Written Answers Nos. 997-1016
997. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Article 33 of Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 means that the single farm payment scheme is attached to the land in cases (details supplied); and if not the meaning of same. [24485/21]
View answerUnder European Commission Regulation (EC) 1782/2003, payment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme, were established by farmers that farmed during the reference years of 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Article 33(3) of Regulation (EC) 1782/2003 refers to the eligibility of farmers that were in a new partnership (mergers) or a partnership that ended (scissions) during the reference period for the Single Payment Scheme. Payment entitlements under the Single Payments Scheme were not attached to specific land.
998. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of engagement with the European Commission in association with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority regarding the revoking of the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009; when he expects an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24491/21]
View answer999. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is currently developing a revised Irish control plan for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 to address the revocation of the derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24493/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 998 and 999 together.
Ireland has received a Commission Implementing Decision revoking the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
It should also be noted that the 2012 Control Plan, prior to its revocation, provided that the Irish authorities may have permited fisheries products to be weighed by relevant operators after transport from the place of landing provided that they were transported to a destination on the territory of Ireland, as the Member State concerned.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) will set out new procedures in relation to this changed position. The Authority has, I understand, already written to industry representatives to make them aware of the situation and also met with a sub group of the Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee, Industry Representatives and operators on the matter. A further meeting with the full Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee has also been scheduled.
The Deputy’s queries as to the implications of the Commission’s revocation of the control plan on operational matters for the operators who have responsibility to weigh fish before transport and the SFPA as the control authority.
1000. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with the enforcement of EC2073/2005 (details supplied). [24511/21]
View answerI am satisfied that both Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety and Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15th November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs have been enforced correctly and appropriately. The primary goal of these regulations is to protect the health of consumers.
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 lays down general food safety requirements which states food must not be placed on the market if it is unsafe. In order to comply with these legislative requirements, if Salmonella is detected in a meat product placed on the market as per Chapter 1 of Regulation (EC) no 2073/2005 destined for the final consumer, a product recall must be initiated in accordance with Article 19 of Regulation EC 178/2002.
Overall, the approach in EU law is to have measures along the food chain to reduce the risk from Salmonella from pigs and pig meat. There is a National Salmonella Control Programmes at farm level, a process hygiene criterion at slaughterhouse level and a food safety criterion at processing level for certain products made from pig meat. At each level, the controls are different.
The fundamental objective of controlling Salmonella at all stages of the food chain is to safeguard public health by protecting consumers from disease.
1001. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 334 of 11 February 2021, the details of his efforts to address the discrepancies affecting the category known as the forgotten farmers, that is, those young farmers who have been denied top-up financial supports due to the fact that they commenced farming before 2015, within the next CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24594/21]
View answerThere were two direct payment supports for young farmers introduced under Pillar I of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) in 2015. These supports were provided under the Young Farmers Scheme and the ‘young farmer’ priority category of the National Reserve to support young farmers in the early year following the commencement of their agricultural activities.
Since the introduction of the Young Farmers Scheme in 2015, support has been granted to young farmers who have commenced their agricultural activity since 2010. Separately, from 2015, the ‘young farmer’ priority category of the National Reserve has also provided support to young farmers who have commenced their agricultural activity since 2010. In 2015, the National Reserve also provided support on a once off basis to a group of farmers called Old Young Farmers who had commenced their agricultural activity in 2008 and 2009 but had suffered the disadvantage of not having had access to Installation Aid available at the time of their initial set up.
The Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future ’ contains a commitment to seek to resolve, under the next CAP, the issue of support for the category of farmers known as Forgotten Farmers. The draft proposals for the new CAP include provision for supports for young farmers and new entrants to farming and my Department is examining the issue of forgotten farmers with that timeline in mind. Negotiations on the reform of the CAP from 2023 are currently ongoing. The outline of any schemes supported under the next CAP and details of the Terms and Conditions for eligibility under such schemes or for supports available will be set out once the relevant EU Regulations are agreed and finalised.
