Written Answers Nos. 415-426
415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the allocation of the mackerel quota to boats under 18m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32750/21]
View answer416. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the allocation of the mackerel quota for fishing by means of hook and line or line caught by vessels under 15m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32751/21]
View answer417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on proposals by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to Irish linecaught mackerel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32752/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 415, 416 and 417 together.
Management of the National Mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy which has been developed and put in place over a number of years. The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels using hook and line as a means of fishing was set down in Ministerial Policy in 2010. The Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation. This amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery.
The mackerel Policy sets down that the hook and line fishery for vessels under 15m in overall length receive 400t.
In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of policy, it would require due process involving an assessment of all issues arising, including full public consultation.
There has been for the past 20 years or so intensive competition within the industry for access to and a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU/U.K. Trade and Co-operation Agreement provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota by 2026 to the U.K. This will only increase demands for higher shares of Ireland’s quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. It is worth noting that the 400t for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced. Unfortunately the situation is that if there is an increase for any sector, such as the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU/ U.K. TCA.
The National Inshore Forum prepared a paper requesting to increase for the hook and line fishery from the 400t limit to 3,000 tonnes and to increase the trip limit from 750kg to 1,500kg. An increase in the overall 400t limit is set down in Policy. The other elements of this paper and improved management arrangements for the fishery were discussed by the Quota Management Advisory Committee.
418. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department have analysed and continue to analyse the potential impact of the current CAP reform on the agri-food sector; if he has studied submission from organisations (details supplied) regarding the impact of CAP on the industry; if he is in a position to reassure the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32767/21]
View answerThe Department is continuing to monitor and analyse the mandatory and voluntary options present in the CAP proposals that are currently under discussion. In this regard, there are examples of modelling and analysis that have previously been carried out on the Department's website at the link below and there will be more of this type of analysis published as the regulations become clearer in the future.
The Department has consulted widely with all of the stakeholders, in particular through the mechanisms offered by the CAP Consultative Committee. This has included a series of in depth discussions on Direct Payments measures in February this year as an example. This consultation and exchange of views will continue as we continue to progress the preparation of the CAP Strategic Plan.
I will continue work to ensure the best possible outcome for farmers and farming in Ireland.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/76026-common-agricultural-policy-cap-post-2020/.
419. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which alternative markets for the agri-food sector previously dependent on the UK market have been found to date; the particular areas in which difficulties have been experienced; the extent to which his Department is actively engaged to find alternative markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32768/21]
View answerDeveloping increased trade opportunities continues to be an integral part of the Department’s response to the challenges posed by Brexit.
The key challenge here is to continue to maximise the volume and value of Irish agri-food exports to all destinations, and to anticipate and, as best we can, mitigate the potential impact of adverse developments in trading patterns. This requires a two-handed approach, comprised of support for our existing and potential future UK trade, as well as further development and diversification in EU and third country markets.
The Department and its agencies have invested hugely in this work and encouragingly, despite an extremely challenging year in 2020, exports totalled €14.3 billion, with 37% of agri-food exports going to the UK, which is down from 40% in 2016, the year the UK voted to leave the EU. Remaining agri-food exports in 2020 were split between the EU-27 market (31%) and international market (32%) in 2020.
The UK remains a priority market for Irish agri-food exporters. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement reached by the EU and the UK provides for zero tariffs and quotas, and is welcome given the highly integrated Ireland-UK supply chains and the value of trade in both directions. It will assist Irish exporters to maintain their UK market share, and to remain competitive against third country imports to the UK.
The Department continues to be very active in the development of third country markets through Trade Missions and key customer engagements; these were carried out virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also continuing to work on the opportunities provided by recent EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries, and to press for the removal of technical market access barriers across a range of third country markets.
420. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received for a scheme (details supplied); the number successfully accepted to the scheme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32792/21]
View answerI was delighted to see the huge level of interest in REAP, demonstrated by over 10,800 applications being received by the Department. I was also pleased to be in a position to increase the original anticipated participation numbers in the project.
Now, almost 5,000 farmers will be supported to undertake environmental commitments to increase the environmental value of existing farm features. This figure is more than double the original participation figure envisioned. The number of successful applicants by county is provided in the table below.
|
COUNTY |
Approvals |
|
Carlow |
48 |
|
Cavan |
259 |
|
Clare |
306 |
|
Cork |
246 |
|
Donegal |
458 |
|
Dublin |
2 |
|
Galway |
778 |
|
Kerry |
219 |
|
Kildare |
16 |
|
Kilkenny |
57 |
|
Laois |
64 |
|
Leitrim |
167 |
|
Limerick |
159 |
|
Longford |
158 |
|
Louth |
18 |
|
Mayo |
628 |
|
Meath |
91 |
|
Monaghan |
147 |
|
Offaly |
94 |
|
Roscommon |
336 |
|
Sligo |
206 |
|
Tipperary |
182 |
|
Waterford |
28 |
|
Westmeath |
147 |
|
Wexford |
31 |
|
Wicklow |
81 |
|
Total |
4,926 |
421. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the vote headings and sub-headings for her Department in tabular form. [32545/21]
View answerThe relevant Vote headings and sub-headings for my Department are published on an annual basis in the Revised Estimates Volume which is available on the gov.ie website at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates.
