Written Answers Nos. 1879-1898
1881. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding that was allocated to each animal welfare organisation in 2022; the criteria on which the funding is granted and the amount awarded (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2200/23]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. Considerable funding is provided to support animal welfare charity organisations.
In December 2022, I awarded record funding of over €5.8 million to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, through the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This is evidence of my own and the Government’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare and acknowledges and supports the important role played by animal welfare organisations.
Awards are made on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis. These include the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals and the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities.
Throughput of animals and rehoming figures are assessed along with veterinary inspection of the premises.
As with the 2021 awards, December’s awards recognised the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally.
For example, raising awareness on responsible pet ownership can help to prevent dogs subsequently being abandoned or surrendered to charities for rehoming, thus helping to reduce the pressure dog shelters and charities may come under.
The following table, which is available on my Department's website, details the awards for individual organisations:
|
Organisation Name |
AWARD 2022 |
|
A Dogs Life |
€16,500 |
|
Ainmhithe Animal Rescue |
€33,550 |
|
Animal Help Net Kerry |
€26,500 |
|
Animal Sanctuary Hubasha CLG T/as Ash Animal Rescue |
€62,250 |
|
Animal Trust Fund |
€15,200 |
|
Animals in Need |
€55,200 |
|
Arklow Cat Rescue |
€5,875 |
|
Back into Daylight |
€4,000 |
|
Burren Animal Rescue |
€38,950 |
|
Cappanagarrane Horse Rescue |
€22,350 |
|
Cats Aid |
€21,625 |
|
Cavan SPCA |
€43,075 |
|
Chipper's Sanctuary |
€6,175 |
|
Clare Animal Welfare |
€13,175 |
|
Clondalkin Animal Aid |
€12,050 |
|
Community Cats Network |
€24,200 |
|
Cork Animal Care Society |
€13,500 |
|
Cork Cat Action Trust |
€26,625 |
|
Cork Dog Action Welfare Group |
€65,975 |
|
Cork SPCA |
€149,950 |
|
Deel Animal Rescue |
€13,600 |
|
Deise Animal Sanctuary |
€29,313 |
|
Dogs in Distress Limited |
€36,825 |
|
Drogheda Animal Rescue |
€47,063 |
|
DSPCA |
€891,750 |
|
Dundalk Dog Rescue CLG |
€24,950 |
|
Fairyglen Community Animal Sanctuary |
€19,750 |
|
Fellenberg Foundation Ireland Ltd |
€15,475 |
|
Fingal SPCA |
€15,200 |
|
Forgotten Horses Ireland |
€19,775 |
|
Galway Cat Rescue |
€16,800 |
|
Galway SPCA |
€91,750 |
|
Galway and Claddagh Swan Rescue |
€14,800 |
|
Great Hounds In Need |
€7,000 |
|
Homeless Animal Rescue Team |
€11,175 |
|
Homes for Unwanted Greyhounds |
€14,775 |
|
Hungry Horse Outside CLG |
€140,250 |
|
Irish Horse Rehoming Programme |
€23,550 |
|
Irish Horse Welfare Trust |
€136,900 |
|
Irish Red Grouse Association Conservation Trust Ltd |
€3,375 |
|
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group |
€5,800 |
|
ISPCA Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre |
€27,400 |
|
ISPCA Equine Rescue Centre Mallow |
€60,175 |
|
ISPCA National Animal Centre |
€891,750 |
|
Joan's Animal Rescue Centre |
€4,000 |
|
Kenmare Locality Animal Welfare Society (KLAWS) |
€13,100 |
|
Kerry SPCA |
€19,688 |
|
Kildare and West Wicklow SPCA |
€58,025 |
|
Kilkenny SPCA |
€24,250 |
|
Kitten Cottage Animal Sanctuary |
€12,900 |
|
Laois SPCA |
€38,250 |
|
Last Hope Animal Charity |
€12,600 |
|
Leinster Horse and Pony Rescue |
€18,150 |
|
Leitrim Animal Welfare |
€36,400 |
|
Limerick Animal Welfare |
€108,600 |
|
Limerick Feral Cats |
€21,800 |
|
Longford SPCA |
€5,000 |
|
Louth SPCA |
€45,350 |
|
MADRA |
€28,781 |
|
Mayo SPCA |
€33,375 |
|
Meath SPCA |
€4,150 |
|
Mo Chara Animal Rescue |
€28,500 |
|
Mollies Animal Rescue |
€14,125 |
|
Munster Lost and Found Pet Helpline CLG |
€24,200 |
|
My Lovely Horse Animal Rescue |
€50,063 |
|
New Ross SPCA |
€24,400 |
|
North County Dublin SPCA |
€50,000 |
|
North West SPCA |
€59,800 |
|
North Wexford SPCA |
€46,500 |
|
Offaly SPCA |
€40,825 |
|
Pauline's Rescue |
€46,050 |
|
PAWS Animal Rescue |
€73,475 |
|
Phibsboro Cat Rescue |
€5,175 |
|
Pro Animale Ireland |
€28,125 |
|
Rehoming Cork Pets |
€13,050 |
|
Renvyle Cat and Dog Rescue |
€17,450 |
|
Roscommon SPCA |
€45,875 |
|
Roscrea SPCA |
€37,050 |
|
Royal Dog Rescue |
€12,025 |
|
Sathya Sai Sanctuary Trust |
€43,000 |
|
Seal Rescue Ireland |
€33,906 |
|
Second Chance Animal Rescue |
€28,975 |
|
St. Francis Dispensary for Sick and Injured Animals |
€37,844 |
|
Star Rescue CLG |
€12,350 |
|
The Cat and Dog Protection Association of Ireland |
€42,075 |
|
The Donkey Sanctuary |
€379,500 |
|
The Haven Rescue |
€15,050 |
|
The Irish Blue Cross |
€480,313 |
|
TNR Donegal |
€3,450 |
|
TNR South Roscommon |
€12,600 |
|
TNR West Dublin |
€8,600 |
|
Twin Towns Lost and Found Dogs |
€24,850 |
|
Waterford Animal Welfare |
€35,550 |
|
Waterford SPCA |
€54,000 |
|
West Cork Animal Welfare Group Ltd |
€36,825 |
|
Westmeath SPCA |
€20,400 |
|
Wexford SPCA |
€92,375 |
|
Wicklow SPCA |
€118,750 |
