Written Answers Nos. 637-652
637. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered a legislative and regulatory review to address the issue of serial objectors in respect of forestry and felling licensing; if fair restrictions on objections will be considered to reduce instances in which the objector has little or no ties to the area concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62883/21]
View answerI have already introduced legislation to make for a better and more efficient and effective forestry appeals process, namely the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 which was enacted on 5th October last. To give effect to these, I signed the Forestry (Licence Application and Submission Fees) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 417/2020) and the Forestry Appeals Committee Regulations (S.I. No. 418/2020).
At the time of the introduction of the Act, all matters relating to the forestry appeals process were considered and an extensive public consultation exercise was conducted. The results from the public consultation exercise made clear that there were concerns with restricting the right to appeal to certain persons. In view of this, the Act allows that all those dissatisfied with a decision may bring an appeal directly to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
I believe we now have in a place an open and transparent public consultation and appeals process for forestry. The FAC has been extremely efficient in how it has gone about its business and the number of decisions currently outstanding at 37, as compared to the approximately 1,000 cases on hand when the legislation was being introduced.
638. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position relating to his review of proposed changes in regulations that would impact negatively on farmers attempting to access animal medication through farm stores without veterinarian involvement; if his attention has been drawn to the additional costs that such a measure would impose on farmers; his views on whether such a move could impact negatively on animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62932/21]
View answerThe Regulations on Veterinary Medicinal Products will enter into force on 28th January 2022. Following engagement with all those involved, I have decided to defer the implementation of the element requiring anti-parasitic medicines to be supplied on foot of a veterinary prescription until 1st June 2022. This will enable all stakeholders make the necessary business and/or infrastructural adjustments to ensure compliance with the Regulations across all current supply routes and ensure farmers are not disadvantaged.
I have set out a clear roadmap for implementing key elements within the new Regulations including:
1. The new requirements regarding the prescribing of antimicrobials, including antibiotics and medicated feed, will come into effect on January 28th 2022.
2. Veterinary prescriptions will be required for anti-parasitic medicines from 1st June 2022.
3. The mandatory requirement to use the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) is deferred until 1st June 2022. Veterinary practitioners can continue to issue paper-based prescriptions in the current format until then.
4. The NVPS will be available for voluntary use by vets from the end of January onwards, helping ensure that prescribers and dispensers are familiar with the system when its use becomes compulsory.
5. Prescriptions for anti-parasitic medicines issued by vets after 1st June will be valid for a maximum period of 12-months. Anti-parasitic medicines can then be purchased by the farmer via the NVPS from his preferred supplier at any time throughout the period that the prescription is valid.
I am also in the process of finalising a proposal to introduce a large-scale Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) programme specifically focused on parasite control on farms in 2022. This measure will allow farmers engage a specifically trained vet to provide advice on parasite control measures in their herd, at no cost to the farmer.
I recognise that the new Veterinary Medicines Regulation means significant change for farmers, vets, pharmacists and licensed merchants – all of whom have, and will, play key roles in maintaining the health of our livestock. In this context, it is important to recall that the overarching objective of the Regulations is to address the issue of development of resistance to anti-microbial medicines and also anti-parasitic medicines for the long term benefit of farmers and society.
I have consulted widely and listened to a range of voices on this topic, and I believe the steps I have outlined will ensure that we address the challenge of anti-microbial and anti-parasitic resistance and support the health and welfare of our livestock, thus improving productivity. Farmers will continue to have access to a range of sales points thus helping competition, and licensed merchants will continue to be a trusted source of animal health products.
639. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position in relation to his efforts to speed up the decision-making process in relation to aquaculture licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62933/21]
View answerApplications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933 and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
Since 2012, my Department has made determinations in respect of 1,251 aquaculture licensing applications, effectively eliminating the long standing backlog in shellfish aquaculture licensing as an issue affecting the industry. Every effort is being made to ensure that this progress continues.
The timeline for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department also takes full account of all scientific and technical advice, in addition to all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Further factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the need for an Appropriate Assessment if the application is within a Natura 2000 area; whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Assessment Report; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period, etc.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application.
640. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a project (details supplied) in County Kerry has been made aware of the availability of a nearby facility; if so, if the details of such contacts will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62896/21]
View answerOfficials in my Department have engaged with SpaceX on the Starlink product and potential uses in Ireland, but have had no substantive role in the physical deployment of the company's technology to date.
My department has facilitated SpaceX to present at one of the regular Broadband Officer network meetings and, as a result of that presentation, Kerry County Council and SpaceX agreed to trial the Starlink technology in the Black Valley. I and my officials have watched with interest as that project has developed.
