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Tuesday, 29 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 596-614

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (596)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

596. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the fact that the four flagship eco schemes announced as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy suggest that forestry can be included as part of the next CAP and could be included in any new eco schemes even if the national forestry programme was to be funded entirely separately from CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/21]

View answer

Written answers

Eco-Schemes are being proposed for the first time as part of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and will be funded from within Pillar 1 of the CAP budget. Eco-Schemes will be annual schemes that farmers can choose to participate in each year. Each Member State will have to develop an Eco-Scheme and will have to establish a list of Eco-Scheme actions.

The European Commission has outlined that agricultural practices that could be supported by Eco-Schemes must be related to climate, environment, animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance. The measures are to be defined on the basis of the needs and priorities identified at national/regional levels and their level of ambition has to go beyond the requirements and obligations established under the baseline, including conditionality. The measures shall contribute to reaching the EU Green Deal targets.

The Farm to Fork Strategy, published by the Commission in 2020, lists a number of sustainable practices which may be supported under Eco-Schemes, with agro-forestry being one such practice. My Department is currently examining ways in which a tree planting measure could be supported under the Eco-Scheme.

Trialogue negotiations between the Commission, European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, aimed at reaching a final agreement on the new CAP have now concluded. While political agreement has been reached, further work remains on technical details of the proposed reforms and the final shape of the new legislative framework will now be examined carefully.

I will continue to work to achieve the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.

Departmental Staff

Questions (597)

Paul Murphy

Question:

597. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the case of an official (details supplied) in his Department who has admitted to animal neglect charges at a farm County Sligo; the way his Department has dealt with this situation; and the steps he is taking to ensure this is not the case for any other Departmental employees. [34468/21]

View answer

Written answers

It is a matter of public record that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine brought a prosecution in the case referred to.

The Department expects all its staff to uphold and fully comply with the law.

On the rare occasion that a member of staff is found to be in breach of the law, the Department acts robustly and fairly in accordance with Civil Service policy.

Whilst the Department does not comment on individual cases, it should be noted that the work of all staff, including those investigating animal welfare issues, is subject to ongoing appropriate supervision.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (598)

Seán Canney

Question:

598. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the plight of farmers who are over the age for the young farmer scheme and who are starting or restarting a career in farming following various changes in life circumstances, including marriage breakdown but who cannot access entitlements and are forced to lease entitlements from non-active farmers; if he plans to change the current regulations to allow such farmers to access entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34721/21]

View answer

Written answers

The current EU regulations already allow farmers who are over age for the young farmer scheme to access entitlements if they are starting out in farming and such a scheme is operated in Ireland.

Since 2015, the Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve has provided for an allocation of payment entitlements to successful applicants under the two priority categories of ‘young farmer’ and ‘new entrant to farming’. The ‘young farmer’ category of the National Reserve operates under the same age limit of 40 years old as applies to the Young Farmers Scheme.

There is no age limit with regard to applicants under the ‘new entrant to farming’ category of the National Reserve. A new entrant is required to have commenced their present agricultural activity within the previous two calendar years and not have had any agricultural activity in his/her own name and at his/her own risk in the five years preceding the start of the present agricultural activity.

Successful applicants to the National Reserve receive an allocation of payment entitlements on land for which they hold no entitlements and/or a top up on the value of existing entitlements held by the successful applicant, where these are below the national average value, to bring the entitlements up to the national average value. Successful applicants under the new entrant to farming category of the National Reserve are also required to satisfy requirements with regard to agricultural education and off-farm income.

Ireland proposes to continue this provision for new entrants under the next CAP but the final shape of the new CAP has yet to be decided.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (599)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

599. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that was spent in 2016 on improvements to Canower Pier, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department 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, my 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.

Canower Pier is owned by Galway 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.

My Department provides funding to assist the coastal Local Authorities, including Galway 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, Galway County Council has received funding of €3.8m under this programme.

I am unaware of the total monies spent on improvements to Canower Pier in 2016 by Galway County Council who, as I have stated, are responsible for the piers upkeep and would advise the Deputy to contact the Council directly in that regard.

However, as part of the 2016 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme my Department provided €86,469 to Galway County Council for the slipway and access refurbishment works at Canower 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. Galway County Council secured funding of €345k under this year’s programme to undertake six Harbour Development projects.

No application for funding in relation to Canower Pier was received under this year’s programme.

