Written Answers Nos. 320-340
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if the police authorities here and throughout Europe remain in contact and consultation with each other with a view to restricting the activity of criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37104/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes the direction of investigative priorities for An Garda Síochána and all operational policing decisions.
Under Section 28(2) of the Act, the Commissioner determines the nature of co-operation, or information shared, with any other law enforcement agency. As Minister, I play no role in these independent decisions.
As advised to the Deputy previously in response to Question 338 of 03 June 2021, An Garda Síochána regularly liaises and cooperates with their international policing and security partners, such as EUROPOL and INTERPOL, in their mutual objective of combatting transnational organised crime.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons still recorded as missing persons for several years; the extent to which efforts continue to be made to locate them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37108/21]
View answerI have requested information from An Garda Síochána to answer the Deputy's question, but this was not available in time. I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
|
Year Reported |
Missing Persons |
|
2012 |
3690 |
|
2013 |
3343 |
|
2014 |
3571 |
|
2015 |
3670 |
|
2016 |
3553 |
|
2017 |
3719 |
|
2018 |
3909 |
|
2019 |
4096 |
|
2020 |
3343 |
|
2021 |
3515 |
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the strength of An Garda Síochána at present; the number of gardaí due to retire in each of the next five years; the level of recruitment likely in the same period; the extent to which recruitment levels are likely to be sufficient to replenish the strength of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37109/21]
View answerI have requested the information from An Garda Síochána to answer the Deputy's question, but this was not available in time.
I will contact the Deputy again when the information is to hand.
|
Com |
D/Com |
AC |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp. |
Sgt |
Garda |
Total |
|
|
2021 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
13 |
76 |
185 |
287 |
|
Total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
13 |
76 |
185 |
287 |
|
Com |
D/Com |
AC |
C/Supt |
Supt |
Insp. |
Sgt |
Garda |
Total |
|
|
2022 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
6 |
12 |
16 |
49 |
74 |
162 |
|
2023 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
15 |
18 |
54 |
84 |
182 |
|
2024 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
15 |
18 |
49 |
100 |
188 |
|
2025 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
8 |
25 |
47 |
86 |
|
Total |
0 |
1 |
7 |
22 |
46 |
60 |
177 |
305 |
618 |
324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the degree to which adequate deployment of gardaí has been achieved in order to ensure an equal level of policing in all areas throughout the country at any given time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37111/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation under the Garda Síochána Act 2005. This includes the deployment of members of An Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. I further understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.
An Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, Garda numbers are now approximately 14,500 Garda members and over 3,000 Garda staff nationwide.
Taken together, this increase in the number of Garda members and staff is delivering a significant growth in operational policing hours nationwide.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant capital investment is being made in An Garda Síochána, including a total of €46 million for the Garda fleet between 2016 and 2021. This will ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose fleet.
The Deputy will also be aware that roll-out by the Garda Commissioner of the new Garda Operating Model has begun and meets a key commitment in A Policing Service for our Future , the four-year implementation plan giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
This new Operating Model reorganises resources around the delivery of frontline policing, placing an increased emphasis on Gardaí being out visibly on patrol, engaging with communities, preventing crime and supporting victims. As part of the reduction of bureaucracy and streamlining of administrative processes, the number of Garda Regions and Divisions is being reduced and additional power will be devolved to local level so as to enable the delivery of better and more localised policing services nationwide. The general scheme of the Criminal Justice (Amendment)(No.2) Bill has been approved by Government to facilitate the full roll out of the new operating model.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of potential homicide cases that currently remain listed as unsolved; if a cold case team reviews evidence in such cases on a regular basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37112/21]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, unfortunately this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as this report is to hand.
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number of cold cases that have been resolved in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37113/21]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, unfortunately this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as this report is to hand.
327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity of each species of tree, native or otherwise grown here to sequester various carbons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/21]
View answerCarbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. When forests are young the sequestration rate is low but as the trees mature their ability to sequester carbon dioxide increases.