After the Deputy last raised the issue with me through a Parliamentary Question, officials at my department discussed the location with their colleagues at the relevant local authority. As the trial in the Black Valley was limited to a single base station, and the location of that base station had already been agreed, the premises mentioned could not be included. It should be noted that since then the Starlink product has become commercially available in Ireland and may be ordered directly from the company.
Officials at my department continue to engage closely with their colleagues at Kerry County Council on a number of telecommunications initiatives, including supporting the work of the Black Valley Local Telecoms Partnership and other initiatives across the county to support telecoms development. This year I approved awards to Kerry totalling €476,800 for three highly innovative projects under the Our Rural Future Digital Innovation Programme 2021.
641. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the progress since being announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62486/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €255m for projects costing over €347m.
The Phase 1 Regeneration of the Sisters of Mercy Convent Site and Adjacent lands project was approved for funding under the third call for Category 1 applications, which was completed in April 2021. The lead party for the project is Mayo County Council. Following the completion of the due diligence process, the project was approved in principle for funding in of €8,278,682. I understand that the project is currently in the design, planning and procurement stage. If more detailed information is required on the progress of the project, I would advise the Deputy to contact the Council directly.
642. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of State boards under the remit of her Department or its agencies, in tabular form; the number of members of each board; the number of persons with a declared disability on each board; and the percentage of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability. [62532/21]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
There are currently four State boards for agencies under the remit of my Department and the details requested are set out in tabular form below, including in relation to declared disabilities.
|
Name of State Board Agency |
Number of members on each board |
Number of persons with a declared disability on each board |
% of each board that is made up of persons with a declared disability |
|
Western Development Commission |
12 |
0 |
0 |
|
Pobal |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
13 |
0 |
0 |
|
Charities Regulator |
8 |
0 |
0 |
643. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extra funding provided for in budget 2022 for increasing the number of participants and projects under the community services programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62600/21]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. The 2021 budget allocation for the programme was increased by €2m and this level of funding of c. €49 million will be maintained for 2022.
Qualifying organisations must be social enterprises capable of generating income from their activities in order to meet the full salary costs of the supported posts, for example, from income received from the public use of facilities and services.
In 2020, an independent review of the Community Services Programme was undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department. The final report was published on 30 September 2020 and was accompanied by a High Level Action Plan outlining the timeline for the phased implementation for the restructuring of the programme.
My Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, are currently working on the restructuring of the programme in conjunction with a Consultative Group, whose membership is secured from key sectoral stakeholders including CSP supported organisations, national organisations, community representatives and social enterprise representatives.
Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the expression of interest process. However, there are a number of organisations currently under consideration, and if approved, they will be supported under the programme from January to April 2022 onwards and the associated costs will be met from within our budget allocation for 2022. It is also anticipated that the Programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery during 2022.
644. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is planned to have one local action group specifically for the offshore islands in the next round of the LEADER programme as desired by the islanders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62610/21]
View answer645. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if independent companies can apply to administer next round of the LEADER programme; if it will be allocated solely to local community development committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62611/21]
View answer646. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if extra funding will be provided for environmentally sensitive areas in the next LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62612/21]
View answer647. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if it is planned to provide extra funding in less developed regions under the next round of LEADER funding for animation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62613/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 644 to 647, inclusive, together.
The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched earlier this year.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are well underway. My Department has commissioned an independent review of the delivery structures for the current programme, which is nearing completion. This review will draw on the experience of all stakeholders in the 2014 to 2020 LEADER programme and help to underpin effective scheme design for the new LEADER programme.
An indicative budget of €180 million has been announced for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. When taken together with the €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the Transitional LEADER Programme, a total of €250 million will be made available for the 2021 - 2027 period, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period. The maintenance of the €250m funding allocation will underpin the continued contribution of the LEADER approach in delivering on the Government’s vision for Rural Ireland.
Decisions relating to the distribution of funding, the areas to be covered by the relevant strategies and actions to be supported by the Programme will form part of the programme design, which is currently ongoing.
The ongoing engagement and consultation with stakeholders combined with the funding allocation indicated will ensure that the LEADER programme from 2023 will continue to support and further develop our rural communities and businesses.
648. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the support she is putting in place to help voluntary community groups meet operating costs during the Covid-19 pandemic when their usual means of fundraising cannot take place. [62826/21]
View answerMy Department has put in place a number of supports to assist the community, voluntary, charity and social enterprise sectors in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 and the 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. A further one-off allocation of €10m was provided to the Stability Fund for 2021.