Should any application be submitted by Galway County Council in relation to Canower 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.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (600)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the communication medium of text message used to contact farmers requesting them if they wished to remain part of the BDGP scheme was ill advised and resulted in a number of farmers missing out; if the case of farmers (details supplied) will be given consideration for continuation on the scheme given they missed the text and are anxious to avail of the offer to continue on the BDGP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34779/21]

View answer

Written answers

Applications from participants in the 2020 Beef Data and Genomics Programme who were deemed eligible to continue their participation in the BDGP 2021 transitional programme could be submitted using the Department’s online facility through www.agfood.ie either by the applicant themselves or by an individual authorised to act on their behalf. The opening date for receipt of applications was 15th December 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th January 2021.

Due to the ongoing public health emergency and, in line with guidelines on social distancing, applications were also accepted by means of response to a dedicated SMS text message that issued to all eligible farmers who had agreed to receive SMS text alerts from the Department. This was to facilitate farmers who could either not access the online facility or who were restricted from meeting their agent due to public health guidelines.

There were three separate SMS text messages issued to herdowners by the Department requesting a reply if they wished to extend their participation in BDGP. The first SMS issued on 18th December 2020. The second issued on 8th January 2021 to those who had not yet applied for the rollover of BDGP while the third issued on 12th January 2021 to those who had still not replied.

All three of the persons named were issued letters from the Department in December 2020, informing them that they were eligible to apply for the extension and explaining the application procedure. Department records also show that the three applicants in question were sent SMS messages, but no replies were ever received.

A request for a review of all three applications were received on the 8th March 2021, 30th April 2021 and 14th June 2021. Following completion of the review, letters issued to the persons named on the 29th March 2021, 5th May 2021 and 21st June 2021, to inform them that their review was unsuccessful. The letters also advised the persons named that they retained the right to appeal this decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office if they so wished.

Forestry Sector

Questions (601)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

601. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forestry Service funded Natura Impact Statements for Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34780/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not fund Natura Impact Statements for Coillte.

Departmental Policies

Questions (602)

Holly Cairns

Question:

602. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit fulfil their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/21]

View answer

Written answers

Section 42 of the Irish Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 requires all Public Bodies to have regard to the need to -

(a) Eliminate discrimination

(b) Promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services and

(c) protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services.

The Department 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 values each employee both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department.

The Department is also committed to ensuring wide accessibility to all our services and participates in a wide range of interdepartmental working groups within the social inclusion area.

The Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of our core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both our own employees and clients of the Department who avail of our wide range of services.

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 also 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's Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides advice, support and guidance to staff. The Disability Liaison Officer also facilitates reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to ensure each person has equal opportunities for training and career progression throughout their career in the Department.

The Department has focused on gender balance initiatives since 2011, monitors its gender pay gap and has seen a decrease in this gap from 20.5% in 2013 to 13.2% in 2020.

The Department was the subject of a recently published ESRI report on FLEXIBLE WORKING AND GENDER BALANCE: A CASE STUDY OF AN IRISH CIVIL SERVICE DEPARTMENT in which they reviewed the outcome of a Gender Balance Committee Survey on Gender Balance and Flexible Working Arrangements within the Department.

Cultural Diversity day was celebrated throughout the Department in May 2021 with a virtual talk on cultural diversity in the workplace delivered to all staff. There is also an active LGBTI+ Network for employees within the Department and we have celebrated PRIDE for the last number of years by hosting talks and raising awareness of inclusion for members of the LGBTI+ community both within and outside of my Department. The Department promotes a workplace where each person has the freedom to bring their authentic self to work and each person is free to flourish and realise their potential.

The Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including persons with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services.

In accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, two Access Officers were appointed within the Department to provide assistance, support, advice and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing services provided by the Department.

The recent move to the www.gov.ie portal enabled the Department to redesign its website to comply with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the National Disability Authority (NDA) guidelines, ensuring the website's content is at a suitable reading comprehension level for all.

