Written Answers Nos. 741-753
742. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the provisions of regulation Statutory Instrument S.I. 538/2001 are active and applicable to all current proposed afforestation applications. [57416/21]
View answerPart 5 of the European Communities (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 (S.I. No. 538 of 2001) introduced a statutory consent system for initial afforestation, giving effect to the Council Directive of 27 June 1985 (No. 85/337/EEC, O.J. No. L175/40, 5 July 1985), as amended by Council Directive of 3 March 1997 (No. 97/11/EC, O.J. No. L73/5, 14 March 1997).
The entirety of Part 5 of the 2001 regulations was revoked and replaced in 2010 by the European Communities (Forest Consent and Assessment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 558 of 2010).
The Forestry Act 2014 was commenced on 24th May 2017 and the Forestry Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 191 of 2017) came into operation on the same date, the latter in turn revoking and replacing the 2010 regulations.
744. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the recent reports of avian flu on the island of Ireland; if he has spoken with his counterparts in the Northern Ireland on this issue; if he will ensure that they all work closely together on monitoring same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57565/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, last weekend, Avian Influenza H5N1 has been identified in a turkey flock in Co Monaghan. This unfortunate turn of events has a significant direct impact on the farmer involved and has wider implications for the poultry sector generally.
Protection and surveillance zones have been put in place where there are additional controls on movement of birds and certain related products, as well as an enhanced level of surveillance. I have also, as a measure to further mitigate the risk of spread, introduced a Statutory Instrument requiring the confinement of all poultry or captive birds such that wild birds and other animals do not have access to them.
This is the high-risk period (October to April) for the introduction of Avian Influenza (AI) as a result of the migration of wild birds returning to overwinter from areas where AI is widespread. This year a Highly Pathogenic AI (HPAI) with subtype H5N1 is in circulation across Europe, the virus can spread from the wild bird population to poultry farms, through direct contact and through faeces from wild birds infected with the virus. A number of EU Member States and Great Britain have confirmed the virus in both wild birds and poultry.
Since November HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed by my Department in forty-nine wild birds in counties Kerry, Donegal, Galway, Offaly, Roscommon, Tipperary, Wexford and Waterford under its AI surveillance programme.
On 17th November, I introduced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, requiring flock keepers to apply particular bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds as a precautionary measure against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), as well as a ban on the assembly of birds.
These Regulations require specific biosecurity measures to be implemented by the keepers of all poultry (and other captive bird) flocks, irrespective of size, to help mitigate the risk of infection of their poultry from the virus and the implementation of additional enhanced biosecurity measures by flock-owners in respect of flocks of 500 birds or more.
My Department continues to closely monitor and assess the disease situation and is in regular contact with industry stakeholders.
My officials maintain close contact with their counterparts in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland in evaluating and managing the risk of avian influenza on the island, working in a collaborative way to mitigate spread of the virus.
745. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approvals for forest road licences that have issued to date in 2021; the number of those licences that issued to Coillte; the number that issued to private owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57612/21]
View answerTo date (19th November), the Department has issued 581 forest road licences for 234 km of roads. This is the largest amount by length issued in the last five years and exceeds our target of 125km for the year as set down in the Climate Action Plan.
Two hundred and twelve of these licences have issued to Coillte and 369 to private applicants.
746. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that the final version of CAP payments include recognition of hedgerow quality as a potent means of capitalising on the carbon and biodiversity values of these landscape features. [57613/21]
View answerWork on Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan is ongoing. However, I can confirm that the proposals include elements designed to improve hedgerow quality and, hence, the contribution hedgerows are making from a carbon storage and biodiversity perspective.
The flagship multi-annual Agri-Environmental Climate Measure proposed for the CAP Strategic Plan will include specific, prescription-based, actions for new hedgerow planting and, where necessary, hedgerow rejuvenation by coppicing or laying. In addition, for two results-based field actions (low input grassland and multi-species leys), farmers will be rewarded for the quality of hedgerows and treelines.
In considering recognition for hedgerow quality, it is important to acknowledge that hedgerows exist in many forms across Irish farms, contributing across a range of carbon and biodiversity values.
