Written Answers Nos. 754-772
754. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advocate for the Brexit adjustment fund to be used to genotype the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48137/22]
View answerThe objective of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve is to: “provide support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union in Member States, including their regions and local communities, and sectors, in particular in those that are most adversely affected by the withdrawal, and to mitigate the related negative impact on the economic, social and territorial cohesion".
Economic analyses in advance of Brexit showed that the agri-food sector was particularly exposed, with some sectors considered at risk given their trade profile with the UK. The Trade Coordination Agreement between the EU and the UK has played a significant role in mitigating new risks, although the Irish agri food sector is still exposed to any changes the UK might make in its international trading arrangements on its import controls.
The strategic objectives for both the dairy and beef sectors are informed by Food Vision 2030 and in further detail by the environmental plans being prepared at present by the Food Vision Dairy and Beef Groups. Genotyping the national herd is being considered in this context. All potential avenues and funding mechanisms will be explored to meet the strategic objectives for the dairy and beef sectors for 2023 and beyond.
755. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on the roll out of a diesel and fuel subsidy scheme for the fishing industry to help it meet spiralling fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48173/22]
View answerI am very aware of the challenges being faced by the fishing sector arising from the increased costs of marine fuel. I met with representative groups from the industry in July and again in September to discuss this matter and provide them with a progress report on the schemes being developed to support the fishing fleet and wider seafood sector. These schemes, developed in line with the recommendations of the “Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change”, deal with the wider challenges in the fishing and seafood sector.
In May, I introduced the 2022 temporary tie-up scheme which was expanded, compared to a similar scheme implemented in 2021, to account for the additional challenges fishers are facing. The €24 million 2022 scheme allows vessel owners, if they wish, choose to tie-up for up to two calendar months. This is the largest such voluntary tie-up scheme ever run in Ireland with vessels receiving up to €88,000 per month to tie up under the scheme. This tie-up opportunity frees up additional quota for those vessels continuing to fish, improving vessel returns and supporting viability in the wider fleet and enables the opportunity to fish until the end of the year.
I have worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the wider operating environment. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €225m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These are more generous and comprehensive that those put in place elsewhere and will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces.
In relation to fuel prices, I will continue to monitor and assess the situation over the coming period and keep all available options under active consideration.
756. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans, if any, to provide supports for farmers who plan to, or need to, construct passes under the road for the purposes of road safety and animal welfare. [48205/22]
View answerIt is proposed that additional supports for health and safety measures will be available under the new Capital Investment Scheme from 2023 onwards.
Submissions for changes to TAMS were sought last year and all changes requested have been considered when drafting the new schemes and finalising the Investment list.
Changes to the support for capital investments including health and safety investments are subject to a Rural Development Plan (RDP) amendment and Commission approval. This is currently under preparation. Once the RDP amendment is approved, grant rates and terms and conditions relating to schemes can be finalised and published.
757. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an individual or agency has been engaged to conduct the social risk assessment with reference to the fisheries improvement projects that are supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the extract from a website (details supplied); if so, if he will identify the individual or agency; the persons who sit on the social working group; the body that each of these individuals represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48210/22]
View answerAs the issue referred to in the Deputy's question relates to an operational/administrative matter pertaining to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), I have forwarded his question to BIM for direct response.
758. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet that are eligible to employ fishers as part of the atypical work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area fishers; the number of vessel owners who are represented among that segment of the fleet; the number of those vessels with fishers currently employed under the terms of the scheme, according to the current contracts that pertain to the scheme held in his Department's central depository unit in Clonakilty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48212/22]
View answerThe 2015 Task Force identified that only vessels in the Polyvalent, Specific and Beam Trawler segments of the fleet, whose Length Overall is greater than 15m are eligible for inclusion in the Atypical Work Permit Scheme for non-EEA fishers. There are currently 174 such eligible vessels on the Irish Fleet Register and there are 165 different owners associated with these vessels. Information on the number of vessels and owners is derived from the Irish Fleet Register, which is updated weekly and published online: www.gov.ie/en/collection/c23b5-sea-fishing-boat-licence-applications/.
