Written Answers Nos. 395-414
395. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline her key policy achievements in her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32721/21]
View answerMy Department has already made significant progress on the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. The Justice Plan 2021 was published earlier this year and outlines a wide range of actions under the Department's five strategic goals, which are:
1. Tackle crime, enhance national security and transform policing
2. Improve access to justice and modernise the courts system
3. Strengthen community safety, reduce reoffending, support victims and combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence
4. Deliver a fair immigration system for a digital age
5. Accelerate innovation, digital transformation and climate action across the justice sector
Under the Justice Plan 2021, I am progressing a suite of policy and legislative reforms which are priorities for me as Minister, in line with the various commitments set out in the Programme for Government.
My Department has made substantial progress on delivery reforms recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing, including publication of the landmark General Scheme of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill, which provides for wide-ranging and coherent reform of policing by improving the performance and accountability of our policing and security services, and supporting the human rights of all people throughout Ireland to be and feel safe in their communities.
Further key actions to tackle crime include the publication earlier this year of the General Scheme of the Hate Crime Bill; the publication of the Hamilton Review and subsequent implementation plan on tackling white collar crime; delivering on Ireland’s successful connection to Schengen Information System (SIS II) which has already led to an increased number of arrests; and enactment of the Criminal Procedure Act 2021 will improve efficiencies in the criminal trial process, by introducing preliminary trial hearings for the first time.
The Peter Kelly Report, Reform of Civil Justice in the State has been published and we have also progressed work to reform the family justice system. Last September, Government approved the General Scheme of the Family Court Bill which will restructure the family justice system to enable jurisdictions in appropriate Courts. In parallel, the Family Justice Oversight Group are working to develop a new family justice system.
We have also published the General Scheme of the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill which will replace the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board with a new Commission and established a Judicial Planning Working Group to work on judicial numbers over the medium term. On the issue of gambling reform, the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 came into effect in December 2020. Work is ongoing to established a gambling regulator.
Strengthen the safety of all communities is a cross-Government priority and we are establishing three pilots of Local Community Safety Partnerships (in Dublin’s North Inner City, Longford and Waterford) which will inform the roll-out of the new Community Safety model nationwide.
As the Deputy will know, we are making strides in providing greater supports to victims of crime, and combating domestic, sexual and gender based violence and have published and begun to implement Supporting a Victim’s Journey, our plan to implement the recommendations of the O’Malley Review. We have enacted Coco’s Law - the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act.
To support young people and divert them away from crime, a new Youth Justice Strategy 2021-2027 has been put in place and is being implemented; we have established an Anti-Social Behaviour Forum to bring forward proposals to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour and have published the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Exploitation of Children in the Commission of Offences) Bill. I also expect to publish an implementation plan to deliver on the recommendations put forward in the Drogheda Scoping Report shortly.
In terms of developments in the immigration area, work on an end-to-end review of processes to guide enhanced processing times has been completed. We have announced draft proposals for a scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants in Ireland and introduced a temporary system to enable citizenship applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a statutory declaration of loyalty.
Of course it is important to note that all the above mentioned milestones and achievements are just a snapshot of the substantial programme of work being delivered on by my Department. The full Justice Plan 2021 is available at:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Department_of_Justice_Action_Plan_2021.pdf/Files/Department_of_Justice_Action_Plan_2021.pdf
I intend to publish regular reports outlining progress on these actions on my Department’s website and my Department will continue to work with our agencies and partners across the sector to receive feedback and ensure that the targets set out in the Plan are met. I look forward to publishing a mid-year report outlining progress in due course.
396. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32743/21]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under its remit are committed to ensuring a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland, where regardless of ethnicity or background, every person is treated and valued equally.
As the Deputy may be aware, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory report on the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector.
The Department’s 2020 report indicated that 5.1% of employees in my Department and the agencies under my remit reported having a disability. This exceeds the 3% target of employment of persons with disabilities set in the Disability Act 2005.
The Department is currently working with members of the Traveller and Roma Community to launch an internship programme for members of their community later this year. This internship programme was developed in line with the National Traveller and Roma Community Inclusion Strategy (2017 – 2021) and aims to promote the participation and inclusion of the Traveller and Roma community in Irish society.
This year the Department will roll out Disability and Autism Awareness training to all staff in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2121.
My Department takes part in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) programme; an initiative of the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), which offers a six-month paid mentored work experience placement to graduates with disabilities. There are currently two graduates with disabilities on WAM placements.
