Written Answers Nos. 460-475
460. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that farmers are having their entitlements cut when mountain fires destroy sections of their land; the reason they are unable to claim for the destroyed land when the cause of the fire was unrelated to any actions by the farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10538/22]
View answerBurning of land between 1st March and 31st August (which is the closed season) in any year is prohibited under section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.
It is specified in the Basic Payment Scheme Terms and Conditions that land burnt during the closed season in any given year, is not eligible for the purpose of payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.
As required under EU Regulations, all applications under the Basic Payment Scheme are subject to robust administrative checks prior to payment. Only valid applications under the Basic Payment Scheme that fully comply with the requirements of the EU legislation are paid.
As part of these required administrative checks, my Department assesses satellite imagery to identify lands burned during the closed period. Any area within a land parcel that is identified as being subject to burning in this time period is deemed ineligible and as a result the eligible area of the parcel is reduced. The applicant is notified of this reduction and is informed of their right of review to this reduction. Follow-up field visits may undertaken by inspecting officers from my Department where required. In addition, my Department regularly issues advice and reminders directly to farmers on the negative consequences of burning land illegally including that it may give rise to an overclaim for the farmer.
Such an overclaim will result in a reduction in the eligible area. In addition, as required under the EU Regulations, further administrative penalties are applied where the area over-claimed is greater than 3% of the area declared or more than 2 hectares. Full details of how the administrative penalties are calculated can be found in the published Helpsheet and Terms and Conditions (available at the following link, assets.gov.ie/215182/555fe54e-2908-4102-b685-6f1b2de9125e.pdf).
Each applicant has a right of appeal, and each appeal is examined on its own merits based on the information provided by the applicant. It should also be noted that where an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeal, they have further right of appeal with the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
461. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will give permission to Horse Sport Ireland to commence passport printing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10542/22]
View answerI have been informed by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) that an identification document was issued to the individual in question on 21st January 2022. No permission is required from the Department to commence passport printing. Passport Issuing Organisations must, of course, comply with National and EU legislation in this regard.
462. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings he or officials from his Department have had with the National Women’s Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10570/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that myself and an official from my Department, along with Ministers of State Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon, met with the National Women’s Council on 15th September 2021. The meeting agenda was to discuss the National Women’s Council submission on the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.
The National Women’s Council of Ireland also made a submission to the public consultation on Food Vision 2030.
A representative from the National Women’s Council of Ireland telephoned my Department on 30th July 2021, to discuss work on gender equality in farming.
My Department is also a member of the Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls of which the National Women’s Council of Ireland is a member. In the period from 1st January 2019 to 21st February 2022, the Committee met on eight occasions, three in-person and five in virtual session.
463. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all applications under the current aquaculture licensing system undergoing statutory consultation are subject to fair and due process throughout the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10626/22]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process 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.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following full consideration of all views submitted as part of both the statutory and public consultation process. The licence application process is designed to strike a balance between the rights and obligations of all parties including the applicant(s), statutory consultees, relevant NGOs and the general public. I am satisfied that the current licensing system meets all of these requirements.
464. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek clarification from the relevant Department as to whether the costs of judicial review by a State agency, that is, a statutory consultee in the aquaculture licensing process, will be funded by public expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10627/22]
View answerThe State Agency which the Deputy appears to be referring to is not an Agency that comes under the aegis of my Department. Accordingly, it would be more appropriate if the Deputy raised the matter with the parent Department of that Agency.
465. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason more felling licences are being issued to Coillte than to the private sector since the start of 2022 despite the significant backlog of private licences awaiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10649/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 2,877 felling licences last year which represented nearly 8.7 million cubic metres of timber. This was the highest ever output in volume terms in a single year.
There was an almost even split of Coillte and private felling licences last year with Coillte receiving 53% and the other 47% going to the private sector.
This year we have committed to increasing our output to 3,360 felling licences, broken down between 1,530 Coillte felling licences and 1,830 private felling licences and we intend to deliver on this commitment. This is a 36% increase in private felling licences on 2021 and all details are outlined in our Licensing Plan, found at gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie).
466. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to significantly increase the number of afforestation licences being issued which is directly related to encouraging more farm forestry uptake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10650/22]
View answerI am acutely aware that the overall level of tree planting has declined in recent years and this is a cause for concern. Achieving the planting targets set out in the Climate Action Plan is a priority for me and for Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
We do need to engage farmers and landowners with forestry, so that the multifunctional benefits of planting can contribute to the economic needs of society, as well as our climate change, biodiversity and recreational objectives.
Improving licensing output has a role to play in building confidence amongst farmer and landowners, and in increasing the demand for licences for afforestation. That is why we are giving much higher priority to issuing planting licences. We intend to issue 1,040 afforestation licences in 2022 which is a 100% increase in output on 2021. We are fully committed to increasing the efficiency of the licensing system and work underway under Project Woodland in terms of the review of the regulatory framework and of our business processes is aimed at helping us to achieve better and more responsive delivery.
