Written Answers Nos. 344-359
344. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission produces information literature translated into various languages in order that persons from diverse ethnic backgrounds can understand their rights in this regard and in order that they can fully engage with GSOC should they need to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27370/21]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), that facilities are provided for customers to interact with the Commission in the language of their choice, including Irish. Arrangements are made for the provision of interpreters where necessary.
GSOC provides an online complaint form in several different languages allowing members of the public to make a complaint in a language other than English. The form is currently available in English, Irish, French, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Tagalog Language (Philippines), Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese and contains specific information on the process of submitting a complaint to GSOC.
I am further informed that, if the form is not available in a preferred language, GSOC offers customers a choice of methods to initiate contact, e.g. email, letter, telephone or in person. GSOC can provide translation, interpretation or other services required to assist communication between GSOC and the person about the complaints process and to enable GSOC to fully engage with its complainants at all stages throughout the complaints process.
345. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice her plans to increase the recruitment of members of An Garda Síochána from diverse ethnic backgrounds including Traveller, Roma, black Irish; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27371/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, contains a commitment to increase the diversity within An Garda Síochána prioritising the identification and removal of barriers to recruiting and retaining people from diverse and minority background. This work is being taken forward as part of An Garda Síochána's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy. As the Deputy will be aware, under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.
My Department's Justice Plan 2021 commits to supporting the EDI Strategy to ensure the organisation can attract, retain and develop a diverse and inclusive workforce, including preparation of a diversity recruitment roadmap. This roadmap will be informed by current work in An Garda Síochána to identify key challenges related to the recruitment and retention of individuals from minority backgrounds.
The EDI Strategy sets out 11 strategic goals to be met by the end of 2021 to increase equality, diversity and inclusion within the organisation, including the establishment of governance structures to ensure the strategy’s goals are met. An EDI Leadership Council, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Strategy, Governance and Performance and colleagues from across the public sector, including my Department, and academia has been established to oversee this work including addressing the issue of greater diversity in recruitment within the Gardaí. The EDI Strategy also provides for the establishment of an Internship Programme for both school leavers and graduates. The aim of this Programme is to attract graduates and school leavers from communities that have been traditionally under-represented within An Garda Síochána.
In order to support the objective of attracting, developing and retaining individuals of talent and representation from minority and diverse communities, the Garda National Diversity and Inclusion Unit (GNDIU), in conjunction with Garda Human Resources Equality Diversity and Inclusion Section, are actively engaging with representatives of minority groups.
346. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay with the Ballybofey-Stranorlar CCTV application which was supported by the Donegal joint policing committee in 2020. [27420/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, community-based CCTV is governed by section 38(3)(c) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Garda Síochána (CCTV) Order 2006 (SI 289 of 2006). This legal framework requires that any proposed community CCTV scheme must
1. be approved by the local Joint Policing Committee,
2. have the prior support of the relevant Local Authority, which must also act as data controller, and
3. have the authorisation of the Garda Commissioner.
This is the legal basis for all community CCTV schemes, regardless of how they are funded. These key legal requirements have not changed since 2006. The option to establish a Community CCTV scheme is available to groups that meet these legal requirements, anywhere in the State. Decisions in relation to the introduction or extension of Garda CCTV systems are matters for the Garda Commissioner and not for me as Minister. Consequently, I am unable to comment on the status of any individual applications for community CCTV schemes.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in general, CCTV applications are processed and reviewed by the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau prior to their consideration by the CCTV Advisory Committee and a recommendation being made to the Garda Commissioner as to their suitability for authorisation. Due to the varied nature and size of applications, it is not possible to give a standard timeframe on processing an application. All applications are different.
In general, delays in processing applications are mainly caused by applications which are incomplete or incorrect. Applications received with errors or omissions cannot be considered for approval, and must be returned to the applicant to be rectified, resulting in additional delays.
347. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if the fee of €950 for a naturalisation certificate can be waived for a person who has lived and paid tax in Ireland for 49 years and would be in difficulty paying the fee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27430/21]
View answerThe fees in relation to applications for a certificate of naturalisation are governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011.
The current application fee is €175, payable when an application for naturalisation is lodged. I am informed that the introduction of the application fee had an immediate positive effect on the quality and completeness of applications, which is ultimately to the benefit of applicants.
A certification fee is payable only when the application is successful and a certificate of naturalisation issues. The standard certification fee is set at €950, while a reduced fee of €200 applies in the case of an application made on behalf of a minor or in certain cases where the application is made by a widow, widower or surviving civil partner of an Irish citizen. In the case of recognised refugees and stateless persons, there is no certification fee.
The standard fees payable by an applicant are designed to reflect the effort and cost involved in processing applications for a certificate of naturalisation which, given the benefits involved, is quite a detailed process.
There is no provision for the discretionary waiver or reduction of fees, or for different fees to be applied. All of the fees payable under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are kept under ongoing review by my Department. However, there are currently no plans to amend the fees.
348. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice the number of civil servant posts that were filled through open and internal panels, since April 2020, in her Department and the bodies under the aegis of her Department, by county and by month in tabular form. [27601/21]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the detail requested by the Deputy within the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy to provide this information as soon as it is available.
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Apr-20 |
0 |
Dublin |
13 |
Dublin |
13 |
|
May-20 |
0 |
Dublin |
5 |
Dublin |
5 |
|
Jun-20 |
0 |
Dublin |
10 |
Dublin |
10 |
|
Jul-20 |
20 |
Dublin |
8 |
Dublin |
28 |
|
Aug-20 |
3 |
Dublin |
11 |
Dublin |
14 |
|
Sep-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
14 |
Dublin |
15 |
|
Oct-20 |
20 |
Dublin 19Tipperary 1 |
23 |
Dublin 20Mayo 1 Roscommon 1 Tipperary 1 |
43 |
|
Nov-20 |
16 |
Dublin |
29 |
Dublin 19 Tipperary 1 Mayo/Sligo 1 Donegal 1 Limerick 4 Meath 1 Laois 1 Cork 1 |
45 |
|
Dec-20 |
11 |
Dublin |
5 |
Dublin 4 Laois 1 |
16 |
|
Jan-21 |
25 |
Dublin 23 Tipperary 2 |
24 |
Dublin 23 Westmeath 1 |
49 |
|
Feb-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
22 |
Dublin 21Cavan 1 |
23 |
|
Mar-21 |
10 |
Dublin 7 Tipperary 2 Kerry 1 |
27 |
Dublin |
37 |
|
Apr-21 |
7 |
Dublin |
18 |
Dublin |
25 |
|
May-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
34 |
Dublin |
35 |
|
Total |
115 |
|
243 |
|
358 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Jun-20 |
2 |
Dublin |
2 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Aug-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Sep-20 |