1002. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is continuing to fund the Covid-19 stability scheme for community voluntary, charity and social enterprise organisations in 2021; and the way organisations that were previously funded under this scheme can apply for funding in 2021. [24592/21]
View answerThe Government are aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department have introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restrictions necessary in the interests of public health.
In 2020, my Department supported close to 600 organisations to continue to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable in our communities, through the COVID-19 Stability Fund for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises.
I am pleased to confirm that an allocation of €10m has been provided to the Stability Fund for 2021 as part of the revised Resilience and Recovery plan announced on Tuesday 23rd February by the Taoiseach.
The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May, and is targeted at organisations which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which now face closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic.
The 2021 Stability Fund has limited funding available and while organisations that received funding under the 2020 Stability Fund will be eligible to apply, priority will be given to organisations that have not previously received State support since the onset of the Pandemic.
Pobal will again act as implementing partners, facilitating the online application portal and providing information and support to intending applicants from now until the application deadline.
The application window will run from 20th May to 3pm on 27th May 2021. Further information is available on Pobal’s website here: https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/covid-19-cv-stability-fund-2021/
Separately, my Department launched the 2021 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) on Sunday 9th May. The CEP provides small grants to community groups and the 2021 programme will again give consideration to supporting groups in dealing with the specific challenges brought by COVID-19. This programme may be more relevant to smaller community groups and it is recommended that such groups monitor the Department’s website or stay in touch with the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), who will be administering the programme in their area, for further details. The contact details for LCDCs can be found on my Departments website at the link below https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/38066e-local-community-development-committees-list/
In general, I would encourage all organisations to continue to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company, and to check on the Gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
1003. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a scheme (details supplied) in which a person makes an application to the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24612/21]
View answerOn 28 April, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Transport, launched a three-year pilot initiative for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and/or those who are most marginalised and disadvantaged.
Funding of €3 million is being provided by the Department of Transport for this initiative over a three-year period and will be made available through my Department's Community Services Programme.
Applications are currently being sought from eligible social enterprises for inclusion on this programme. Organisations eligible to apply are those currently supported under the Community Services Programme or alternatively are in a Partnership/Consortium of which at least one member is currently a CSP supported organisation. It is envisaged that the pilot will support up to 6 social enterprises in 2021. Proposals from interested organisations should be submitted to csp@drcd.gov.ie using the application form by noon, 28th May 2021.
The purpose of this pilot initiative is to facilitate and promote the upcycling of bikes and ebikes. It is envisaged that the upcycled bikes and ebikes will be made available in due course to those on low incomes or those are most marginalised or disadvantaged. Further information on the dissemination of these bikes and ebikes will be provided at a later stage.
Full details of the scheme and the necessary application form are available on my Department's website.
Any queries in connection with this Call for Proposals process can be emailed to csp@drcd.gov.ie.
1004. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next call will take place for applications under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24614/21]
View answerSince 2016, my Department has allocated almost €68 million to nearly 1,000 projects through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
I launched the 2021 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on 23rd April 2021 and the scheme is now open for applications. I was pleased to secure a 20% increase in funding for the 2021 scheme which, together with the continuing contribution from Fáilte Ireland, brings the total funding available for projects under the 2021 Scheme to €14 million.
The scheme provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. This year, there is an increased emphasis on the development of outdoor amenities such as those asscoiated with our moutains, rivers, lakes and beaches. For example, this might include tidal pools or facilities to support kayakers and open water swimmers. Details of the 2021 scheme are available on my Department's website.
1005. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities available to offshore islanders to help them deal with the higher cost of living and transportation for islanders; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23807/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department is developing a new Islands policy, with the sustainability of vibrant island communities at its core. While rural communities are faced by a range of challenges, these have an extra dimension for island communities due to their separation from the mainland. The cross Departmental policy will work towards having the challenges of island living recognised and addressed by the relevant Departments and authorities.
