Wednesday, 23 Mar 2022

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (215)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

215. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the full list of the categories of eligible workers who are entitled to the healthcare bonus payment. [15511/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all healthcare workers for their efforts during this most challenging period.

The Government announced a COVID-19 recognition payment for frontline public sector healthcare workers, to recognise their unique role during the pandemic. The measure will be ring fenced to staff ordinarily onsite in COVID-19 exposed healthcare environments within the period between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021. Arrangements will be made for pro-rata payment for eligible part-time staff.

It is important to note that eligibility is not determined by grade or category, it is dependent on fulfilling the eligibility criteria. With that said, this payment will be made to those eligible public sector frontline healthcare staff (inclusive of agency staff working for the HSE) who worked in clinical settings (e.g. – and noting this list is not exhaustive: those Doctors / Nurses / Health Care Assistants / Porters / Cleaners etc. that work in clinical settings). The measure encompasses Health Care Support Assistants (also known as Home Carers / Home Help) employed by or carrying out duties contracted to the HSE. The measure also encompasses those eligible working on site in long term residential care facilities for people with disabilities (inclusive of those facilities whether HSE or section 39).

The Department of Health appreciates the levels of interest this announcement has generated. We are working together with the HSE to provide additional details on this measure including full eligibility criteria, particulars and terms and conditions that apply. Additionally, the Department and the HSE are currently consulting with health sector trade unions on this matter. This consultation is part of the Department and HSE’s objective to finalise the application of this measure fairly. Upon conclusion of consultations with the trade unions, full details of the application process, FAQs and other particulars shall be published by the HSE.

The measure also extends to those equivalent eligible healthcare workers in private nursing homes and hospices. Arrangements for this sector encompassed by this measure are currently being progressed by the Department of Health.

Forestry Sector

Questions (216)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of proposals in relation to matters (details supplied) regarding forestry licensing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15128/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The regulatory review of the licensing process is an important initiative which is being carried out by a consultant with legal and environmental expertise under the auspices of Project Woodland. As you may be aware Project Woodland was launched in February, 2021 and aims to improve the forestry licensing system as well as developing a shared vision for woodland creation in Ireland.

The regulatory review is assessing the existing statutory framework for the licensing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework. The review is also considering the issue of a single consent system and statutory timelines. That report is currently being finalised and will be published in a number of weeks.

As regards the licensing system we have set out our priorities for 2022 in our Licensing Plan which may be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/forestry-policy-and-strategy/#forestry-licensing-plan-2022. The Plan contains a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30% on 2021 and our output to date, as shown on the weekly forestry dashboard, is in line with that target.

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, my priority this year is to deliver on the ambition outlined in the Licensing Plan and I would ask that all who are interested in forestry play their part in communicating the multi-functional benefits of forestry and especially to focus on encouraging planting as a complementary activity to farming.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (217)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

217. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged a company (details supplied) in respect of the services it provides from 2011 to date in 2022; the number of times he has engaged this company; the services used; and the total cost of all engagements with this company. [15174/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table.

Year	Services Used	Number of Engagements	Cost €
2011 - 2014	Nil
2015	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	36	8,476
2016	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	23	14,915
2017	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	54	4,429
2018	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	39	5,948
2019	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	28	10,163
2020	Irish/Multi-Lingual Translations	3	157
2021	Multi-Lingual Translations Irish Translations	3 1*	3,428 56,087
2022 to date	Irish Translations	1*	10,612

*Office of Government Procurement Contract - Irish Language Translation Services Framework

Forestry Sector

Questions (218)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department issued 70 more licences to Coillte than to the private sector for February 2022; if this trend will continue in March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15195/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine issued 2,877 felling licences last year which represented more than 8 million cubic metres of timber. This was the highest ever output licensed in volume terms in a single year.

Last year, Coillte received 53% of felling licences and the other 47% going to the private sector. Coillte currently supply around 75% of sawlog to sawmills.