2 |
Dublin |
2 |
||
|
Mar-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
2 |
Dublin |
3 |
|
May-21 |
2 |
Dublin |
2 |
||
|
Total |
2 |
|
9 |
|
11 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Apr-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
May-20 |
2 |
Dublin |
2 |
||
|
Jun-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Nov-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Jan-21 |
5 |
Dublin 4Cork 1 |
5 |
||
|
Feb-21 |
2 |
Dublin |
10 |
Dublin 9 Longford 1 |
12 |
|
Mar-21 |
3 |
Dublin |
2 |
Dublin |
5 |
|
Apr-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
May-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Total |
9 |
|
21 |
|
30 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
May-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Jun-20 |
2 |
Meath 1 Galway 1 |
2 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
1 |
||
|
Aug-20 |
2 |
Dublin 1 Kerry 1 |
1 |
Mayo |
3 |
|
Sep-20 |
2 |
Kerry |
5 |
Meath 2Kerry 2 Dublin 1 |
7 |
|
Oct-20 |
7 |
Dublin 4Westmeath 2Galway 1 |
7 |
||
|
Nov-20 |
11 |
Dublin 5Cork 2Mayo 1 Louth 1 Kerry 1 Offaly 1 |
11 |
||
|
Dec-20 |
2 |
Dublin 1 Carlow 1 |
2 |
||
|
Jan-21 |
1 |
Dublin |
2 |
Dublin 1 Monaghan 1 |
3 |
|
Feb-21 |
1 |
Louth |
1 |
||
|
Mar-21 |
6 |
Wicklow 2 Laois 1 Waterford 1 Dublin 1 Kerry 1 |
6 |
||
|
Apr-21 |
3 |
Monaghan 1 Kerry 1 Wexford 1 |
3 |
||
|
May-21 |
2 |
Cork 1 Kilkenny 1 |
2 |
||
|
Total |
5 |
|
44 |
|
49 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Apr-20 |
5 |
Dublin 2 Kildare 1 Mayo 1Cavan 1 |
5 |
||
|
May-20 |
2 |
Dublin |
2 |
||
|
Jun-20 |
6 |
Dublin |
6 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
3 |
Cork 1 Kildare 1 Sligo 1 |
4 |
Dublin 2 Galway 1 Cork1 |
7 |
|
Aug-20 |
6 |
Dublin 4 Limerick 1 Tipperary 1 |
5 |
Dublin 3 Clare 1 Limerick 1 |
11 |
|
Sep-20 |
9 |
Dublin 5 Kilkenny 1 Limerick 1 Roscommon 1 Offaly 1 |
9 |
||
|
Oct-20 |
6 |
Dublin |
6 |
Dublin 4 Tipperary 1 Westmeath 1 |
12 |
|
Nov-20 |
5 |
Dublin 4 Kilkenny 1 |
19 |
Dublin 16 Galway 1 Wexford 1 Waterford 1 |
24 |
|
Dec-20 |
1 |
Dublin |
3 |
Dublin 2 Sligo 1 |
4 |
|
Jan-21 |
2 |
Dublin |
10 |
Dublin 7 Cork 1 Limerick 1 Meath 1 |
12 |
|
Feb-21 |
1 |
Tipperary |
8 |
Dublin 7 Wexford 1 |
9 |
|
Mar-21 |
8 |
Dublin 7 Sligo 1 |
10 |
Dublin 6 Sligo 1 Wexford 1 Waterford 1 Wicklow 1 |
18 |
|
Apr-21 |
2 |
Dublin |
12 |
Dublin 10 Kildare 1Cork 1 |
14 |
|
Total |
34 |
|
99 |
|
133 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Apr-20 |
2 |
Longford 1 Dublin 1 |
2 |
||
|
May-20 |
23 |
Dublin |
23 |
||
|
Jun-20 |
26 |
Dublin 19 Longford 4 Laois 2 Roscommon 1 |
26 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
2 |
Longford |
4 |
Dublin 3 Limerick 1 |
6 |
|
Aug-20 |
1 |
Longford |
16 |
Dublin 8 Longford 2 Laois 3 Roscommon 1Limerick 1Cork 1 |
17 |
|
Sep-20 |
18 |
Dublin |
18 |
||
|
Oct-20 |
20 |
Dublin 19 Longford 1 |
20 |
||
|
Nov-20 |
27 |
Dublin 26Laois 1 |
27 |
||
|
Dec-20 |
1 |
Longford |
1 |
||
|
Jan-21 |
19 |
Dublin 18 Longford 1 |
19 |
||
|
Feb-21 |
2 |
Longford |
7 |
Dublin 5 Longford 2 |
9 |
|
Mar-21 |
1 |
Longford |
26 |
Dublin 22 Longford 3 Laois 1 |
27 |
|
Apr-21 |
17 |
Dublin |
17 |
||
|
May-21 |
4 |
Dublin 2 Longford 1 Limerick 1 |
4 |
||
|
Total |
6 |
|
210 |
|
216 |
|
Month |
Internal |
County |
Open |
County |
Total Number of posts filled |
|
Apr-20 |
6 |
Dublin 5 Waterford 1 |
6 |
||
