Written Answers Nos. 674-692
674. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to changing the five-year timeframe for young farmers to make the required investment for TAMS II young farmer capital investment scheme to an age-related deadline, for example, that the farmer must complete works before, for example, 35 years of age as opposed to within a five-year time frame. [43365/20]
View answerThe Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme is one of a suite of seven measures under TAMS II, provided for in Ireland's 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme.
As defined in the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1305/2013 of 17 December 2013 and reflected in the terms and condition, the Scheme is open to farmers who are more than 18 years and under 41 years of age at the date of submitting the application form. They also must meet the requirements of set-up for the first time within five years of the date of receipt of an application under this Scheme. There is no option to amend the EU regulation in this regard.
The date of set up is verified at date of submission of application i.e. the applicant is first registered on relevant Department identifier e.g. herdnumber/milk production partnership.
All works must be completed and claims must be submitted within six months of date of approval in the case of certain equipment and 12 months in the case of structures and fixed equipment from the date of issue of approval/extension or by a date specified in the letter of approval, whichever is earlier.
675. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to implement the programme for Government commitment to ensure that future funding of the greyhound sector from a fund (details supplied) be contingent on a guarantee of welfare standards being upheld on an annual basis; the specific welfare criteria which the sector will be required to meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43377/20]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann 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. Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ, as a key pillar of its Strategic Plan 2018-2022, states it will "enhance animal welfare at the centre of our industry". RCÉ established a Care Fund in July 2019 dedicated to care and welfare programmes for the racing greyhound.
Measures taken to date as part of that programme include:
The opening of the first Care Centre in Thurles in July 2020 which will act as a half-way house between the end of a racing career and the placing of the greyhound in its ‘forever home’. The centre will allow greyhounds to be socialised and for interested parties to consider the fostering or adoption of a greyhound in such a setting.
The implementation of an extensive rehoming programme with 1470 greyhounds rehomed in 2020 to end of November with assistance from the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, an entity established by RCÉ.
The introduction of a financial incentive for all domestic rehomings to encourage further rehoming in Ireland.
The implementation of a Foster-to-Adopt Scheme.
The operation of an Injuries at Track Financial Support Scheme whereby funding is available to address injuries sustained to racing greyhounds.
The establishment of a confidential phone line/email through which any welfare issues can be reported on a 24/7 basis. All reports are fully investigated by RCÉ welfare staff.
The utilisation of the Exclusion Order process whereby a party can be excluded from a greyhound racing track.
The updating of the Code of Practice for the Care and Welfare of the Greyhound which has been the subject of a public consultation process. The Code is provided for under Section 6 of the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011.
The continuing of a testing regime both at race events and through out of competition testing. The urine sampling regime has been expanded in 2020 to cover blood sampling (on a periodic basis). Work is also underway in terms of the necessary protocols to implement further enhancements of the testing regime through hair sampling.
RCÉ implemented a Covid-19 Care Payment Scheme during the period of suspension of racing activity from March to June 2020. Some €998,000 was paid under the scheme to ensure that the welfare needs of the racing greyhound were met during the period when racing activity was suspended.
In addition, my Department has imposed a range of conditions to the disbursal of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, and as part of these conditions, RCÉ is obliged to commit 10% of the fund towards welfare and integrity measures. This includes measures in relation to regulation, testing, laboratory and other aspects of activity that will improve the welfare and integrity approach of RCÉ. Together, these measures will ensure that the three commitments on greyhound welfare in the Programme for Government will be met.
676. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which funding committed to investment in greyhound welfare and rehoming programmes was spent in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43378/20]
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.
RCÉ operates and funds programmes in the area of regulation, integrity and care and welfare. Expenditure to end of November 2020 for care and welfare only (excluding staff and staff related costs) is set out in the table below:
|
Covid 19 Greyhound Care Payment Scheme |
€993,928 |
|
Veterinary Services |
€194,328 |
|
Fostering |
€175,143 |
|
Care Centre (launched October 2020) |
€20,968 |
|
International Transportation |
€19,502 |
|
Greyhound Utility ambulances |
€23,616 |
|
Greyhound Injury Support Scheme |
€1,811 |
|
Improvements in veterinary facilities |
€4,948 |
|
Contributions for private rehoming organisations |
€31,817 |
|
Contributions to Irish Retired Greyhound Trust |
€63,633 |
|
Contributions to Irish Retired Greyhound Trust from owners (via levy on owners' prizemoney contributions). |
€63,633 |
|
Total |
€1,593,327 |
There is further committed expenditure on care and welfare and additional expenditure to be incurred before year end.
677. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take to ensure the greyhound traceability system promised in the programme for Government is rapidly rolled out; his views on whether this system will account for all greyhounds born here each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43379/20]
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 Irish Coursing Club (ICC) has been the keeper for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923.
