Thomas Pringle
Question:856. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the laws that are in place to stop healthy dogs from being euthanised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22804/22]
View answerAnimal Welfare
Questions (856)
Written answers
Owners and keepers of animals have a legal obligation to care for their animals, and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 allows for imposition of a fine of up to €250,000, imprisonment up to five years, or both, for the killing of a protected animal in breach of the Act.
I am satisfied that the Act provides a robust means of enabling officers authorised under the Act to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute breaches of the welfare provisions of the Act by owners, dog shelters, boarding kennels and dog breeders or others.
The Minister for Community and Rural Development has policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Act 1996, and this legislation is enforced by the local authorities.
Figures provided by local authorities indicate that the number of dogs euthanised under the Act has decreased significantly in recent years - from 916 in 2017 to 172 in 2020.
This significant and encouraging reduction in numbers can, in part, be attributed to the dedicated work of animal welfare organisations in Ireland actively involved in rehoming of stray or abandoned dogs.
In December 2021, I announced the allocation of over €3.7 million in grants to 98 animal welfare charities throughout the country. This was the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department. Of this funding, €2.9 million was awarded to 63 organisations that deal with the welfare and rehoming of dogs.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to promote responsible pet ownership. This is currently being advanced by cross-divisional co-ordination within my Department on various aspects relating to pet ownership. Ireland’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 - “Working Together for Animal Welfare” reflects the Programme for Government commitment on responsible pet ownership, and includes a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW). This multi-stakeholder Council convened in October 2021 and includes non-governmental organisations, individuals and professionals with a diverse range of skill sets and expertise to advise me on matters relating to companion animals. This Council will continue to provide me with expert advice on companion animal issues to guide policy-making.
Fishery Harbour Centres
Questions (857)
Alan Kelly
Question:857. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of revenue generated activities in each of the fishery harbour centres under the remit of his Department in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form [22959/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has responsibility for the six State owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth.
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 below tables illustrate the revenue generated in 2021 and to date for 2022.
Table 1 Revenue by Activity by Harbour 2021
|
Revenue by Activity by Harbour 2021* |
Harbour Dues |
Rental |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
Castletownbere |
€753,459.00 |
€241,802.00 |
€60,444.00 |
€1,055,705.00 |
|
Dingle |
€427,305.00 |
€58,675.00 |
€68,388.00 |
€554,368.00 |
|
Dunmore East |
€188,399.00 |
€57,721.00 |
€4,921.00 |
€251,041.00 |
|
Howth |
€221,080.00 |
€659,586.00 |
€130,239.00 |
€1,010,905.00 |
|
Killybegs |
€2,387,024.00 |
€188,133.00 |
€263,200.00 |
€2,838,357.00 |
|
Ros An Mhíl |
€336,960.00 |
€35,619.00 |
€9,830.00 |
€382,409.00 |
|
Total |
€4,314,227.00 |
€1,241,536.00 |
€537,022.00 |
€6,092,785.00 |
Table 2 Revenue by Activity by Harbour 2022 Year to Date
|
Revenue by Activity by Harbour 2022 YTD** |
Harbour Dues |
Rental |
Miscellaneous |
Total |
|
Castletownbere |
€281,162.00 |
€85,275.00 |
€14,880.00 |
€381,317.00 |
|
Dingle |
€60,673.00 |
€13,000.00 |
€29,705.00 |
€103,378.00 |
|
Dunmore East |
€62,199.00 |
€36,242.00 |
€3,272.00 |
€101,713.00 |
|
Howth |
€61,617.00 |
€727,353.00 |
€15,596.00 |
€804,566.00 |
|
Killybegs |
€1,059,281.00 |
€81,270.00 |
€237,623.00 |
€1,378,174.00 |
|
Ros An Mhíl |
€103,990.00 |
€12,490.00 |
€4,086.00 |
€120,566.00 |
|
Total |
€1,628,922.00 |
€955,630.00 |
€305,162.00 |
€2,889,714.00 |
*Figures supplied for 2021 are draft uncertified figures as the Financial Statements for 2021 are under preparation and as such have not yet been audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. **Figures for 2022 are for year to date on April 30th 2022.
Forestry Sector
Questions (858)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:858. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants or members of the REAP scheme that have applied for afforestation approval under his Department’s afforestation grant and premium scheme for the month of April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23037/22]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 3,645 participants in REAP, none of whom applied to afforest their land in April 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.