|
May-20 |
14 |
Dublin 11 Kerry 1 Waterford 1 Meath 1 |
14 |
||
|
Jun-20 |
18 |
Dublin 11 Waterford 1 Meath 2 Mayo 1Sligo 2 Donegal 1 |
18 |
||
|
Jul-20 |
31 |
Dublin 4 Kerry 2Cork 5Limerick 1 Tipperary 7 Laois 1Carlow 1 Kilkenny 1 Galway 1 Westmeath 1 Meath 3 Louth 1Mayo 1Sligo 1 Donegal 1 |
31 |
||
|
Aug-20 |
53 |
Dublin 10 Kerry 1 Waterford 3 Limerick 5 Clare 1 Tipperary 12 Carlow 1 Kilkenny 3 Wexford 1 Galway 2 Westmeath 1Meath 4 Louth 1 Monaghan 2 Mayo 4 Donegal 2 |
53 |
||
|
Sep-20 |
22 |
Dublin 8 Limerick 3 Clare 1 Tipperary 2 Laois 1 Galway 1 Meath 2 Mayo 3Sligo 1 |
22 |
||
|
Oct-20 |
33 |
Dublin 12 Cork 4 Clare 1 Tipperary 4 Roscommon 1 Westmeath 1 Meath 1 Monaghan 1 Longford 2 Mayo 5Sligo 1 |
33 |
||
|
Nov-20 |
24 |
Dublin 8 Cork 3 Kilkenny 1 Wexford 1 Wicklow 1 Galway 2Mayo 8 |
24 |
||
|
Dec-20 |
3 |
Dublin 2Cork 1 |
3 |
||
|
Jan-21 |
23 |
Dublin 12 Kerry 2 Waterford 1 Tipperary 5 Wexford 3 |
23 |
||
|
Feb-21 |
8 |
Dublin 4 Galway 2 Monaghan 1 Mayo 1 |
8 |
||
|
Mar-21 |
19 |
Dublin 13 Limerick 1 Tipperary 1 Wexford 1 Wicklow 1 Monaghan 1 Donegal 1 |
19 |
||
|
Apr-21 |
16 |
Dublin 10 Clare 1 Tipperary 2 Wexford 1 Monaghan 1 Mayo 1 |
16 |
||
|
May-21 |
14 |
Dublin 9 Waterford 3 Tipperary 1 Donegal 1 |
14 |
||
|
Total |
|
|
284 |
|
284 |
349. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department plans to implement revised definitions of good agricultural environmental conditions or cross-compliance proposed for the next CAP programme ensuring that a flexible approach is adopted when implementing good agricultural environmental conditions at national level in order to minimise the impact on farmers and farm businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27227/21]
View answerConditionality in the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will replace the current CAP cross compliance and certain current "greening" requirements. Beneficiaries of CAP farm payments must comply with the requirements of Conditionality. There are two elements to Conditionality:
1. Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAECs)
The GAECs set minimum standards that beneficiaries of CAP farm payments must adhere to. The main objectives of GAECs include climate change mitigation and adaptation, protection of water and soil quality and biodiversity, and appropriate land management.
Member States will set their national standards and implementation requirements for each GAEC, taking into account the main objective of the GAEC, and their own local needs and characteristics.
2. Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs)
The SMRs link the CAP to wider sector-specific EU legislation relating to the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare, and plant protection. As the SMRs are based on EU legislation, there is less scope for Member States to specify their own individual requirements, except in the case of the Nitrates Regulations.
Many of the SMR and GAEC standards in the current cross compliance regime will be carried over into the new Conditionality requirements. In addition, a number of the "greening" elements of the current CAP will also be covered by Conditionality under the new CAP.
Negotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council on the new regulatory framework are ongoing. A number of technical details concerning the GAEC are not yet agreed.