Earlier this year, Teagasc launched their new Forest Carbon Tool with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This online tool can be used to calculate how much carbon dioxide can be removed by woodlands and highlights the important role of harvested wood products. For example, if one hectare of land is afforested with oak it has the potential to remove 2.31 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually per rotation over the first and subsequent rotations, whereas Sitka spruce has the potential to remove 8.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually per rotation over the first and subsequent rotations.
It is important to note that although forests of different species sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at different rates the about of carbon stored in forests is generally broadly similar over time.
Further information can be found on the Teagasc website at www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/advice/environment/forest-carbon-tool/.
328. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports in place for farmers growing maize and their suppliers in view of the banning of oxo-degradable plastic under the Single Use Plastics Directive from 1 July 2021 with consideration of stocks of this plastic having already been purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/21]
View answerAs required under the provisions in EU Council Directive 2019/904, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications recently signed into force national regulations prohibiting the use of single use plastics including films of the type used to cover sown maize.
I understand that the industry is developing alternative products for use in the sowing of maize that will comply with new requirements set down by this EU Directive. In parallel, in terms of support for the sector, the Department re-commenced Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials for uncovered maize, in 2020 as a means to identify varieties better suited to Irish growing conditions and which do not require plastic covering. This work will build on the 2015 Uncovered Recommended List in which a high performing variety was identified and is currently available on the Irish market for growers.
329. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37039/21]
View answer330. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licence applications still awaiting a decision from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37041/21]
View answer334. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences his Department expects to issue for July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37052/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 330 and 334 together.
There are currently 904 afforestation licence applications representing 7,400 hectares on hand in the Department and we are committed to dealing with these licences, along with felling and roads licences on hand.
The weekly statistics issued by the Department show clearly that there has been an increase in forestry licence output from mid-May with an average of 96 licences having been issued each week for the last six weeks. Last month was the highest month of the year so far with 411 licences issuing. It is not possible to say at this stage how many afforestation licences will issue in July.
I would like to assure the Deputy that, along with my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for forestry, I remain committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 75% on 2020.
To the 2nd July, 1,814 licences have already issued, with 115 licences issued last week. Of these 303 were afforestation licences, for 2,629ha. This is 7% up on 2020, in terms of the number of licences issued and an increase of 23% on the area licensed. The 4,500 licences issued will comprise of Afforestation, Forest Road and Felling licences.
Project Woodland, which was launched in February this year, has been set up with the objective of reviewing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system, as well as the creation of a shared national vision for forestry and the development of a new Forest Strategy.
Two working groups in particular are looking at the licensing situation. Working Group 1 is tasked with looking at the backlog. This Group 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. Working Group 4 is concentrating on licensing process improvement. A business analyst has commenced work on an end-to-end process review. In addition, proposals for a pre-application process and a planning grant are under development and will be submitted to the Project Board shortly. The Group is also actively considering how best to conduct a regulatory review of the licensing system.
While these initiatives are being developed, the Department continues to pursue continual improvement. We have recently reviewed the systems for the preparation of Appropriate Assessment Screening Determinations, Appropriate Assessment Reports and Appropriate Assessment Determinations. Improvements have been made to the system to optimise the time of the ecologists to concentrate on the ecology aspects of each application.
Currently, these improvements are only applied to private tree felling licence (TFL) applications, which has already yielded results with increased licences issued. The ecologists are working mostly on these felling applications in advance of the system being developed further to assist with forest road works and afforestation licence applications. These developments will take place over the coming weeks and I expect to see similar increases in afforestation licences issuing.
I believe that the framework now in place under Project Woodland, supported by my Department's commitment to continual improvement, will deliver on its objectives and I am hopeful that this will provide encouragement to farmers and landowners to go into forestry, or to realise the planting licences they have already received which comprises 5,500ha, and to avail of the attractive premiums available under the Department’s Schemes.
331. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of undesignated unenclosed land identified in the land availability for afforestation report in 2016 as suitable for planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37042/21]
View answerThe ‘Land Availability for Afforestation’ document reported that there were 178,823 hectares of unenclosed land that were not farmed and technically suitable for forestry development.
A decision was made by the Department to restrict the planting of unenclosed land in December 2010, to no more than 20% of any one application.
Unenclosed land is, in general, less fertile and more exposed than enclosed land and trees planted on unenclosed land generally do not perform as well as trees planted on soil types associated with enclosed land.
Prior to the decision to restrict planting of unenclosed land, a number studies supported the position that habitat types associated with unenclosed land are more environmentally sensitive than enclosed land.
The planting on unenclosed land will be reviewed in the context of Project Woodland.
332. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the CAP consultative committee was formed exclusively by way of invitation or by request of the current members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37049/21]
View answerIn May 2019, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine decided to establish the CAP Consultative Committee in order to facilitate stakeholder engagement in the CAP reform process, by keeping them updated as the reform discussions progressed and by facilitating a regular exchange of views on the issues arising.
Committee Membership was drawn from a broad range of invited stakeholders. In total, 27 different stakeholders are represented on the Committee. These include all the main farming organisations and a number of environmental and other non-governmental organisations, as well as State Agencies and Government Departments.
The Committee has met on 19 occasions to date. It is envisaged that the Committee will continue to meet until Ireland finalises the development of its CAP Strategic Plan.
333. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if unmodified Departmental rules on unenclosed areas are creating barriers for applications on agriculturally marginal but forestry suitable land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37050/21]
View answerA decision was made by the Department to restrict the planting of unenclosed land in December 2010, to no more than 20% of any one application. It is the case therefore that this rule has the effect of reducing the proportion and total hectarage of planting on unenclosed land.
However, enclosed land is, in general, less fertile and more exposed than enclosed land and trees planted on unenclosed land generally do not perform as well as trees planted on soil types associated with enclosed land.
Prior to the decision to restrict planting of unenclosed land, a number studies supported the position that habitat types associated with unenclosed land are more environmentally sensitive than enclosed land.
The planting on unenclosed land will be reviewed in the context of Project Woodland.
335. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and clarification provided in relation to the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37054/21]
View answerThe eligibility criteria for the Results-based Environment-Agri Pilot (REAP) Project stated that anyone who had ever been approved into GLAS would not be eligible to participate in the project. This was published in the terms and conditions of the project full details of which are available on my Department's website.
As a result, the person named was ineligible for the scheme.
336. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal standing of a salmon farm in respect of which a licence has been granted that has ceased operating for a continuous period of two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37060/21]
View answerAquaculture licences are granted subject to the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the 1993 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.
Section 69 - (2) of the 1997 Fisheries Amendment Act provides for:
- Revocation of an aquaculture licence in circumstances where aquaculture at a site has ceased for a continuous period of 2 years.
- Consideration of factors in relation to the cessation of aquaculture where revocation is under consideration.
337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which every avenue is being investigated to maximise the use of carbon sequestration as a means of meeting emission requirements in the future without disruption of the dairy or meat production sector having particular regard to the central role played by the agriculture sector in the aftermath of the economic crash and the well-known sustainability of the food producing sector here; the degree to which studies of various species of trees show that they can continue to store various greenhouse gases; if regular contact between his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communication is maintained in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/21]
View answerWhile the agriculture sector needs to make a significant contribution to abating emissions of methane and nitrous oxide, two greenhouse gases associated with livestock based agriculture, it is also clear that we must acknowledge the role of removals within the landscape and the important role farmers can play in terms of enhancing these removals.
While accounting for these removals is more challenging at an individual farm level, it is certainly clear that we can account for removals at a national level. The Department has supported the development of a National Soil Carbon Observatory to be run by Teagasc and which will improve significantly our knowledge in this area measuring the movement of carbon in our farms. I also recently announced a scheme for farmers to conduct soil testing at farm level which will develop our knowledge at individual farm level.
