Written Answers Nos. 1602-1621
1602. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide an estimate in cooperation with the relevant fishermen and fishermen’s co-ops as to the estimated financial loss to the Irish fishing fleet to date in 2021 as a result of the ongoing blockage of Irish fishing vessels from the waters around Rockall. [43159/21]
View answerIreland has never made any claims to Rockall, which is a small uninhabitable granite rock located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and some 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal. Nor has Ireland ever recognised British sovereignty claims over Rockall, and accordingly has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it either. This remains the position of the Government.
The Government has been in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on Rockall over recent years and intensively since the beginning of the year.
Through this engagement, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition in the area.
Both myself and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D., as well as our respective officials, continue to consider all options for further engagement on the issues involved and are working closely together.
While engagement continues, there remains an increased risk of enforcement action being taken by Scottish fisheries control authorities against Irish vessels operating in the waters around Rockall at present.
Irish vessels have traditionally fished for haddock, squid and other species in the Rockall zone for many decades. These fisheries are of substantial economic importance to our fishing fleet based in Greencastle, Killybegs, Castletownbere and other ports around the country.
While haddock and other species may be fished outside the 12 nautical mile zone around Rockall, the squid fishery only occurs within the 12 nm zone. The interim report of the Seafood Sector Task Force, which was published in June, estimates that the total squid fishery is valued at around €6.6 million (based on 2019 landings).
I am acutely aware of the impact on our industry of the absence of a squid fishery this year. I have asked my Department to examine this matter through the framework of the Seafood Sector Task Force.
1603. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the dispute between the EU Member States Commission, Norway and the Faroe Islands over mackerel quotas; and the way that dispute is reflected in reciprocal access to harbours by vessels from the relevant fleets in dispute. [43160/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, earlier this year, Norway unilaterally declared a 55% increase in its Mackerel quota in 2021. In tonnage terms, this means an increase from 191,843 tonnes to 298,299 tonnes – an increase of 106,456 tonnes for 2021. The Norwegian decision seeks to increase its share of the North Eastern Mackerel Stock from 22.5% to 35%. The Faroe Islands have since followed suit and also increased their unilateral share by 55%.
Mackerel has been managed under a UN Coastal States Agreement that involved the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands for the period 2014 to 2020. Iceland had refused to participate in the management agreement and the three parties to the agreement set aside a significant share of the share of the stock (15.6%) to cater for catches by Iceland as well as Greenland and Russia. For 2021, after Brexit and the UK departure from the EU, the parties involved agreed a global Total Allowable Catch level but were unable to agree on a new sharing arrangement. Consequently, there is currently no Coastal States Agreement on Mackerel in place.
While the EU and the UK have an agreed framework for fisheries under the TCA and recently concluded an annual agreement on shared stocks for 2021, there is no such bilateral agreement between Norway (and Faroes) and the UK. This was the justification used by both of these countries for increasing their mackerel share.
I have consistently made clear that this declaration by Norway and Faroes to hugely increase their mackerel quotas is a direct threat to the sustainability of the overall mackerel fishery and the future of the Irish pelagic fishing industry. There is no justification for this unilateral, opportunistic and unsustainable move. Both countries are now doing what they have consistently criticised Iceland for doing over the past decade. This is all the more disappointing because it undermines the critically important arrangements for joint management of mackerel by the Coastal States under the UN structure. As the scientific advice sets the sustainable level of fishing each year on mackerel, an increase by Norway means either the stock is overfished or other parties must take a smaller share. Neither option is acceptable.
Under the EU /UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement, there will be a 26% reduction in the Irish mackerel quota within the EU by 2026, with 60% of this reduction applied in 2021. Mackerel remains Irelands most important fishery with a quota for 2021 of 60,849 tonnes valued at approximately €80m and it underpins the important Irish pelagic fish processing industry in the North West. Ireland is the largest Mackerel quota holder in the EU.