The matter of the fulfilment of obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act by the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (603)

Holly Cairns

Question:

603. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34865/21]

View answer

Written answers

It is not possible to provide the information requested in the time available. I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is fully committed to the protection of human rights and the promotion of equality for its employees, customers, external stakeholders and interested parties. It continues to promote and implement its strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all as a core value stated in its latest Statement of Strategy for the period from 2021-2024.
My Department has not had occasion to undertake a Disability Impact Assessment (DIA) to date, but should the requirement arise, such an assessment will be carried out as specified in the Cabinet Handbook for the submission of Memoranda for Government. Any DIA will follow the Department of Justice model as described in Guidelines for Government Departments: How to conduct a Disability Impact Assessment (available at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB12000078 ).
Although the bodies under the aegis of my Department may be asked to provide observations on Memoranda from time to time, they are not responsible for bringing Memoranda to Cabinet and therefore do not carry out Disability Impact Assessments as prescribed in the handbook.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (604)

Holly Cairns

Question:

604. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on knowledge transfer programmes; the number of participants annually between 2015 and 2020; the amount spent on and participants in programmes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme under Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 was a three year multi-annual scheme delivered by approved Group Facilitators to circa 19,000 farmers in some 1,200 KT groups. The scheme was rolled out in June 2016, across six Irish farming sectors – Beef, Dairy, Equine, Poultry, Sheep and Tillage and concluded in July 2019.

The information requested by the Deputy is outlined below.

Sector

No.Participants Scheme Year 1

No.Participants Scheme Year 2

No.Participants Scheme Year 3

Beef

9,848

9,450

9,299

Dairy

4,099

3,918

3,723

Equine

376

359

307

Poultry

218*

227

223

Sheep

4,065

3,915

3,859

Tillage

890

849

793

Total

19,496

18,719

18,204

*additional poultry participants were awaiting approval into the scheme but were permitted to attend group meetings pending completion of eligibility checks.

Details of participant payments per sector for each of the years specified by the Deputy are provided in the table below.

Sector

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Beef

N/A

N/A

€5,378,625

€6,556,444

€6,373,847

€305,898

Dairy

N/A

N/A

€1,869,375

€2,147,894

€2,754,512

€139,893

Equine

N/A

N/A

€122,250

€257,288

€161,569

€68,963

Poultry

N/A

N/A

€52,500

€159,657

€108,019

€16,144

Sheep

N/A

N/A

€2,228,250

€2,749,751

€2,753,629

€63,075

Tillage

N/A

N/A

€404,625

€539,965

€522,770

€34,594

Knowledge Transfer – Forestry

The aim of the KTG scheme is to increase the level of forest management activity amongst participating forest owners. The target group are those forest owners that need additional knowledge to help them undertake one or more management activities in their forests. KTGs will provide the means for gaining this expertise and empower them to manage their own forest over its rotation. By filling this knowledge gap a potential barrier to the mobilisation of timber and biomass can be removed.

-

No.Participants

2015

No. Participants 2016

No.Participants

2017

No. Participants 2018

No. Participants 2019

No. Participants 2020

Forestry

N/A

N/A

243

599

598

131

A minimum of four meetings must be attended to be eligible for payment and the rate of payment for participants in €70 for each meeting attended

-

2015 Spend

2016 Spend

2017 Spend

2018 Spend

2019 Spend

2020 Spend

Forestry

N/A

N/A

€61,390

€154,280

€445,340

€24,490

Fishing Industry

Questions (605)

Holly Cairns

Question:

605. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the Irish Sea Fishery Board withdrawing funding for vessels that apply for a grant to buy a jigging machine to fish using the hook and line method; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34888/21]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has implemented a Sustainable Fisheries Scheme providing grants to fishing vessel owners for purchase of certain types of equipment for use on board. Jigging machines were among the types of equipment aided.

After a very successful implementation, the EMFF Programme is now nearing its natural end and funds are almost exhausted. BIM suspended the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme in June 2020 as it had exhausted its budget. Following a recent review of remaining budgets, I have agreed to re-allocate a small amount of remaining funds to facilitate a limited re-opening shortly of the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme, pending the preparation of a new Seafood Development Programme for the 2021-27 period.

The Deputy should be aware that BIM has not withdrawn any previous offers of grant aid for jigging machines.

Fishing Industry

Questions (606)

Holly Cairns

Question:

606. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the mackerel quota for boats of less than 15 metres in length to 3,000 tonnes annually effective from 1 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34889/21]

View answer

Written answers

The mackerel allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for under 15 meter vessels using hook and line as a means of fishing was set down in Policy in 2010. The then 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 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 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. The Deputy should be aware that the 400t for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced and has remained the same as in previous years.

Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase for any sector in the allocation made available, such as for the boats less than 15 meters in the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU/ U.K. TCA.