The EPA and my Department are currently funding the “Farm Carbon” research project. It is investigating the carbon sequestration potential of different types of Irish hedgerows.
My Department’s Farm Environmental Study Programme is due to commence next year with the objective of developing a national baseline database of farm scale habitat and biodiversity data, along with additional environmental parameters. This database will provide the scope for a comprehensive analysis of farm habitat quality and biodiversity. It will also provide baseline data to inform future targeting of agri-environmental schemes and measures.
747. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding strands available to a family resource centre (details supplied) in order to maintain the work it undertakes in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56897/21]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth allocates core funding for the FRC Programme and, since 2019, this funding amount has been a total of €18m each year. Tusla provides core funding to 121 FRCs in marginalised communities throughout the country, which enables centres to leverage broader community support and access funding from other sources. Tusla encourages FRCs to access all funding streams that may be available to them, particularly where a FRC may have an area of interest aligned to another Government Department or State body. The range of services and supports in FRCs differs from centre to centre, and may depend on areas of interest in the community.
In exchange for annual funding, FRCs sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Tusla on an annual basis, and agree to provide a specified level of service to those who may require its services. FRCs operate independently of Tusla. The management of an FRC is a matter for the Board of Management of that FRC. Tusla assesses the agreed levels of service, and how that service is being provided, through the annual SLA process.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated financial pressures for many services in the voluntary sector, including FRCs. In 2021, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provided an additional €7m to some 700 community and voluntary organisations funded by Tusla, including FRCs. FRCs have shown tireless commitment and real innovation in providing services in response to the needs of families at this time. All FRCs have been allocated an additional once-off 5% funding increase in recognition of this. Additionally, a further €618,000 was made available to FRCs in each of 2020 and 2021 from funding through the Dormant Accounts Action Plans for those years. This will allow FRCs to carry out maintenance works, to purchase essential equipment and furnishings, and undertake additional works and service developments required to respond to the impact of COVID-19.
The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is committed to working with colleagues in Government, Tusla and across the FRC Programme to ensure the sustainability of FRC services to meet the needs of children, young people and their families across Ireland.
From my own Department’s perspective, in 2020 and 2021, funding was awarded to more than 800 organisations to continue to deliver vital services to the most vulnerable in our communities, through the COVID-19 Stability Fund for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises. While this scheme is now closed, I was pleased to award €50,442 to the organisation in question under this fund in 2020.
My Department currently supports the organisation in question under the Community Services Programme (CSP), which supports the provision of employment opportunities and the delivery of local services, through a social enterprise model. The organisation receives funding of €146,198 per annum towards the cost of supporting one manager and six full time equivalent positions.
In response to the difficulties faced by organisations due to COVID-19, my Department developed a €7.95m CSP Support Fund which assisted CSP supported organisations to continue to retain their CSP supported employees on their payroll, provided assistance for the employers’ PRSI contribution, during this crisis period up to June 2021 and also assisted those organisations most in need to meet their ongoing operational costs such as insurance, light and heat and audit fees. I can confirm that the organisation has received additional funding of €8,211 during 2021 under the CSP Support Fund.
I am also pleased to inform the Deputy that a €1m extension to the CSP Support Fund was approved to cover the period 1 July to 30 November 2021 to provide further assistance to those organisations considered most in need, in line with other Government Wage Support Schemes. This extension to the Support Fund is being administered on behalf of my Department by Pobal and eligibility will be determined based on the information available on the organisation’s financial position, as determined by Pobal and the Department. Pobal will administer payments to those deemed eligible under this extension of the CSP Support Fund over the coming weeks.
748. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way an allocation of local improvement scheme funding was spent by Mayo County Council (details supplied); the details of the road this funding was spent on; the scheme road number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57099/21]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities and represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural communities. As part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme is funded into the future.
The selection of LIS roads is a matter for the relevant Local Authority. The roads to be completed in a given year are included in a “priority list” of roads provided to my Department. In some cases, and for various different reasons, a road on the priority list may not be delivered in a given year and can be replaced by one or more roads which are contained in a “secondary list” which is also provided by the Local Authority.
