Written Answers Nos. 239-244
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to upgrade the IT system in his Department and bodies under his aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28679/21]
View answerThe Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to IT security for DAFM and agencies that it carries out services for. Our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of IT security.
For reasons of operational and national security, it is not be appropriate to disclose specific details of the Department’s IT Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any specific information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements and therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such detail or make comment which could in any way compromise the Department’s IT Security.
240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in his Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28697/21]
View answerThe Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to IT security for DAFM and agencies that it carries out services for. Our technical staff continue to operate and monitor all relevant systems to the highest levels and are closely engaged with experts in the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the National Cyber Security Centre to ensure that we follow best practice as it relates to all aspects of IT security.
For reasons of operational and national security, it is not be appropriate to disclose specific details of the Department’s IT Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any specific information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements and therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such detail or make comment which could in any way compromise the Department’s IT Security.
241. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering redrafting of the current reconstitution scheme to deal with ash dieback in order to include all trees planted under his Department’s forestation schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28755/21]
View answerIn June 2020, the Department launched the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash dieback). The objectives of the scheme are to encourage the active management of ash plantations, to promote the vigorous growth of ash through thinning and, where appropriate in young plantations and in cases of high disease infection, to support the removal of the affected ash crop and replacement with alternative species. The Scheme also aims to build resilience and diversity into plantations and possibly identify tolerant or resistant individuals.
The support scheme for Ash Dieback has been reviewed to ensure the continued relevance of the Departments response and to ensure that the forest owner is provided with a broader range of silvicultural and management options, to deal with the disease in ash trees. As other tree species are not affected by the disease, it is not necessary to include other species in the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash dieback). Applicants are free to replant with other tree species, within the Scheme criteria.
To date, the Department has received 304 applications for RUS for 1,252ha, of which 61 have been approved for 214ha. The remainder are at various stages of processing. I have no plans to redraft the scheme at this stage.
242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding of local improvement schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28610/21]
View answerThe focus of the Local Improvement Scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities.
In any given year, the demand under the scheme exceeds the funding availabile. It is a matter for each Local Authority to prioritise roads for inclusion under the scheme.
As part of “Our Rural Future”, the Government committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme is funded into the future. I launched the 2021 Local Improvement Scheme on May 14th with funding of €10.5 million. This represents a 5% increase in funding compared to last year. The funding will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches.
Over €68 million has now been invested under the Local Improvement Scheme since it was re-introduced in 2017. Close to 2,400 roads have been funded for repair works. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland.
As I noted when I launched the 2021 Local Improvement Scheme, I am working to identify if additional funding can be provided for the Scheme in 2021 as it is clear that there is a continuing demand for this funding in rural communities across Ireland.
Finally, in relation to specific aspects of Scéim na mBóithre Áise , or Gaeltacht Accommodation Roads scheme, the Deputy may wish to contact the the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media for further details.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to upgrade the IT system in her Department and bodies under her aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28692/21]
View answer244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in her Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28710/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 243 and 244 together.
My Department's ICT services are provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). For operational security reasons, neither my Department nor the OGCIO will provide any details of its data security systems or those of the bodies under its aegis, as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.