Under the current EU Effort Sharing Regulation, Ireland was granted a flexibility to use land use removals as a contribution towards our national emissions reduction target out to 2030.
Carbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. When forests are young, the sequestration rate is low but as the trees mature their ability to sequester carbon dioxide increases. Earlier this year, Teagasc launched their new Forest Carbon Tool, a user-friendly way to calculate how much carbon can be removed in woodlands. For example, one hectare of oak has the potential to remove 2.31 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually per rotation over the first and subsequent rotations, whereas Sitka spruce has the potential to remove 8.32 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually per rotation over the first and subsequent rotations.
I remain in close contact with my cabinet colleague, Minister Eamon Ryan, to ensure that the emission reduction targets for agriculture under the Climate Amendment Bill are achievable. As the Deputy will be aware, this legislation is in the final stages of clearing both Houses of the Oireachtas.
338. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has studied submissions from representatives (details supplied) of the pigmeat sector with particular reference to the extent to which the industry is expected to conform to new regulations; the time within which such changes may take place; the extent to which assistance is available to the industry to meet such requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/21]
View answerThe continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. It is the fourth largest agri-food sector accounting for 6.3% of the total agri-food output. The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services and has played a key role in meeting targets set out in Food Wise 2025.
The submission referred to is detailed and covers a range of issues including animal welfare and environmental issues. This submission is being considered within the Department.
In the meantime, I would like to highlight that given the strategic importance in which the sector plays in our agri economy, and on foot of the work of the Pig Industry Implementation Group (PISG), a new format for stakeholder engagement was established earlier this year, the Pig Roundtable. The Pig Roundtable's focus is on key strategic developments in the sector, determined primarily by high level strategic drivers including the Programme for Government and the new Agri Food Strategy to 2030.
It will serve as a conduit for constructive engagement and to enable the Department to work in tandem with industry and farming partners in delivering on both the opportunities available and challenges faced by the sector. Membership of the group includes pig farmers, farm and processing sector representative bodies, Teagasc, Bord Bia and officials from the Department.
At the inaugural meeting of the Roundtable which was held on the 28th April 2021, with my colleague Minister of State Martin Heydon as Chair, it was agreed that the group will meet quarterly with each meeting centered around a key specific theme for the sector.
The next meeting is scheduled for 28th July 2021 and the agreed theme is animal welfare, which aligns with many of the issues raised in the submission. Alongside the Pig Roundtable, officials continue to liaise closely with the representative bodies on key issues.
339. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount sanctioned under the rural regeneration and development fund since its inception in 2019; the amount paid out under this scheme to date; the value of the applications on hand that are still being examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37028/21]
View answer340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount in the 2021 estimate for expenditure out of the rural regeneration and development fund including any carry-over from 2020; the amount spent to date in 2021 out of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37029/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) forms part of the wider rural regeneration and development programme which also includes the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.
In terms of both RRDF Category 1 (Major Projects) and Category 2 (Seed Funding), funding of €249 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €338 million. The total spend to date in relation to these projects is €70.74 million.
The 2021 allocation for the RRDF is €55 million. There is also a carry forward of €11.78 million which can be utilised across the wider programme area depending on demand. €2.46 million has been spent to date in 2021.
Significant delays in the delivery of projects funded through the RRDF and other schemes have been experienced due to the pandemic and its effects on the construction sector. However, with construction now fully underway it is expected that strong progress will be achieved on projects for the remainder of the year and, consequently, drawdown by lead parties will accelerate significantly.
The third call for Category 1 applications was completed in April 2021, with 25 projects emerging as successful and funding of €81 million allocated.
I announced the third call for Category 2 applications in May 2021. The closing date for applications is 30th July 2021 at 12 pm. An application and guidance document is available on my Department's website.
There are currently no applications awaiting consideration.