Fishing Industry

Questions (607)

John Brady

Question:

607. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will accept the advice of the European Commission and proceed to seek compensation for persons (details supplied) under the European Fund for Maritime and Fisheries in relation to a former Irish fishing boat; if he will honour his previous commitment to meet with the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34892/21]

View answer

Written answers

I am aware of the very unfortunate situation the person named person finds himself in due to his purchase of an unstable fishing vessel in the Netherlands in 2007. The situation that arose relates to a private commercial transaction between two contracting parties to purchase a vessel. The responsibility for ensuring the authenticity of the details, specifications and stability of the vessel being purchased rested with the purchaser.

The core issue here relates to the safety and safety certification of the vessel purchased. The safety of fishing vessels and safety certification, including matters relating to stability, is the responsibility of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has no function in relation to the safety certification of Fishing vessels or matters arising in relation to their stability.

My Department’s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme is the principal source of development funding for our seafood sector. The Programme is implemented under the provisions of the EMFF Regulation (508/2014) which specifies to what purposes funds can be granted. There is no particular provision of the EMFF Regulation that would facilitate an ex-gratia payment to assist in the case raised by the Deputy.

Furthermore, it is not possible to provide a grant for the decommissioning of the vessel concerned, as under the terms of the EMFF Regulation, decommissioning is not permitted after 31 December 2018. A new EU Regulation for the 2021-27 period is expected to be enacted in July 2021 and while the draft Regulation may permit decommissioning in the future, it may only be implemented for very specific purposes concerned with addressing an identified imbalance in a particular fleet segment and only for active fishing vessels.

When these matters were raised with me at a recent virtual Townhall Meeting, I agreed to have a one-to-one telephone conversation in the context of my Ministerial legislative remit. I am making arrangements to have this telephone conversation shortly.

Fishing Industry

Questions (608)

Pa Daly

Question:

608. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the name of each State agency involved in the administration, management and policing of inshore and offshore fishing in Ireland; the number of employees in each State agency in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34996/21]

View answer

Written answers

The agencies listed below, under the aegis of my Department, are involved in administration, management and policing of inshore and offshore fishing in Ireland, the total staffing for each agency is shown in tabular form below.

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA): The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is Ireland's competent authority for sea-fisheries protection and seafood safety and carries out a number of functions including protecting and conserving fisheries resources for long-term use, promoting compliance with sea-fisheries legislation and ensuring seafood safety.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)

BIM is the Irish State agency responsible for developing the Irish seafood industry. It supports the development of the Irish seafood sector by providing technical expertise, business support, funding schemes, training opportunities, advisory services and promoting responsible environmental practice.

The Marine Institute (MI)

The Marine Institute is the state agency responsible for marine research, technology development and innovation in Ireland. It provides scientific and technical advice to the Government to inform policy and support the sustainable development of Ireland's marine resources.

-

BIM

MI

SFPA

Total Staff Numbers

128

232

158

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is under the aegis of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and is the state agency responsible for the conservation, protection, management, marketing, development and improvement of inland fisheries and sea angling resources.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (609)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

609. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if payments are available for farmers for allowing public access onto their lands for walks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34236/21]

View answer

Written answers

My Department administers the Walks Scheme through which landholders receive modest payments for maintenance works on approved walking trails that traverse their land. The payment is linked to an agreed work plan for the section of the trail maintained by the landholder.

The Walks Scheme is currently operating on 45 trails supported by 2,040 landholders and is being managed by 16 Local Development Companies (LDCs) around the country.

In December 2019, it was announced that 10 new trails would be added to the Scheme under the first phase of an expansion of the scheme. While the process of inspecting these new trails was delayed in part due to the COVID-19 restrictions, an online system was developed in late 2020 to carry out the necessary checks and inspections. To date, 6 of these new trails have been approved and payments have issued to landholders.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to expand the Walks Scheme to achieve a target of 80 trails. A decision in respect of the further trails to be added to the Scheme will be taken following the publication of an external review of the Walks Scheme. I expect to be in a position to publish the review shortly.