This year, we have committed to increasing our output to 3,360 felling licences, broken down between 1,530 Coillte felling licences which will be the same as their 2021 figure and 1,830 private felling licences which will represent a 36% increase on 2021 and we intend to deliver on these commitments. All details are outlined in our Licensing Plan, found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/forestry-policy-and-strategy/#forestry-licensing-plan-2022.

Forestry Sector

Questions (219)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte felling licences in the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15196/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has, through Project Woodland, established a definition of the backlog, which is any licence application on hand for over 120 days.

As of 11th March 2022, there were 898 Coillte felling files with the Department more than 120 days.

Using this 120 days as the definition of the backlog, the backlog of applications has reduced by 29% since the end of August 2021, which is a significant reduction in the number of applications awaiting decision.

The Forestry Licensing Plan for 2022 contains a target of the issuing of 5,250 licences, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%.

2021 was a good year for felling licences with applications of more than 8 million cubic metres of timber volume licensed during the year. The licensing plan for 2022 has set a target of 1,830 private felling licences representing a year on year increase of 36%.

The plan sets a target of 1,530 Coillte felling licences which is the same as the number of Coillte felling licences issued in 2021.

Forestry Sector

Questions (220)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licences his Department must issue to the private sector each week from 1 March 2022 to 31 December 2022 in order to achieve his targets as set out in the recent licensing plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15197/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022, recently, which may be found here gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie). The targets for each of the licence types are included in the plan and there being 52 weeks in the year, the annual target in each case is divided by 52, to indicate the average weekly outputs. These, of course, are averages across the year and will fluctuate at times. The total target private felling licences for 2022 is 1,830 as indicated in the table below.

Targets	Total	Average Weekly
Felling (Private)	1,830	35
Felling (Coillte)	1,530	30
Afforestation	1,040	20
Roads	850	16
Total	5,250	101

As the table below shows for week ending 11th March 2022, the total number of private felling licences to be issued year to date was 350 (based on the average weekly profile) while the number issued was 314.

Scheme	Output Licences Week ending 11.03.2022	Target Licences Week ending 11.03.2022
Felling (Private)	314	350
Felling (Coillte)	431	300
Afforestation	132	200
Roads	140	160
Total (licences)	1,017	1,010

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, my priority is to deliver our 2022 licensing plan this year, which includes meeting our overall target of 1,830 private felling licences for the entire year.

Forestry Sector

Questions (221)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

221. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte felling licences included in his Departments dashboard for the week ending 4 March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15198/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

This data is published in a Forestry Dashboard weekly, which is available on my Department's website which can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b8b5-2022-forestry-weekly-dashboard/.

The Forestry Licensing Plan for this year contains a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30% including:

- A higher priority for afforestation licences for 2022 with a 107% increase in output up to 1,040.

- A year-on-year increase of 48% of private felling, roads and afforestation files.

- Private felling licences at 1,830 represents a 36% increase on 2021, while Coillte felling licences at 1,530 will maintain the levels they achieved in 2021.

The Licensing Plan 2022 may be found here gov.ie - Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 (www.gov.ie).

Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, my priority this year is to deliver on the ambition outlined in the Plan and to issue 5,250 licences, and to reach the projected targets in each licence category, including private felling.

State Bodies

Questions (222)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

222. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacancies by job title currently in the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; when each of these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [15214/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are currently two (2) vacancies on the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In accordance with Section 47 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, these vacancies have recently been advertised under open competition arrangements by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) .

As details of other vacancies within the SFPA is a matter for the SFPA, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to SFPA for direct response in that regard.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (223)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15273/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The current situation in relation to the cost of fertilisers is a significant concern. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption.

I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains, and especially on input costs at the extraordinary informal meeting of European Union Agriculture Ministers held on 2nd March. I underlined the need for market support and the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market. Commissioner Wojciechowski is aware of concerns and is considering the issue of necessary supports under the CMO Regulation.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Ros An Mhil and Killybegs under statute.

Charges for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres are set out in secondary legislation by means of the Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 214 of 2012). Income from these charges, rental income and other miscellaneous fees and charges pay for the day to day operational costs of the Fishery Harbour Centres.

