and other area-based schemes.
GLAS Issues
Questions (410)
Brendan Griffin
Question:410. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry received a GLAS penalty for gorse burning on commonage that he had no hand, act or part in; if the penalty will be withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39268/20]
View answerWritten answers
Where land is burned between the period of 1 March and 31 August of any given year, it is not in a state suitable for an agricultural activity such as grazing or cultivation and, therefore, it is not eligible for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), except where controlled burning is carried out. My Department actively investigates incidents of illegal burning using satellite imagery.
The person named submitted his 2020 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application on 6 May 2020 in which he declared the lands he was farming. As outlined by the Deputy, a parcel submitted by the person named was subject to burning during the closed season for burning. The burnt area has been deducted from the parcel leaving a reduced maximum eligible area (MEA) for the 2020 BPS scheme year.
My Department wrote to the person named on 19 November 2020 advising him of the current position with regard to this parcel. The person named has been given the right to a review of his position and to submit any documentary evidence that he may have regarding the burning of this parcel.
It should be noted that the reduction of this parcel does not impact on their BPS payment as he has sufficient land to allow payment on the entitlements held by him. However, the reduction in land may impact on any other land-based schemes that the person named has applied for such as GLAS.
The associated GLAS application is currently undergoing pre-payment validation checks for the 2020 advance (85%) payment, including a cross check of land parcels claimed for GLAS against BPS records. The GLAS commonage payment is calculated based on the lesser of the claimed area or eligible area (MEA) as determined by BPS.
When the 2020 advance payment is processed, if an overclaim arises in relation to commonage which results in a GLAS penalty, the applicant will be informed in writing and be given the option of appeal.
Forestry Sector
Questions (411)
Michael McNamara
Question:411. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status on an objection to afforestation by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39273/20]
View answerWritten answers
A decision on the application for an afforestation licence in the reference provided was appealed by the persons named to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). The FAC is operationally independent of my Department and I cannot correspond with the Committee on any single appeal.
The FAC will be in direct contact with the parties to the appeal in relation to any hearing that may be scheduled and will notify them of the decision when it becomes available.
Food Industry
Questions (412, 413)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dedicated staff deployed in the protected geographical indication, PGI, sector; the breakdown of grade structure of staff in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39357/20]
View answerMichael Fitzmaurice
Question:413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of protected geographical indication applications being dealt with by the sector; the breakdown of the starting dates of each of these applications; the number of PGI applications submitted to this section over the past five years and that have not been brought to national consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39358/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 413 together.
The EU Quality schemes for agriculture products include Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), and Traditional Specialties Guaranteed (TSG) and also Geographical Indications (GIs) for wine and spirits.
Over the past five years, 16 applications have been received from food producers seeking to have their products registered as PGIs as follows:
2015 Two
2016 Three
2017 One
2018 None
2019 Five
2020 Five
Of these, one product has been registered (Sneem Black Pudding); the national opposition procedure has been completed for another three (Irish Grass Fed Beef, Comeragh Mountain lamb and Wexford Blackcurrants) and two applications are currently at an advanced stage of scrutiny by my Department.
The remaining applications have not progressed for various reasons, including that they do not currently conform to the terms of Regulation (EU) No. 1151/2012 on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs, or they fail to sufficiently demonstrate the information required to allow the application proceed for registration. Five of these applications have been received from the same applicant group.
In regard to staffing, Food and Spirit Drink GI applications are currently dealt with by four officials in Food Industry Development Division in addition to other functions.
Food Industry
Questions (414)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time the Bord Bia protected geographical indication application took to be processed to national consultation level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/20]
View answerWritten answers
Following a Geographical Indications conference arranged by my Department in early 2019, it was decided that an application to have an Irish beef product registered as a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) should be submitted to the European Commission. The conference was attended by the EU Commission officials as well as farming and industry stakeholders.
From that time, Bord Bia prepared the application and my Department provided advice on the EU regulatory and guideline requirements, where appropriate.
This approach was endorsed by stakeholders in the Beef Sector Agreement of September 2019 which noted that "DAFM and Bord Bia are actively engaging with the EU Commission on the development of a Protected Geographical Indication for Irish beef'. It was also reflected in the Programme for Government commitment to 'work at EU level for the development of a PGI for Irish beef'.
The time taken to finalise an application can depend on a number of factors, including the level of detail provided by the applicant in the initial draft, the nature of the product and the time required for scrutiny of the dossier, including the Single Document and the Specification Document, to ensure compliance with the EU requirements.
The result of the work undertaken since early 2019 is reflected in the documents published by my Department on 14 August 2020 under the National Opposition Procedure provided for in the PGI governing EU rules.
Food Industry
Questions (415)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:415. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the competent authority regarding protected geographical indication application submissions; if the comments made by his officials after reviewing the single and specification documents of these applications are to be considered as instructions that must be followed or just as recommendations that, if followed, will increase the likelihood of a successful PGI application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39360/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department, as the Competent Authority for food and spirit drink Geographical Indications (GIs), scrutinises all applications received under the EU GI Quality Schemes to check for manifest errors and also to ensure that the application conforms to the requirements of the EU Regulations.