I have called on EU Commissioner Sinkevicius to reject completely this unilateral action by Norway to claim a much higher share of the mackerel stock. I wrote to him to ask him to respond without delay to this provocative and irresponsible action and to pursue actions available to the European Commission to protect the important EU mackerel fleets and mackerel processing industry. It is vital that the EU Commissioner takes urgent steps to counteract this irresponsible action by Norway. Norway must understand that responsible partners do not get rewarded for such unacceptable action.
Our mackerel fishers have already taken unacceptable cuts to their share of the mackerel stock under the EU/UK TCA. I am working with them to pursue all avenues to deliver a more equitable burden sharing within the EU. I am very concerned that this action by Norway will add further uncertainty to the mackerel industry already trying to adjust to reduce quotas after Brexit.
Access to harbours is not covered under Coastal States Fisheries agreements. Direct landings by non EU vessels are regulated under both North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission Port State Control rules and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fisheries legislation. Landings by Third country vessels can only take place in EU ports that have been designated specifically for this purpose and must fulfil all regulatory requirements including relevant documentation and prior notification. Ireland currently has two fully designated ports – Killybegs, Co. Donegal, and Castletownbere, Co. Cork with five other designated ports for landings by Northern Ireland vessels.
1604. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will share the new report in relation to the recent review of the cost benefit analysis of the Deep Water Quay project for Ros an Mhíl harbour; the timeline for the next steps to advance the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43174/21]
View answerRos an Mhíl is one of six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, operated and maintained by the Department under statute. The other five are located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth and Killybegs. Funding is made available on an annual basis by the Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
The possibility of a deep-water berthing project at Ros an Mhíl FHC has been mooted for some time, as of yet no decision has been made to invest in its development. Any decision to decide to proceed to a detailed design phase of such a project would be predicated on an overall decision to proceed with the project as a whole.
The Department took the prudent step to review the Wave Modelling studies previously carried out in 2002 to ensure that the analysis takes account of both the revised Quay Development layout and the influence of climate change on wave models affecting the FHC. Separately the Department has also commissioned a review of the Cost Benefit Analysis Report previously carried out by DKM Economic Consultants Ltd in 2017, again incorporating the revised Quay Development layout. Both studies are obviously interlinked in that the Wave Modelling outcome will likely influence the Cost Benefit Analysis and final reports are expected in November/December 2021.
As is the case regarding developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres generally, any future decision on a possible deep-water berthing project in Ros an Mhíl FHC, will only be considered on the basis of available Exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
1605. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a forestry application for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43179/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence for the person named is currently assigned to an ecologist. The ecological documents required to complete the assessment process have been drafted and the ecologist will shortly examine the application. Once the preliminary examination has been completed, the application will be opened for public consultation. When the 30-day public consultation period closes, the application will be returned to allow completion of the appropriate assessment by the ecologist, who will also consider any submissions received during the public consultation. The application will then be finalised by the forestry district inspector, and a decision will issue when available.
I would expect a decision to issue within three months.
1606. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43196/21]
View answerThe development of the CAP Strategic Plan is well under way.
Most recently, a five-week public consultation on the draft interventions concluded on Friday 3rd September.
Over 1,000 submissions have been made during the public consultation process. The townhall webinars were also well attended with in excess of 300 attending on each of the three nights. These submissions are under consideration and will be taken on board in the development of the plan.
Discussions with key stakeholders will continue through bilateral engagements, and through the CAP Consultative Committee, where all key stakeholders are represented. A statutory consultation on draft environmental report for the CAP Strategic Plan will be held in November with the final plan due for submission in December in advance of the 1st January 2022 deadline.
The plan will then be subject to an approval process with the Commission over a six or eight month period. All elements of the plan will be subject to review and scrutiny by the EU Commission in line with the relevant regulatory framework around the three general objectives of economic, environmental and social sustainability. The CAP Strategic Plan will commence on 1st January 2023.
As discussed during the public consultation process with respect to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme, the rationale for the proposed inclusion of the limit on herd expansion in participant herds in the context of this scheme is to ensure that participants do not increase their overall bovine animal emissions while participating in the voluntary environmental programme.
