Written Answers Nos. 816-825
816. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on the issuing of forestry licences in his Department; the situation regarding the key performance indicators in the project plan; the efforts he is taking to ensure that these key performance indicators are being met and even exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40398/20]
View answer818. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences currently awaiting processing by his Department by licence type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40417/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 816 and 818 together.
My Department receives forestry applications and issues new licences every week of the year. This means there is a constant turnover of applications and a worklist which has these applications at various stages of processing. We update our weekly licensing output to stakeholders through a dashboard.
There are approximately 4,700 forest licence applications currently in the system and at various stages of processing.
Of these, approximately 2,000 have been referred to ecologists for an appropriate assessment, and a backlog has built up over the last 18 months. This worklist of approximately 2,000 files is being dealt with by means of a dedicated project plan which was shared with the stakeholders on its publication in July.
Generally, the remainder of licence applications that do not require an appropriate assessment are not subject to the delays currently being experienced with licences requiring ecology input.
To date this year, we have issued 2,042 licences. 550 of these licences have issued since the introduction of the new Forestry legislation at the beginning of October.
My Department's overall approach to tackling the backlog of applications is subject to continuous improvement and review with the aim of increasing the output of licences on a weekly basis. At the beginning of the year there were just two ecologists working on the backlog of applications referred to ecology but this figure is now sixteen. Additional forestry inspectors have also been hired to support this work. This delivered increased output in October and November compared to other months this year. While this still has some considerable way to go, I am encouraged by this progress and intend to sustain and build on this output of licences issued each week.
817. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to restructure the Forestry Service in view of the implementation of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provision) Act 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40414/20]
View answerI commenced the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2020 on 7th October and at the same time, signed regulations, giving effect to the provisions of the Act. The Act makes various provisions for the structuring of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC), to enable it to more efficiently hear appeals against decisions on forestry licences amongst other matters. The FAC is operationally independent of my Department.
I have moved quickly to appoint new members to the FAC, which comprises internal and external members. The appointment of three Deputy Chairs means that with the existing Chair and two additional ordinary members, the Committee has operated in four divisions since 9th November, 2020.
The FAC hear both oral and non-oral hearing appeals. All appeals hearings are being held remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions and the hearings are conducted five days a week. Since the introduction of the additional committees, sixty-one cases have been heard with a further forty-two hearings scheduled to take place in December.
I have also assigned a number of administrative staff to the FAC as well as three planners who have been contracted to assist the FAC in preparing documentation for the committees.
With regard to the forestry service of my own Department, I have also invested heavily in resources to help deliver improved licensing ouptut. We now have 16 full-time equivalent ecologists where previously we had one and are also recruiting 10 new forestry inspectors. These are already showing early signs of progress with licensing out for October and November the highest months to date this year. We still have a considerable distance to go in terms of implementation of the plan and my Department will be keeping all matters under continuous review.
I, along with everyone in my Department, remain fully committed to addressing the current issues in the forestry sector.
819. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing forest owners with ask dieback disease (details supplied); his plans to introduce a scheme by which persons replacing diseased ash plantations with other tree species can get new long-term leases from his Department to ensure that they have ongoing incomes from the forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40419/20]
View answerThe Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) was launched in June this year, following a review of the policy approach and associated support schemes while considering the move away from Ash Dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management into focus. The review included careful consideration of stakeholder submissions as well as meetings with representative bodies of the forestry sector. The revised approach categorises plantations into three groups based on the plantation age and tree size. Different support options are available depending on the category into which the ash plantation may fall.
The objectives of the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) scheme are to encourage the active management of ash plantations in the context of the control and spread of ash dieback disease. The scheme also aims to promote the vigorous growth of ash through thinning to realise as much of the potential value of the crop as possible and where appropriate in young plantations and in cases of high disease infection, to support the removal of the affected ash crop and replacement with alternative species.
Where the reconstitution option is selected the full establishment grant for the planting type chosen is available along with a site clearance grant. However, premiums restart from the last premium paid and there are no plans to change the scheme rules to allow for premiums to restart at year one. These supports are available after replanting is completed. The underplanting and Woodland Improvement Option is also available and grants are payable following completion of works.
The option of Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is also available which consists of three separate interventions 4 years apart. CCF may only be an option when included as part of a wider CCF management regime or where the infection levels are very low.
820. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of instances of artificial insemination of greyhounds that have been investigated in the past ten years by vets employed by his Department and-or persons appointed by Greyhound Racing Ireland; the sanctions that were imposed; and the controls that are in place to ensure this practice does not happen. [40421/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The issue of artificial insemination of greyhounds is covered under the Artificial Insemination of Greyhounds Regulations, 2005 (S.I. No. 561 of 2005). In accordance with those regulations, the Irish Coursing Club is required to maintain separate registers recording particulars of proven inseminators and approved centres. Under Article 7 of the regulations any investigations arising are to be carried out by the Club. Under the regulations RCÉ may appoint an authorised officer for the purpose of carrying out specific requirements under the regulations. RCÉ has not found it necessary in recent years to undertake any investigations as envisaged by the 2005 regulations.
821. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of applications for financial assistance under the Covid stability fund and Pobal for an organisation (details supplied). [40024/20]
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:
- The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
- The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
- Persons with a disability.
My Department received 1,060 applications during the application periods. To date, funding of just under €31m 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.
Lists 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 the outcome of their appeal was communicated to them on 30th October 2020.
822. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there is specific funding available for community halls (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40233/20]
View answerCommunity facilities such as community halls are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.
Some of the supports provided by my Department towards community facilities are outlined below.
My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community organisations, including community centres. A Support Fund of €1.2m was put in place earlier this year, providing additional funding to many of these CSP organisations which had suffered a loss of income due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Last week I increased the allocation to the Fund providing an additional €3.55m. This brings the total amount allocated under the CSP Support Fund to €4.75m.
My Department also 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. To date, funding of just under €31m has been allocated to 590 organisations delivering critical front line services to those most at need in their communities. Community centres that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund. I expect to make an announcement shortly regarding the distribution of the additional €10m allocated to the Stability Fund as part of the budgetary process.
The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) with funding of €2m providing small capital grants to community organisations was launched in June. Separately, under the July stimulus package my Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. While it is now closed for 2020, it is hoped to run the CEP again in 2021.
The Rural Development Investment Programme is being tailored to address the emerging challenges associated with COVID-19. This includes schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme through which improvements to community centres have been funded in the past. The closing date for applications under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme has passed, however a further round of the Scheme will operate in 2021. Full details of the 2021 Scheme will issue to all Local Authorities when finalised.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by COVID-19. I would encourage all groups to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
823. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will report on the ongoing progress with regard to the establishment of county volunteer corps; the way in which it will be recruited, operate and be resourced; and the objectives for such a corps. [40454/20]
View answerThe Government's “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” includes the following commitment: “Drawing on the significant volunteer response that has been witnessed since March, a permanent “volunteer reserve corps” will be established in each area, which can be called on by community and voluntary organisations and local authorities as needed.”
Proposals for the establishment of this volunteer reserve corps are currently being finalized in my Department and I hope to make a detailed announcement on the matter very shortly.
824. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of all consultancy firms, accountancy firms, legal firms, project management firms and IT firms her Department has engaged to carry out work its behalf in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if she will summarise the work they were engaged to do and the full costs of the engagements; if disputes over costs ensued; if they were resolved with or without sanctions and or financial penalties and or withholding of funds; and if contracts are subject to legal challenge or mediation. [40217/20]
View answerThe table here provides the information requested by the Deputy; a schedule of all consultancy firms, accountancy firms, legal firms, project management firms and IT firms my Department has engaged to carry out work its behalf in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; no disputes over costs ensued. There have been no legal challenges in relation to the contracts and no mediation applied.
