Tuesday, 29 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 793-811

Departmental Staff

Questions (793)

Pauline Tully

Question:

793. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Department's services who are employed in his Department, as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59285/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including people with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services.

My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of our core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both our own employees and customers of the Department who avail of our wide range of services.

In accordance with Section (2) of the Disability Act 2005, I have appointed two Access Officers in my Department, who are available to deal with any requests to provide assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing services provided by my Department.

I am satisfied that two Access officers are adequate to deal with the volume of requests from persons with disabilities who contact my Department for assistance. Over the past three years, the total number of requests of this nature is in single digit figures. The Access officers are experienced members of staff with a wide knowledge of the Department. They engage with the National Disability Authority (NDA) on an ongoing basis and participate in seminars and workshops appropriate to their role. The contact details for the Access Officers and a description of the service are listed on my Department’s website on the Customer Service page.

In addition to the Access Officers, Department officials are available in all regions to provide assistance to applicants who have questions or concerns on any scheme operated by the Department.

Fishing Industry

Questions (794)

Alan Dillon

Question:

794. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department introduced a quota management system for the hook and line mackerel fishery with just under 180 tonnes of the 400-tonne quota being caught during the 2022 season, compared with the 1,200 tonnes landed in 2021; the way he intends to resolve this unviable system that is impacting local costal fishing communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59378/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The available quota for the Mackerel Hook and Line fishery is 400t in accordance with Ministerial policy on the management of mackerel quota. The 2020 landings were 585t. The 2021 landings for the fishery were 1,182 tonnes. Last year I had to close the fishery early (closure took effect from the 12th June 2021) as vessel landings had exceeded the available quota. Most of the landings for the fishery in 2021 were off the Northwest coast only, meaning only a small number of fishers had an opportunity to prosecute the fishery.

For that reason, earlier this year, I asked the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 fishery, within the existing Mackerel policy, for my consideration. A working group made up of industry representatives, SFPA staff and Department staff and was put in place and made recommendations for the management of 2022 Fishery, supported by the QMAC and approved by me.

While the measures introduced have ensured that the fishery remains open (with just over 40% uptake to-date), my understanding is that feedback on the ground is that a lack of market for line-caught Mackerel mean that the fishery is not as lucrative for inshore fishers who moved to pot fishing for other stocks instead.

Looking towards the fishery in 2023, the management of the fishery will be on the agenda for discussion at upcoming meetings of the QMAC. Furthermore, I have written to the Chair of BIM requesting that BIM work with the inshore fishers, in particular the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, to identify market opportunities for this fishery and to explore opportunities for a high-quality/price market with a focus on servicing restaurants and local fish shops.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (795)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

795. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [59453/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Sheep Welfare Scheme is an animal welfare scheme that was introduced in December 2016, initially as a four year scheme. Existing sheep farmers who wished to participate in the scheme were required to submit an application to join the scheme by the closing date of 3rd February 2017.

As set out in the terms and conditions of Year 1 of the scheme, participants in the scheme who wished to continue into Year 2 of the scheme were required to complete and return a Notification of Continuation form to the Department. This form was issued by the Department to all participants in Year 1 of the scheme.

Where a Notification of Continuation form was not completed and returned to the Department by a participant in the scheme, the participant was deemed to have withdrawn from the scheme. As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, where an applicant withdrew from the scheme, it was not possible to rejoin the scheme in subsequent years.

The person named submitted an application to participate in Year 1 of the scheme on 22nd January 2017. The application to join the scheme was successful and the applicant received payment for year 1 of the scheme.

The Department issued the Notification of Continuation sheet to all participants in Year 1 of the scheme. However, the Department has no record of having received the completed Notification of Continuation form from the person named as required under the terms and conditions of the scheme. As a result, the person named was deemed to have withdrawn from the scheme and no payment was due to the person named for Year 2 or subsequent years of the scheme.

No communication was received from the person named following the issue of the continuation sheet by my Department until the Deputy submitted a Parliamentary Question requesting the status of the person named under the Sheep Welfare Scheme in September 2022.

In my response to this Parliamentary Question, I set out the position as outlined above in regards to the status of the person named under the Sheep Welfare Scheme. My Department has not received any further correspondence from the person named in relation to this matter since that date until the current Parliamentary Question was submitted by the Deputy in relation to the person named.

