Written Answers Nos. 871-885
871. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23215/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not currently have individual consultants or companies engaged to deal with public relations.
872. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the silage payment scheme to dairy farmers who are struggling with the escalating price inflation of manure, fuel and feeds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23300/22]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that on 3rd May 2022, I brought a Memorandum for Information to Government on a proposed Fodder Support Scheme, in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 and the significant impact this has had on the cost of agricultural inputs required to conserve grass for silage and/or hay.
Any Fodder Support Scheme would have to be targeted towards those farmers who are facing the greatest difficulty so as to achieve the objective of securing sufficient fodder. According to recent Teagasc survey data, this is more of a challenge in relation to the beef and sheep sectors than it is for the dairy sector. In addition, in light of current milk prices, the economic viability of Dairy farming in general, is stronger than beef or sheep farming.
The proposed scheme will require approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is continuing to engage with that Department around the funding aspect of the scheme.
The proposed Fodder Support scheme is in addition to the €12.2 million Targeted Intervention Package that I announced on 22nd March 2022. That financial support and the measure currently under discussion will assist farmers in providing sufficient fodder for the coming winter and following spring. I remain committed to standing by our farm families during this time of crisis.
873. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if low input permanent pastures GLAS participants will be granted a derogation which will allow them collect and bale after mowing or topping their lands after 1 July 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23328/22]
View answerThere are no plans at present for any derogation in respect of the GLAS specifications. Any such derogation would require the formal approval of the EU Commission. As always the position will continue to be closely monitored by my Department.
874. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 4 May 2022, if he will reinvest the €9 million, saved to his Department by this announcement back into investing in other piers and harbours in County Donegal or into the further development of Greencastle Harbour [23354/22]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that I recently announced the approval of almost €32 million in funding to local authorities for projects concerning public marine infrastructure over 2022 and 2023. The projects are being funded through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. Donegal County Council is poised to receive over €14 million based on the eligible project applications which the local authority itself identified and prioritised. The remaining €18 million in funding is allocated to projects put forward by 12 other coastal local authorities for a range of projects concerning piers, slipways and harbours in need of investment. A further call for projects is planned for later in the year to allocate remaining funding identified for the scheme. In the meantime I hope that each of the relevant local authorities is pressing forward with delivery of the approved projects so that the construction stimulus identified by the Seafood Taskforce is felt as soon as possible in coastal communities.
875. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a thosófar obair thógála ar Chéibh Domhan-Mhara Ros an Mhíl; an bhfuil an obair dhreideála a bhí mar chuid den chonradh déanta fós agus mura bhfuil, cén uair a dhéanfar í; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23373/22]
View answerRos an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, managed and maintained by my Department under statute. As the Deputy is aware, on 1st February, I announced that the Government had approved the Deep Water Quay Project at Ros an Mhíl. This will add 200m of quayside and over 70% greater depth to accommodate larger fishing vessels and attract additional landings from both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels.
I am happy to advise that my Department has procured the services of consulting engineers for this project and they have commenced the detailed design for the Deep Water Quay Project. Additionally, the consulting engineers will manage the tender process for construction works, supervise the construction works, and in due course handover completed construction works back to my Department. Until the consultant's work has been undertaken, the timeline or key milestones for the development cannot be specified. My Department will be advised by the consulting engineers on the schedule of the different elements of the project including the dredging and construction works. However my Department will be working closely with the consultant to progress the development.
876. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén cineál córais séarachais atá ag Calafort Ros an Mhíl; an gcloíonn sé leis na caighdeáin ar fad a bhaineann lena leithéid; an bhfuil i gceist aige é a uasghrádú; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [23374/22]
View answerRos an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, managed and maintained by my Department under statute. On 1st February I announced that the Government had approved the Deep Water Quay Project at Ros an Mhíl and last week my Department procured the services of consulting engineers for this project.
I am advised that there are no water discharges envisaged from the Deep Water Quay project to any waste water treatment plant. The waste water treatment plant at Ros an Mhíl is owned and operated by Údarás na Gaeltachta. Any questions concerning that plant would be best directed to that body.
877. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Government has relaxed or eased restrictions related to the importation of pets to the State since February 2020; if so, the manner in which restrictions were eased; the basis for same; if such easements are available to citizens in countries in which Covid-19 lockdowns remain in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/22]
View answerThere were no COVID-19 related additional restrictions in place regarding the importation of pets into Ireland.
The only easement for imports of pets this year is based on an EU decision to allow people travelling from Ukraine to the EU to be accompanied by their pets, even where the pets are not in full compliance with EU Travel Regulations. This measure is in recognition of the exceptional circumstance created by the invasion of Ukraine.
Accordingly, refugees from the Ukraine are allowed to enter Ireland with their pets, but under specific conditions. Where pets are not fully compliant with EU regulations, the veterinary services in my Department are taking steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health.
878. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if more stringent rules are to be introduced or come into effect regarding the days that an animal must be kept by a licensed livestock exporter prior to export; the reason for such rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23400/22]
View answerNew rules were introduced across the EU by the Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 429 of 2016), which came into force in April 2021. The provisions of this Regulation and Delegated Regulations made thereunder are directly applicable in Ireland, as they are in other Member States.
Specifically, Delegated Regulation 2020/688 introduced new rules providing for a 14-day time limit from the date an animal departs its establishment of origin to its date of departure from the ultimate assembly centre in Ireland for another member state. The objective of the measure is to seek to mitigate the risk of animals being exposed to disease risk after they leave their holding of origin and being delivered to their new holding in other member states. The same rules apply in respect of animals being imported into Ireland.
The Department has issued detailed guidance to industry by way of a Trader Notice on 4 March 2022, which outlines the relevant requirements. Changes are being introduced to the Department's AIM database to give effect to these new rules.
879. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cattle exported from Ireland are required to be TB tested in advance; if the Government intend to revise such requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23401/22]
View answerUnder EU Commission Regulation 2019/4057, cattle over 42 days of age traded to other Member States are required to have passed a TB test within the previous 30 days, unless they are going straight for slaughter in the Member State of destination, in which case they must come from TB free herds. With regard to third country trade, depending on the destination and type of export certificate, cattle either need to be TB tested in the previous 30 days, or must come from TB free herds.
These testing requirements are either laid down under EU Regulation or are conditions of market access as laid down by importing third countries. The Government has no plans to revise these requirements, as any revisions fall for decisions by the EU or third country governments, as appropriate.
880. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to streamline the appeals process given that in 2020 the time it took for the office of agricultural appeals to receive documents from the Department in relation to the ANC scheme, basic payment scheme and organic farming scheme were on average respectively, 65, 33 and 92 days; the progress that was made in this regard in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23402/22]
View answerI am advised that here was a significant increase in the number of agriculture appeals received by the independent Agriculture Appeals Office in 2020, rising from 570 appeals in 2019 to 760 in 2020, representing a 33% increase. This figure increased again in 2021 with a total of 809 appeals received.
In order to tackle delays arising from this increased workload, the Agriculture Appeals Office has engaged with the relevant scheme areas within my Department to ensure that processes are streamlined. This has resulted in an improvement and delays have reduced.
I am assured by the Director that progress continues to be made to clear any backlogs that have arisen.
881. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is necessary to increase the number of appeals officers on a pro-rata basis arising from agricultural appeals averaging 185 days to closure in 2021 against a target of 90 days; if not, his proposals to ensure that the target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been informed, however, that in 2020 there was a significant increase in the number of agriculture appeals received by the Office rising from 570 appeals in 2019 to 760 in 2020 representing a 33% increase. This figure increased again in 2021 with a total of 809 appeals received. These increases and the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in Oral hearings not been held for large periods of time, resulted in a reduction the number of agriculture appeals closed and an increase in the time to close appeals.
In addition, the Agriculture Appeals Office provides administrative and secretariat support to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and all Agriculture Appeals Officers are also appointed as members of the FAC. The number of forestry appeals received in 2020 also increased significantly from 489 appeals in 2019 to 874 appeals in 2020 and had a significant impact on available Appeals Officer resources and on the administrative section within the Appeals Office.