Trails that wish to be added to the scheme are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to my Department. There is no closing date for Expressions of Interest at this time, and interested parties can continue to submit proposals for additional trails to be included in the scheme, through their Local Authority or Local Development Company. A trail must meet specific qualifying criteria in order to be considered eligible for the scheme, including being of a suitable standard to be included in Sport Ireland Outdoors' trail register.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (610)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

610. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a list of all confirmed remote working hubs will be provided; the hubs that are currently operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34237/21]

View answer

Written answers

The increased shift to remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent many hours in long commutes. This is a key focus of the Government's new rural development policy Our Rural Future.

Remote working, supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities, has the potential to encourage more people to live in rural areas while working in good quality jobs, no matter where their employer is based. It can also help revitalise our rural town if remote working hubs are developed in their centres.

The National Hub Network expanded from a €1m scheme that was funded under the 2019 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan. This project was originally scoped to develop a hub network, supported by a shared online platform for remote working facilities in the Atlantic Economic Corridor. However, in light of the clear demand for such a network across the county, this was expanded to a national project that would support both Our Rural Future and the National Remote Working strategy.

I launched the National Hub Network, connectedhubs.ie, on 31 May in the Swinford Digiwest Hub in Co. Mayo. Since the launch less than a month ago, a further 13 hubs have been added to the platform with an additional 34 in the process of being onboarded. Furthermore, the number of hubs identified through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased from 390 to 477 in that time. These are in the process of being verified before they are mapped on https://connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interacive map shows all the hubs that are verified as part of the discovery process, and also provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site.

This represents significant progress and demonstrates the value of the network. I am confident that the ambitious targets that I set for the development of the network will be exceeded by year end.

Road Projects

Questions (611)

Seán Canney

Question:

611. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will consider increasing the funding for the local improvement scheme to help meet the demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34299/21]

View answer

Written answers

The 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.

There was no funding for the Local Improvement Scheme for a number of years until it was relaunched in 2017. Since then, over €68 million has been allocated to deliver the scheme on over 2,400 roads. The Scheme has benefited over 10,000 residents and landowners.

I announced funding of €10.5 million in May under the 2021 Scheme. This represented a 5% increase on the previous year and saw an increase in each local authority's allocation.

I can confirm that I am actively exploring the potential to allocate further funding for the scheme in 2021 should the budgetary position allow. I would again urge each Local Authority to utilise the funding already announced for this year to complete the repair works on selected roads at an early date. This would enable authorities to upgrade additional roads before year end should further funding become available

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (612)

Emer Higgins

Question:

612. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Charities Regulator was responsible for appointing trustees (details supplied); if so, the reason this decision was made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34332/21]

View answer

Written answers

While my Department has responsibility for governance oversight of the Charities Regulator, the Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the decision making processes or operational matters relating to the work of the Regulator. These are entirely a matter for the Charities Regulator.

I understand that following receipt of an application under section 43 of the Charities Act 1961 (as amended by section 14 of the Charities Act 1973 and Section 82 of the Charities Act 2009) (“section 43”), the Charities Regulator on 23 August 2018 appointed trustees to the property referred to, pursuant to section 43.

By way of explanation, section 43 sets out the circumstances in which an application may be made to the Charities Regulator for the appointment of new trustees. There are a variety of circumstances in which an application may be made, the most common being where the trustees of a charity do not have an explicit power under their governing document to appoint new trustees; or where there are no longer any living trustees on the title.

Departmental Policies

Questions (613)

Holly Cairns

Question:

613. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit fulfil their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34860/21]

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Written answers

My Department is strongly committed in its work to promote equality, prevent discrimination and to protect the human rights of employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by our policies and strategies, in recognition of the legal obligations conferred on it by section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014.

All internal and external stakeholders can be confident that their rights under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014 are guaranteed and that no one will receive less favourable treatment by my Department because of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the Traveller community.

There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: the Charities Regulatory Authority, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland, and the Western Development Commission. Obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 are a matter for the relevant boards and management of those agencies as they are independent entities who manage their own corporate compliance and staffing issues.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (614)

Holly Cairns

Question:

614. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34877/21]

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Written answers

My Department has not been required to carry out a disability impact assessment, but should the requirement arise, an assessment will be carried out as required by the Cabinet Handbook.

Guidelines on how to complete a Disability Impact Assessment can be found on Dept. of Justice site here: http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PB12000078.

There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Pobal (Pobal is not classed as an agency for the purposes of the Disability Acts), the Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, and the Western Development Commission. Disability impact assessments are a matter for the relevant boards and management of those agencies as they are independent entities who manage their own corporate affairs and staffing issues.

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