Should the person named feel that there are exceptional circumstances that may explain why there was no contact from them with my Department in regards to this matter, they should now advise the Sheep Welfare Scheme section of my Department in writing of this, providing any relevant supporting documentation and the circumstances of this case will be reviewed by staff of the section.

Please note my Department is now accepting applications for the new Sheep Improvement Scheme. This scheme, which replaces the existing Sheep Welfare Scheme under the new CAP, is open to all sheep farmers with breeding ewes.

Further details regarding the Sheep Improvement Scheme are available on my Department’s website. The closing date for applications to the scheme is the 19th December 2022.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (796)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

796. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a substantive reply will issue to correspondence of 4 November 2022 with his office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59458/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Approval to an increase of 2% to pensions in payment for Coillte pensioners has been sought by Coillte and has recently been granted by the relevant Ministers.

The individual case referred to has been forwarded to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Public Sector Pensions

Questions (797)

Steven Matthews

Question:

797. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of some retired Coillte staff (details supplied) regarding the lack of increase in pension levels since 2007; if he has any plans to engage with this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59476/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Such consent has been sought by Coillte and has recently been granted. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Horticulture Sector

Questions (798)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

798. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effects the continued shortage of peat is having on the mushroom and horticulture sectors; and the measures his Department is implementing to support these sectors. [59552/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives. These targeted actions reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.

My Department commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers and to identify sub-30 hectare sites for the extraction of peat that may be used for domestic horticultural use. The expert was unable to get information on peat supplies due to lack of engagement from stakeholders in the peat extraction and domestic horticulture industry.

My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.

The report and guidance were published on the 9th of November 2022 and are available on: www.gov.ie

To support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. The aim of the project is to identify full and partial replacements for peat within professional horticulture, preferably from materials sourced within Ireland.

My Department is also funding two sustainability research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables. The trials are at semi commercial levels and the outcome of the trials will determine the direction of future support.

Aquaculture Industry

Questions (799)

Holly Cairns

Question:

799. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an organisation's (details supplied) application for producer organisation status. [59568/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Seafood Producer organisations are officially recognised bodies, set up by groups of fishery or aquaculture producers to manage the activity of their members. Producer organisations can play an important role in the market, improving the conditions for the placing on the market of their members’ fishery and aquaculture products, improving economic returns for their members, stabilising the market, avoiding and reducing as far as possible unwanted catches, contributing to the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and generally coordinating the activities of their primary producer members.

Regulation 1379/2013 on the Common Organisation of the Market for Fishery and Aquaculture Products (the CMO Regulation) provides an EU legal framework for the recognition of Seafood Producer Organisations. Under this regulation, a group must apply for recognition as a Producer Organisation to the relevant competent national authority. My Department has been designated the role of national competent authority for the purpose of this regulation.

In June 2020 the organisation, details supplied, made an application to become a Producer Organisation. An initial assessment was completed, and some requests were made for further information and actions to progress the recognition process. One such condition was the adoption of a Constitution and Rules by the organisation’s members. My Department was informed in November 2022 that this adoption had taken place.

A final assessment is now required, upon which a formal approval can be based. Once approved, the organisation, will be recognised as a Producer Organisation and the European Commission will be informed.

Once recognised as a Producer Organisation, the organisation will undertake a number of obligations. This includes the preparation of a Production and Marketing Plan and submission of an Annual Report on the implementation of its Production and Marketing Plan. Financial support is available for the preparation of these and for other operating costs under my Department’s Seafood Development Programme.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (800)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

800. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in his Department, including the cost of private cleaning in his Department, the cost of private security in his Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to his Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to his Department on foot of these contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59727/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and a comprehensive reply will issue directly to the Deputy within 10 days

Ministerial Staff

Questions (801)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

801. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of the employment status in the Civil Service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in his ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59761/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to inform the Deputy that Garda drivers have not yet replaced my civilian drivers.

Land Issues

Questions (802)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

802. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to take into public ownership parts of the countryside and mountainous areas that are not in regular private use to facilitate public recreational use of such lands. [59526/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I am delighted to say that yesterday I launched Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, which was an action under Our Rural Future.

This Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.

Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors will provide a strong strategic focus to underpin the significant exchequer investment and will ensure a more joined-up and cohesive approach to the development of outdoor recreation infrastructure at both a national and county level.

Through this Strategy there is a great opportunity to make a real and lasting impact on the shape of outdoor recreation in Ireland.

The focus of the Strategy is on encouraging increased participation for underrepresented groups, better education on how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly while respecting our environment.

I expanded the Walks Scheme in 2021, adding 31 new trails and meeting the Programme for Government commitment of 80 trails under the Scheme and there is a further commitment in the Strategy to expand the Scheme again to 150 trails by 2024. The Strategy also aims to develop a similar scheme for the uplands.

The Strategy also acknowledges the essential role that landowners play in facilitating permissive access to their lands while acknowledging that this goodwill must be respected by recreational users. The legal rights of landowners must also be respected. There are no plans under Embracing Ireland's Outdoors to take into public ownership parts of the countryside or mountainous areas.

Fishing Industry

Questions (803)

Michael Ring

Question:

803. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58825/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas.

Under the 2020 Scheme, Inland Fisheries Ireland was awarded funding of €500,000 for four outdoor recreational project initiatives to help improve existing infrastructure, safety and access to angling resources at locations nationwide.

The locations of the project works are:

- Shepperton Lake, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

- Aasleagh, Erriff, Co. Mayo

- Lough Scur, Keshcarrigan, Co. Leitrim

- Clare River at Claregalway, Co. Galway

My officials have been in contact with Inland Fisheries Ireland regarding the works at Aasleagh and they have advised that the tender process has commenced and a contractor will be appointed in January. The scope of the project has reduced due to works being more extensive than anticipated at the time of application. It is expected that the project will be completed by March 2023 with €225,900 of the €500,000 funding being allocated to the Aasleagh location.

Rural Schemes

Questions (804)

Marian Harkin

Question:

804. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be made available to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59077/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

This year's CLÁR programme was launched in February with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme. The measures funded under CLÁR 2022 were:

- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities

- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

I am happy to confirm that the particular organisation referred to by the Deputy was successful with their application for funding for a vehicle under Measure 2 of the 2022 CLÁR scheme. The programme funds the purchase of the vehicle but does not fund ongoing operational costs. It is explicit in the application process that this is a matter for the organisation.

Funding for staff costs could be considered eligible under the Community Services Programme. My Department and Pobal have been working on the restructuring of the Community Services Programme (CSP) in collaboration with a Consultative Group, representative of stakeholders, since the publication of the report on the independent review of the CSP by Indecon International Economic Consultants. It is anticipated that the transitioning of organisations currently supported under the programme into the redesigned programme will occur in January 2023. My Departments priority is to ensure continuity of services nationwide during this transitioning period.

Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is still closed to new applications through the Expression of Interest process. It is however anticipated that the programme may open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in late 2022, for new entrant Expressions of Interest applications to be submitted. If the organisation wishes to be contacted should a targeted call open later in 2022, they can provide relevant contact details to [e-mail] and we will record their details and notify them at the appropriate time.

In the interim, as open calls under the CSP can be a lengthy process, if the organisation in question currently requires immediate supports they should consider contacting their Local Development Company or Local Authority Local Community Development Committee, who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time. If the organisation would like further information on the restructuring of the CSP programme, the Department and Pobal have hosted an online information event with all CSP supported organisations the recording of which is available on Pobal's website. It should be noted that any additional new entrants will be considered in light of available budgets.

Rural Schemes

Questions (805)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

805. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the options open to, and the correct procedures for, a charity (details supplied) to obtain State funding for the purchase of a new ambulance to be used for the benefit of the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59182/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. CLÁR has made significant investments at community level the length and breadth of the country. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects since its re-launch

This year's CLÁR programme was launched in February with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme. The measures funded under CLÁR 2022 were:

- Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities and Amenities

- Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport

- Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’

The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures. Announcements on successful applications under all three measures have been made and these details can be found on my Department’s website.

Funding for vehicles such as the one mentioned by the Deputy were funded, if eligible, under Measure 2 of the CLÁR 2022 programme. The national organisation referred to by the Deputy has previously been approved funding for the purchase of two vehicles under the CLÁR programme.