The introduction of new forestry legislation in 2020 resulted in a significant decrease in the number of forestry appeals submitted to the FAC in 2021 and to date in 2022. The forestry appeals are now up to date and this has allowed for additional resources to be made available to agriculture appeals work.
The easing of COVID restrictions in June 2021, which allowed for a return to in-person oral hearings, has also contributed to a reduction in delays in closing agriculture appeals in 2021 when compared to 2020 figures. I am informed that in 2021 the number of appeals closed was 757 increasing from 358 in 2020. This trend has continued in the first four months of 2022 with 304 appeals closed in comparison to 199 appeals closed in the first four months of 2021.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has seen an increase in the number of Appeals Officers assigned to the office since 2020 and the current allocation is 13 Appeals Officers. I am assured by the Director that the Office is currently adequately resourced and she is confident that the progress being made to clear the backlog of appeals will continue.
882. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of bovine herds in County Wexford; the total number of bovine herds on the register in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/22]
View answerAccording to my Department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) Database on 05/05/2022 the total number of herds with bovines in Wexford was 2,783 and the total number of herds with bovines in Ireland was 103,407.
883. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if outcrops in Connemara (details supplied) will be eligible for inclusion in farmed hectarage for the purposes of various farm schemes in the new CAP including the ANC, basic payment and ecological schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Ireland submitted details of its CAP Strategic Plan to the European Commission at the end of 2021. Negotiations are ongoing between my Department and the Commission concerning approval of the draft plan, which will cover CAP supported schemes from 2023 to 2027. Regarding rocky outcrops, discussions are continuing with the Commission concerning land eligibility and certain requirements concerning Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC).
I intend to make more details available as soon as Ireland's Plan is approved.
884. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she continues to liaise with local community groups in County Kildare and throughout the country with a view to ensuring that adequate support is available to facilitate their recovery notwithstanding the continued existence of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22603/22]
View answerGiven the ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID, the supports provided by my Department to assist communities are more important than ever. My Department has been allocated €378 million for 2022, which will enable continued delivery of a wide range of measures to support communities and address emerging needs.
Supports, which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country, include:
- CLÁR 2022: providing funding for small-scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that have suffered the greatest levels of population decline.
- Community Centres Investment Fund: a capital grants programme for the maintenance, improvement and upkeep of community centres.
- Community Services Programme (CSP): supports over 420 community organisations to provide employment opportunities and local services through a social enterprise model.
- Dormant Accounts funded Social Enterprise Measure: provides capital grants for the scaling up of social enterprises.
- Community & Voluntary Supports programme: provides a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector.
- LEADER: a multi-annual funding programme delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country.
- Town and Village Scheme (T&V): designed to rejuvenate small rural towns and villages.
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Streetscapes: supports the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts.
- Local Improvement Scheme: provides funding to help local authorities carry out improvement works on private and non-publicly maintained roads.
- Connected Hubs Call: supports the development of remote working facilities joining the National Connected Hubs Network.
- Rural Regeneration and Development Fund: supports large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas.
- Community Activities Fund: provides small scale grants to assist community groups.
- Community Enhancement Programme: provides capital funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland.
- Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme: provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure. (Adventure Tourism type projects, Blueways, Walking Trails, Boardwalks, etc.).
- Empowering Communities Fund: a new targeted scheme to address area based disadvantage.
- The Scheme to Support National Organisations: provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national community and voluntary.
- Dormant Accounts: €40,000 in Dormant Accounts funding has recently been made available to 4 Local Community Development Committees to act as exemplars in reaching out to those furthest from participation and the decision making processes. It is anticipated that the learnings gathered will inform enhanced engagement with marginalised groups by local decision making bodies, to ensure better outcomes for all members of our communities. In addition to the pilot programme, information and resources are being provided to all local authorities to support their engagement with marginalised communities. National events will showcase good practice in relation to engagement strategies, with inputs from experts and national advocacy and representative organisations.
- Supports for Social Enterprises: Grants totalling €526,000 were announced on 29 April 2022, for social enterprises, social enterprise networks and support organisations to carry out a range of awareness raising initiatives bringing the total funding under the scheme to €1.2 million. Social Enterprises create jobs in rural areas and support the aims of Our Rural Future – the government’s five year strategy for revitalising rural Ireland.
