Written Answers Nos. 465-478
465. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect the equine industry’s integrity through the National Equine Anti-Doping Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48872/21]
View answerHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) has a national role for equine breeding and is also the national governing body for equestrian sports in Ireland. I am fully committed to maximising the potential of the Sport Horse industry and continue to provide support to it financially and with policy initiatives in the equine breeding and production area.
As the national governing body for equestrian sports, HSI make available a National Equine Anti-Doping Programme to their Affiliated Bodies. This programme seeks to preserve the integrity of equine sport in Ireland. HSI have been running this programme since 2012.
I fully support any initiative that protects the welfare of horses competing in our sport and indeed that also protects the right of all athletes to participate in fair competition on a level playing field.
466. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided to help construct a national training and education building, reproduction and veterinary hub and industry administration headquarters for Horse Sport Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48873/21]
View answerI am aware that the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has put in a case, among other things, for funding in relation to the provision of a national training and education building, a reproduction and veterinary hub and industry administration facility at two possible sites.
The HSI submission will be examined at part of the Estimates and Budgetary process.
467. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if full attendances at racecourses will be moved forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48926/21]
View answerOn 31st August the Government announced the following in relation to easing COVID-19 restrictions from 6th September subject to continued protective factors and sectoral guidance.
Organised outdoor events and mass gatherings
- Organised outdoor events and mass gatherings can take place with capacity limits of 75% of venue capacity where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous six months), or accompanied minors (under 18), in line with sectoral guidance
- Where patrons have mixed immunity status, the capacity limit will be 50%, subject to appropriate protective measures including social distancing between groups and face masks.
Both figures will rise to 100% if, as planned, all restrictions are lifted on 22nd October 2021.
The pre-eminence of the protection of public health in the current pandemic situation is at the fore of such considerations.
468. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will introduce frost reconstitution in order that young plantations heavily effected by late spring frost can undergo necessary works to get the stocking levels up to an acceptable standard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48957/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of the request for a reconstitution scheme in response to frost damage on young plantations for woodland owners affected by frost events experienced in 2019, 2020 and again in 2021. Surveys for frost damage in affected forests have been conducted by the Department. We are continuing to consider the case for such a scheme and hope to be in a position to clarify our position shortly.
The timing of any such scheme must be examined in the context of resource implications given the current challenges faced in terms of forestry licences. The licensing system and the implementation of Project Woodland are our absolute priorities and all efforts are focused on maximising the number of afforestation, felling and forest road licences issued.
469. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications approved under the reconstitution and under planting scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49049/21]
View answerI'm acutely aware of the impact Ash Dieback has had on growers. The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) provides the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options, than the previous Scheme.
An underplanting option has been introduced, whereby groups or bands of trees within the plantation would be felled and replanted but around 40 to 50% of the ash trees would be left standing. Forest owners who wish to avail of RUS, to clear fell all ash trees, would have to have a certain level of diseased trees before they can enter this scheme (and a lesser level of diseased trees to enter the underplanting element of the Scheme). The Scheme aims to compensate for the clearance costs and replace the trees. Compensation is not paid for the timber lost, therefore the tonnage of timber on sites is not available.
To date, the Department has accepted 383 applications for 1,566.18ha and to date, 124 of those have been approved for an area of 437.62ha.
470. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the appropriateness of a semi-State body under his remit receiving sponsorship form a betting company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49054/21]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
471. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the animal welfare assurances he has put in place for the recent trade deal involving the transport of live breeding pigs to another jurisdiction (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/21]
View answerThe vast majority of animals exported from Ireland travel to the EU, which is governed by the same animal welfare legislation as Ireland. A small percentage are exported to non-EU countries. Ireland does not set the standards for animal welfare in third country markets, which are set by that country's government.
The Department, however, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare. It is through this forum that we influence standards in other countries.
Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans. To support these activities, Ireland has also provided financial supports in recent years.
All live export shipments from Ireland are conducted in full compliance with legislative requirements. All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport and animal welfare regulations.
Live exports play a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. The Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.
472. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to the withdrawal of an organisation (details supplied) from discussions surrounding industrial hemp; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49056/21]
View answerFurther to the commitment in the current Programme for Government (PfG) to “fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market”, my Department initiated a consultation process with relevant stakeholders.
Concerns regarding the scope of the consultation were raised by the organisation (details supplied) and I am disappointed that the organisation declined the Department’s invitation to participate in the consultation as currently structured.
The Deputy should know that the consultation is being conducted on the basis of the economic viability of fibre crops such as hemp and is fully in line with the Programme for Government commitment. i.e. stakeholders were asked to examine the commercial viability of growing hemp or other crops for fibre. It was made clear to stakeholders that it was not the purpose of this consultation to deal with legislative issues that come under the Misuse of Drugs legislation or indeed hemp derived food products which do not primarily come under the remit of my Department. The issues surrounding tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the Misuse of Drugs legislation were addressed in a consultation on hemp in 2018.
While the closing date for receipt of submissions under the consultation process has passed, officials in my Department are happy to engage with the organisation named on matters that fall within my Department’s scope and area of responsibility.
473. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of town and village renewal applications (details supplied). [48743/21]
View answerThis year’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme scheme has an indicative budget allocation of €15 million and places a particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in “Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.”
The 2021 Scheme closed for applications on Friday 16th July. I can confirm that the applications referred to by the Deputy have been received by my Department under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
All applications are undergoing a formal assessment process, with funding being allocated on foot of the outcome of this process. I expect to announce the successful applications before the end of the year.
474. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil sí ar an eolas nár sheol an bád lasta ó Ros a’Mhíl chuig Inis Meáin Dé hAoine seo caite, 1ú Deireadh Fómhair, de bharr droch aimsire; an bhfuil i gceist aici a chinntiú go mbeidh an rialtacht agus caighdeán seirbhíse céanna lastais go hInis Meáin agus atá go hÁrann agus go hInis Oirr an Geimhreadh seo tri shocrú a dhéanamh leis an bhfarrantóir go núsáidfidh sé bád a bheadh i ndon dul le céibh ag Céibh an Chalaidh Mhóir i ndroch aimsir; an bhfuil i gceist ag a Roinn an cheist a phlé le pobal agus lucht gnótha Inis Meáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48975/21]
View answerTá mo Roinn théis teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an gcomhlacht farantóireachta lastais agus Comhlacht Forbartha Inis Meáin maidir leis an t-seirbhís lastais go hÁrainn.
Dheimhnigh an comhlacht lastais nár éirigh leo an seoladh a bhí beartaithe acu don Aoine 1ú Deireadh Fómhair a dhéanamh de bharr droch aimsire. Mhínigh siad go dtiteann cúramaí sláinte agus sábháilteacht na seoltaí ar scipéir an bháid agus dar leis bhí an aimsir ró-gharbh le theacht le céibh an lá sin.
Tá sé dearbhaithe ag an bhfarantóir lastais, áfach, go gcloíodh siad leis an amchlár atá aontaithe le pobail na n-oileáin agus má thagann aon athrú ar an am chlár sin de bharr droch aimsire, taoilte mí-fhabhrach nó aon chúis eile, go gcuirfear pobail na n-oileáin ar an eolas ar an bpointe, agus go ndéanfar an seoladh a cailleadh chomh luath agus is féidir ina dhiaidh sin.
Níl sé i gceist ag an Roinn aon athrú a dhéanamh ar an gconradh atá aontaithe leis an bhfarantóir le go gcuirfí báid eile nó bád nua i mbun seirbhíse.
475. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application to the Covid stability fund (details supplied). [48749/21]
View answerThe Government are aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and are committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach. To that end, Government and my Department introduced a number of supports to assist sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and social restrictions necessary in the interests of public health.
During 2020, the COVID-19 Stability Fund supported close to 600 organisations to continue to deliver vital services to the communities that depend on them.
An allocation of €10m was provided to the Stability Fund for 2021 as part of the revised Resilience and Recovery plan announced on Tuesday 23rd February by the Taoiseach. The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May, and was targeted at organisations which deliver eligible critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which faced closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. The Fund was open for application from May 20th - 27th. The Stability Fund is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
I was pleased to announce tranche one of funding under the 2021 Fund to 180 successful applicants on 9th July 2021, allocating close to €4.5m in funding, with tranche two announced on 1st October allocating just over €2m in funding to 65 organisations. All allocations are published on the Gov.ie website.
Outcomes have now been issued to all applicants, including the organisation in question. Eligibility to apply or submission of an application was no guarantee of funding. Unsuccessful applicants have been provided with information on the appeals process. The appeals panel will consider information provided by the applicant within the context of the published scheme criteria.
In general, I would encourage all organisations to continue to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company, and to check on the Gov.ie website in order to be aware of funding opportunities relevant to their sector and services, as they become available.
476. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a public funding stream under her Department is available for an entrepreneur to develop a town centre market and social area on private lands in a small town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48916/21]
View answerThe LEADER programme may be able to provide funding for this project. LEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas.
In December 2020, I launched the Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect from 1 April 2021 and will run to the end of 2022. A total of €70 million is being made available over this programming period. €20 million of this Transitional LEADER Programme is funded by the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI), which will enable local communities and enterprises to respond, recover and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group (LAG) which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available.
Contact details for all LAGs and their Implementing Partners can be accessed through the Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups/
477. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for town and village renewal funding in respect of a project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48925/21]
View answerThis year's Town & Village Renewal Scheme will place particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in “Our Rural Future – Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.”
The 2021 Scheme closed for applications on Friday 16th July. I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy was submitted by Kerry County Council under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
All applications are undergoing a formal assessment process, with funding being allocated on foot of the outcome of this process. I expect to announce the successful applications before the end of the year.
478. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the next round of CLÁR funding will allow primary schools to apply for funding to develop playgrounds on their school grounds that can also be used by the wider public; the reason such developments have been excluded from the last two rounds of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48927/21]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different Measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. The Measures to be included in the CLÁR programme are reviewed and revised, as appropriate, each year.
The 2020 CLÁR programme was adapted to help rural communities respond to COVID-19 and did not included specific support for playgrounds.
The CLÁR programme was revised in 2021 and included support for Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities, including playgrounds. A number of playgrounds located on primary school grounds were successful in being approved for funding under the programme this year and were approved on the condition that they must be made available for wider community use outside of school hours.
I will review the Measures to be supported under the 2022 CLÁR programme in advance of the launch of the programme next year.