Once finalised, the Department will implement the Conditionality requirements of the new CAP in line with the legislative requirements, including through exercise of the discretion afforded to it in the implementation of GAECs.
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he remains satisfied that the agri-food business on the island of Ireland can prosper and grow notwithstanding the impact of Brexit; if he has identified particular issues for early attention and resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7377/21]
View answerIt has always been clear that Brexit had the potential to be profoundly disruptive, particularly for agrifood businesses on the island of Ireland. The Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland is designed to minimise that disruption and reduce the worst of the impact of Brexit and I am satisfied that, with the Protocol in place, Irish agrifood businesses can continue to benefit from the free movement of goods across the island of Ireland.
There are some issues that have emerged which require attention and further consideration. Certain rules of origin issues can arise for agri-food goods that use processing facilities in Northern Ireland, or source their inputs from Northern Ireland. This can be particularly difficult for certain dairy and spirit drink products which may now be unable to take advantage of the preferential tariff rate in the EU’s existing Free Trade Agreements. This is one of the unavoidable consequences of the UK leaving the EU. There may be more scope to address this issue in future EU FTA negotiations with other countries, but the Commission has been clear that it will not renegotiate all of the EU's FTAs to account for this issue.
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, together with the Withdrawal Agreement - including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland - establishes the best possible arrangements, in this new post-Brexit context, to allow agrifood businesses on the island of Ireland to grow and prosper.
The focus now must be on the full implementation of all of these agreements, as well as on highlighting the opportunities that exist for agrifood businesses across the island of Ireland under the Protocol, with continued full and unchanged access to the EU Single Market of 450 million people.
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the availability of transportation and ready access to the European market for Irish food exports and that resolution in respect of any obstacles is in hand with particular reference to transport, customs and the meeting of delivery schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7378/21]
View answerA key priority in the lead up to the end of the transition period was to ensure continued maritime connectivity with both our UK and EU markets. Throughout 2020, and at the beginning of 2021, there has been an unprecedented response from the shipping industry in terms of increasing capacity to match market demand, in particular in relation to new options for direct EU Roll-on Roll-off and Load-on Load-off services. Since 1st January 2021, the process for moving agri food goods directly between Ireland and other EU Member States has not changed and is not subject to new procedures.
However, the process for moving goods to the European market via the UK landbridge has changed significantly since 1st January, with EU and UK customs and regulatory requirements applying to transits. The effect of these additional requirements is, in some cases, proving challenging for agri-food exporters.
Ireland has undertaken substantial engagements at political and official level across the EU to ensure that Irish goods moving under transit across the UK landbridge are not subject to additional and unnecessary checks and controls. This engagement is ongoing, and includes reviewing operational experience in terms of Customs and SPS controls for exporters using the landbridge.
There has been a marked decrease in landbridge traffic since 1st January, but it is difficult to assess whether this is a permanent shift or a case of operators prioritising certainty over costs in the short term by using direct routes to mainland Europe. In any event, for time-sensitive agri-food products, the landbridge is likely to continue to be an important route to market.
352. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by his Department to incentivise investment in farm safety measures and equipment given that farm incidents constitute a high proportion of the overall number of workplace accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1740/21]
View answerTo highlight the importance of farm safety, the Government assigned my ministerial colleague, Martin Heydon, TD the specific responsibility for Farm Safety in his portfolio.
The Department has a range of measures both in place and being put in place to incentivise investment in farm safety measures and equipment. Firstly, there is the on-going TAMS II scheme. Under the suite of seven TAMS measures, there is a wide range of farm safety related investments available to be grant-aided. The indicative allocation for the TAMS II scheme over the course of the Rural Development Programme is €395 million.
As part of the TAMS II schemes, ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines are included in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by the Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. It is a requirement for all applicants under the TAMS II schemes to complete a ½ day of farm safety training.