We do however need to address the broader issue of increasing the level of interest in planting. In 2021, for example, there were 502 afforestation licences issued. Those licences would have facilitated planting of over 4,200 ha but only 2000 hectares were planted in 2021. This low conversion rate to planting is of concern and needs to change.
We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and to encourage them to consider using them before their approval lapses. It is important that positive messages around planting are communicated and this is the responsibility of all in the sector, especially those in direct contact with farmers and landowners.
The introduction of an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 to facilitate small scale tree planting without the need for a licence may appeal to certain landowners and will widen the options available for planting.
In addition to the above, through Project Woodland, my Department is currently preparing for comprehensive engagement and public consultation that will take place over the coming months on a shared national vision for the role of trees and forests and on the development of a new forest strategy. Significant progress has already been made. A national public attitudes survey on afforestation has been undertaken. Irish Rural Link have been engaging with communities across Ireland. Bilateral engagements are ongoing with key stakeholders. There will also be an online public consultation facility available where stakeholders and the public can provide detailed written submissions regarding the new Vision and Forest Strategy.
The new Forest Strategy will set out a clear plan of action that will align with our climate action commitments. The next Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 is currently being prepared and this will be the main implementation vehicle for the strategy. The role of trees and forests will play a vital role in meeting our climate action commitments and the Forestry Programme will provide funding to encourage an increased uptake of a wide range of afforestation measures to meet this.
467. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the overall private sector forestry applications made in 2021, broken down by afforestation, thinning, roads and felling licences; the waiting list per category as per December 2021, in tabular form; the new targets his Department has set for 2022 in the same category areas; the way performance in 2022 is performing against profile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10651/22]
View answerThe number of forestry licence applications received and issued in 2021 is indicated in the table below.
|
- |
Received |
Issued |
|
Afforestation |
526 |
502 |
|
Forest Roads |
661 |
671 |
|
Tree Felling |
1,254 |
1,346 |
|
Total Private |
2,441 |
2,519 |
While we are addressing the issues with the licensing system, there are still forestry licences on hand and in backlog. At the end of 2021, there were 4,817 forestry licences awaiting decision, broken down below. This number has further reduced and, on 18th February, the total number on hand is 4,379.
|
- |
31st December |
|
Afforestation |
884 |
|
Forest Roads |
585 |
|
Tree Felling |
3,348 |
|
Total |
4,817 |
We are increasing further our licence output in 2022 as outlined in the recently published forestry Licensing Plan, found at gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie). The targets for 2022 are shown below and represent year-on-year increase of 30% Licences issued to date are also shown and output is keeping pace with the overall target.
|
- |
Total Annual Target |
Licences Issued YTD (18th Feb) |
|
Afforestation |
1,040 |
87 |
|
Forest Roads |
850 |
100 |
|
Tree Felling |
3,360 |
521 |
|
Total |
5,250 |
708 |
468. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans that are in place in order to supply members of the veterinary profession with the necessary amount of injectable calcium (details supplied); if there are plans in place to counteract a shortage or increase this supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10661/22]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the competent authority for the authorisation of veterinary medicinal products in Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regulates the distribution of veterinary medicinal products in the State. Both bodies collaborate when potential veterinary medicinal shortages arise and are notified via the shortages protocol.
There are several injectable calcium veterinary medicines (product details available on the HPRA website) indicated for the treatment of milk fever currently authorised in Ireland. My officials have been in contact with the HPRA who informed us that they have been notified by one of the companies that, due to high demand for one product, they currently have no stock on hand but hope to have product available again in a few months. The HPRA expects that other companies will be in a position to meet any immediate shortfall in supply.
469. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Ash dieback RUS applications his Department intend to process in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10819/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently published forestry licensing targets for 2022. The plan may be found at gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie). A key target of that plan is to refocus on the delivery on approvals from the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback).
Some 537 RUS applications have been received totalling 2,215ha and issued decisions on 175 covering 567ha. Many of the remaining files are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology. Many require planning permission from the Local Authority and the Department is engaging with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage with the objective of removing the planning permission requirement for these files. To date this year, the Department has issued 17 approvals for RUS.
470. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of afforestation planted with commercial conifer species in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10820/22]
View answerThe following table details the area of afforestation planted with conifers in the past three years and expresses it as a percentage of total planting.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Conifers Planted. Hectares |
2,656.72 |
1,615.79 |
1,187.47 |
|
Percentage of total |
74.84% |
66.38% |
58.89% |
I am acutely aware the overall level of tree planting has declined in recent years and this is a cause for concern. Achieving the planting targets set out in the Climate Action Plan is a priority for me and for Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, as well as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
We do need to engage farmers and landowners with forestry, so that the multifunctional benefits of planting can contribute to the economic needs of society, as well as our climate change, biodiversity and recreational objectives.