Further information on opening and closing dates for the investment programmes for 2022 is available at www.gov.ie/en/news/bd3c5-government-supports-for-thriving-rural-areas-and-vibrant-communities/
My Department is also responsible for a number of important policies supporting our communities, including the 'National Policy on Social Enterprise', and 'Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities' which is a 5 Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector 2019-2024.
Our Rural Future is a whole-of-Government rural development policy which contains more than 150 commitments for the social and economic development of rural Ireland. The policy will assist rural Ireland to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, enable long-term development of rural areas, and create more resilient rural economies and communities for the future. Extensive consultation underpins the policy, and in shaping the 2022 Work Programme my Department consulted widely, including hosting a series of three Rural Ideas Fora and the first ever Rural Youth Assembly.
I am confident that the funding supports and policies provided by my Department will continue to deliver, tangible benefits for both urban and rural communities, supporting economic development, and enabling the local and community development sectors to continue to provide valuable much needed services and supports to all communities throughout the country.
Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders, including those in County Kildare, in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities. This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities and identifies areas for response which are relevant to the work of my Department.
885. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of each individual project approved under measures 1, 2 and 3 of the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in County Tipperary in 2020 and 2021; the grant approved for each project; the current status of each project; and the completion date for each project. [22950/22]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. ORIS provides funding under a number of measures for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreation infrastructure in countryside areas across Ireland. The 2022 measures are:
- Measure 1 for small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000;
- Measure 2 for medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000;
- Measure 3 for large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000; and
- Project Development Measure funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects.
Since the launch of the Scheme, over €87 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,200 projects across Ireland. I launched the 2022 Scheme in February this year with a fund of €15 million.
The following table outlines the details and status of each individual project approved under the Scheme in County Tipperary in each of the years of 2020 and 2021:
|
Scheme & Year |
Project |
Amount Approved |
Completion Date |
Current Project Status |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Bóthar na Marbh |
€19,800 |
Complete |
Project Complete |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Tipperary Outdoor Recreation Digital Map |
€20,000 |
31/05/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Tipperary Heritage Way - Viaduct |
€198,000 |
Complete |
Project Complete |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Lough Derg Blueway |
€20,000 |
Complete |
Project Complete |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Munster Vales Walking Trails Campaign |
€20,000 |
31/05/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Munster Vales Slow Adventure Tourism Campaign |
€20,000 |
Complete |
Project Complete |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Mass Path |
€19,800 |
Complete |
Project Complete |
|
ORIS 2020 |
St Cuanlan's Youghalarra Trail |
€19,823.13 |
30/09/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Ormond Way/Bears Breifne Way |
€19,800.00 |
30/09/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Grange Loop |
€20,000 |
31/05/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Aherlow Loops |
€5,420.58 |
31/05/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Suir Blueway Cahir Infrastructure Enhancement |
€200,000 |
31/08/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2020 |
Beara-Breifne Way (Lorrha to Portumna) |
€81,900 |
31/08/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Ballinderry River Walk |
€17,550 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Bay Lough Car Park, Knockmealdown Mountains |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Gurtagarry Walk |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Munster Vales Outdoor Adventure Digital Marketing Campaign |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Tipperary Age Friendly Cycling without Age |
€18,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Tipperary ‘Take A Hike’ Suite of Marketing Assets |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Lough Derg Blueway Hiking Trail Counters |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
The Source of the Nore Trail - Phase 1 |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Ormond Way/Beara Breifne Way |
€14,940 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Inch Loop Improvements Phase 2 |
€19,980 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Tipperary heritage way improvements at Baylough |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Knockmealdown Trail upgrade works |
€20,000 |
01/12/2022 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Widening of 950m of the Suir Blueway Walk near Carrick –on-Suir |
€180,000 |
01/06/2023 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Ardfinnan Walkway and Bridge |
€138,600 |
01/06/2023 |
Project Ongoing |
|
ORIS 2021 |
Thurles River Suir Pathway |
€210,487.22 |
01/06/2023 |
Project Ongoing |
