Written Answers Nos. 913-929
913. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if other European Union countries operate a penalty regime on owners, licensees and masters and skippers of fishing vessels similar to that included in SI. No. 318/2020; if a comparative analysis was carried out; if so, if he will provide details of same; if not, if he will provide the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10007/22]
View answerThe European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2020 - SI No 318/2020 adopts the requirements of Article 92 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 and Title VII of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011.
In accordance with the EU Regulations, this instrument establishes a point system, which will apply to the licence holder of a sea fishing boat when a serious infringement of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected within the exclusive fishery limits of the State or for an Irish vessel wherever it may be.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority is determined as the competent authority for the establishment of the system and the assignment of points. The Licensing Authority is the competent authority for the recording of points assigned to the licence of an Irish registered fishing vessel and the transfer of those points.
SI No 318/2020 provides for the establishment of a Determination Panel comprised of three independent legal professionals nominated by the Attorney General to determine if, on the balance of probabilities, a serious infringement occurred. The instrument also establishes an independent appeals officer to review the decision of the Determination Panel at the request of the licence holder.
The governing EU regulations mentioned above are directly applicable in all Member States, who are obliged to implement the relevant requirements of same insofar as the points system for licence holders is concerned.
A number of key features of the points system, including the list of serious infringements, the number of points applicable to each and the thresholds for suspension and disqualification, are set out in the EU Regulations. Accordingly, the same fundamental elements of the points system such as these must feature in the systems adopted by Member States across the EU. Particular differences in the points systems of different Member States that may arise from the practical arrangements put in place to implement the points system and these arrangements may arise from the specific type and nature of the legal systems of those Member States.
The EU Commission commissioned a report, published in January 2021, that provides an in-depth analysis of the national systems sanctioning the infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and in particular of the sanctions applied by Member States for infringements detected between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019, including insofar as the EU points systems are concerned. This report is available here:
Study on the sanctioning systems of Member States for infringements to the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
In addition, a study prepared for the EU Parliament's PECH Committee was published in July 2020 entitled "Implementation of the current EU Fisheries control system by Member States (2014-2019)" which also considered inter alia the EU points systems. This study is available here:
Implementation of the current EU fisheries control system by Member States (2014-19) (europa.eu)
914. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of penalty points that have been issued following prosecution by the chosen competent control agencies in other European Union member states against the fishing licenses attached to boats within their fishing fleets under the current Common Fisheries Policy; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures of legal systems similar to Ireland and those with civil law systems; if the figures are not available to him in his Department, if he has sought those figures from other member states; if not, if he intends to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10008/22]
View answer915. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of skippers and or captains and or ships masters that have been allocated administrative sanctions by means of penalty points following prosecution by the chosen competent control agencies in other member states of the European Union; if he will provide a breakdown of the figures of legal systems similar to Ireland and those with civil law systems; if the figures are not available to him in his Department, if he has sought those figures from other member states; if not, if he intends to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10009/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 914 and 915 together.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland's exclusive fisheries zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.
The SFPA has advised that no Irish national masters resident in Ireland have been assigned points by it under the administrative points system provided for under Council Regulation (EC) 1224/2009 following prosecution by other Member States.
The EU Commission is the competent authority to verify the control operations carried out by the competent authorities of Member States. In relation to the application of sanctioning systems across Member States, including the application of a points system for licence holders and masters, the EU Commission published a report in January 2021 that provided an in-depth analysis of the national systems sanctioning the infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and, in particular, of the sanctions applied by Member States for infringements detected between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019, including insofar as the EU points systems are concerned. This report is available here:
Study on the sanctioning systems of Member States for infringements to the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)
In addition, a study prepared for the EU Parliament's PECH Committee was published in July 2020 entitled "Implementation of the current EU Fisheries control system by Member States (2014-2019)" which also considered inter alia the EU points systems. This study is available here:
Implementation of the current EU fisheries control system by Member States (2014-19) (europa.eu)
916. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a herd number can issue to an applicant in circumstances in which a will has not yet been probated or any living relatives have been located; if this is not possible, the mechanism that may be available to the applicant to progress an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10020/22]
View answerA herd number is an administrative device issued by my Department for the purposes of disease control. A herd number does not imply ownership of lands, ownership of any animals kept or tested under that herd number or entitlement to payments under any schemes operated by my Department.
There are two roles associated with a herd number - herd owner and keeper.
If a keeper, who is in the role of ‘herdowner’, dies, then the role of herdowner can only be assigned to another person, when all legal documentation, i.e., certified copies of the will and grant of probate, have been provided to my Department.