The Courts Service
The Courts Service understands and takes seriously its statutory duty to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and protect the human rights of all staff and service users.
A Human Rights and Equality Working Group has been established, which works to assess and identify the human rights and equality issues that are relevant to the functions of the Courts. The group meets weekly to identify the policies and practices that are already in place, and to determine those that should be implemented across the organisation in a bid to address any inequality.
The Courts Service is strongly committed to meeting the requirements set out under the Civil Service Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities.
Its 2020 Staff Disability Census indicated that 5.5% of current staff reported having a disability. This is on target to meet the Government increase to the public service employment target for persons with disabilities from a minimum of 3% to 6% by 2024.
Irish Prison Service
The Irish Prison Service is exempt from the Public Sector Employment disability target in respect of Recruit Prison Officers but is committed to enabling access to employment for persons from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Probation Service
One of the key organisations funded by the Probation Service is the Irish Association for Social Inclusion Opportunities (IASIO).
The largest of IASIO's programmes, Linkage is a training, employment and guidance service, which supports offenders to integrate into the working community.
Legal Aid Board
The Legal Aid Board reports that 6% of staff reported having a disability in 2020.
Legal Services Regulatory Authority
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) is working to increase the public sector employment target of persons with disabilities from 3% to 6% by 2024, and will embed this target into all LSRA workforce planning and recruitment policies.
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission
All open recruitment to posts in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which operates an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy, which recognises and values the importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient, and reflective of the communities it serves.
This strategy is in line with the Vision, Mission and Values stated in GSOC’s Statement of Strategy for the period 2021-2023. Based on these principles, GSOC will continue to work with PAS towards ensuring that persons from minority and disadvantaged communities are encouraged to apply for suitable employment opportunities as they arise in the organisation.
International Protection Appeals Tribunal
Since January 2020 the tribunal has facilitated two internships under the Willing and Able Mentoring Programme. These six-month placements are for graduates who have a disability.
An Garda Síochána
An Garda Síochána’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2020-2021 outlines its commitment to 'attract, develop and retain a diverse workforce to support delivery of an effective policing service to the communities they serve'.
The EDI Strategy contains a number of specific actions to support An Garda Síochána to fulfil this goal including Action 5; 'Support the development of a diversity recruitment roadmap'.
In January 2021 a consultative exercise was completed by eight civil society organisations and serving personnel with diverse backgrounds within AGS. There was positive engagement, and constructive feedback was provided on the recruitment and retention barriers encountered by members of various disadvantaged and minority communities.
A draft implementation plan outlining short and medium terms initiatives to address the barriers identified has been developed. In addition to these initiatives, this implementation plan includes:
- Recruitment targets for groups currently under-represented within An Garda Síochána based on current baselines and national census data.
- A commitment to improve equality data collection and analysis at each phase of the recruitment journey, in partnership with the Public Appointment Service.
- A commitment to review international norms and best practices in police vetting procedures (a highly complex barrier identified during the consultation requiring a more long-term approach).
Implementation of this plan is scheduled to happen in advance of the 2021 Garda Trainee Competition.
Over 500 young people in socio-economically disadvantaged areas applied to the upcoming Garda Access Programme. The successful candidates will be placed in suitable roles across the organisation for nine and eleven month paid placements. The interns will also benefit from a bespoke training and development programme, which aims to develop their knowledge of policing and the criminal justice sector, and to increase key workplace skills.
Shortlisting is currently underway with interviews anticipated to be held the week beginning 28/06/21.
Policing Authority
The Policing Authority is an equal opportunity employer, it conducts competitions in a fair and inclusive manner in line with the CPSA Code of Practice, and facilitates all reasonable accommodations necessary for staff who may have additional requirements.
The Authority is very aware of its commitments in this regard and despite its small numbers, exceeds the 3% target for employment of persons with disabilities.
397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32781/21]
View answerAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 30 July 2019. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision when processing is complete.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
398. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are funding pathways open to Rathmullan Pier to apply for funding through his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32590/21]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
Rathmullan Pier is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.
The Department provides funding to assist the 14 coastal Local Authorities, including Donegal County Council, in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Between the years 2010-2020, Donegal County Council has received funding of €3.8m under this programme, with €31k of this allocated for works at Rathmullan Pier.
Funding of €4.2m has been approved for the Local Authority element of my Department’s 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Additionally, I am pleased to inform you that Donegal County Council has secured funding of €637.5k under this year’s programme, to undertake 12 projects in total (nine Harbour Development and three Marine Leisure & Tourism).