In relation to rewetting, the All-of-Government Climate Action Plan 2019 targets 40,000 hectares of reduced management intensity of grasslands on drained organic soils as part of Agriculture’s contribution to achieving national climate change targets. Informed by the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) this rewetting initiative is estimated to contribute 4.4 Mt CO2 eq cumulative abatement over the period 2021 to 2030.
Teagasc’s calculations use Tier 1 values from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. They include direct CO2 emissions, offsite CO2 emissions from Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) in drainage water, methane emissions from both soils and open drainage ditches, as well as direct N2O emissions from soils.
Most importantly in relation to the question poised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, the increased methane emissions associated with re-wetting has been included in the calculations and the balance of emissions still return an overall emissions reduction.
1607. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in her Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of her Department; the disability quota of her Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41600/21]
View answerThe 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.
My Department is strongly committed to the development and implementation of measures to promote and support the employment of individuals with disabilities, in line with legislation. The Department supports the best practice principles in this area, as set out in the 'Code of Practice for the employment of people with disability in the Civil Service'. All my Department's recruitment is through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who have recently launched their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023.
My Department’s Disability returns report indicated that we have significantly exceeded the 3% target of employment of persons with disabilities as set out in The Disability Act 2005.
The Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in place whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities, and their line managers, by the provision of necessary information, appropriate contacts, guidance, suggestions and advice. The DLO also plays an important role in promoting awareness about disability across the Department. In March this year the Department provided a Disability Awareness Information session for all staff and is planning to hold Disability Awareness Training later in the year. My Department recently organised Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness Sessions to our stakeholders and the Department's staff.
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, they are all independent agencies who manage their own corporate matters, corporate compliance, and staffing issues.
1608. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the pilot insurance indemnity policy for hill farmers; her plans to introduce this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41622/21]
View answerMy Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners in upland areas who allow access to their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and my Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed would require legislative provision and that a number of separate pieces of legislation might need to be amended.
In light of the complexities involved, my officials have been considering alternative pilot approaches, including an insurance solution, to address the matter on an interim basis. Through this process, a public liability insurance policy was secured by my Department for the two existing Mountain Access Project areas, the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry and Binn Sléibhe in Galway, and came in to effect from 13th August 2021.
This pilot solution was developed in consultation with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is being implemented on a two year trial basis. There are some practical implementation issues to be finalised and these will be advanced through Comhairle na Tuaithe in the coming weeks. The policy represents a substantial step forward on this matter for landowners in the two Mountain Access Project areas involved.
Other options around indemnity and potential amendments to the Occupiers Liability Act will continue to be explored and progressed as appropriate over the coming months. I have also committed to engaging further with the Attorney General on this matter.
1609. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures she is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in her Department or bodies under the aegis of her Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to wi-fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41959/21]
View answerDepartments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
The Department, like other civil service employers, hopes to transition staff back to the office during September 2021, on a staggered basis. It is intended that the enduring Blending Working policy will come into effect in April 2022. Currently, over 90% of my Department's staff are working either fully remotely or on a hybrid basis, this has been in place since March 2020 in line with public health advice.
The agencies under the remit of my Department are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff issues in compliance with statutory obligations, including observing public health advice and managing staff attendance patterns in their offices and remotely.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services for my Department are provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer.
The following table sets out details of the costs for laptops/surface pros/hybrid devices, desktop computers, Wi-Fi and phone-related expenses incurred by my Department to facilitate remote working for staff since March 2020. The only additional costs incurred related to laptops/Surface Pros/Hybrid devices.
|
Description: |
Total Expenditure since March 2020 |
|
Laptops/Surface Pros/Hybrids |
€135,283.30 |
|
Desktop Computers |
Nil |
|
Wi-Fi costs |
Nil |
|
Phone-Related Expenses |
Nil |
My Department does not contribute to Wi-Fi costs incurred for home working. Furthermore no additional phone-related expenses have been incurred specifically for home working during the period.
1610. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41984/21]
View answerThe LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under Pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
In line with the the Government’s Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, 'Our Rural Future’, I announced details of a €70 million Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect last April and will cover the period 2021-2022. €65 million of this budget is available to the LAGs who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration and animation costs of the LAGs.