Improving licensing output has a role to play in building confidence amongst farmer and landowners, and in increasing the demand for licences for afforestation. That is why I am attaching importance to improving output on these licences in 2022. We intend to issue 1,040 afforestation licences which is double our output in 2021. We are fully committed to increasing the efficiency of the licensing system and work underway under Project Woodland in terms of the review of the regulatory framework and of our business processes is aimed at helping us to achieve better and more responsive delivery.
We do however need to address the broader issue of increasing the level of interest in planting. In 2021, for example, there were 502 afforestation licences issued. Those licences would have facilitated planting of over 4,200 ha but only 2,000 hectares were planted in 2021. This low conversion rate to planting is of concern and needs to change.
We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and to encourage them to consider using them before their approval lapses. It is important that positive messages around planting are communicated and this is the responsibility of all in the sector, especially those in direct contact with farmers and landowners.
The introduction of an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 to facilitate small scale tree planting without the need for a licence may appeal to certain landowners and will widen the options available for planting.
In addition to the above, through Project Woodland, my Department is currently preparing for comprehensive engagement and public consultation that will take place over the coming months on a shared national vision for the role of trees and forests and on the development of a new forest strategy. Significant progress has already been made. A national public attitudes survey on afforestation has been undertaken. Irish Rural Link have been engaging with communities across Ireland. Bilateral engagements are ongoing with key stakeholders. There will also be an online public consultation facility available where stakeholders and the public can provide detailed written submissions regarding the new Vision and Forest Strategy.
The new Forest Strategy will set out a clear plan of action that will align with our climate action commitments. The next Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 is currently being prepared and this will be the main implementation vehicle for the strategy. The role of trees and forests will play a vital role in meeting our climate action commitments and the Forestry Programme will provide funding to encourage an increased uptake of a wide range of afforestation measures to meet this.
471. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants or members of the REAP scheme who have applied for afforestation approval under his Department’s afforestation grant and premium scheme for January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10821/22]
View answerThe Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot Programme (REAP) is designed to trial the results-based approach on a national basis and to test the upscaling potential of the model for inclusion in the next national agri-environment scheme to follow GLAS. REAP incentivises farmers to maintain and improve the environmental condition of their land while delivering an important financial support to farmers.
The programme will run to the end of 2022 and there are currently 3,740 participants in REAP, none of whom applied to afforest their land in January 2022
At applications stage, farmers could bring in between 2ha and 10ha of land with partnerships permitted to bring in up to 30ha. Almost 32,000ha of land has been assessed and scored under the 2021 REAP programme to establish its environmental condition. Farmers will work with their advisers to undertake environmental improvement works on the land that can increase the environmental score in year two. REAP will focus on improving existing farm features rather than the creation of new features and habitats. Farms with higher environmental scores will receive larger payments.
While parcels brought into REAP may not be converted to forestry during the term of the REAP contract, afforestation is fully compatible with REAP. REAP participants are subject to a maximum land area of 10ha for individual farmers and 30ha for partnerships of three farm holdings. The average REAP area under management per participant is 8.4ha. It is important to note that REAP is not a whole-of-farm project and that afforestation opportunities continue to exist for REAP participants on parcels that have not been selected for the project.
472. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings she or officials from her Department have had with the National Women’s Council of Ireland from 1 January 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10583/22]
View answerMy Department has had 24 direct engagements, from 1 January 2019 to date, with the National Women’s Council of Ireland. I have provided the details in the table.
|
DRCD Unit where Minister of State/Department Unit's Officials engaged with the National Women’s Council of Ireland. |
Number of engagements |
Online meetings, webinars, briefings or in-person meetings |
Context of engagement |
|
Minister of State's Office |
1 |
Online meeting, 11 November 2021 |
Mr. Joe O’Brien T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development met with representatives of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Minister O’Brien has also engaged with representatives of the National Women’s Council of Ireland at wider gatherings/online events. |
|
Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes Unit |
5 |
My officials have conducted five Bilateral meetings with the C&V Pillar membership since 2019. This includes online meetings and in-person meetings |
The National Women’s Council of Ireland is a member of the Community & Voluntary Social Pillar (‘the Pillar’). The Pillar is a seventeen member representative Body contributing to the social dialogue process. |
|
Community and Voluntary Supports and Programmes Unit |
13 |
My officials have met with the PPN National Advisory Group 13 times since 2019. |
One member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland sits on the Public Participation Network (PPN) National Advisory Group, representing the Community & Voluntary Social Pillar. |
|
Rural Strategy Unit |
3 |
Online Briefing, 23 June 2021 |
Members of the Rural Strategy Unit attended an online session, hosted by NWCI in June 2021, with the purpose of providing a briefing on Our Rural Future (Rural Development Policy 2021-2025). |
|
Rural Strategy Unit |
2 |
Online Meetings June 2021 - Ongoing |
The Rural Strategy Unit agreed to support the NWCI hosting a Conference (Women in Rural Communities) in 2022 and two follow-up online meetings have been held since then. Engagement is ongoing and we look forward to continue to work with the organization. |
473. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of projects per municipal district area in County Cork that sought and were allocated funding under the local improvement scheme for 2020 and 2021, respectively; the amount of funding that was drawn down by Cork County Council in 2020 and 2021 under the scheme; the amount sought by Cork County Council under the 2022 local improvement scheme; when the allocations for the 2022 scheme will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10602/22]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of 'Our Rural Future', the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland.