|
Wildlife Rescue Cork |
€4,000 |
1883. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to support the inshore fishing sector. [2262/23]
View answer1890. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of EU Brexit funding that has been made available to the inshore fishing sector; his plans to provide further funding from EU Brexit funding to the sector; and to outline his engagement with inshore fishing representative bodies on this matter. [2416/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1883 and 1890 together.
I established the Seafood Task Force in 2021 to examine measures which could be taken to mitigate the impact on the Seafood Sector and Coastal Communities of Brexit and the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Task Force had significant representation from the industry including inshore fisheries representation and developed a series of recommendations. Since the publication of its report, I have introduced a number of schemes in line with the recommendations.
One such measure was the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme. This de minimis short-term support scheme for the inshore sector aimed to help it deal with the difficult trading conditions that have arisen because of Brexit. It also aimed to help the sector transition to longer-term restructuring measures. It operated from January to March 2021 and was designed to assist inshore fishers to adjust their business and marketing plans to the post Brexit environment. BIM provided four dedicated online training modules to participants and grant aid of up to €4,000 to help put into practice the learning from these modules. Applicants had to complete the training before payment could be made. There were some 800 successful applications from inshore fishers, who received total grant aid of €2.66 million.
In March 2022, I also announced a Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme, designed to assist the inshore fisheries sector to mitigate the impacts of Brexit by growing value in existing markets and developing new markets. As part of this scheme, Bord Bia implemented a marketing plan for supporting the sales and promotion of inshore species such as Irish crab, lobster, whelks, inshore herring/mackerel and line caught hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. The scheme operated in 2022 and will continue into 2023, with a budget of €615,000 per annum.
I have also announced a number of other schemes which will support the Inshore sector, both directly and indirectly. This includes the €55 million Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme, which is seeing investment in harbour infrastructure to support the fishing sector. More recently, I announced the fulfilment of another Task Force recommendation in the form of the Off Register Capacity Buy Out Scheme. This scheme will see fishers offered a premium for capacity which is not currently licensed to a sea-fishing boat for a variety of reasons such as vessels being lost at sea, damaged or in need of repair/upgrade. The effect of this will be that in the wake of national fleet restructuring, that the inshore sector will not become overcrowded and that the capacity of the inshore fleet will match the fishing opportunities which are available to it. The overall budget for this scheme is €2.8 million.
It is important to note that the Task Force was set up with a specific terms of reference and the Brexit Adjustment Reserve which is funding the majority of schemes has a specific set of purposes. Longer term development of the Inshore sector will fall to other funding mechanisms and initiatives. My Department’s Seafood Development Programme under European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020 has offered a range of financial supports to our inshore fishing sector for capital investment on board and ashore, for training and for organisation and capacity building within the sector, while State bodies provide a range of services to the inshore fleet including advisory services and stock conservation supports. With this Programme approaching its conclusion, I was pleased to announce a new Programme under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022. Under this programme a new range of schemes will be developed to support the Inshore fleet over the coming years.
In terms of my engagement with the sector, on these and other matters, I last met specifically with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) in December 2022 to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. The NIFF and its supporting network of six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums are consultative bodies established to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of fish stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. Since their inception, the Forums have developed initiatives to protect the future of the inshore sector. The NIFF brought forward the first industry-led Strategy for the sector in 2019 and is now implementing this with support from my Department, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and other agencies. The Strategy flowed from an extensive consultation process that engaged the inshore sector and other stakeholders.