A further €3 million of the funding is being allocated to support co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million is being provided to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme. Further funding opportunities under the LEADER Food Initiative remain in place until the entirety of funds are exhausted.
€20 million of this transitional LEADER Programme is funded by the European Union Recovery Instrument, which will enable local communities and enterprises an opportunity to respond in a community-led local development manner to COVID-19.
I am confident that this level of funding will be sufficient to continue operation of the LEADER Programme through the end of 2022. It is anticipated that the next CAP and LEADER programme will commence in early 2023.
1611. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of plans by the OPW to repair a road (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42071/21]
View answerI am not aware that the OPW has any function in relation to the repair of roads generally although the Deputy may wish to contact the OPW directly in respect of the specific road he refers to.
My Department funds the Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, which is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities.
The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the relevant local authority. Eligible road projects under the Scheme include those that involve the construction or improvement of non-public roads which provide access to parcels of land of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons engaged in separate agricultural activities.
The road referred to by the Deputy may be eligible under the Scheme. Eligibility under the scheme is determined by the relevant Local Authority which, in the case of the road referred to by the Deputy, would be Kerry County Council. I understand that the scheme is currently closed for new applications in County Kerry but it might, nonetheless, be worthwhile to discuss the potential eligibility of the road directly with Kerry County Council.
1612. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeframe in relation to the announcement of the future work programme of the mobile phone and broadband task force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42285/21]
View answer1613. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress on the evaluation of the issues that should be addressed by the mobile phone and broadband taskforce; the level of engagement she has had with multiple Departments and agencies regarding the taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42286/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1612 and 1613 together.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce delivered more than 70 targeted actions over the three year period of its work programme, between 2016 and 2019. Among the targeted actions delivered by the Taskforce and its member organisations were large telecommunications infrastructural works; the introduction of the Broadband Officer role to every local authority; amendments to regulations, policies and practices; a range of consumer information and consumer protection measures; and the establishment of strong and open lines of communication between the various State actors in the sector and with the telecommunications industry via IBEC.
The Taskforce was the joint responsibility of my department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. Both departments, and indeed I and my ministerial colleagues, remain deeply committed to improving telecommunications service availability in all areas of the State, not least rural areas. The contribution of the Taskforce in meeting these commitments is undeniable.
Following the completion of the three year work programme, a strong preference for the Taskforce to continue was expressed by members and by numerous other interested parties. Accordingly, officials at my department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications were tasked with drawing up recommendations for the future direction and composition of a refreshed Taskforce. Their recommendations are being reviewed at present. Once this review has completed, I will discuss options for the future of the Taskforce with my ministerial colleagues.
Notwithstanding the completion of the Taskforce’s work programme, I have continued to engage regularly with colleagues in Government, both national and local, with State agencies and regional development representatives and with commercial operators on a range of issues relevant to the development of rural connectivity. The lines of communication between former Taskforce members remain open and productive.
Through various recent schemes, including the recent Digital Innovation Programme, my department continues to encourage deeper collaboration between stakeholders. The rural development policy I launched this year, Our Rural Future, commits to a fully connected and digitally enabled Ireland. To this end I and my officials will continue to engage with the appropriate organisations on a multi-lateral or bi-lateral basis to ensure these commitments are met.
1614. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps being taken to facilitate remote working within her Department in particular to encourage remote working for those who live in the regions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42713/21]
View answer1615. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are accommodating requests for persons to work from home. [42763/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1614 and 1615 together.
Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
My Department, like other civil service employers, hopes to transition staff back to the office during September 2021, on a staggered basis. It is intended that the enduring Blending Working policy will come into effect in April 2022. Currently, over 90% of my Department's staff are working either fully remotely or on a hybrid basis, this has been in place since March 2020 in line with public health advice.
The agencies under the remit of my Department are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff issues in compliance with statutory obligations, including observing public health advice and managing staff attendance patterns in their offices and remotely.
