Written Answers Nos. 911-920
911. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his departmental officials have held any meetings specifically to address the decline in afforestation applications; if so, the actions that have been taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16620/22]
View answerThere are a variety of reasons why there has been a decline in afforestation rates in recent years. The rate of afforestation is a function of the number of applications for licences received by my Department, the rate at which these are processed and the number of licences which are ultimately converted into planting.
These elements have been impacted by the complexity of the legal and administrative system, judicial decisions, the efficiency of the forestry licensing system, the appetite among landowners to convert land to afforestation usage and, in some areas, complex societal attitudes and responses to afforestation. Both myself and Minister of State Pippa Hackett as well as the Department are very conscious of the need to increase afforestation rates given the target of 8,000 hectares set out in the Climate Action Plan.
The Department has focussed on addressing the licensing issue and on looking to the future of trees and forests in Ireland under the framework of Project Woodland. This Project commenced in March 2021 and has four Working Groups the membership of which is drawn from the Forestry Policy Group. The Forestry Policy Group has a membership of 26 and has a wide range of stakeholders representing the forestry sector, farmers, forest owners, environmental groups, community groups and public bodies. The group meet every two months and the question of afforestation is frequently discussed while the Working Groups have been meeting weekly or fortnightly as the need arises. Both Minister Hackett and I also meet regularly on a bilateral basis with forestry stakeholders.
The licensing situation is improving as a result of increased investment in resources and a continual improvement in processes. We issued 4,050 licences in 2021 and intend to increase this to 5,250 in 2022. We aim to more than double the number of afforestation licences to 1,040 and this should have the effect of encouraging confidence in the system. Of course last year, 502 afforestation licences issued for 4,246 hectares, but only 2,016 hectares were planted. This low conversion rate is a challenge. There are currently 5,200 ha in the system, which have a valid approval, but have not gone ahead to planting. 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.
Communication and positive messaging about the benefits of afforestation is crucial. On most farms, planting can comfortably co-exist with livestock enterprises and can significantly increase the net income from the holding. We must work together to communicate this positive message consistently.
There is also an opportunity to contribute to the shared national vision for forestry by mean of the online public consultation which was launched on 16th March, 2022
913. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has reviewed a jointly developed pig stability fund proposal (details supplied) which was commissioned by organisations; if he will support this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16622/22]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently reviewing the proposal referred to in the Deputy's question, and is engaging with stakeholders in this context, and on the situation in the pig sector in general.
Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges that Irish pig farmers are facing at present. The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. It is the third largest agri-food sector, and supports approximately 8,000 rural jobs.
Last month, I announced the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS), with a fund of up to €7 million, for commercial pig farmers. This is an urgent, short-term response to assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances, and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.
This scheme is a once-off exchequer funded scheme open to commercial pig undertakings which had produced more than 200 pigs in the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 inclusive. This includes pigs sent to slaughter, exported or sold commercially from a breeding herd.
The scheme was notified to the European Commission under the agriculture de minimis rules, which provide for a maximum payment per undertaking of €20,000.
Applications for the PEPS closed on 20th March 2022. The first tranche of payments was made last week, with the remaining applications due for processing as soon as possible. All information on the scheme can be found on my Department's website.
This scheme is part of a wider package of measures to support the pigmeat sector, including intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets with dedicated media advertising campaigns underway nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.
Teagasc has also intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options potentially available to them.
There is also support for access to finance through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), particularly the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme. Both of these SBCI finance products, which are part-financed by my Department, can be used for working capital and include features which will assist the current financial needs of pig farmers.
Furthermore, my Department continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including through the European Food Security Crisis preparedness response Mechanism (EFSCM). Last week, the Commission announced the adoption of exceptional support measures across the agriculture sector, along with a communication on Food Security. In addition, the Commission in view of the particularly difficult situation in the pig meat sector has opened a new private storage aid scheme to assist in stabilising the sector.
The Department is currently examining the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to the exceptional aid allocation to Ireland of €15.8 million in EU funding.
914. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of civil servants in his Department currently on secondment to the private sector; if he will list the entities they are working for in each instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17141/22]
View answerMy Department currently has no staff on secondment to the private sector.
915. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grants that are available to expand a business providing holiday pods in Kilcar, County Donegal; the full details for the grants that may be available; the location in which applications can be made for grant funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16674/22]
View answerFunding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.
The LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development. This programme is a multi-annual programme which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country.
Funding is provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development and social inclusion. In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the LAG which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partner to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is part of a package of national and local support measures to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland through the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration Programme. The Scheme, funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is administered by the Local Authorities.
Local Authorities are required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns/villages in their area and can select proposals for development into detailed applications to be submitted to the Department. The central aim of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is to support the revitalisation of towns and villages, to improve the living and working environment of their communities, and increase their potential to support increased economic activity into the future. It is anticipated the 2022 application period for the scheme will be in April.
Groups or organisations qualify for support schemes or programmes provided by my Department where they meet the requisite eligibility criteria. Groups should check my Department's website for scheme announcements and regarding closing dates for applications at gov.ie
916. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated full-year cost of recruiting two additional full-time senior case managers at higher executive officer level for the Charities Regulator; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16118/22]
View answerThe Charities Regulator is fully independent in its day to day operations, and it is a matter for the Board of the Regulator to decide on its appropriate organisational structure within the allocated Vote funding.
The estimated full year cost of recruiting two additional full-time senior case managers at higher executive officer level for the Charities Regulator would be €101,696, based on current salary scales.
917. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of retainers her Department has with outside organisations; and the cost of each retainer, in tabular form. [16157/22]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not have any retainers with any outside organisations.
918. 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. [16338/22]
View answerAt the outset, it is important to note that Cork County Council own and operate the cable car service and are responsible for ensuring mainland connectivity for the island residents and for those who require access to their farmlands during the period of maintenance. During periods of scheduled routine maintenance in the past, the Council have provided a temporary ferry service to the island.
The decision to withdraw the service was taken by Cork County Council without any prior consultation with the Island residents, with Island representative groups or indeed with the Department of Rural and Community Development. When maintaining any infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, or in this case the cable car, the Local Authority is responsible for providing alternative routes to minimise any access disruptions.
I understand the urgency of the situation facing Dursey Island residents, the local farming community and the impact that the withdrawal of the cable car service will have on the tourism sector in that region.
I had advised Cork County Council that my Department was available to discuss proposals from the Local Authority on how an appropriate alternative service can be provided during the period in which the cable car is closed. The Chief Executive of the Council has written to me in recent days in that regard and my officials will be meeting with the Council this week to discuss the matter further.
919. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the external consultancy organisation or provider that delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department in each of the years 2018 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16381/22]
View answerMy Department is dedicated to the fair and equal treatment of all staff and stakeholders. Our programmes, policies and practices promote and advance social justice, equality and diversity across the range of interventions and supports to communities.
The Department’s People Strategy, commits to supporting diversity and inclusion in our workplace enabling the achievement of equality of opportunity in all employment practices and across our learning and development initiatives.
My Department will shortly be drafting its new People Strategy 2022 – 2024 which will include a learning and development plan for all staff, including training in equality and diversity initiatives.
In 2021, my Department provided Disability Awareness Information sessions and training courses to all staff, as well as Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness workshops to our stakeholders and Department staff.
My Department continues to take active measures to promote and advance diversity and inclusion in the promotion of relevant policies, health and wellbeing initiatives, and active engagement with staff to encourage a culture of diversity and inclusion where all staff are valued in the workplace. Staff are encouraged to attend events organised across the Civil Service by groups such as the Civil Service Women’s Network and the LGBT+ Network. The Department has also supported a member of staff to complete a Professional Diploma in Human Rights and Equality.
Costs covering the period in question are provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Course |
Provider |
Cost |
|
2021 |
Disability Awareness training |
Ability Focus |
€420 |
|
2021 |
Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness Workshop |
Cara (Sports Inclusion Ireland) |
€500 |
920. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of civil servants in her Department currently on secondment to the private sector; if she will list the entities they are working for in each instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17157/22]
View answerI can confirm that there are no civil servants from my Department currently on secondment to the private sector.