The registering of any greyhound currently lies with the ICC as the keepers of the Irish Stud Book. The function of the ICC is provided for in legislation and all greyhounds regardless of their future involvement in any activity must be registered by way of registration of the litter with the ICC.
RCÉ is mandated with the responsibility for greyhound racing and racing greyhounds. The traceability system being devised by RCÉ will track racing greyhounds from birth through key life stages up to retirement/rehoming. Where a greyhound is presented for racing, the greyhound will be tracked on the traceability system through all life stages including birth, microchipping, registration, racing career, changes of ownership/trainer, location, export, retirement and end of life.
RCÉ will receive a data feed from the ICC in relation to racing greyhounds that have been microchipped under the microchipping regulations. Microchipping of a greyhound is a mandatory requirement. This data feed will capture details of location, ownership, pedigree, sex and whelp date.
678. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds that ceased racing in each of the years 2016 to 2020, in tabular form; the number of greyhounds rehomed by an organisation (details supplied) in this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43381/20]
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. There is considerable fluidity in relation to greyhounds entered for racing on RCÉ’S Race Management System. For example, greyhounds may not participate in racing for a period due to injury or sickness such as kennel cough etc. The number of greyhounds re-homed are set out in the attached table.
In addition, there are a substantial number of racing greyhounds exported to the UK to participate in greyhound racing there. During 2019, for example, 6,005 Irish bred greyhounds were registered with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
In the absence of a detailed traceability system, it is not possible to identity the number of greyhounds that have ceased racing. Rehoming of greyhounds is undertaken on behalf of RCÉ through its entity, the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust.
Details of rehomings undertaken by the IRGT are set out in the table attached.
It should be noted that the rehoming information recorded by the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust does not include greyhound rehomings undertaken by private greyhound rehoming organisations who are not in receipt of financial or other assistance from the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, or the greyhound rehomings carried out by individual members of the greyhound community where IRGT assistance was not sought. The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust is open to engagement with all organisations who are involved in rehoming registered greyhounds in Ireland.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (to date) |
|
|
Greyhounds rehomed through the IRGT rehoming scheme |
517 |
548 |
529 |
530 |
728 |
|
Greyhounds rehomed by Private Irish Greyhound Rehoming Organisations which receive financial assistance from the IRGT |
374 |
389 |
492 |
444 |
799 |
|
Total number of greyhounds reheomed |
891 |
937 |
1021 |
974 |
1527 |
(Information received from Organisations to date in 2020)
679. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhound care centres funded following the issuing of a tender (details supplied); the location of these centres; the details of the ownership and management of these centres; the number of greyhounds being cared for at these centres; his views on the adequacy of the care provided at these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43382/20]
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.
RCÉ undertook a procurement process through the e-tenders process in 2019 seeking expressions of interest for the provision of Care Centres. A total of 17 submissions were received and a contract was awarded to the submission ranked first in terms of overall assessment.
This contract came into effect in July 2020 and the centre located near Thurles, Co Tipperary is fully operational since October 2020. The centre can accommodate 18 greyhounds and operates as a half-way house between a greyhound ending its racing career and its forever home. Whilst in the centre, the dog is socialised so as to become familiar with a domestic environment, other animals etc. Greyhounds are rehomed from the centre to suitable forever homes.
RCÉ has regular engagement with the operator of the centre and is fully satisfied that the quality of care and overall facilities are of a high standard.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, RCÉ had entered into negotiations with the party ranked second following overall assessment. Contracts were not entered into at that point due to pandemic related restrictions. RCÉ intends to re-engage with this party with a view to entering into a contract for a second care centre.
In addition to Care Centres, RCÉ operates foster care arrangements with a number of parties to provide short-term care for greyhounds pending rehoming.
680. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be an opportunity for beef and suckler farmers to access the new organic farming scheme in 2021 specifically in the case of a person (details supplied). [43390/20]
View answerThe current Strategy for the development of the Organic Sector launched in 2019 provides a clear direction for the further development of the Organic Sector for the period up to 2025. The Organic Strategy Group, representative of all the main stakeholders in the organic arena, identified the areas with the greatest growth potential in the domestic market and the areas in deficit. Based on this assessment of market demand and supply deficits, it agreed that the areas to be targeted should be the areas deemed to be in deficit and where market demand is growing, namely organic horticulture, cereals and dairy.
Given the clear Strategy to ensure the long term sustainable growth of the Irish Organic Food Sector, I was delighted to have successfully secured an additional €4 million to facilitate the re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) in 2021.
I am proposing that all registered organic farmers will be eligible to apply for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) when it reopens with the exact prioritisation to be finalised. I am concluding the arrangements on this and expect to be announcing these in the very near future.
681. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to a funding package for farmers affected by tuberculosis outbreaks; if a package has been considered to cover the costs and time involved in retesting animals at regular intervals every few weeks; his views on whether farmers affected should not have to lie with the losses incurred in retesting and in power washing and disinfecting sheds and yards; and his further views on whether it is unfair that the farmer facing multiple tests will not be compensated for their costs or time while the other stakeholders in the process will be paid. [43404/20]
View answerIn terms of testing costs, in line with the agreed shared funding model of our TB programme, farmers pay for their annual round test which is an important component of our combined efforts to control and eradicate TB. If a TB reactor is found at the round test, my Department will cover this testing cost and all testing costs while the herd is in breakdown until the clearance test which is then paid for by the farmer. However, if the farmer has paid for a herd test within 12 months of the clearance test, my Department will pay for the clearance test in that instance.
The TB compensation scheme covers all farmers affected by outbreaks of TB. This includes the On-farm Market Valuation (OFMV) Scheme, Income Supplement, Depopulation Grant and the Hardship Grant
The principal compensation mechanism is the OFMV Scheme. This is an indemnity payment per reactor animal removed. This is paid at a rate that the farmer would ordinarily expect to achieve on the open market if the animal was not diseased.
In addition, my Department operates a number of supplementary compensation schemes:
Income Supplement is a payment per month per animal, subject to certain qualifying criteria, recognising consequential income lost due to their being removed as a reactor.
The Hardship Grant is a monthly payment, again subject to certain qualifying criteria, between the months of November and April to assist with feeding costs for farmers locked up with animals they can’t sell over the winter period.
The Depopulation Grant is a payment to those farmers whose herds are are depopulated for disease control reasons and remain restricted for a period of time.
These supplementary schemes are unique to Ireland. In other jurisdictions with TB programmes including Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, compensation is only paid in respect of reactors removed. Expenditure on compensation under the TB Programme is expected to be €21 million this year representing an increase of over €2.5 million (14%) relative to 2019.
682. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the announced cull of mink will take place in line with the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43481/20]
View answerMy Department continues to engage with the farm operators in order to manage next steps in this process.
From a public health risk management perspective, my Department has conducted testing on mink on all three farms, with the most recent tests on 7th December. All tests were negative for Covid 19.
683. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the biosecurity protocols in place on mink farms generally; if these protocols have been expanded with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43482/20]
View answerFollowing on from the Report of the Fur Farming Review Group in 2012, a Code of Practice was adopted by fur farmers to promote sound welfare and management practices for the farming of fur animals. Bio-security is key consideration and essential requirement at all times, of that code of practice.
My Department conducts veterinary and agricultural inspections, including unannounced inspections so that additional confidence can be gained in respect of compliance with animal health, welfare, environmental requirements and greater security on the fur farms.
My Department is carrying out routine screenings for COVID 19 on mink farms, most recently on 7th Dec. There have been no COVID 19 cases found on mink farms to date.
Bio-security is a critical consideration and essential requirement for all Mink farms in Ireland.
684. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the calf grant investment scheme will be available in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43582/20]
View answerThe Calf Investment Scheme was open for applications from 7th January 2020 to 28th January 2020. The scheme offered a range of on-farm investment items for calf rearing and welfare facilities. Over 2,500 farmers applied to the scheme and a budget of €4million was allocated to ensure all eligible applications would be fully funded. Grant aid of up to €3,000 per holding was made available under this scheme.
The deadline for receipt of payment claims and associated documentation was 30 September 2020. Payments began as payment claims were submitted and are issuing on an ongoing basis as cases are cleared for payment. There are currently no plans to extend the Calf Investment Scheme into 2021.
685. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the funding that was allocated to the development of Inis Oírr pier in 2020 has been drawn down; if not, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42882/20]
View answerAn allocation of €500,000 was provided under the Government's July Stimulus Package for the development of Inis Oírr pier.
The development of a business case for this project is ongoing between the Department and Galway Co. Council. Once this business case has been completed and the necessary approvals are received at Departmental level and from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the project will be in a position to proceed to tender stage.
The Department is currently working with Galway Co. Council in relation to costs associated with the project, but given the stage the process is at, it is not envisaged that the full allocation provided for 2020 will be drawn down this year.
The development of the pier at Inis Oírr will, however, continue to be a priority for my Department in 2021.
686. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacancies by job title at the Charities Regulator; and the length of time each post has been vacant. [43090/20]
View answerThe table below outlines the current vacancies in the Charities Regulator, and the length of time each post has been vacant:
|
Role |
Vacant Since |
|
Director of Legal Affairs & Registration (previously Director of Regulation)-Principal Officer equivalent |
November 2018 |
|
Information Governance Officer – Higher Executive Officer equivalent |
January 2020 |
|
Legal Advisor – Assistant Principal equivalent |
October 2019 |
|
Senior Case Manager – Higher Executive Officer equivalent |
January 2019 |
|
Senior Case Officer – Executive Officer equivalent |
April 2020 |
|
Concerns Case Manager – Higher Executive Officer equivalent |
November 2020 |
687. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a CLÁR application by an organisation (details supplied); when a decision is likely; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43130/20]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The Measures being funded through this year's programme are -
Measure1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Community Recreation Areas (new for 2020)
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
(a) Meals on Wheels and linked services (new in 2020)
(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport,
On Friday 11th December, I approved funding of almost €1.3 million for 26 organisations under Measure 3(b) of the programme. This included funding of almost €40,000 for the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
The allocation of funding to projects under Measure 3(b) of the CLÁR programme follows on from the award of €4.1 million for 115 projects under Measures 1 and 2, and €340,000 for 45 projects Measure 3(a) in November.
688. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a grant application by a council (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43280/20]
View answerMy Department funds the Libraries Capital Programme that will invest around €29m in 18 projects, as well as the My Open Library initiative. In 2018 the Department provided almost €250,000 under the programme to Kerry County Council for the purchase of a new mobile library. It is not possible to fund a second mobile library for Kerry County Council under the Libraries Capital Programme as it is currently fully committed.
My Department also recently approved €100,000 under its Small Scale Capital Works Programme and €21,180 under its Library Supports for Marginalised, Socially Excluded and Disadvantaged Communities for projects in Kerry.
689. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when measure 3(b) of the CLÁR 2020 programme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43370/20]
View answerThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. The Measures being funded through this year's programme are:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Community Recreation Areas (new for 2020)
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
(a) Meals on Wheels and linked services (new in 2020)
(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport.
On Friday 11th December, I approved funding of almost €1.3 million for 26 organisations under Measure 3b of the programme. Details of the successful applicants are available on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/b948b-clar-2020-funding-approvals/.
The allocation of funding to projects under Measure 3(b) of the CLÁR programme follows on from the award of €4.1 million for 115 projects under Measures 1 and 2, and €340,000 for 45 projects Measure 3(a) in November.
In total, I have approved funding of almost €5.8 million for 186 projects under CLÁR in 2020.
690. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 914 of 17 November 2020, if the details of the transitional programme of funding for Leader projects has been finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43371/20]
View answerSince my response to the Dáil question on 17th November 2020, I and my officials have met with representatives of the Local Authorities and Local Development Companies - who are key parties in the delivery of the LEADER Programme - to hear their views on priorities for the Transitional Programme.
These were constructive engagements and there was a strong degree of consensus on the type of activities that should be a focus for the programme. These include building capacity within communities which have not previously received LEADER funding , as well as supporting job creation, and projects which address the climate agenda.
I will very shortly be announcing the full details of the Transitional LEADER Programme, including the project and administration allocations to each of the LEADER Local Action Groups.
691. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been progress on a library application (details supplied). [43407/20]
View answerThe delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Mahon/Blackrock and the surrounding areas is a matter generally for Cork City Council.
My Department has had some preliminary discussions with Cork City Council regarding a new library for Blackrock-Mahon, but no request for funding has been received to date. The Libraries Capital Programme is currently fully committed; however, should Cork City Council submit a proposal, it will be progressed through the Department’s Four Stage Capital Management process and will be considered for support should additional capital funding become available.
My Department has also advised Cork City Council that it may be possible to apply for funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. My Department will support and work with Cork County Council should it chose to submit an application under the URDF.
692. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she expects the LEADER funds to be of assistance to the various community groups throughout 2020 or in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43505/20]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to the end of 2020. €225 million of this funding has been allocated as core funding to each of the individual Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver LEADER. The remaining €25 million is available for schemes to be delivered at a national level and is allocated as projects are approved.
LEADER funding is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and Rural Environment. Community groups and rural-based businesses can apply for funding under these themes. The website of the National Rural Network contains case-studies of how LEADER has benefited local communities and businesses.
As of 13 December 2020, 3,763 core projects with a value of over €149 million have been approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs, representing over 88% of their project budgets. When applications that have received provisional approval are included, the percentage approval rate rises to over 91%.
The current LEADER programme comes to an end this year as far as new project approvals are concerned. However, projects approved before the end of December 2020 have until June 2022 to complete their projects and submit payment claims to my Department.
In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, I will shortly be announcing details of a Transitional LEADER Programme to commence in 2021, which will bridge a gap between the wind-up of the current 2014-2020 LEADER Programme and the start of the next EU programme which will not commence until 2023 due to delays at EU level.