1616. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will ensure that the leading lights on the helicopter pad on Cape Clear Island used for emergency services are repaired as a matter of urgency. [42804/21]
View answerMy Department has received an application for funding from Cork County Council, the local authority responsible for the helipad, in relation to this matter. I understand that my officials are awaiting further information from the local authority in relation to the works concerned and once this has been received a recommendation will be submitted for approval.
1617. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of her engagement with the West Cork Development Partnership concerning the employment of additional rural recreational officers. [42805/21]
View answerThe Walks Scheme, which is funded by my Department, contracts landholders to undertake maintenance work on National Waymarked Ways and other priority trails that traverse their lands. The landholders receive modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
My Department commissioned an external review of the Walks Scheme to examine the delivery and strategic development of the Scheme, and assess the role and resourcing of the Rural Recreation Officer (RRO) posts throughout the country. The reviewers were also required to consider the level of funding provided to the Local Development Companies to deliver the scheme. The recommendations contained in the review will inform decisions on the further strategic expansion of the scheme, including the resourcing of Local Development Companies.
West Cork Development Partnership has two very significant trails funded under the Walks Scheme – the Beara Way and the Sheep’s Head Way. There are almost 580 landholders funded under these two walks receiving funding of about €650,000. West Cork Development Partnership also receives funding for one full-time equivalent RRO position.
I am aware that an issue has arisen with the delivery of the scheme in West Cork and officials from my Department have been in contact with West Cork Development Partnership on a number of occasions. I understand that the company have outlined the challenges presented by the large number of participants on the Scheme in West Cork and the extensive area covered by the trails there. It is clear that the company has a significant workload relative to other areas and this issue will form part of the consideration of the the implementation of the Review of the Walks Scheme. The final report was received by my Department in July and I expect to soon be in a position to publish the report and respond to the concerns raised.
I am committed to working with all of the stakeholders, including West Cork Development Partnership, to ensure that the scheme can continue to function effectively.
1618. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the publication of an islands policy. [42806/21]
View answerWork is continuing on the development of the new Islands Policy. My Department is currently engaging bilaterally with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to discuss the issues raised by island communities through the public consultation process and to assess how they might be addressed. I expect Departments and Agencies to provide input and expertise on elements of the policy and agree action points as it is developed. It is hoped that this element of the process will conclude shortly.
Work has begun on preparing an initial draft of the policy, but it is at a very early stage. It was initially envisaged that the new Islands Policy would be published this year, however I am conscious that getting the policy right is the real priority and this will be the guiding principle going forward. During the most recent bilateral meeting with the representative group for the islands, Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann, members of that group stressed this point also.
My Department is continually raising island issues with other relevant Departments and Agencies. The inclusion of an action point particular to the islands in the recently published Housing for All strategy is an indication of the ongoing dialogue in this regard.
1619. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Ministerial phones have been hacked or attempted to be hacked during the term of office. [42931/21]
View answer1620. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has ever used her personal phones for Government business; and if so, if the personal phones have been hacked during her term of office. [42949/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1619 and 1620 together.
I am not aware of any attempt to hack my phone.
1621. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of freedom of information requests responded to by her Department in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of responses that included documents related to text messages and other phone message communications such as messages sent through an application (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42971/21]
View answerMy Department was established on 19 July 2017 and has received the following FOI requests since that date:
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (at 06/09/2021) |
|
Total received |
14 |
58 |
79 |
58 |
32 |
|
Granted |
4 |
14 |
31 |
14 |
6 |
|
Part-Granted |
3 |
12 |
10 |
9 |
7 |
|
Refused |
2 |
14 |
10 |
9 |
0 |
|
Withdrawn |
3 |
6 |
10 |
11 |
8 |
|
Handled outside FOI |
2 |
12 |
17 |
12 |
5 |
|
Transferred |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Open requests |
|
|
0 |
1 |
6 |
|
Internal Reviews |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Decision Upheld |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
N/A |
|
Decision Varied |
|
1 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
DRCD does not generally conduct official business on platforms i.e through an application (details supplied), however, there was one response that included documents related to text messages Under the Freedom of Information Act, 2014, granted.