The COVID-19 Stability Fund 2021 was launched on Thursday 6th May, and was targeted at organisations, that met the published criteria, and which deliver critical services to vulnerable people within their community but which faced closure or a loss of service due to the impact of the pandemic. 244 organisations were supported under the Stability Fund in 2021. All applicants have now received an outcome and the fund is closed. There are no plans to reopen the Stability Fund at this time.
In November, I was pleased to launch the new Community Activities Fund. This €9m fund is being provided to support community and voluntary groups impacted by COVID-19. This once-off funding, allocated under the Department’s Community Enhancement Programme and administered locally by the Local Community Development Committees will support groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running 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 to purchase equipment such as tables and chairs, tools and signage, laptops and printers, lawnmowers, canopies and training equipment. Applications for funding can be made to the relevant LCDC. Contact details for LCDCs are available here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/38066e-local-community-development-committees-list/.
My Department also developed a Support Fund to provide additional funding to organisations supported under the Community Services Programme (CSP) and recently announced a further extension of €1m to the CSP Support Fund to cover the period up to December 2021, bringing the total funding allocated to the CSP Support Fund to €8.95m for 2020-2021. This funding was provided to CSP supported organisations who required additional assistance to continue to retain the CSP supported employees on their payroll, provided assistance for the Employers PRSI contribution and supported organisations considered by my Department to be most in need, to cover overhead costs such as insurance, light, heat and Audit fees.
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 as they become available.
649. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the programme for Government commitment for an expanded town and village renewal scheme to bring vacant and derelict buildings back into use and promote residential occupancy; when communities can start applying for this funding; and the estimated amount available to each local authority. [62827/21]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
This year, in line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the scheme has prioritised the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres to bring them back into use as multipurpose spaces, remote working hubs or as residential accommodation. I also increased the maximum grant available under the Scheme to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded.
The 2021 Scheme closed for applications on 16th July. The applications have undergone a formal assessment process and I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.
650. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on adding a requirement that all funding from her Department include provisions to meet and further the rights of persons with disabilities. [62828/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that all proposals brought to Government are required to assess and declare that there are no impacts for the following: North/South or East/West relations, jobs, gender equality, poverty proofing, competitiveness and industry costs, rural communities, quality regulation and people with disabilities.
As the Deputy is also aware, all public bodies in Ireland have responsibility, under the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty or Public Sector Duty, to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users, and everyone affected by their policies and plans. This is a legal obligation and is contained in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act 2014.
My Department’s policies and funding programmes aim to deliver sustainable outcomes that positively impact the quality of life of those living and working in our communities. In delivering on its mission my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support communities, including helping to address the issue of isolation for rural dwellers, older people and people with disabilities.
My Department operates a number of schemes that are targeted at the most disadvantaged in society such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) which supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma communities and other disadvantaged groups.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) works on a social enterprise model and supports community businesses to provide local services and create employment opportunities for disadvantaged people including those with disabilities.
Some of my Department’s programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Community Enhancement Programme can provide capital support for new or upgraded works in the public realm which can also be aimed at people with disabilities. The Clár Programme this year also had a measure targeted at people with mobility issues. Further information on my Department's schemes and programmes can be accessed on my Department's website.
As the majority of my Department’s schemes already provide substantial support to people with disabilities it is not intended to add a specific requirement at this time.
651. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of the rural regeneration and development fund will open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62881/21]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €255m for projects costing over €347m.
I will be announcing the fourth call for Category 1 applications shortly. Category 1 relates to large scale capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed.
The application process under the Fund is competitive and applications can be only be made by State-funded bodies, such as Local Authorities, Local Development Companies etc. Any such body can make an application in relation to a capital project at the required state of readiness if they consider it to be a priority in terms of the objectives of Our Rural Future, the aims of the National Planning Framework and the achievement of the National Strategic Outcomes. It is important that prospective applicants also carefully consider the guidance issued as part of the call for applications to ensure that their proposal is in alignment with the stated focus of the call and the objectives of the Fund. In that regard, when the call for applications is announced, an application form and guidance document will be made available on my Department’s website for those seeking further information. My Department will also liaise with prospective applicants to provide further guidance as necessary.
Applications received are assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.
652. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects the next round of town and village renewal funding to be released; the details of applicants in County Kerry under the current rounds being considered; the projects proposed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62921/21]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages. The 2021 Scheme was launched with an indicative budget of €15 million and places particular emphasis on addressing vacancy and dereliction, projects supporting remote working, and enhancing town centre living.
I can confirm that Kerry County Council has submitted eight applications to my Department under the 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme seeking funding of approximately €1.3 million in total.
Applications from all counties, including County Kerry, are currently undergoing a formal assessment process. That assessment process is nearing conclusion and I expect to announce the successful applications shortly.