For the information of the Deputy the table below provides this detail for 2021.
|
Vote Heading |
Sub-heading |
Main programme areas funded (where applicable) |
|
A. Rural Development & Regional Affairs |
A.1 Administration - Pay |
|
|
A.2 Administration - Non Pay |
||
|
A.3 Western Development Commission |
||
|
A.4 Rural Supports |
CLÁR, Local Improvement Scheme, |
|
|
A.5 LEADER - Rural Economy Sub programme |
||
|
A.6 Regional Economic Development |
||
|
A.7 Rural Regeneration & Development |
Rural Regeneration & Development Fund,Town & Village Renewal Scheme,Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme |
|
|
A.8 Islands |
||
|
B. Community Development |
B.1 Administration - Pay |
|
|
B.2 Administration - Non Pay |
||
|
B.3 Supports for Community & Voluntary Sector (Nat Lott) |
Volunteering Supports,Scheme to Support National Organisations,Seniors Alert Scheme,Social Inclusion Units,Public Participation Networks |
|
|
B.4 SICAP, Local/Regional Community Supports (Nat Lott) |
||
|
B.5 Local Community Development Committees (Support) |
||
|
B.6 Supprot for Disadvantaged Communities |
||
|
B.7 Dormant Account Measures |
||
|
B.8 Programme for PEACE & Reconciliation |
||
|
B.9 Water Safety Ireland |
||
|
B.10 Libraries Development & Archive Services |
||
|
B.11 Community Enhancement Programme |
||
|
B.12 Community Services Programme |
||
|
B.13 Covid-19 Stability Fund |
||
|
C. Charities Regulatory Authority |
C.1 Administration - Pay |
|
|
C.2 Administration - Non Pay |
||
|
C.3 Charities Regulatory Authority |
||
|
C.4 Charities Appeals Tribunal |
422. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount her Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32619/21]
View answer423. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount her Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32636/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 422 and 423 together.
My Department has spent €4,798.52 on social media advertising and €36,322.44 on social media content production during the period in question.
The amount spent by agencies under my Department's remit on social media advertising for the same period is set out below.
|
Agency |
Amount |
|
Pobal |
Nil |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
€31,519.98 |
|
Charities Regulator |
Nil |
|
Western Development Commission |
€307.25 |
424. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount her Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32653/21]
View answerThe table below details information on amount spent by my Department (my Department incurred no costs) and the agencies under its aegis on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021:
|
Western Development Commission |
WDC has spent €3,515.27 on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021. This includes costs related to the launch of WesternJobs.ie. |
|
Charities Regulator |
The cost so far this year is €12,000 ex. VAT. This was paid to Murray Consultants, our external agency. Murray’s were selected from an OGP framework after a thorough tender process. Murray’s provides the Charities Regulator occasional public relations services. |
425. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current and capital costs involved with each action item in the Interim Climate Action Plan under her Department’s responsibility. [32701/21]
View answerClimate Action Plan 2019, the Interim Climate Action Plan from earlier this year and Climate Action Plan 2021, when it is complete, are more than spending programmes. They include regulatory and taxation measures and aim to mobilise private investment. It would be difficult, and indeed misleading, to identify their Exchequer cost.
The Climate Action Plan sets out, for the first time, how Ireland can reach its 2030 targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also put Ireland on the right trajectory towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The step-up in ambition in each of the sectors covered by the Plan will require investment across the entire economy. Overall, through the mix of technologies and measures identified, the Plan sets out the pathway that represents the least-cost burden to the economy as a whole. A significant portion of the technologies and measures set out in the Plan will result also in net lifetime cost savings to the economy as a whole.
In terms of costs to the Exchequer and other public funding, the Plan will be funded through Project Ireland 2040 which provides €30 billion for low carbon and sustainable mobility investments in the period to 2027.
Many of the actions in the plan do not require public funding. The actions contained in this plan fall broadly into four categories:
- public funding provided in the annual estimates process and in Project Ireland 2040
- measures such as setting a long-term trajectory for the carbon tax, in order to change long-term behaviour and decisions to encourage investment in more sustainable choices
- new regulations to end certain practices (e.g. phasing out oil and gas boilers in homes or introducing low emission zones in cities)
- actions to promote public and community engagement and participation in reducing our emissions.
For the first time, a decarbonisation target has been set for each sector. Each Government Department must now determine the optimum approach to utilising the funding available to it to support the policies necessary to meet the targets proposed for each sector. The exact costs will be determined from the detailed policy design work which will consist of a mix of regulations, taxes, and subsidies which the Government may choose to deploy to achieve the target abatement range in each sector.
It should also be noted that there would also be a very significant cost to the Exchequer for not implementing any policies to achieve compliance with our 2030 targets, which would also lock Ireland into a high carbon trajectory that would be unsustainable in the long-run.