The allocation of funding under the Local Improvement Scheme in 2020 was based on the physical area of each county, with a maximum and minimum ceiling applied. In 2020 Cork received the maximum allocation of €900,000 and drew down a total of €896,693.
The 2021 Scheme was launched in May with funding of €10.5 million and each county was provided with an additional €20,000 relative to their 2020 allocation. On this basis, Cork was allocated €920,000. This again represented the maximum level of funding available to any individual county.
I was pleased to source additional funding during the year and allocated a further round of funding of €10.5 million to bring the total nationally under the scheme for 2021 to €21 million. This additional funding was allocated based on each local authority's view as to their capacity to deliver improvement works by year-end. Cork County Council submitted a request for funding of €700,000 under this second tranche. The second round of funding was over subscribed and consequently each county was allocated just over 70% of the amount sought.
Cork County Council was awarded €492,738 under this second round, bringing the total allocation for 2021 in Cork to €1,412,738. The total funding drawn down by Cork in 2021 was €1,410,172, which included a small amount of their allocation that was not utilised in 2021 but which has been claimed and is being carried over into 2022. Claims for recoupment are based on a county and not municipal district basis.
Finally, I was also pleased, as part of Budget 2022, to announce an increase in the base funding for LIS from €10.5 million in 2021 to €11 million this year. I expect to launch this year's scheme in the coming weeks.
474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will meet as a matter of urgency in the coming weeks with a delegation from Inis Meáin and with local representatives to discuss their concerns with the slow progress being made with the development of An Caladh Mór in view of the ongoing serious safety concerns and constraints with the present arrangements for landing cargo on the island and other constraints relating to passenger services and fishing boats; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10646/22]
View answerThe Inis Meáin pier development is included in the National Development Plan. As the Deputy will be aware, Galway County Council is the body responsible for development of stage three of the Caladh Mór pier development. Users of the pier, including a number of State subsidised ferry operators, have highlighted issues with capacity within the harbour, as well as with currents around the mouth of the harbour.
Officials from my Department and from Galway County Council met with the local committee from Inis Meáin on Friday 18th February to discuss the progress to date and to update them on the next steps of this development. Galway County Council provided a clear step by step guide of how this development will progress, along with estimated timelines for the current stage of the project. This involves a further marine survey that will feed into the development of a model simulation of the harbour by the National Marine College of Ireland.
The other issues raised by the Deputy were also discussed at the meeting. It was agreed to convene a further meeting with the group in a number of months in order to update them on the progress of the project.
475. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil i gceist aici go mbeidh coinníoll sa chéad chonradh farantóireachta paisinéirí eile chuig Oileáin Árann go mbeidh deis nó gléas ann le boscaí agus málaí a iompar isteach agus amach as an mbád go sábhailte; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10657/22]
View answerTá obair ar siúl i mo Roinn faoi láthair leis na cáipéisí a bhaineann leis an bpróiseas soláthair le hathnuachan a dhéanamh ar an gconradh farantóireachta d'Oileáin Árainn a ullmhú.
Mar is eol don Teachta, tá próiseas comhairliúcháin le pobal na n-oileán mar chuid lárnach den próiseas athnuachana sin agus tá plé déanta ag oifigigh mo Roinne cheanna féin le hionadaithe pobail Oileáin Árainn maidir leis an gconradh nua.
Is faoin gcomhlacht farantóireachta atá sé na socruithe cuí a dhéanamh maidir le málaí agus lastas éadrom a iompar go sábháilte isteach agus amach ón gcéibh agus níl sé i gceist go gcuirfear aon choinníoll sa chonradh nua maidir le gléas chun málaí a iompar a bheith curtha ar fáil.
Is cuid lárnach den phróiseas soláthair go mbíonn an Roinn ag lorg an tseirbhís farantóireachta is fearr agus is féidir do mhuintir na n-oileán agus spreagtar soláthróirí chuige sin sna cáipéisí soláthair.
