Written Answers Nos. 305-310
305. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to incorporate afforestation into the new CAP to provide incentives for farmers to plant woodland on their farms acting as a carbon store, helping to promote wildlife corridors and providing a future fuel source for the household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25152/21]
View answerI am committed to a strong CAP Strategic Plan and to an ambitious successor to the Forestry Programme, both of which I would see as delivering for farmers, rural communities and for society as a whole. I also reiterate my commitment to better integration between both of these policies as envisaged in the Programme for Government and encourage all stakeholders to make their views known on these important processes as they progress.
In this regard, the Department is considering the inclusion of tree planting measures in the Agri Environment measure under the new CAP and the newly announced REAP scheme provides for tree planting to be considered as part of the project.
I should also point out that the current Forestry Programme provides for the planting of trees in different configurations, including agro forestry.
306. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to develop climate action signpost farms to provide on-farm experience of the benefits of farming sustainably; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25153/21]
View answerThe signpost farm programme is a Teagasc-led initiative with a ‘whole-of-industry approach’ to support climate action by Irish farmers. Its main goals are to reduce gaseous emissions from Irish agriculture, while creating more profitable and sustainable farming enterprises.
In collaboration with industry, a nationwide network of demonstration farms representing all sectors is being established to showcase the science based technologies that can reduce agricultural emissions and where carbon sequestration in grassland and hedgerows can be examined.
This initiative is progressing with positive engagement from all stakeholders. This is an important commitment under the Programme for Government to support the industry in transitioning to a low carbon economy and is a key commitment in the Ag-Climatise roadmap for the Agriculture sector. I support this initiative.
The roadmap sets an ambitious vision for a ‘climate neutral agriculture sector by 2050’ and includes 29 actions with specific and challenging targets aimed at reducing the environmental footprint and further building on the strong credentials of Irish Agriculture.
307. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to promote the introduction of constructive technical measures that promote sustainability, decrease by-catch and protect fish stocks for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25154/21]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is fully committed to the environmental objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The CFP provides the framework for the long-term conservation and sustainable management of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of fishing in Ireland's 200 miles zone and throughout EU waters.
Technical measures are used to support sustainable fishing. Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. A revised and updated EU Regulation on conservation though technical measures was adopted by Council and Parliament on 20 June 2019 (EU Regulation 2019/1241). This Regulation sets the baseline standards for each sea basin.
The measures may include specifications for design and use of fishing gears including minimum mesh size for particular fisheries, more selective gears to avoid and reduce unwanted catches including juvenile fish, areas closed for restricted fishing seasons and minimum conservation and landing sizes for fish.
EU Member States with a fisheries interest in a given sea basin can agree on regional technical measures, adapted to the specific regional circumstances. Such measures can then be adopted as EU secondary legislation, if confirmed by scientists to be consistent with the objectives of the common fisheries policy. Ireland works with Member States in the North West Waters region and are advised by stakeholders through the North West Waters Advisory Council and Pelagic Advisory Council to agree appropriate technical measures for the fisheries in which we participate.
My Department works closely with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to bring forward proposals at EU level for technical measures for the fisheries in which we operate that result in increased selectivity and provide increased protection to overfished and sensitive stocks. In that regard, a range of technical measures for the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and the North West area have been developed over recent years. BIM, working with the fishing industry, has developed and trialled many of these measures which have been designed to protect vulnerable stocks such as cod and whiting. For 2021, these measures have been included in Council Regulation 2021/92 - the TAC and quota Regulation. It is planned that these measures and any additional measures agreed through the regional procedures, will be given effect through an EU delegated act in accordance with Article 15(2) of Regulation 2019/1241 in recognition of the need to apply them on a stable basis.
BIM is continuing to work closely with the fishing industry to develop modification to fishing gears to increase further selectivity and to further avoid juvenile fish or vulnerable species. In addition BIM is carrying out trials on new gear options to also improve fuel efficiency and help reduce carbon emissions. I am pleased that the commitment of industry, working with BIM to develop improved fishing practices that will strengthen sustainability and conservation of fish stocks, is delivering positive outcomes.
308. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of SICAP funding awarded for County Wexford to date under the 2018 to 2022 programme; the amount of SICAP funding granted to programmes in each of the County Wexford municipal district areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25056/21]
View answerUnder the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), my Department provides funding to Local Development Companies to carry out work to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level. The work facilitates local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.
SICAP is delivered in County Wexford by the Wexford Local Development Company, under the oversight of the Local Community Development Committee.
The total amount of SICAP funding provided to Wexford Local Development Company to complete work in County Wexford under SICAP 2018 – 2022 is outlined below. A breakdown by municipal district areas is not available as the information is not recorded in this format.
|
2018 |
€1,276,311* |
|
2019 |
€1,701,748 |
|
2020 |
€1,752,800 |
|
2021 |
€1,752,800 |
*County Wexford was one of the area where the SICAP 2015 – 2017 programme was extended until 31st March 2018, so the 2018 allocation as stated above represents the allocation for the period 1st April – 31st December 2018 only. An allocation of €425,437 was made to County Wexford under SICAP 2015 – 2017 for the period 1st Jan 2018 – 31st March 2018.
309. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to support the development of broadband connection points across the country and the development of digital hubs which can support remote working in as many of the broadband connection points as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25160/21]
View answerOur Rural Future, the recently published rural development policy, recognises remote working hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) as being key economic assets for towns and villages throughout Ireland. By supporting sustainable economic activity and local job opportunities, hubs can help to drive both urban and rural regeneration and support the balanced regional development goals under Project Ireland 2040.
Initial access to broadband for many of our most remote rural communities will be provided through the rollout of approximately 300 community-based Broadband Connection Points. These publicly-accessible sites provide free Wi-Fi internet connectivity to remote rural locations, including many of our offshore islands. There are currently 164 BCPs connected and operating in towns and villages in every county in the country, with many others being connected in the coming months.
In 2021, the Rural Development Investment Programme’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme includes a Connected Hubs Call. This call is intended to develop and leverage the capacity and quality of existing remote working facilities across the State in support of the National Hub Network initiative. The total indicative funding available for the Connected Hubs Call is €5 million. The fund will provide grants from €10,000, up to €250,000 for multi-hub applications.
My Department also continues to invest significantly in the provision of new Hub facilities across the country. I recently announced €75 million for 24 landmark projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Many of the successful projects involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working Hubs.
I have also established an Interdepartmental Working Group to oversee the creation of the National Hub Network. A key deliverable of the first phase of the National Hub Network project is to identify the size and capacity of Ireland’s remote working infrastructure. This is a key action of Making Remote Work: The national Remote Working Strategy and Our Rural Future.
The development of the National Hub Network will support, co-ordinate and maximise the impact of the diverse and sizable ecosystem of hubs that already exist throughout the country, including the BCPs established under the National Broadband Plan.
A key support identified through my department’s consultation with hub operators and other stakeholders is the online suite of hub support tools that the Western Development Commission are currently developing at my request– this will include an online booking engine, a Client Relationship Management system and clients. These tools will, in particular, help to reduce the administrative burden on the smaller hubs. Further announcements on this will follow later in the year.
310. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount expended by her Department on advertising and awareness raising initiatives related to Covid-19 from March 2020 to date in 2021; the print, online and broadcasting media organisations contracted to provide this service; the amount provided to each in the timeframe concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24934/21]
View answerThe table here provides the information requested by the Deputy of the amount expended by my Department on advertising and awareness raising initiatives related to Covid-19 from March 2020 to date in 2021.
|
Name Company contracted to provide service, (Print,online & broadcasting media organisations) |
Service Provided |
Amount Paid |
|
Zinc Design |
Production of advice leaflets for volunteers and vulnerable groups (Irish and English language) |
€5,966 |
|
Europus |
Translation Costs |
€719 |
|
Pi Comm |
Social media video re-edit |
€1,094 |
|
Publicis |
Advertising (Concept development) |
€1,845 |
|
An Post |
Postal charges for Community Call leaflet to all homes. |
€98,400 |