The NDP Review process is underway to update capital allocations for all Government Departments to 2030 and that, as per the phase one report of the NDP review that has already been published (https://assets.gov.ie/130139/c3a7eeab-83c3-4e54-9b33-6ff7e89b99a2.pdf#page=null), the NDP Review will be consistent with recent and upcoming commitments from the Irish Government to become carbon neutral by 2050 and to meet the more immediate climate targets by 2030.
426. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development 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. [32745/21]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under its remit provide a number of supports which contribute towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities. These include the following:
SICAP
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention. SICAP 2018 – 2022 aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals.
Under SICAP, funding is provided to Local Development Companies to allow them to carry out work locally to help disadvantaged individuals and the groups that represent those individuals. The programme is managed by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDCs) in each Local Authority area.
SICAP has 2 programme goals. Goal one is supporting communities, which involves supporting local community groups representing disadvantaged communities and target groups so that they can work towards solving social exclusion issues that affect them. Goal two involves supporting individuals who have been identified as being in need to improve their life chances. This can be through lifelong learning and training, getting labour market supports to improve work readiness, or working with people in broader and more holistic ways so that they can improve their quality of life and general well-being.
SICAP 2018-2022 continues to prioritise supports to those who are most marginalised and disproportionately affected by poverty. The following 13 target groups are engaged with under the Programme: Disadvantaged Children and Families; Disadvantaged Young People (aged 15 – 24); Disadvantaged Women; Lone Parents; Low Income Workers/Households; New Communities; People living in Disadvantaged Communities; People with Disabilities; Travellers; Roma; The Unemployed; The Disengaged from the Labour Market (Economically Inactive); Emerging needs category as selected by the LCDC.
In 2020 SICAP helped 26,178 people and they received in excess of 108,000 supports. Of this, 43% were from a jobless household, 27% were long-term unemployed, and 17% were under 25 and 9% were people with a disability. 6,067 people completed a lifelong learning course. 1,057 people got jobs and 1,274 set up their own business. 2,687 community groups were helped & they received in excess of 19,000 supports. 448 Social enterprises were also supported through SICAP.
Community Services Programme (CSP)
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports more than 420 community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. CSP funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution of €32,000 towards the cost of a manager and €19,033 towards an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions.
The programme focuses on communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through geographical or social isolation or because of demand deficits. It supports a range of community business and social enterprises, including Local Development Companies, to deliver a diverse range of local services and employment opportunities.
CSP supported organisations must employ at least 70% of their CSP supported full time equivalents (FTEs), from across the following target groups, who are deemed most distant from the labour market, which include persons with a disability, members of the Traveller community, those most distant from the labour market, unemployed people, stabilised and recovering drug misusers and people with convictions who are in contact with the probation service.
Libraries Development
The public library service provides the Work Matters programme which promotes the library as a space to support the information and research needs of people who are seeking employment, changing career or wishing to up-skill.
Social Enterprise
Social enterprises operate in a wide range of areas including health care, environment and housing. Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs), support disadvantaged people to prepare for, and participate in, the labour market. The continued implementation of the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland will support the development of social enterprises including those providing valuable services to disadvantaged communities.
Our Rural Future
My Department's mission is “To promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland".
A key element of this mission are the inclusive communities. A key component of delivering on this mission is regular, ongoing and meaningful engagement with rural and community development stakeholders working to enhance the quality of life in our communities.
‘Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025’ was published on 29 March 2021 and is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades.
The policy focuses on optimising opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses and promotes inclusivity and social cohesion, placing people and communities at the heart of the measures for delivery. It contains more than 150 commitments, across the whole-of-Government, each of which is aligned to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal. Some of these commitments specifically support minority cohorts in rural areas, including measures geared towards access to employment, such as investment in digital connectivity and remote working infrastructure, further education and training/upskilling, each led by the relevant Government Department.
Our Rural Future was developed after an extensive consultation process and, as a result, it recognises the key needs of people living and working in rural areas.
My Department will continue to engage with and listen to communities as we implement the Policy over the next five years as ongoing consultation will play a key role allowing us to maximise the impact of Our Rural Future and to develop additional measures for inclusion in the Policy.
The Department and its Agencies
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
Open recruitment for my Department is done through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who have their own independent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy that they adhere to. This is in line with the Government’s own recently launched Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Vision Statement and Maturity Model for the Public Service.
The EDI Vision Statement and Maturity Model’s aim is to “promote equality, diversity and inclusion”. It is important that the Public Service achieves greater equality of opportunity, gender balance, diversity and inclusion across its workforce. It is also important that a consistent approach is taken, in line with equality legislation, to ensure that the Public Service is generally representative of society and respects and promotes human rights.
My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in place whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities under the guidance of the National Disability Authority. This would include onboarding of new staff that require reasonable accommodation in their workplace. The DLO also plays an important role in promoting awareness about disability across the department and would support staff with disabilities when they are seeking job new opportunities and promotions.
Please note, the recruitment for the four agencies is a matter for the relevant boards and management of those agencies as they are independent entities.