In addition, the Department launched a call under the locally-led Innovation Partnership model (EIP’s) specifically related to farm safety. This will see the provision of €1m in funding supporting a competitive, ‘locally-led’ call for farm safety initiatives. I see this as a significant step to driving a culture change amongst farmers and I look forward to seeing the final projects under the EIP helping to drive the much needed culture change.
My Department is also, in conjunction with the Department of Finance, developing an Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme for Farm Safety and Disabilities Adaptation Equipment. When the scheme is up and running, relief will be available for eligible expenditure incurred since 1st January 2021. The scheme will provide for accelerated capital allowances at 50% per annum over two years for eligible specified farm safety and adaptive equipment.
353. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided for the farmers whose fences have been burnt down recently as a result of the fire in Killarney National Park and who now have no feed for their animals. [23059/21]
View answerIn relation to fencing issues directly related to the fire at Killarney National Park, the Deputy should contact the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
My Department operates an Early Warning/Intervention System (EWS), an initiative introduced by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) which includes representatives from the farming bodies, Local Authorities, the ISPCA and officials from my Department. Its objective is to provide a framework within which farm animal welfare problems can be identified before they become critical and facilitates the provision of emergency assistance at an early stage where needed.
The EWS's county-level operation means that its members have local knowledge and can deal quickly and sympathetically with any emergency animal welfare situation occurring on farms. Farming and animal welfare organisations throughout the country are well acquainted with its operation.
Farmers concerned about the welfare of their animals can contact their Regional Veterinary Office directly or via the Animal Welfare Helpline Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379, dedicated email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
354. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of additional animal welfare measures he and or his Department have put in place in respect of live exports of animals since 1 March 2020 to date in 2021; and if he will also provide an update in respect of the tracing of live exports from this State to other states in order to ensure animals are kept in the best condition and welfare possible on their journey. [27121/21]
View answerSchedule of additional animal welfare measures:
In 2020 a suite of new measures was introduced, in order to safeguard animal welfare during transport. The main changes were as follows:
- Transport of animals to areas where there is a weather forecast of 30°C or greater was banned.
- The minimum space allowance in vehicles for 50kg calves was increased from 0.3m2 to 0.325m2 per calf – an increase of 8.3%.
- All use of sticks on or near calves was banned in Assembly Centres.
- The validity period of all new Driver / Attendant authorisations to drive or accompany animals on long journeys was reduced from 10 years down to three years, to promote ongoing animal welfare training.
- The required stop time after the ferry journey in Cherbourg for unweaned calves was increased from 12 hours to 13 hours, to account for unloading and reloading time and ensure they received a full 12 hours of rest.
- Enforcement of the return of Journey Log and Satellite Navigation data after long journeys of animals was stepped up, and retrospective checks on journeys were carried out to ensure the drivers respected the resting times and maximum driving times for animals.
From February 2021, the following main changes were introduced:
- The transporter’s Journey Log proposal must be submitted at least 2 working days before the planned journey, for EU / UK destinations, and at least 5 working days before journeys with destination outside of EU (apart from UK). This is to allow the Veterinary Inspector time to properly risk-assess the journeys before deciding whether to endorse them.
- Calves that weigh less than 40kg are not to be permitted on long journeys, to prevent weak or small calves from travelling.
- No animal transport to (or via) the Russian Federation and to Africa to be approved in July and August, and no transport to (or via) the Russian Federation to be approved in December/January.
Update in respect of the tracing of exports in order to ensure animals are kept in the best condition and welfare possible on their journey:
- For long journeys by road to countries outside the EU (with the exception of Britain) it is now DAFM policy to ask for real-time access to the satellite navigation’s system, in order to verify that the route and timings taken are consistent with the Journey Log.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the planned accompaniment of cattle exports by Department vets had to be scaled back – one accompaniment of calves on the ferry to France took place in 2020 and in 2019, and one accompaniment of adult cattle on a dedicated livestock vessel bound for Africa took place in 2020 and in 2019. These programmes of accompaniment will resume once the Covid situation has improved to the point where it is deemed safe to do so.