A key element of the support that my Department provides is through its programme of subsidies for ferry, air and cargo services. My Department manages some 25 such contracts to ensure such services, providing island communities with affordable, reliable year-round access.
The table below outlines funding provided over the past five years:
2016 €6,075,241
2017 €6,025,978
2018 €6,514,707
2019 €6,922,021
2020 €7,133,134
My Department also provides supports for island organisations and programmes whose activities directly benefit islanders, including Comhar na nOileán, which administrates programmes such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and Leader on the offshore islands.
The Department of Social Protection provides an island specific allowance (Island Increase) to recipients on specific islands. The objective of the scheme is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these specified islands when compared to people resident on the mainland. As part of Budget 2021 I increased the rate of the Island Allowance by €7.30, from €12.70 to €20 per week - the first increase to the Island Allowance for many years.
This payment is also paid to people who are aged under 66 and in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islands are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.
1006. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants and funding opportunities provided to attract newcomers to move to offshore islands; and the spending allocated by the State to cover these grants in each of the past five years. [23808/21]
View answer1007. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the analysis that has been conducted of the demographic trends of offshore island communities; the conclusions of such analysis; and the funding decisions or policies her Department is implementing to tackle island depopulation. [23809/21]
View answer1008. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the research that has been conducted into the best way to tackle unemployment on offshore islands; and her policy on island job creation. [23813/21]
View answer1010. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current priorities and programme of works to improve infrastructure on each of the offshore islands; and the funding that is allocated towards each planned project. [23828/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1006, 1007, 1008 and 1010 together.
I am working to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands, and I have made this one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy. Furthermore, my Department is currently developing a new National Islands Policy, a central objective of which is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands.
In order to inform the policy, a consultation process has taken place with the island communities and is ongoing with other relevant stakeholders. This work has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by communities living on the offshore islands. Many of the issues raised by the Deputy have featured in the responses to the consultation process. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show a decline in population on many of the offshore Islands, with an older than average population, and a higher proportion of retired people living on islands compared to national figures. There are challenges in terms of employment, education and access to services.
These and other issues have been, or will be, the subject of bilateral meetings with the relevant Departments and Agencies in the context of the policy development, and they in turn will be providing their own input and expertise on elements of the policy.
As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islanders are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.
Once completed, the National Islands Policy will provide a series of actions, across Government, to support, promote and empower our island communities. The policy will provide a basis for the development of an action plan to address the challenges identified, and to foster the future development, growth and sustainability of communities on the offshore islands.
My Department also provides funding for island supports such as transport services, capital and infrastructural work and local development support, which underpin economic and employment opportunity on the islands. My Department works with the relevant Local Authorities to address infrastructural projects that they have identified. These works, which are jointly funded by the Department and the Local Authorities, include road improvements, works to combat coastal erosion, works on piers and slipways to improve access, and the provision of public facilities. In the coming days, I will be announcing funding allocations under this programme, which will see funding being provided to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cork County Councils. Additional projects have been submitted for consideration, and I look forward to being able to announce additional funding very shortly.
1009. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid that has been provided for Leader programmes to private individual projects and community projects on offshore islands in each year for the past ten years. [23815/21]
View answerLEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally-led, bottom-up approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas including the islands.
The current programme is delivered to the off-shore islands by the Donegal, Mayo and West Cork Local Action Groups (LAGs) through its Implementing Partner, Comhar na nOileán CTR, while the Galway West LAG, Forum Connemara CLG, covers the Islands off the coast of County Galway.
These LAGs are responsible for the delivery the programme in their respective areas, including approving project applications for funding and processing claims for payment once approved works are completed.
Funding Agreements with the LAGs for the current programme were, for the most part, signed with the LAGs in the second half of 2016 and the programme effectively became operational from that date. There was no project expenditure on the new LEADER programme in 2015 and 2016, although funding was provided to the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies and to prepare for the implementation phase of the programme.
The 2007-2013 LEADER programme was delivered by the Local Development Companies, such as Comhar na nOileán CTR, who were the LAGs for each LEADER area.
Table 1 below details the amounts approved on LEADER projects for the off-shore Islands in each of years 2011 to 2020, and to date in 2021.
Table 1: LEADER Project Approvals for the off-shore Islands per year 2011 to 2020 and to date in 2021
|
Year |
Amounts approved |
|
2011 |
€1,146,298 |
|
2012 |
€1,281,089 |
|
2013 |
€2,168,437 |
|
2014 |
€98,603 |
|
2015 |
€0 |
|
2016 |
€0 |
|
2017 |
€8,955 |
|
2018 |
€781,007 |
|
2019 |
€337,895 |
|
2020 |
€732,366 |
|
2021 |
€145,211 |
|
Total |
€6,699,862 |
1011. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is allocated to crisis-proofing island communities for emergency situations including pandemics and extreme weather events and the work that has been carried out in this regard. [23829/21]
View answerMy Department is in regular contact with island representative groups in relation to the supports that are required to ensure their sustainability.
At the outset of the COVID crisis, my officials contacted the relevant representative groups - Comharchumainn, Island Development Companies and Comhdháil Oileain na hÉireann, as well as all of the ferry operators - to discuss transport issues. At the request of the island communities, and by agreement with the operators, the Department facilitated reduced ferry, cargo and air timetables on a temporary basis. This arrangement ensured continued connectivity to the mainland, and associated services, while reducing the numbers travelling to and from the islands. These arrangements are being regularly revised and adjusted in keeping with changes in guideline and travel restrictions.
My Department also works with the relevant Local Authorities to support them where emergency works need to be undertaken arising from extreme weather events. I have recently approved Galway County Council's business plan for the development of Inis Oírr pier which, once completed, will provide shelter and mitigate against overtopping and other weather related conditions.
While my Department is not the funding authority for emergency services, I am aware of the critical role and supports provided by the Coast Guard, lifeboats and other services in supporting island communities, and they will be included in the Islands Policy being developed by my Department at present.
1012. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of registered puppy farms and registered dog breeding establishments for each of the years 2010 to 2020. [23971/21]
View answer1013. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of inspections at registered puppy farms and registered dog breeding establishments for each year from 2010 to 2020. [23972/21]
View answer1014. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of violations by registered puppy farms and registered dog breeding establishments for each year from 2010 to 2020. [23973/21]
View answer1015. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dogs or puppies sold or bred by registered puppy farms and registered dog breeding establishments in each of the years 2010 to 2020. [23974/21]
View answer1016. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of operations against illegal puppy farms and or illegal dog breeding establishments in each year from 2010 to 2020. [23977/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1012 to 1016, inclusive, together.
Each year my Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities, including those that relate to dog breeding establishments. This information is collated from annual returns received from all local authorities. Information up to and including 2019, by county and in tabular form is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/
Information regarding dog breeding establishments can be found on pages 12-14 of the 2019 dog control statistics, with page 12 outlining the number of inspections carried out and improvement notices issued to premises registered for the first time in 2019. Page 12 also outlines that one unregistered dog breeding establishment was issued with a closure notice in 2019. Page 13 details the number of inspections, applications refused and improvement notices issued to existing premises in 2019.
Page 14, which is a summary page, shows that the number of dog breeding establishments in 2019 was 249. This figure includes 88 Commercial Dog Breeding Establishments (CDBEs), 88 Hunts Clubs and 52 Commercial Boarding Kennels (CBKs). The remainder of the 249 total comprises Animal Welfare Shelters and training kennels.
The 2020 Dog Control Statistics are currently being collated and when checked and verified will be published on gov.ie later this year. The 2021 statistics will be published in 2022.
I have no information on the number of dogs or pups sold or bred by registered dog breeding establishments.