As the Competent Authority, my Department must also be satisfied, in submitting a PGI application to the EU Commission, that there is a verification system in place to ensure that, if successful, the PGI is protected and that the claims made in a PGI application are verifiable.
Applicants are advised when their application does not conform to EU Regulations. In the course of examination of the Specification and Single Documents that form the application for registration of a product name, officials of my Department advise applicants on the rules that must be adhered to as provided in the EU Regulation and guidelines. It is open to applicants to act on that advice.
However, it is important to note that any GI applications submitted to the EU Commission must be accompanied by a declaration by the Member State Competent Authority that it considers that the application lodged by the applicant meets the conditions of the Regulations and its provisions. Every effort is made by my Department to ensure that applications sent to the EU conform with the requirements. Applications sent are subject to EU scrutiny.
Under the EU quality schemes, achieving Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) recognition for products enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers to market their products better. It is important therefore that the information provided to the EU Commission at time of application is as complete and correct as possible.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (416)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:416. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason beef scheme payments for 2018 and 2019 did not issue to farmers (details supplied) when a herd number was amended to include a second name; the reason payments under BPS, ANC and so on did not issue when the herd number was amended to be held under joint names; if these missing BDGP payments will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/20]
View answerWritten answers
The herd number for the persons name has been amended to include a second name. To ensure compliance by both participants with the requirements of the programme, a Declaration of Undertaking signed by both participants was required for the BDGP. This was received on 18 November 2020, and has now been processed. Outstanding payments under BDGP will issue shortly.
Payments in respect of ANC and BPS have issued for the years in question and for 2020. Balancing payments under both these schemes are due to commence in early December.
Livestock Issues
Questions (417)
John McGuinness
Question:417. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1019 of 29 September 2020 and other parliamentary questions on the same issue, the progress in completing DNA tests and registration of animals under herd number (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39445/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department officials have made great progress in addressing problem of unregistered cattle in this herd. The results of DNA tests have been returned for a number of animals and, as a result, a number of animals have been registered.
My officials are still awaiting on some DNA results to be finalised and, once known, the relevant registrations will may be completed. When these registrations have been finalised, consideration will be given to the possibility of lifting the suspension of the herd.
Food Wise 2025 Strategy
Questions (418)
Catherine Murphy
Question:418. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned that the new agrifood strategy to 2030, which has recently been the subject of public consultation, will replace the current Food Wise 2025 strategy; if so, the reason the Food Wise 2025 strategy is being withdrawn five years early; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39448/20]
View answerWritten answers
The agri-food sector has been well served over the last 20 years by having a series of stakeholder strategies to guide its development. The first of these strategies was published in 2000. All of the strategies have had a ten-year horizon, revisited every five years:
- Agri Food 2010 was published in 2000
- Agri Vision 2015 was published in 2005
- Food Harvest 2020 was published in 2010
- Food Wise 2025 was published in 2015.
Food Wise 2025 is the current 10 year strategy for the Irish agri-food sector. Agreed by stakeholders and adopted by the Government, it underlines the sector’s unique and special position within the Irish economy and illustrates the potential for further development. The targets and actions in the Food Wise Report are monitored and reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee, chaired by myself, meets regularly to review and monitor these actions and ongoing developments in the sector.
Preparations are underway for the next strategy for the agri-food sector to 2030. A public consultation was launched in July 2019 to ascertain the views on the direction of the sector to 2030 and a national stakeholder consultation event was held in October 2019. A stakeholder committee was established in November 2019, tasked with incorporating the outcomes of these consultations in developing the next agri-food strategy to 2030.
The Committee's terms of reference are to outline the vision and key objectives, with associated actions, required to ensure the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agri-food sector in the decade ahead. While there has been some delay in the process arising from the pandemic, the Committee are scheduled to finish their deliberations shortly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (419)
Brendan Griffin
Question:419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a follow-up round of the Covid-19 stability fund for community and voluntary, charity and social enterprises will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39436/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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, funding of €30,990,956 has been allocated to 590 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. Though the fund is now closed to new applications, additional checks are continuing on a small number of applications and remaining outcomes will be communicated on an individual basis as decisions are finalised. In addition I will shortly be making an announcement about my plans for the distribution of the additional €10M in funding provided through Budget 2020.
Lists of successful applicants are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (420)
Steven Matthews
Question:420. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are further plans to provide funding for volunteer community groups that have seen their fundraising efforts largely cease as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. [39375/20]
View answerWritten answers
The 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, funding of €30,990,956 has been allocated to 590 organisations. This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. Though the fund is now closed to new applications, additional checks are continuing on a small number of applications and remaining outcomes will be communicated on an individual basis as decisions are finalised. In addition I will shortly be making an announcement about my plans for the distribution of the additional €10M in funding provided through Budget 2020.
Lists of successful applicants are available on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants.