Written Answers Nos. 278-286
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has studied a submission from an organisation (details supplied) with respect to reforms to CAP; the extent to which he proposes to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56218/21]
View answerI have studied and reflected on the named organisation's submission, and the organisation has also been afforded the opportunity to present its proposals to me in person, and to my officials, on a number of occasions in recent months. I have offered an open-door policy to this organisation and I feel we have had a constructive engagement theretofore.
Many of the points raised in the submission have been considered in the development of the plan to date, and I am further reflecting on other elements.
As the Deputy is aware, my role as Minister is to strike what I believe to be the right balance between the views of all stakeholders, and of course, there are many different views in relation to all of the elements proposed for the CAP Strategic Plan. I must also take into consideration the EU legal requirements, as well as the broader strategic imperatives at EU and national levels, including in relation to environmental and climate ambition. I believe that the draft plan, which is currently out for public consultation until 8 December, represents a fair balance of those views and considerations.
My Department and I are still actively considering all the various views being expressed, including those of the said organisation. Consultative activity has already led to several changes to the proposed CAP Strategic Plan, and I anticipate that there will be further changes before the plan is finalised and submitted to the EU Commission by the deadline of 1st January 2022.
279. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure the CAP includes recognition of hedgerow quality and protects the carbon and biodiversity values of these landscape features; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56258/21]
View answerWork on Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan is ongoing, but I can confirm at this stage that several proposed elements will protect the carbon and biodiversity value of our hedgerows.
Indeed, some of these elements are designed to also improve hedgerow quality and, hence, the contribution hedgerows are making from a carbon storage and biodiversity perspective.
Irish hedgerows are already designated as landscape features under the CAP. This means a farmer in receipt of CAP payments is obliged to retain existing hedgerows on their land. This condition will continue under the next CAP.
In addition, I propose to broaden the Conditionality requirements so that a minimum of 4% of each farm must be devoted to ecologically beneficial features such as hedgerows and other nature- and biodiversity-rich features. This will place a direct economic value on retaining and, where necessary, creating these features.
In addition, the Eco-Scheme is a new annual agri-environmental scheme that farmers will be able to avail of under the next CAP. I propose to use this scheme to build on Conditionality requirements including, for example, by rewarding farmers that have a higher proportion of their land devoted to ecologically beneficial features such as hedgerows.
A flagship multi-annual Agri-Environmental Climate Measure is also proposed for the CAP Strategic Plan. It will include specific, prescription-based, actions for new hedgerow planting and, where necessary, hedgerow rejuvenation by coppicing or laying. For two results-based field actions (low input grassland and multi-species leys) farmers will be rewarded for the quality of hedgerows and treelines. This will encourage improved hedgerow management, and protect and enhance the carbon and biodiversity value of this landscape feature.
280. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a GLAS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56367/21]
View answerA key priority for me and my Department is the efficient issuing of scheme payments to farmers. I know how critical these payments are to our farmers and their businesses. I am very pleased that GLAS 2021 payments commenced a week ahead of our stated target of mid-November.
We are currently working to process the Low-emission Slurry Spread (LESS) Declaration form of the person named so that the GLAS advance payment can be processed. Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
281. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 273 of 10 November 2021, if the 58.53% of farmers better off with 100% convergence is relative to their current pillar 1 payment if no convergence was applied or relative to 85% convergence; the way the eco scheme element of 25% and other pillar 1 reductions such as young farmer and national reserve elements have been reflected and accounted for in this comparison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56450/21]
View answerParliamentary Question No. 273 of 10 November 2021, illustrates the number and percentage of farmers who would be better off in 2023 with 100% convergence achieved by 2026, compared to 85% convergence achieved by 2026. This includes the deductions taken for Eco, Young Farmers and CRISS but excludes National Reserve deduction.
282. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that will benefit from 100% convergence at the end of the CAP period, as opposed to the end of year one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56451/21]
View answerTable 1 illustrates the number and percentage of farmers in each County that would be comparatively better off with a 100% convergence option versus the 85% convergence option in the final year of convergence 2026.
Table 1: The number and percentage of farmers in each County that would be comparatively better off with a 100% convergence option versus the 85% convergence option.
|
County |
Number of Farmers 100% Better * |
% Better With 100%* |
% Better with 85%* |
|
CARLOW |
570 |
35.96% |
64.04% |
|
CAVAN |
2,789 |
59.77% |
40.23% |
|
CLARE |
3,988 |
67.78% |
32.22% |
|
CORK |
5,630 |
44.53% |
55.47% |
|
DONEGAL |
6,505 |
80.03% |
19.97% |
|
DUBLIN |
350 |
58.33% |
41.67% |
|
GALWAY |
7,210 |
62.16% |
37.84% |
|
KERRY |
5,464 |
72.96% |
27.04% |
|
KILDARE |
955 |
47.37% |
52.63% |
|
KILKENNY |
1,168 |
35.46% |
64.54% |
|
LAOIS |
1,143 |
39.95% |
60.05% |
|
LEITRIM |
2,817 |
85.36% |
14.64% |
|
LIMERICK |
2,975 |
60.22% |
39.78% |
|
LONGFORD |
1,300 |
56.37% |
43.63% |
|
LOUTH |
657 |
45.37% |
54.63% |
|
MAYO |
8,023 |
72.12% |
27.88% |
|
MEATH |
1,696 |
45.55% |
54.45% |
|
MONAGHAN |
1,910 |
48.80% |
51.20% |
|
OFFALY |
1,574 |
53.98% |
46.02% |
|
ROSCOMMON |
3,516 |
63.74% |
36.26% |
|
SLIGO |
2,896 |
76.05% |
23.95% |
|
TIPPERARY |
2,971 |
44.19% |
55.81% |
|
WATERFORD |
986 |
42.10% |
57.90% |
|
WESTMEATH |
1,659 |
57.31% |
42.69% |
|
WEXFORD |
1,387 |
35.18% |
64.82% |
|
WICKLOW |
1,143 |
54.98% |
45.02% |
|
Total |
71,282 |
58.55% |
41.45% |
*The data is a Year 4 comparison only (2026) with BISS Capped.
To demonstrate the potential effects of the Direct Payment components, such as convergence, it was necessary to identify a cross-sectional sample population of farmers for modelling purposes. The data is based on 2020 land position and 2021 entitlements.
The figures in Table 1 are modelling predictions of the expected landscape in 2026 and caveats of the data should be noted they include:
- Comparative monetary differences vary significantly from marginal to minimal amounts.
- Payment Entitlements are a monetary/tradeable asset and are transferable between farmers via sale, lease, gift, inheritance etc. As such, transfer of entitlements occur across County borders.
- Farmer’s payment positions would likely change in Scheme Year 2026 based on trading of entitlements.
Finally, the Direct Payments system is a layered or composite structure with interacting component parts. Moving funds into one scheme will mean reducing the funding available for another. All elements under the direct payments ceiling are inextricably linked and it is challenging to examine them in isolation.
My Department continues to engage with farmers, their representative organisations and our European colleagues in analysing the effects of all the proposed changes, including changes to convergence. The outcome of these continued discussions and the results of these analyses assist the decision-making process on the implementation of new CAP regulations in Ireland.
283. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times his Department has appealed a decision that was made by the Agriculture Appeals Office from January 2011 to October 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56509/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
The Agriculture Appeals Office was established in 2002 pursuant to the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001. The decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive, subject to the circumstances provided in Section 10 of the Act and my Department rarely seeks to have a decision changed. Section 10 of the Act 2001 sets out the reasons that a decision may be changed. These are:
(1) An appeals officer may, at any time revise any decision of an appeals officer, if it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous in the light of new evidence or of new facts brought to his or her notice since the date on which it was given, or if it appears to him or her that there has been any relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given.
(2) The Director may, at any time, revise any decision of an appeals officer, if it appears to him or her that the decision was erroneous by reason of some mistake having been made in relation to the law or the facts.
The number of reviews of decisions of Appeals Officers requested by my Department for the years 2015 – 2021 is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Review requests by the Department |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2020 |
3 |
|
2019 |
3 |
|
2018 |
7 |
|
2017 |
13 |
|
2016 |
16 |
|
2015 |
7 |
Unfortunately, records concerning the number of reviews requested by my Department for the years 2011 to 2014 are not readily available and are not kept electronically, I am assured however that the numbers of review requests by my Department were very low during those years.
284. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the new €9 million fund to support community groups impacted by Covid-19 announced on 11 November 2021 is separate to the funds already committed to by her Department. [56201/21]
View answerThe new €9m Community Activities Fund has been put in place to support community groups impacted by Covid-19.
Previously, the Department delivered a COVID-19 Stability Fund to assist community and voluntary groups during the COVID-19 crisis and that fund was mainly targeted at larger community and voluntary organisations. Funding of €5.5m is now being redirected from the COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 so that it may be used to assist smaller groups and organisations in a similar manner through this new Community Activities Fund.
In addition, a further €3.5m of funding, from savings arising elsewhere in the Department's budget, is also being redirected into the Community Activities Fund. This brings the total for this new fund to €9m.
The efforts of local community groups and volunteers throughout the pandemic has been immense and this funding will help to provide practical support to smaller community groups and facilities at a grassroots level across the country. I hope that this will continue to help foster and grow the community spirit that is so evident across Ireland and highlight the excellent work that community groups do.
285. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role her Department plays in the public participation networks; the number of full-time staff in each by local authority; and the statutory consultation obligations on local authorities in respect of their relationship with the networks. [56335/21]
View answerA Public Participation Network (PPN) is a structure that brings together volunteer-led groups in each local authority area from the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors. The PPNs are the main link between these groups and their local authorities, and they enable the groups to make their voices heard within formal local decision-making structures. Over 18,000 volunteer-run groups nationwide are currently registered with a PPN.
My Department provides funding and a range of operational supports to PPNs at a national level so that local communities, including marginalised communities, can continue to have an influence on matters that affect them. The PPNs are accountable to my Department for their use of public monies and the activities they undertake on behalf of their communities. The Department also chairs and provides administrative support to the National PPN Advisory Group.
My Department is currently funding and advancing a number of important national initiatives and key recommendations made by PPN stakeholders in the PPNs' Annual Reports to promote their development (e.g. training, awareness-raising, IT support, Visions for Community Wellbeing). Two important initiatives supported by my Department in this regard are the national training course for PPN stakeholders, which is currently underway, and a communications campaign due to be conducted next year. The Department also recently published a PPN Handbook to assist and guide the PPNs and stakeholders in their day to day work.
In 2021, my Department also commissioned an independent 'root and branch' review of PPN structures to make recommendations that will support the ongoing development of PPNs. The final review report is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
Information on the number of staff in each PPN is enclosed with this response. In total, there were 55.7 whole-time equivalent staff members across the network 31 PPNs in 2020. It is important to note that not all PPN staff are employees of their corresponding Local Authority. PPNs can be ‘hosted’ by a number of bodies who may provide a legal structure for their operation as employers as necessary. While the majority of PPNs are hosted by their Local Authority, others have established independent companies or entered into hosting arrangements with local community/non-profit Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs) to act as employers.
Under Section 46 of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, each Local Authority must have a local PPN structure, which 'shall seek to provide for participation by the local community'. Circular CVSP 1/2014 specifies that 'the PPN will be the main link through which the local authority connects with the community, voluntary and environmental sectors without prejudice to other consultation processes.'
|
PPN |
Resource Worker (WTE) |
Administrator / Support Worker (WTE) |
Development Worker (WTE) |
|
Carlow |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
0.5 |
0 |
|
Clare |
1.6 |
0.4 |
0 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown |
1 |
0.8 |
0 |
|
Fingal |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Galway City |
0.7 |
0.75 |
1 |
|
Galway County |
0.5 |
1.25 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Laois |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
0.75 |
1 |
0 |
|
Longford |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
0.6 |
1 |
0 |
|
South Dublin |
1 |
0.85 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
TOTAL: 55.7 |
26.65 |
28.05 |
1 |
286. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role her Department plays in the delivery of the National Drugs Strategy. [56336/21]
View answerMy officials have regular engagement with the Department of Health regarding the National Drugs Strategy. My Department is represented on its Oversight Group and recently participated in the mid-term review of the strategy.
The strategy is relevant to my Department's work in the community and voluntary sectors as it is vital in ensuring the collective input of the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, to provide a coordinated response to drug and alcohol use in Irish society.
The strategy also involves mobilising communities and building their resilience to respond to the drug problem, particularly marginalised communities. This links well with my Department’s Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which supports those hardest to reach, and those who are most at risk of marginalisation.
The Department has two main goals within the strategy, which relate to providing community supports in collaboration with schools and other youth programmes, and improving the life chances of those that are marginalised in society. Both goals are implemented under SICAP which provides €200m to Local Development Companies over six years to work with marginalised individuals and groups.
My Department will continue to assist with the important work of the National Drugs Strategy into the future.