Within my Department, the Central Depository Unit is responsible only for pre-approvals to the Atypical Work Permit Scheme for non-EEA Fishers. The Department of Justice is responsible for the issuance of actual permissions under the scheme and is therefore the competent authority to provide data relating to the actual number of vessels associated with actual permissions.
759. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of parameters letters sent to Horse Racing Ireland following the Houses of the Oireachtas granting approval of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund for the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48311/22]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) as provided for under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
My Department makes payments from the Fund to HRI and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). This is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, with 80% allocated to HRI and 20% to RCÉ.
Following Oireachtas approval of the Fund my Department issues a "parameters letter" to HRI advising the body of the allocation from the Fund and the split between current and capital funding distribution. The letter also advises HRI that it must comply with certain conditions in relation to this funding. These conditions include compliance with obligations under legislation and the various Codes and directives issued by the Government and by my Department.
The details included in the parameters letters that issued from my Department for the years 2017 to 2022 to HRI in relation to capital and current funding distribution are detailed below. In relation to the current expenditure allocation, my Department requested that no more than 80% is to be applied for prizemoney and a minimum of 20% to be applied for integrity services for each of the years involved.
Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Horse Racing Ireland Allocation for the years 2017 to 2022 Current/Capital
|
Year |
Total €m |
Current €m |
Capital €m |
|
2017 |
64.0 |
42.8 |
21.2 |
|
2018 |
64.0 |
52.5 |
11.5 |
|
2019 |
67.2 |
56.1 |
11.1 |
|
2020 |
67.2 |
54.1 |
13.1 |
|
2021 |
76.8 |
61.4 |
15.4 |
|
2022 |
70.4 |
55.7 |
14.7 |
760. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date that finalised details of the new forestry programme were shared with the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if either Department awaits further information from his Department on the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48312/22]
View answerMy Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence in the coming weeks.
In parallel, my Department are also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. We expect that this consultation will commence in the coming weeks. As the Deputy is aware, sanction will be required from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to launch the new Forestry Programme. My Department are actively engaged with DPER on this matter and the final draft of the Forestry Programme will be provided to them in advance of the public consultation. A Cost Benefit Analysis of the Programme is currently being finalised, which my Department will share this with DPER also.
761. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Multiannual Financial Framework provided in each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48313/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Multiannual Financial Framework provided in each year since 2020 is set out in the tables attached:
The definitive allocations will be set out in the 2022 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.
EAGF Expenditure
EAGF Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EAGF Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2020 |
1,190,550,547 |
1,190,517,459 |
33,088 |
|
2021 |
1,176,593,789 |
1,176,553,195 |
40,594 |
|
2022 |
38,112,668 |
38,112,668 |
0 |
|
Overall Cost |
2,405,257,004 |
2,405,183,322 |
73,682 |
EAFRD Expenditure
EAFRD Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EAFRD Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2020 |
537,195,453 |
292,291,948 |
244,903,505 |
|
2021 |
575,102,866 |
317,605,075 |
257,497,791 |
|
2022 |
113,603,513 |
67,651,510 |
45,952,003 |
|
Overall Cost |
1,225,901,832 |
677,548,533 |
548,353,299 |
EMFF Expenditure
EMFF Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EMFF Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2020 |
34,043,313 |
19,380,514 |
14,662,800 |
|
2021 |
31,552,817 |
16,776,830 |
14,775,987 |
|
2022 |
11,414,127 |
6,111,139 |
5,302,987 |
|
Overall Cost |
77,010,257 |
42,268,482 |
34,741,774 |
Total of Net Exchequer Cost of Co-Financing from 2020 to 31.08.2022
|
Programme |
Amount |
|
EAGF |
73,682 |
|
EAFRD |
548,353,299 |
|
EMFF |
34,741,774 |
|
TOTAL AMOUNT |
583,168,755 |
762. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a beef exceptional aid measure appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48368/22]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland. The granting of the aid was subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
Just over 33,000 participants, including the person named, joined the scheme and, in doing so, gave a commitment to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on the holding by 5% for the reduction period 1st July 2020 to 30th June 2021 as compared with the reference period of 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 as recorded on the Department's AIM system.