If probate is unavailable, a solicitor's letter, confirming same must accompany the will and a certified copy of probate must be forwarded to my Department when later granted.
Therefore, it is open to the personal representatives of a deceased herdowner, to register an interest in the herd by writing to my Department through their solicitor confirming that they are acting as representatives of the deceased and that probate or letters of administration are being taken out in favour of the applicant and indemnifying my Department against any damages or claims arising from the assignment of the herd number to their client.
If there are animals on a holding and the identity of the herdowner or keeper cannot reasonably be ascertained, or the herdowner or keeper is not suitable, a natural person may be nominated by the personal representatives to act as keeper.
Alternatively, a person may apply for new herd number. The applicant must submit evidence of entitlement to use the lands on which the herd number is being applied for, such as, original or certified copies of land registry documents, deed of transfer or a written lease agreement.
917. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has explored the potential development of the harness racing sector as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10061/22]
View answerThe Irish Harness Racing Association (IHRA) is a representative body for harness racing in Ireland.
From 2016 to date grants totaling some €175,000 have been paid to the IHRA under the Equine Infrastructure Scheme operated by my Department. Other supports have also been provided my Department in relation to the production of a strategic plan and an education programme aimed at road racing sulky participants.
My Department has received a number of funding submissions from the IHRA which have been reviewed by my officials and myself. In that context, I recently met with representatives of the IHRA and will provide a response to the IHRA in relation to the issues raised in the near future.
918. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time forestry inspectors and full-time ecologists recruited by his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [10076/22]
View answerThe number of full time, permanent Forestry Inspectors and ecologists that were recruited by the Department for forestry licensing since 2020 are set out below. Note: not all work directly on forestry licencing as my Department has a range of forestry functions.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Forestry Inspectors |
6 |
3 |
0 |
|
Ecologists |
6 |
1 |
0 |
In addition, the Department uses temporary forestry inspectors and contract ecologists for forestry licensing. We currently have 27 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry in the Department.
We issued 4,050 licences in 2021, an increase of 56% on 2020. I have allocated additional resources to deal with the backlog, and this increase in output is reflective of the additional resources we have put in place. We are keeping resource requirements under continuous review and further ecologists and forestry inspectors are being recruited. Alongside this, we have introduced new processes which have led to more efficient processing.
919. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 14 October 2021, if Carlow County Development Partnership has commissioned a report into the ongoing need for a domestic violence refuge in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9537/22]
View answerThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, or SICAP, is our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. SICAP aims to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality. It does this through Programme Implementers, agencies and companies, who work with the most disadvantaged and the hardest to reach in communities.
Carlow County Development Partnership (CCDP) implements SICAP in County Carlow. Disadvantaged Women and Lone Parents are key target groups under the programme. I understand that, as part of their annual plan for 2022, CCDP are currently developing the brief for the commissioning of a report on the need for a domestic violence refuge in Carlow.
920. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount that her Department has paid for advertising, features and so on in a magazine (details supplied). [9581/22]
View answerMy Department does not subscribe to the publication referred to by the Deputy and it is not distributed to staff. No payments relating to advertisements or other matters have been made by my Department to the company concerned.
921. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position regarding the drawdown of funding from her Department granted under The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the town and village renewal scheme in respect of Cahersiveen, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9626/22]
View answer922. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up-to-date position regarding the drawdown of funding from her Department granted under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the town and village renewal scheme in respect of Killorglin, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9627/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 921 and 922 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €277 million for 191 projects across the country worth a total of €375 million.
Calls for applications to the RRDF are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
In terms of the towns referred to by the Deputy, the Cahersiveen Town Centre Regeneration project led by Kerry County Council was allocated funding of €2,056,380 under the second call for Category 2 applications in 2020. €56,485 of this funding has been drawn down to date. The Killorglin Town Centre SMART Rural Regeneration project, also led by Kerry County Council, was allocated funding of €961,800 under the third call for Category 2 applications in January 2022. No funding has been drawn down to date in respect of this project.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
Details of TVRS projects funded in Killorglin and Cahersiveen and drawdowns of funding are set out in the table below.