The matter referred to by the Deputy relates to the use of the slip and parking of vehicles in the operation of a water activity business at Dingle Fishery Harbour Centre for which the individual concerned was granted a licence in 2021. The annual fee is set out in the licence which was signed by the individual concerned. In acknowledgement of the impact of Covid19 public health restrictions on the operation of such a business, a concession was offered on the licence fee for 2021 and the licence holder was advised on this basis. As no such restrictions are now in force, the full charges set out in the licence are due in order for the licence to remain in force.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (227)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

227. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of contracts that his Department has with a company (details supplied); the location, nature, value and type of contract in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15401/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department did not award any contracts to the company in question.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237)

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Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 to 237, inclusive, together.

The objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland. The scheme was subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM was funded by a combination of €50 million EU exceptional aid and €27.8 million Exchequer support and was provided in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers had been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty in 2019.

Under the scheme, aid was paid on adult cattle slaughtered between 24 September 2018 and 12 May 2019, at a rate of €100 per animal subject to a maximum of 100 finished animals per herd. Aid was also paid on suckler cows that calved in 2018, at a rate of €40 per animal subject to a maximum of 40 sucklers per herd.

Applications for BEAM were accepted from the 19 August 2019 with the deadline for applications extended to midnight on 20 September 2019.

Payments under BEAM commenced in December 2019. Payments totalling €77.86m issued to 33,478 participants under the scheme.

One of the conditions under which funding was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of re-structuring built into the scheme as set out in Article 1 (3) of EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 as compared with the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019. There was also a significant cohort of eligible farmers that chose not to apply to the scheme, on the basis they did not want to comply with the conditions.

Following engagement with the EU Commission regarding flexibility around the deadline for meeting the 5% reduction, I introduced an option for farmers to choose an alternative reduction period of 1 January 2021 - 31 December 2021. This was to give farmers every chance of meeting the requirements of the scheme. Some 16,000 farmers opted for this deferred reduction period before applications for deferment closed on 21 June 2021.

In September 2021, following the ending of the original reduction period on 30 June 2021, it was identified that some 19,000 participants had met the scheme commitments set out in section 7.0 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions and thus exited the scheme successfully without recoupment.

Approximately 5,300 of the 16,000 who opted to defer subsequently met all their BEAM commitments within the allotted timeframe, including the 5% bovine nitrates reduction in the original reduction period. My Department therefore, removed them from the later reduction period.

A further 3,627 participants who had not opted to defer did not meet some or all of the scheme commitments set out in section 7.0 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions. The total value of these overpayments was €5,277,820 with €3,377,804.80 returning to the EU and €1,900,015.20 returning to the Exchequer in line with the ratio under which they were initially paid.

A total of 234 of the 3,627 participants recorded a Nitrates reduction of between 4% and 5% which resulted in between a 20% and 80% recoupment as provided for the in the scheme Terms and Conditions. The total value of these partial recoupments was €168,560.

This left approximately 10,300 BEAM participants in the deferred reduction period.

In March 2022, following the ending of the deferred reduction period on 31 December 2021, it was identified just over 2,800 had met their scheme commitments set out in section 7.0 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions and they exited the scheme successfully.

This left 7,470 participants who did not meet some or all of the scheme commitments necessary to avoid a recoupment of some or all of their payments under the scheme. The total value of these recoupments was €12,596,536 with €8,061,783.04 returning to the EU and €4,534,752.96 returning to the Exchequer in line with the ratio under which they were initially paid.

282 of the 7,470 participants recorded a Nitrates reduction of between 4% and 5% which resulted in between an 20% and 80% recoupment as provided for the in the scheme Terms and Conditions. The total value of these partial recoupments was €287,976.

Overall, almost 22,000 of the 33,000 in the BEAM scheme have met the scheme commitments and they exited the scheme successfully.

Question No. 229 answered with Question No. 228.

Question No. 230 answered with Question No. 228.