In light of the difficulties some farmers were experiencing in meeting this reduction arising from COVID-19 Government Public Health restrictions, I secured an alternative reduction period of 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021 over which farmers could choose to meet their 5% reduction commitment if they applied for this option online between 19th March 2021 and 21st June 2021. Some 16,000 BEAM participants opted for the alternative reduction period including the person named.
Following the end of that alternative reduction period, my Department undertook a series of administrative and compliance checks to ensure that the commitments farmers had entered into under the BEAM Terms and Conditions had been met.
In the case of the person named, the commitment to reduce the bovine livestock manure nitrogen by 5% was not met and, as a result, all BEAM monies received were to be recouped.
The person named was informed of this decision by letter which also advised him of his right to request a review of the decision if they so wished. The person named contacted my Department to request a review of the decision and a decision on that review issued to them on 29 September 2022, upholding my Department's original decision and advising them of their right to appeal the outcome to the Agriculture Appeals Office if they so wished.
763. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a ground inspection was last carried out on the Commons South Townland of Kilnaboy, County Clare as opposed to satellite imaging and administration inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48440/22]
View answerThe EU Regulations governing the administration of Basic Payment require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, are completed before any payments issue.
Commons South Townland of Kilnaboy, County Clare was selected for satellite inspection in 2022. Commonage lands selected under satellite inspections are always subjected to inspection on the ground.
The Department carried out a ground inspection on this commonage in June 2022.
The results of this inspection are currently being processed. These results, along with any associated queries will be communicated to the applicant(s) as soon as possible.
764. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the effectiveness of the TB programme in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48504/22]
View answerI am confident that the implementation of the TB programme in Roscommon is effective and it compares well when compared to the rest of the country. As the Deputy is aware, TB breakdowns are difficult for farmers and farm families and the TB programme aims to minimise the impact of TB on farm families.
The current herd incidence for bovine TB in Roscommon is 2.32% as compared to the National herd incidence of 4.14%. For 2021 the annual herd incidence was 2.81% in Roscommon as compared to the national 4.33%. This was the third lowest TB incidence in the country. The herd incidence in Roscommon has fallen from 4.65% to 2.81% in the last 10 years despite herd size increasing over the same period. The primary routes of introduction or persistence of infection in herds are from spread within the herd from previous breakdowns, spread from wildlife or spread through animal movements. These are primarily addressed through herd restrictions, enhanced use of novel blood tests such as gamma interferon, implementation of the wildlife programme and trace animal testing.
The combined efforts of all stakeholders in the TB programme in Roscommon is making an effective contribution towards the continued reduction in TB levels in Roscommon.
765. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal by a person (details supplied) will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48575/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an Appeals Officer decision issued concerning an appeal from the person-named in July 2019.
The Appeals Office received a request for a review of this decision from the person named and the Director issued her decision on this in April 2021.
The Director issued her decision on this request, revising the decision of the Appeals Officer in April 2021 and I am advised that, in the circumstances, the appeal is now closed.
766. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish and provide a copy of a report (details supplied) which was supposed to accompany a project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48589/22]
View answerA legal and regulatory review of forestry licensing was carried out by Philip Lee agency and, following extensive stakeholder engagement, their Report was published on 29th June, 2022. The Regulatory Review Report and supporting documents have been circulated to all members of the Forestry Policy Group and in the interest of full transparency, the supporting documents, including the Environmental Law Reference Report, are also published on my Department's website and are available to view at the following link: gov.ie - Regulatory Review of Forestry (www.gov.ie).
767. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a projected timeline for the delivery of the development of the deepwater quay at Ros an Mhíl following the commencement of a revised tendering process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48614/22]
View answerOn 1 February this year I announced that I had decided to proceed with the development of a Deep Water Quay at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre. The context for this decision is provide additional quay side and greater depth to accommodate larger fishing vessels, and attract additional landings from both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels. Since then, detailed design has been procured and a tender competition to deliver the works is underway. The full costs and timeline of the project will not be known until that tender competition closes and a successful bidder is contracted. My Department is working hard to ensure that the project is delivered within the timeframe of the existing planning permission.
768. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if over 30,000 farmers apply for the agri-climate rural environment scheme who are now under CAP and tier one, two and three will all be accepted in cases in which their application is correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48621/22]
View answer€1.5 billion in funding has been committed to the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) over the lifetime of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which represents the largest single investment by any Government in an agri-environmental scheme.
This overall budget allocation will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall. The intake into the scheme will be phased, with at least two tranches, to spread the workload on advisors and enable them to allocate sufficient time for the preparation of applications, and the completion of the Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP) and selection of appropriate actions.
As I advised last week following the announcement of the Budget, I have secured up to €500m in 2023 to support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity and water quality, which includes funding for 30,000 places in ACRES.
There are two approaches within ACRES – an ACRES General approach and an ACRES Co-operation approach. Applications for each approach may be submitted within the same proposed six-week application period. Applications will then be validated and, in the event of the first intake ‘tranche’ of the Scheme being oversubscribed, ranking and selection criteria will be employed, with all applications assessed based on predefined selection criteria designed to rank the applications in accordance with environmental objectives. The ranking and selection criteria will be published as part of the Scheme Terms and Conditions.
769. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by the Minister, her Minister of State and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47920/22]
View answerThe details of domestic flights are contained in the table below.
The flight in 2019 relates to the Islands consultation process for “Our Rural Future”, the 5 year rural development policy.
The other flights are linked to the delivery of my Department's remit for our offshore Islands which transferred to my Department in 2020, after the formation of the current Government. There were no flights to date in 2022.
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Minister |
0 |
0 |
3 flights by Minister |
|
Minister of State |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Officials |
1 flight x 5 officials |
2 flights x 3 officials |
3 flights x 5 officials |
770. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to increase supports for Pobal-funded community service programmes, in particular those run by an organisation (details supplied) that requests an increase in core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47941/22]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 430 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model, by providing an annual co-funding contribution of €19,033 for each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, €32,000 towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts, the contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
The organisation in question receives a contribution towards the cost of a manager and three full-time equivalents of €89,099. In addition, the organisation also received funding of €71,035 under my Department's 2020-21 Covid Stability Fund and a further €4,661 under the 2021 CSP Support Fund.
Following an independent review of the CSP, the programme is currently being redesigned. As part of the restructuring process, I have recently approved a new funding rate allocation model for the CSP, as an alternative to the current flat rate payment model. This will provide a sustainable funding model for the CSP taking account of the earning potential of the funded organisations.
The revised funding rates to apply from January 2023 under the restructured programme will be announced in the coming weeks. It is anticipated that all existing organisations will transition to the new programme in January 2023 following an online application process which is currently open and will run until 14th October.
My Department has provided a variety of schemes to support community organisations, including the Community Activities Fund under the Community Enhancement Programme which provided supports for overhead costs etc and the most recently launched €15m Community Centres Investment fund. I also recently announced a continuation of the CSP Support Fund in 2022, pending the transition to the redesigned programme in 2023. In addition, the organisation concerned should consider contacting their Local Community Development Committee in their Local Authority Area and their Local Development Company, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time from various Departments.
771. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost in 2023 in the budget for the senior alert scheme, which was increased by 15%. [48250/22]
View answerThe allocation for the Seniors Alert Scheme for 2023 is €2.3m. As this is a demand led scheme, it will be kept under continuous review by my Department to ensure adequate funding can be made available to meet the requirements of all qualifying applicants. There is also provision under the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan for funding to meet the additional and exceptional demands of the Scheme.
Every eligible applicant under the Scheme has become a participant with currently 100,000 participants supported under the Scheme.
772. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review an application by a person (detail supplied) and provide an update on this matter. [48521/22]
View answerThe Community Centres Investment Fund application closing date was Thursday, 14 July 2022. I can confirm my Department received an application from the group to which the Deputy referred.
The appraisal process is ongoing. All applications will be subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Due to the high level of applications to the fund, it is expected to be quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