|
Town/Village |
Scheme |
Project Description |
Funding Awarded |
Amount drawdown |
Final drawdown date |
|
Caherciveen |
TVRS 2017 |
The provision of IT equipment for a higher education programme and market research into establishing a higher education satellite campus. |
€80,000 |
€80,000 |
15/07/2019 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2017 |
To establish “The Adventure Gateway” to celebrate Mid-Kerry as a world class outdoor adventure destination, with Killorglin, its main urban centre, as its gateway. |
€64,480 |
€64,480 |
15/10/2018 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2018 |
Streetscape enhancement; study of the usage of vacant properties; and public realm improvements. |
€64,000 |
€55,629 |
31/05/2021 |
|
Killorglin |
TVRS 2020 (Accelerated Measure) |
Upgrade of car park and surrounding area at Killorglin Community Sports Centre. |
€25,000 |
€23,800 |
21/05/2021 (Notification of completion) |
923. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will ensure that a ferry service is provided for Dursey Island as a replacement for the cable car service which is due to stop for maintenance work later in 2022. [9737/22]
View answer924. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will engage with Cork County Council and local stakeholders on the Beara Peninsula concerning the announced closure of the Dursey Island cable car service for maintenance work later in 2022. [9738/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 923 and 924 together.
My Department fully understands the importance of the Dursey Island cable car service for island residents, the local farming community, and the impact the withdrawal of the service will have on tourism in the region.
It is important to note, however, that Cork County Council are wholly responsible for the provision of the cable car service and their recent decision to withdraw it was taken without any prior consultation with my Department.
When maintaining its infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and in this case the cable car, the council are responsible for providing alternative routes to minimise any access disruptions.
Nonetheless, I am very mindful of the concerns of local stakeholders and I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to engage with Cork County Council and the Island representative groups to try and seek a resolution to this issue.
925. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the newly established Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce has plans to consider the efficient use of the infrastructure and assets based in the Knock metropolitan area network specifically and the possibility of connecting more customers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9803/22]
View answerThe Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was re-established on 15 December 2021 with a meeting co-chaired by myself and Minister of State Ossian Smyth TD, involving participation from all key State stakeholders, including ComReg and the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland.
At the first meeting, Minister of State Smyth and I to set out our priorities for the coming period, which include improving mobile phone coverage and connectivity in rural areas, examining issues around planning permissions and licencing for, and sharing of, telecoms infrastructure, the use of public assets for telecoms purposes and improving the quality and availability of information for consumers of telecoms services and products.
The work of the Taskforce will include discussions on a number of issues that are already being examined at local authority level, such as maximising the efficiency of access to and occupancy of infrastructure to allow for more connections, reduced deployment timelines and costs and greater competition between providers. Both Minister of State Smyth and I are particularly keen to see existing assets and infrastructure leveraged to achieve this, not least in rural and isolated areas.
On foot of the initial meeting in December, a series of bilateral discussions have occurred with both state bodies and with representatives of the telecommunications industry. These bilateral meetings, led by senior officials from the two departments, have raised and explored a number of important issues that will be considered by Minister of State Smyth and I in the context of formulating the next work programme of the Taskforce.
It is my intention that the Taskforce will meet again shortly to agree the specific actions which will make up its work plan.
926. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has won any award from a publication (details supplied); if so, when this award was won; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9839/22]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has not won any award from the Public Sector Magazine publication.
927. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to provide a library in Ratoath, County Meath; and if she will provide funding should a site be identified. [9913/22]
View answerThe delivery of public library services, including the provision of library premises, is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Ratoath is primarily a matter for Meath County Council.
My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme 2016 – 2022, which is currently fully committed. However, Meath County Council may wish to explore other funding sources such as the
Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), which is administered by my Department, or the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), which is administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Meath County Council is required to consult with my department and the Local Government Management Agency prior to the development of plans for a new public library in Ratoath. They will then be requested to submit a proposal to my department for technical assessment to ensure that the project complies with the 'Public Library National Standards and Benchmarks' which guides the development of the public library service.
928. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she uses an application on her official Government phone; if so, if she has the disappearing messages setting activated on the application on her phone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9966/22]
View answerI can confirm that I have WhatsApp on my official phone. I use the application on occasion, usually for transmitting videos for social media use in relation to my Department’s work.
I do not have the disappearing messages function activated.
929. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the new capital plan for the upgrade of community centres as referenced in the National Development Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10052/22]
View answerA new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres was referenced in the National Development Plan. Indicative funding of €5m has been secured for this under Budget 2022. It is envisaged that the capital fund will support the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community buildings in urban and rural areas.
The fund will assist with projects such as:
- Energy retrofitting - projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint.
- Works to address safety concerns, including as a result of fire safety audits.
- Works to improve disability access.
- Works to improve communal facilities such as kitchen and toilet facilities.
The details of this capital scheme are currently being developed within my Department. It will be launched in Q1 2022, with further details being announced in due course.