- Enforcement of the return of satellite navigation and temperature monitor data was stepped up in 2020 and several retrospective checks of this data were carried out, to ensure drivers and transporters respected the statutory journey times and resting times for animals.
Cattle exports in 2021 to date, compared with same period in previous two years:
Cumulative Total by Country from 1 Jan - 9th May 2021
|
Country |
No of Animals |
||
|
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
|
|
ALGERIA |
1088 |
||
|
BELGIUM |
1585 |
4044 |
2664 |
|
BULGARIA |
118 |
140 |
2 |
|
CZECH REPUBLIC |
13 |
451 |
|
|
ENGLAND |
856 |
1013 |
1078 |
|
FRANCE |
2480 |
2958 |
5889 |
|
GREECE |
746 |
1172 |
1097 |
|
HUNGARY |
205 |
285 |
|
|
ITALY |
16317 |
12040 |
16006 |
|
KAZAKHSTAN |
500 |
85 |
|
|
KOSOVO |
31 |
29 |
|
|
LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA |
4928 |
5647 |
4211 |
|
NETHERLANDS |
37177 |
48086 |
73951 |
|
NORTHERN IRELAND |
31644 |
15040 |
13329 |
|
POLAND |
958 |
2420 |
5150 |
|
PORTUGAL |
160 |
112 |
|
|
ROMANIA |
47 |
85 |
|
|
SCOTLAND |
181 |
438 |
157 |
|
SPAIN |
49187 |
44619 |
54074 |
|
TUNISIA |
634 |
||
|
TURKEY |
2910 |
2859 |
|
|
WALES |
147 |
564 |
511 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
146984 |
142560 |
182574 |
355. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided to pillar 2 schemes from the Exchequer and the amount co-funded by scheme for each of the years 2014 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27137/21]
View answerIreland’s execution of the EAFRD 2014-2020 RDP to date is one of the highest in Europe. 92% of the approved €2.1b existing EAFRD financial plan has been executed to date in comparison to an EU average to date of 69%.
The Department has executed 95% of the existing EAFRD funding allocation of €2.033b ( excl Leader) with the remaining existing funds fully committed.
We are awaiting EU approval of an amended EAFRD which will incorporate additional funding of €880m provided under transitional arrangements, bringing the overall EAFRD 2014-2022 envelope to €3.07b.
Details requested are attached.
356. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1255 of 31 March 2021, when the required frost recon scheme will be announced to support owners of woodlands affected by detrimental frost damage in May 2019 and 2020 and again in early May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27168/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of a request from the forestry sector for a reconstitution scheme in response to frost damage on young plantations. We are continuing to analyse the business case for such a scheme.
358. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned to exclude professional registered foresters from the scheme to plant trees along rivers and watercourses to act as carbon sinks and interceptors of nutrients currently being prepared by the Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27188/21]
View answer359. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is planned to get external expertise and registered foresters to assist his staff in developing the scheme to plant trees along rivers and watercourses to act as carbon sinks and interceptors of nutrients currently being prepared by the Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27189/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 359 together.
The planting of trees along riparian margins has the potential to play a significant part in our environmental priorities especially water quality, biodiversity and climate. My colleague Minister Pippa Hackett has announced her intention to explore how such planting could be promoted at scale. This would combine the best of our agri-environment measures, where over 1.5 million trees were planted under GLAS, for example, and better integration with our afforestation goals such as the Native Woodland establishment scheme.
Any proposed planting of trees that is 0.1 ha or over in area is currently considered afforestation and must have an afforestation licence which must be applied for by a registered forester. This has meant that individual tree planting measures in GLAS and REAP, for example, must be below the 0.1 ha threshold which includes tree planting around field boundaries, including riparian field margins.
We have also included tree planting measures under the REAP scheme as complementary actions. Amongst other things, this will help us meet our intention to include significant tree-planting measures under our future agri-environment schemes in the next round of CAP.