In 2018, 144 LIS roads were completed in Mayo. I understand that the road referred to by the Deputy was one of a total of 11 approved roads on the priority list in County Mayo which did not proceed. The funding available for these roads was reallocated to 13 roads on the secondary list provided by Mayo County Council. The road referred to by the Deputy was originally selected for works totaling €34,890.
A short section of this road referred to by the Deputy was again included on the priority list from Mayo County Council in 2020. The Local Authority has indicated that the works on this shorter section of the road involved a higher standard of finish than was envisaged in 2018 and the cost was €29,602.
I have asked my officials to request a full written report from Mayo County Council in respect of the road in question, including to ascertain the rationale for the approach taken and to consider any further action required by my Department in respect of the funding provided.
749. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a project (details supplied); when the project is likely to proceed to construction and the associated timeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57417/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the construction of the project referred to by the Deputy is being undertaken by the relevant Local Authority, with financial assistance from my Department.
My Department provided the Local Authority with funding for the purchase of land for this project in late 2020. The Local Authority subsequently submitted an initial design however the Department required amendments and I understand that a revised design has now been agreed.
I also understand that the Local Authority is currently working with my Department in preparing tender documents for the project and it is hoped that the tender process can commence shortly with a view to having the construction completed in 2022.
750. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if LEADER funding is available to cover a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57439/21]
View answerFunding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country.
Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation. This theme focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy, and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community.
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.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on the Gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.
751. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if financial supports are available to a not-for-profit community sports club (details supplied) to assist with running costs such as rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57500/21]
View answerA new €9m fund - the Community Activities Fund, was launched by my Department in November 2021 and continues into 2022 to support community groups impacted by COVID-19.
This fund will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. Groups will also be able to use the funding to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance as well as refurbishment work or purchase equipment.
The fund is administered in the same way as the Community Enhancement Programme, grant applications are assessed in each local authority area by the Local Community Development Committees. I would encourage the club (details supplied) to engage with the LCDC and Local Authority in their area for further details.
752. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made in implementing the undertaking in the Programme for Government to deliver a rural development programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57563/21]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are underway. This includes an independent review of the current programme, which is nearing completion, ongoing engagement by my officials with stakeholders on the design of the next LEADER programme and working alongside officials from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in developing the next CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, which LEADER will form part of.
The commitment in the Programme for Government referred to by the Deputy will be considered as part of that work, having regard, inter alia, to the provisions of the EU Regulations governing the LEADER programme, the ongoing independent review, and the outcome of consultations with all relevant stakeholders.
753. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total allocation to the LEADER programme for the last two CAP periods; the proposed allocation for the forthcoming CAP period; the years covered by each programme; the date on which each programme commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57564/21]
View answerLEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU that 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.
From 2007 to 2020, LEADER was included in the suite of measures that constituted Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP). The Rural Development Programmes agreed by each Member State with the EU Commission were designed to correspond to specified Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programming periods. The CAP programming periods in turn correspond to the EU's budgetary cycle. The Rural Development Programme will now be replaced by each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan.
As part of the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as a number of linked measures under Axis 4 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2007 to 2013 CAP programming period was almost €400 million. This was subsequently revised in 2013, due to a downturn in the national economy, to €377m on foot of the agreement by the EU Commission of a formal amendment to the 2007-2013 RDP. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from January, 2009 with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.
For the 2014-2020 CAP programming period, LEADER was included as Measure 19 of the RDP. The LEADER allocation for the 2014 to 2020 CAP programming period was €250 million. Contracts for delivery of LEADER interventions were signed by Local Action Groups from July 2016, with preparatory financial support provided in advance of that.
The next CAP programming period was due to run from 2021 to 2027. However, due to delays in agreeing the required regulations at EU level, a transition period was agreed for the years 2021 and 2022. €70m has been assigned to LEADER in this transition period. An indicative allocation of €180m has recently being announced for LEADER for the years 2023 to 2027, bringing the total allocated for LEADER to the original 2021 to 2027 CAP programming period to €250m.