The Measures to be included in the next CLÁR programme will be reviewed again in advance of the next launch.

Departmental Staff

Questions (806)

Pauline Tully

Question:

806. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing her Department's services who are employed in her Department, as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way her Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59298/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department has an Access Officer appointed at Principal Officer level. The officer concerned is responsible for securing assistance within the Department to meet any needs raised by people with disabilities in accessing our services.

Contact details for the Department's Access Officer are listed on my Department's website.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (807, 808)

Marc MacSharry

Question:

807. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will review the eligibility criteria for the community and voluntary sector energy support scheme to include organisations that are receiving minimum part-funding from the HSE and are struggling financially to maintain vital services to older and vulnerable persons in rural areas (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59312/22]

Marian Harkin

Question:

808. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an organisation (details supplied) will qualify for the community and voluntary energy support scheme; if not, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59328/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 807 and 808 together.

The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector, and actively responds to support the sector in meeting these challenges – be they the impact of COVID-19, the high cost of energy currently, or otherwise. We remain committed to supporting the sector through these challenges.

The recent budget allocated €10m to my Department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities. I am pleased to advise that applications for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) opened on 21st November.

The scheme is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. Further scheme details are now available on the Pobal website. I would encourage intending applicants to apply as early as possible in advance of the scheme closing on 3rd December.

The higher energy costs of organisations such as the one in question, which are funded by the HSE pursuant to Section 38 or Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, are not eligible for the CVESS and should apply under the relevant Department of Health scheme(s) when available.

I was pleased to previously make funding of €98,327 and €80,000 available to the organisation in question under the COVID-19 Stability Fund in 2020 and 2021 respectively, to support them meeting operational costs and maintaining service delivery during the pandemic.

My department has also announced a €10m Community Support Fund (CSF) to be administered by the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) within each local authority. This fund may support community and voluntary organisations to meet their general running costs (excluding energy costs where these are funded under another scheme) and the enhancement of facilities.

Furthermore, my department recently announced funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds with running costs. The individual grants will be distributed to the over 400 Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA).

These Schemes are part of a range of supports introduced through Budget ’23 and everyone is encouraged to visit gov.ie/reduceyouruse to find out how they can make energy savings, where safe and possible to do so.

My department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector, charities, local authorities and local development companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges. I would encourage all groups to engage with Gov.ie, their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.

Question No. 808 answered with Question No. 807.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (809)

Michael Creed

Question:

809. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will confirm receipt of an application under the community centre investment fund from an organisation (details supplied); the status of this application; and when funding will be distributed to these category 3 applicants. [59518/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

All applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.

Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process last month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at: www.gov.ie/drcd

The group the Deputy refers to applied for Category 3 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3.

It is expected that applicants for these categories will be notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process shortly.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (810)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

810. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names of all companies supplying private security and cleaning services in her Department, including the cost of private cleaning in her Department, the cost of private security in her Department; the number of private cleaners supplied to her Department to provide these duties as part of these contracts, and the number of private security personnel supplied to her Department on foot of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59738/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and in Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo.

Cleaning services in Trinity Point are currently provided by 5 Star Facilities, which took over the contract from Accent Solutions in May 2022. One cleaner is currently sufficient for the Department's footprint. The costs associated with cleaning services in Trinity Point for the last full year and this year to date are as follows:

2021 - €18,470.52

2022 - €15,290.49 (January to date).

Cleaning services in Government Buildings in Ballina are procured by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in its role as lead tenant in the building.

Cleaning services in the building, which is occupied by a number of Departments, are supplied by the Mount Charles Group. Currently the cleaning duties across the building are shared between 6 cleaning staff. The share of cleaning costs incurred by my Department for its footprint in Ballina are as follows:

2021 - €15,928

2022 - €13,452 (January to date)

My Department has not engaged private security services for either of our office locations and therefore no costs of this nature arise.

Ministerial Staff

Questions (811)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

811. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of the employment status in the Civil Service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in her ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [59773/22]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

One former civilian driver remains in the employment of the Department of Rural and Community Development on temporary contract which is coterminous with the Minister for Rural & Community Development. This officer is on a redeployment assignment to another Government Department for the remainder of their temporary contract. Voluntary Early Retirement (VER) was not issued and no case has presented to the WRC to date on foot of changes.