No application for funding in relation to Rathmullan Pier was received under this year’s programme.
Should any application be submitted by Donegal County Council in relation to Rathmullan Pier under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available funds.
399. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32607/21]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides public information about a wide range of schemes, services and policies. Social media is one of the channels used to communicate this information.
During the period from the beginning of January 2021 until 12th June 2021, the Department spent €969.85 (incl. VAT) on advertising on social media.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days.
400. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32624/21]
View answerThe Department provides public information about a wide range of schemes, services and policies. Social media is one of the channels used to communicate this information.
During the period from the beginning of January 2021 until 12th June 2021, the Department spent €2,152.50 (incl. VAT) on content produced for use on social media.
401. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32641/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has not incurred expenditure for public relations consultancy during the period January 2021 to date in 2021.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days.
402. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a tree felling licence application by a person (details supplied); if the application will be expedited given the applicant has provided the NIA statement; the total number of applications that remain to be processed; the breakdown of the length of time the applications that have been in the system by month; the number of applications being approved on a weekly basis; his plans to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32661/21]
View answerThe application for a tree felling licence for the person named was received on 25th June 2019. A revised Natura Impact Statement (NIS) was received on 13th April, 2021 and the file has been assigned to an ecologist for assessment. This usually takes two to three months.
Once that work is complete, the application will be returned to the Forestry District Inspector, who will complete the assessment and make their recommendations. The recommendations will form part of the decision on the application, which will be issued to the person named, when available.
My Department receives applications for forestry licences and issues decisions daily. There will always be applications in the system at various stages, from the earliest steps in an application before it is fully submitted, right through to decision. The total number of applications on hand is 6,058, which includes 1,745 applications recently submitted by Coillte.
We intend to issue 4,500 licences this year which is a 75% increase on last year and we remain committed to that target. Licences issued year to date are 20% ahead of last year. Weekly updates are provided in our published forestry dashboard.
The average length of time to decision for felling licences for those decided in 2021 is 12 months. It is ten months for afforestation and nine months for roads.
The clearing of the backlog of licences is a priority for Minister of State Hackett who has responsibility for forestry and myself. Increased resources have been invested in dealing with files on hand and under Project Woodland a dedicated group, Working Group 1, is tasked with looking at the backlog.
This Group has already met nine times and has examined in detail the cases on hand and is producing specific recommendations for improving output, including a definition of the backlog, which will be brought to the Project Board for consideration.
403. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the Backlog Working Group established as part of Project Woodland; the suggestions by the Group to solve the forestry licencing crisis; his plans for the implementation of these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32676/21]
View answerThe clearing of the backlog of licences is a priority for myself and Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who is responsible for forestry. Increased resources have been invested in dealing with files on hand and, under Project Woodland, a dedicated group, Working Group 1, is tasked with looking at the backlog.
This Group has already met nine times and has examined in detail the cases on hand and is producing specific recommendations for improving output, including a definition of the backlog, which will be brought to the Project Board for consideration. Furthermore, the group on Forestry Policy is meeting next week at which a full update on progress to date will be provided to all stakeholders.
404. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to the introduction of statutory timelines with respect to the issuing of forestry licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32678/21]
View answer405. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is considering wholesale regulatory reform with respect to the issuing of forestry licences in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32679/21]
View answer406. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is reviewing the 15 km screening radius with respect to forestry projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/21]
View answer407. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied). [32681/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 404, 405, 406 and 407 together.
Project Woodland, which was launched in February this year, is a framework which aims to review and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system, as well as developing a strategy for woodland creation. The structure of the Project is that four Working Groups, each chaired by an independent person and made up of stakeholders from the Forestry Policy Group, report to a Project Board, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department.
Working Group 3 is, among other things, developing a communication strategy, including a Customer Charter. The Customer Charter will include timelines for the issuing of forestry licences and it is within this Group that all matters in relation to timelines will be considered.
Working Group 4 is concentrating on licencing process improvements. This Group has indicated that it intends to recommend to the Project Board that an independent review of the regulatory process, taking account of international practice, be commissioned. This will include an examination of the criteria used for screening for Appropriate Assessment under the Habitats Directive.
As regards the increase from 3km to 15km for screening purposes the advice referred to was received from our external environmental consultants at the time. When added to NPWS guidance and decisions from the Forestry Appeals Committee, the Department moved from a screening distance of 3km to 15km to consider all European sites within that distance.
The work currently underway and due to be undertaken to examine the licensing process within Project Woodland will, I hope, lead to an improvement in output which will benefit the forestry sector as a whole.
408. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current and capital costs involved with each action item in the Interim Climate Action Plan under his Department’s responsibility. [32692/21]
View answerThe Interim Climate Action Plan is funded through the Department's voted expenditure of €1.82bn in 2021. The majority of actions are funded through the rural development, forestry and research budget lines. Other actions in the plan do not require public funding while others form part of existing regulatory requirements or existing animal disease eradication programmes and, therefore, climate- related costs are not delineated.
409. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a reconstitution scheme for the forestry sector to support owners of woodlands affected by detrimental frost damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of a request from the forestry sector for a reconstitution scheme in response to frost damage on young plantations.
The business case for such a scheme is being analysed.
410. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his key policy achievements in his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32711/21]
View answerSince publication of the Programme for Government in June 2020, the Department has been progressing the 161 actions identified in the "Agriculture, Food and the Marine" chapter, as well as actions in other chapters for which it has shared responsibility. A review of these PFG commitments is currently underway and the results will be available shortly. On 14th April, I published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector. The Action Plan will build on significant work already underway by the Department.
The following are the key policy priorities for 2021:
1. Continuing to provide vital supports to the farmers, fishers and foresters which are the lifeblood of a balanced rural and coastal economy and community.
2. Finalising and publishing a new 10-year Strategy for the agri-food sector - delivering on a key commitment of the Programme for Government, which called for an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead, taking into account our climate action and environmental obligations.
3. Developing Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan.
4. Designing, developing and commencing new transitional schemes for 2021 including an Agri-Environment results-based Pilot Project which rewards farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.
5. Implementing Ireland’s first over-arching Animal Welfare Strategy.
6. Working to develop initiatives and policies to underpin and support farm and fisher incomes.
411. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will list the specific funding allocated by his Department on research into the unique characteristics of biogenic methane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32728/21]
View answerClimate research remains a key priority for me in my role as Minister. This commitment was clearly evident in the AgClimatise Roadmap which I published in December 2020. The benefits of research and innovation are clear, a number of new mitigation options have emerged on the back of publically-funded research, for example, protected urea fertiliser to reduce nitrous oxide emissions.
The Department has also been very invested in the research space with regard to biogenic methane investing over €2m in various projects. At a national level, a significant research grant was awarded to a Teagasc coordinated project called Meth-Abate which is looking at novel technologies to reduce methane emissions.
|
METH-ABATE |
Development and validation of novel technologies to reduce methane emissions from pasture based Irish agricultural systems |
€1,248,221.65 |
Teagasc-GRG (NUIG, QUB, AFBI) |
I am also aware of the importance of engaging internationally on collaborative research projects, particularly from a resource efficiency perspective. Through the European Union ERA-NET funding process, the Department has committed funding to seven additional projects which have biogenic methane as a core theme. These projects are listed below:
|
Acronym |
Title |
Total DAFM Grant Award to Irish participants |
IE Lead and Collaborating Institutions |
Partner Countries |
|
MilKey |
Decision support system for sustainable and GHG optimised milk production in key European areas |
€230,658.04 |
Teagasc (UCD) |
DE, PL, EL, BE, FR, NO |
|
GrassToGas |
Grass To Gas: Strategies to mitigate GHG emissions from pasture based sheep systems |
€286,518.20 |
Teagasc (ICBF) |
UK, FR, NZ, NO, TK, UY |
|
MELS |
Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems |
€201,358.20 |
Teagasc (UCC) |
DK, PL, UK, NZ, FR, DE, CL |
|
SeaSolutions |
Seaweeds and seaweed-ingredients to reduce enteric methane emissions from pasture-based sheep, cattle and dairy cows |
€300,843.90 |
Teagasc (ITS) |
NO, SE, DE, UK, CA |
|
GHG-Manage |
Managing and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in different landscape mosaics |
€236,133.75 |
UCD (coordinator) (Teagasc) |
DE, FR, PL, NL |
|
METHLAB |
Refining direct fed microbials (DFM) and silage inoculants for reduction of methane emissions from ruminants |
€218,920.00 |
Teagasc (coordinator) (UCC) |
FR, NL, NZ, IT |
|
RumenPredict |
Predicting appropriate GHG mitigation strategies based on modelling variables that contribute to ruminant environmental impact |
€244,418.07 |
Teagasc (UCD, ICBF) |
UK, FI, NZ, SE, NL, FR |
I remain confident that the outputs of this research will contribute to the overall goal of developing practical solutions that will enable Irish farmers reduce livestock methane emissions over the years ahead.
412. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to revise the legally defined tolerances currently used to verify the accuracy of the automated beef grading in meat plants; his views on whether the current 40% tolerance is acceptable when machines can be 95% accurate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32729/21]
View answerThere are currently 22 factories operating mechanical classification in Ireland representing approximately 90% of the national kill. Mechanical grading in beef factories is underpinned by two pieces of EU legislation which came into force in July 2018. Carcase classification is also governed by S.I. 249 of 2019.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1184 of 20 April 2017 sets out the legal tolerances for the authorisation of a mechanical classification system. The figure of 40% referred to by the Deputy relates to the authorisation procedure for a mechanical classification system and not the operation of machines. Using a system of points and limits defined in the EU legislation, a mechanical classification system must achieve an accuracy figure in excess of 60% for conformation and fat cover in order for it to be authorised for use in any EU state. Irish legislation is fully aligned with EU regulation in this regard.
Unannounced checks by classification officers verify the on-going accuracy of the automated beef grading methods using the same system of points and limits defined in the EU legislation. In 2020, during 314 checks, across the 22 mechanical grading factories, the average performance for conformation in 2020 was 93.3% and 95.6% for fat cover.
The role of the Department is clearly defined in the Irish legislation in terms of monitoring and supervision of classification. This legislation is constantly kept under review.
413. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times in each of the past five years that mechanical grading was suspended in meat plants following an inspection by his Department; the corresponding figure to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32730/21]
View answerIn the past five years (2016-2021 to date), officers from the Carcase Classification Division of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine conducted 2,911 inspections in total, across 32 factories classifying carcasses. The average number of inspections significantly exceed the requirement under the relevant EU legislation. The EU legal requirement for monitoring classification is a minimum of eight inspections per factory per year and must include a minimum of 40 carcasses at each inspection.
In each of the past five years, including 2021 to date, the average number of inspections per factory was 18 with an average of 85 carcasses inspected at each inspection. The number of inspections in 2020 was reduced because of COVID-19 restrictions but continued to exceed the number required by legislation.
Unannounced checks by classification officers verify the on-going accuracy of the automated beef grading methods by using a system of points and limits defined in EU legislation. The mechanical classification method must operate within legally defined tolerances at all times. As with any mechanical system, grading machines can from time to time fall out of tolerance. The suspension of mechanical grading following an inspection by the Department is summarised in the table below. To date in 2021, mechanical classification was suspended on one occasion following an inspection by classification officers.
Where a machine is found operating outside of tolerance, the factory is instructed to cease mechanical classification. When any mechanical system is found to be working outside of these tolerances, the meat plants concerned are instructed to revert to manual grading. In this scenario, the factory must arrange for the classification machine to be serviced. When this service is completed, the classification section is notified, and classification officers will proceed to conduct a further classification exercise (min 100 carcasses) to confirm that it is in working within the legal tolerances before mechanical grading is allowed to recommence. Farmers are advised through their remittance dockets where manual grading is applied.
|
Year |
Number of Inspections |
Number of Instances where a machine was turned off following an Inspection by the Department of Agriculture |
|
2016 |
616 |
10 |
|
2017 |
628 |
13 |
|
2018 |
550 |
8 |
|
2019 |
580 |
6 |
|
2020 |
405 |
4 |
|
2021 to date |
132 |
1 |
414. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32733/21]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy, which was launched in 2018 builds on the Department's core values in the areas of equality, diversity and inclusion.
The Department is a long time supporter of providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and has participated for many years in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme. This programme provides a six month paid and mentored work placement for graduates with a disability. In the last few years, the Department has increased the number of placements it has made available under the WAM programme. Many former participants of the programme have gone on to secure permanent employment in the Civil Service.
The Department has participated in the Job Shadow Initiative on a continuous basis since 2009. Job Shadow Day is a national project, bringing people with disabilities and local employers together for one day to promote equal employment opportunities.
Following the launch of the Oireachtas Work Learning programme (OWL) by the Ceann Comhairle in September 2018, the Department has collaborated with the Houses of the Oireachtas to provide learning opportunities for trainees on this programme. The OWL programme is a learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The programme aims to provide a real and applied learning experience to the participants in a safe and secure work environment, to support them in developing the skills which will lead them to access paid employment in the open labour market.
The Department will continue to explore further options to provide employment opportunities for persons from minority and disadvantaged communities.
The question of enabling access to employment for persons from minority and/or disadvantaged communities in the State Agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