Schedule
|
Legal/IT firms |
Consultancy Firm |
Detail the work firm/company were engaged to do |
Detail of full costs of the engagementsand timeline |
Timeline 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. |
|
Social Justice Ireland |
User Handbook for Public Participation Networks |
€12,000 |
2020 |
|
|
Social Justice Ireland |
Public Participation Networks Community Wellbeing Statements – development and delivery of training workshops and facilitation of community consultations |
€45,000 |
Current 2020Ongoing |
|
|
Social Justice Ireland |
Training and supporting Public Participation Networks: research and data analysis, development of Second Annual Report of PPNs Organising Regional Meetings for PPNs, Development and Support programme for PPNs Mentoring with PPNs and Local Authorities |
€9,600 |
2019–2020 |
|
|
Social Justice Ireland |
Development and delivery of online training programme for 31 Public Participation Networks |
€90,000 |
Over 2020-2021 |
|
|
Social Justice Ireland |
Development of 2019 Annual Report of PPNs |
€10,000 |
2019 |
|
|
Stephen Rourke |
Public Participation Networks’ Secretariat Network – facilitation |
€27,090 |
2019–2021 |
|
|
Harriet Emerson |
Cork County PPN - facilitation |
€13,500 |
2020-2021 |
|
|
Indecon International Economic Consultants |
Review of the Community Services Programme |
€112,422 |
March 2019 to February 2020 |
|
|
Indecon |
Review of Philanthropy in Ireland |
€78,450 |
Current2020 on-going in 2021. |
|
|
The Reputations Agency |
Marketing/Branding for the Big Hello / National Community Weekend 2019 |
€62,249.63 |
2019 |
|
|
Indecon |
Design and undertake a digital readiness index for each of the 31 Local Authorities to produce a roadmap and other supports for the development of 31 local digital strategies with unique characteristics that capture the potential growth areas for each local authority area |
€24,546.80 |
2018 |
|
|
RPS |
Development of guidance document and related training programme for local authorities and industry relating to appropriate environmental assessment of telecommunications infrastructure primarily relating to the rollout of the National Broadband Plan. |
€83,536.78 |
2019-2020 |
|
|
Future Analytics |
Carry out a feasibility study to determine the benefits of further expansion of the Digiwest network of rural digital working hubs to include a number of Digilabs throughout the AEC region for the advancement of targeted research and development, commercial innovation and enterprise development. |
€19,918.50 |
2020 |
|
|
|
||||
|
Doonane Construction Services Ltd |
Cost report on works completed on LEADER Project Claim. |
€1,476.00 |
2020 |
|
|
Acrux Consulting |
HR external investigation |
€8435.42 |
2020 |
|
|
Acrux Consulting |
HR external investigation |
€3404.13 |
2019 |
|
|
DELOITTE IRELAND LLP |
Dormant accounts fund review |
€119,457.6 |
2019 |
|
|
Space Engagers |
Services to Design, management, facilitation and record of Workshop for the Pilot Residential Occupancy Scheme |
€4,110.47 |
2019 |
|
|
Space Engagers |
Services to deliver a Wrap-up Report for the Town Centre Living Initiative |
€12,880 |
2019? |
|
|
Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland |
Services to Conduct a Review of the Walks Scheme and role of the RRO. |
€66,545 |
(Review ongoing and due to conclude end Dec 2020/early Jan 2021) |
|
|
Venture International Limited |
Services to Conduct a Review of the Rural Economic Development Zone (REDZ) Scheme (Review is ongoing) |
€41,350 |
2020 Current |
|
|
Legal Firms |
|
|||
|
Byrne Wallace |
|
Legal Advice |
€2,796.51 |
2020 |
|
Byrne Wallace |
|
Legal Advice |
€1,854.84 |
2019 |
|
|
||||
|
IT Firms |
|
|||
|
Flextime IT |
|
Flexitime |
€799.5 |
2020 |
|
Flextime IT |
|
Flexitime |
€5543.18 |
2019 |
|
Flextime IT |
|
Flexitime |
€15874.9 |
2018 |
|
Comm-IT company (South Dublin Volunteer Centre) |
|
Public Participation Network database infrastructure (setup, training and technical support services) |
2018: €30,000 2019: €30,000 2020: €30,000 |
2018 to 2020 |
|
Version 1 |
|
Version 1 designed and developed an IT system for the administration of the LEADER Rural Development Programme 2007 – 2013. The 07/13 LEADER RDP IT system supports the obligations of the Department and the Local Action Groups (LAGs) in relation to the administration, monitoring and reporting on all RDP activity in accordance with detailed EU regulatory requirements. |
Version 1 costs – 2018 –€38,007.00 2019 –€76,794.10 2020 (to date)- €42,175.71 |
2018 to 2020 |
|
Oracle EMA Ltd |
|
Oracle EMA Ltd provide LEADER Oracle Licences & Support which are required for the 07/13 LEADER RDP IT system. |
Oracle EMA costs – 2018 –€11,467.60 2019 –€11,926.30 2020 (to date)- €12,403.36 |
2018 to 2020 |
825. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial supports in place for small community groups dependent on fundraising activities that can no longer do so due to Covid-19 guidelines to aid with utility bills, including Irish Water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40367/20]
View answerCommunity groups and organisations are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies.
For example, 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. To date, funding of just under €31m has been allocated to 590 organisations delivering critical front line services to those most at need in their communities. Community facilities that meet the eligibility criteria are receiving support under this fund. I expect to make an announcement shortly regarding the distribution of the additional €10m allocated to the Stability Fund as part of the budgetary process.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by COVID-19.
I would encourage all groups to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of other funding opportunities as they become available.