Forestry Sector
Questions (859)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:859. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the expenditure by the Forest Service of his Department is in line with budget for April 2022, thereby ensuring there is no underspend again in his Department for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23038/22]
View answerWritten answers
Expenditure for April 2022 was €3,244,838.37 which is slightly under the profiled amount of €3,304,580. The remainder of the forestry budget has been apportioned to meet anticipated budgetary needs during the year.
The budget allocation provides for new planting, the servicing of existing afforestation contracts and payments in relation to forestry support schemes. The Deputy will be aware that the afforestation scheme is demand led. The Department will continue to closely monitor expenditure versus anticipated spend throughout 2022.
Question No. 860 answered with Question No. 853.
Forestry Sector
Questions (861)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:861. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of private felling licences issued per week for the month of April 2022, in tabular form; the number of such felling licences approved which were subject to a field inspection by the local district inspector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/22]
View answerWritten answers
The data for the number of private felling licences per week for the month of April 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 total number of felling licences issued in April 2022 was 257. Of these, 60 were inspected according to Departmental records.
Our plans for licence issue in 2022 are contained in the Forestry Licensing Plan with a target of 5,250 licences issues, which is a year-on-year increase of 30%. This includes an increase of 36% in private felling licences to 1,830, 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, the 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.
Social Media
Questions (862)
Holly Cairns
Question:862. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/22]
View answerWritten answers
Currently, the Department publishes its audited accounts or financial statements, as well as any document setting out policy proposals in Irish and English. In addition to meeting its obligations under Section 10 of the Official Languages Act 2003 to publish certain documents in both official languages simultaneously, the Department publishes other corporate documents, such as the Customer Charter and Customer Action Plan, the Farmers’ Charter of Rights and the Schemes and Services booklet, in both Irish and English. The Department publishes all Departmental press releases bilingually.
The Department's website has moved onto the gov.ie portal www.gov.ie/agriculture. This portal enables users to view certain documents in either Irish or English.
As regards posts to official Departmental social media accounts in the period from 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022, 2.78% of the posts were exclusively in Irish and none were bilingual.
The Department’s third Irish Language Scheme came into effect on 1st April 2021.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days.
Social Media
Questions (863)
Holly Cairns
Question:863. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in languages besides English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages besides English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23060/22]
View answerWritten answers
I advise the Deputy that of the posts to the official Departmental social media accounts in the period from 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022 none were exclusively in a language other than English or Irish.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days.
Social Media
Questions (864)
Holly Cairns
Question:864. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23078/22]
View answerWritten answers
I advise the Deputy that 100% of videos posted on the official Departmental social media accounts in the period from 1st May 2021 to 30th April 2022 included closed captioning and or subtitles.
The Department's native videos are produced and delivered to ensure that the audience can access the content by using subtitles and alternative text on graphics.
For the Department’s live-streamed video content, the third party platform YouTube is used to stream text from their closed captioning software to automatically create captions for videos and to make content more accessible.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days.
Fishery Harbour Centres
Questions (865)
Sorca Clarke
Question:865. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates in 2021 and to date in 2022 on which he met formally with the harbour master or equivalent to each of the fishery harbour centres under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [23107/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has responsibility for the six state owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth. The Harbour Masters carry out a difficult and complex job in their vital role in the management, maintenance and safe day to day operations of the harbours under their remit.
As soon as it was safe to do so, I made a conscious effort to visit all of the Fishery Harbour Centres during the latter half of 2021. I was delighted to meet with many harbour staff and to inspect the smooth operations of the centres during my visits. I have already returned to Ros an Mhíl in February this year and I hope to be able to return to the remaining centres before the year is over.
I am very conscious of the committed staff in all offices across my Department and I make an effort to meet with my teams whenever possible. The Deputy will appreciate that with over 3,000 staff working in all 26 counties this is not always possible but I hope that all staff in my Department understand that I recognise the diverse and impactful work they carry out every day.
|
Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) |
Date of Visit |
|
Castletownbere FHC |
29/07/2021 |
|
Dingle FHC |
15/09/2021 |
|
Dunmore East FHC |
22/07/2021 |
|
Howth FHC |
07/07/2021 |
|
Killybegs FHC |
23/07/2021 & 23/07/2021 |
|
Ros an Mhíl FHC |
14/10/2021 & 01/02/2022 |
Departmental Staff
Questions (866)
Holly Cairns
Question:866. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Departmental protocols for meeting reasonable accommodation requests from employees with a declared disability. [23142/22]
View answerWritten answers
In accordance with Section 47 of the Disability Act 2005, all public service bodies are obliged "in so far as practicable" to take all reasonable measures to promote and support the employment of persons with disabilities.
The Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015 provide guidance on the responsibilities of employers:
(a) Employers are required to take appropriate measures where needed in a particular case, to enable a person with a disability:
- to have access to employment,
- to participate or advance in employment,
-to undergo training,
unless the measures would impose a disproportionate burden on the employer.
My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides support, advice and guidance to staff and managers in ensuring staff with a disability have equal opportunities throughout their career in my Department. The Disability Liaison Officer also facilitates reasonable accommodations as appropriate for employees with disabilities.
As provided for in the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service (the Code), requests for reasonable accommodations are applied for on a workplace accommodations form (Appendix D of the Code). Part two of these forms should be completed by a medical specialist.
In consultation with local management, where appropriate, all requests are considered in the context of supporting the person concerned, but also in the context of what is reasonable and, in accordance with the legislation, will not place a disproportionate burden on my Department.
Examples of reasonable accommodations regularly provided by my Department include specialised chairs and other office furniture, assistive technology required by visually impaired, deaf or dyslexic employees and local arrangements agreed with line managers of staff with disabilities such as reduced working hours.
Forestry Sector
Questions (867)
Seán Sherlock
Question:867. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure by the Forestry Service for April 2022 comparison to April 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23158/22]
View answerWritten answers
The expenditure under the Forestry Budget for the month of April this year and last is shown in the table below:
Expenditure by the Forest Division for the Month of April 2022 versus April 2021
|
Month |
April 2021 |
April 2022 |
|
Expenditure |
€2,346,385 |
€3,244,858 |
The spending in April this year exceeds last year. The remainder of the forestry budget has been apportioned to meet anticipated budgetary needs during the year and will be closely monitored.
Question No. 868 answered with Question No. 853.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (869)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:869. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider financial supports for the poultry sector in wake of the escalating costs of feed and other inputs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23160/22]
View answerWritten answers
Within my Department, I have established a high-level, rapid response committee to deal with issues arising out of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.
My officials are continuing to engage closely with the various industry sectors to monitor the identified risks and work towards mitigation actions where possible and appropriate. I have tasked a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to prepare an industry response to the emerging crisis in feed, fodder, fertiliser and other inputs, and to develop contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises.
Furthermore, the Department continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges, including through the European Food Security Crisis preparedness response Mechanism (EFSCM).
Poultry meat, which is a food in high protein, has seen an increase in demand in recent years. Irish production reached record levels in 2020, with a total of 111 million birds processed in Department approved establishments. Poultry throughput for 2021 comes in slightly down on 2020 (-1.1%) with a total of 110.4 million birds slaughtered, of which 90.4% were chickens.
Prices at end of March 2022 for poultry meat were 222.18 cents/kg, seeing an increase of 7.7 cents/kg on the same period of 2021, the current price of 222.18 cents/kg is the highest level seen in recent years.
As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish poultry sector over the medium to longer term. The Department will continue to monitor the markets and any impacts on the agri-food sector.
Ukraine War
Questions (870)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:870. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23188/22]
View answerWritten answers
Recognising the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine, temporary humanitarian arrangements have been put in place, to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in compliance with EU Travel Regulations.
In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 576/2013.
Refugees from Ukraine are allowed to enter Ireland with their pets under specific conditions. Where pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department’s veterinary services are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures include microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination for pets, as required.
The Department received ex ante approval to proceed with procurement of emergency arrangements/facilities to manage and mitigate the animal and public health risk associated with the risk from pets accompanying Ukrainian refugees. This emergency procurement was justified to fully and appropriately mitigate any risks that would have been associated with the potential entry of rabies into Ireland. Such a scenario would have encapsulated risks to human and animal health, including the possible impacts of any case of rabies on our agriculture trade. These arrangements include the sourcing of kennels, transport providers, rabies vaccinations and the services of Private Veterinary Practitioners.
As of May 5th 2022, 647 pet owners with 828 pets have entered from Ukraine.
My Department has gone out to tender for further kennels and transporters.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.