In addition to this I frequently engage with the sector as a whole. For example, most recently on 10 January I met with fishing industry representatives to discuss EU/Norway negotiations on fisheries agreements and to provide progress reports on the implementation of Task Force recommendations. The Inshore sector was represented at this meeting.
1884. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to ensure that the Common Fisheries Policy supports inshore fishers. [2263/23]
View answerThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation (Regulation EU 1380/2013) sets down the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources. Within this legal framework, I consistently work to support the interests of inshore fishers. I have strongly pursued the delivery of the restriction on larger vessels inside 6 nm, which is a commitment in our Programme for Government. However, in 2019, a Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy giving effect to this restriction. The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf. Unfortunately, as this matter continues to be sub judice, I cannot comment further at this time.
The CFP Regulation provides that the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP by the end of 2022. It is my understanding that this report will be released in the coming weeks.
In preparation for this report, last year, I established a national Common Fisheries Policy Review Group of relevant stakeholders to examine the issues that arise for Ireland in the context of the CFP Review, to advise me on priorities for the negotiations and to identify strategies most likely to influence the outcome of the review. The Group involved representatives of key industry and environmental stakeholders, including the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), which represent island and inshore fishers.
The CFP Review Group submitted its final report to me on 5th August 2022. The Group is of the opinion that legislative changes are needed due to a number of critical issues confronting the fishing industry including, but not limited to, the impact of Brexit, the social and economic sustainability of fisheries dependent communities, food security, climate change and biodiversity loss. The stakeholders have set out a number of recommendations on aspects of the CFP which need to be addressed in order to adapt to the monumental changes of recent years and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.
I forwarded a copy of the report to the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius. I have made clear that I am fully satisfied that this report demonstrates that there is need for legislative changes in the current policy to address the disproportionate impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement and in the context of the new environmental challenges we are all facing. I have asked him to review the report's findings and recommendations and consider how these can be taken forward to support a fair and balanced CFP. I also brought the report to Government for its information.
I continue to liaise directly with IIMRO and NIFF to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. I am committed to working with them to address their issues and to provide support.
1885. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that he is taking to address the programme for Government commitment to ensure that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit. [2264/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years was allowed for vessels over 18m targeting sprat to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures. The Policy Directive directed the Licensing Authority to insert a condition to this effect into the licences of affected vessels.
A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy. On 6th October 2020, the Judge held in summary that the High Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. The breach of fair procedures as referenced above related to a failure with obligations to consult with the applicants in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the consultation process and in particular by failing to consult with them a second time once a preferred option had been identified. A stay on the order was refused by the High Court on 10th December 2020.
I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal, also seeking a stay on the order of the High Court. The Court of Appeal reinstated the Ministerial Policy Directive on 19th March 2021, when the Court was persuaded that the balance of justice leaned in favour of the State and granted a stay on the order of the High Court up until the hearing of the substantive appeal in June. Following a full hearing by the Court of Appeal on 22nd June 2021, the Court decided to temporarily extend the Policy Directive excluding large vessels from trawling in inshore waters within 6 miles of the coast, save for a restricted sprat fishery.
On September 23rd, 2021, the Court of Appeal refused the application I had made to further continue the stay. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid; meaning vessels over 18 metres in length overall have resumed trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles. These vessels also no longer require an authorisation to fish for sprat inside 6 nautical miles.
The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf.
As this matter continues to be sub judice, I am not in a position to comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
1886. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, following a recent meeting that he hosted with farmers involved in the Burren Life and Burren Beo agri-environmental scheme, he will make adjustments to the new agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, or provide a separate funding scheme for Burren farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2335/23]
View answerThe Department’s agri-environment scheme, ACRES, has proved very popular with farmers all over the country, including in the Burren region. Tranche 1 of the Scheme was over-subscribed, including in the Burren where some 1,000 applications were received compared to the 300 that were in the old Burren scheme. This means more farmers in the Burren scheme are benefitting from an agri-environment scheme than ever. The Department is currently processing and validating the applications received.
This strong interest expressed by Burren farmers in applying to join ACRES means the learnings gained from the Burren Programme and European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects can be applied to a greater number of farms in ACRES. The broader reach of the new Scheme will contribute to improving biodiversity, climate, air and water quality over a greater area of the Burren and Aran Islands.
1887. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the alternative arrangements that will be made to ensure that there is a suitable slipway in Ros a’Mhíl for the roll-on roll-off cargo ferry at the Oileáin Árann to use now that the present slipway will be decommissioned as part of the development of the deep water pier in Ros a’Mhíl, as the roll-on roll-off service is vital for the islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2341/23]
View answerI understand that there is a cargo service to the Aran Islands using a roll-on roll-off cargo ferry operator which operates under contract with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. This vessel had been using a slipway within Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre which will soon no longer be available as the area where this slipway is located will form part of the upcoming Deep Water Quay project. The Deep Water Quay project has been a long time in development and enjoys huge local support.
The impact of the Deep Water Quay project on the particular slipway has previously been explained to the company providing the cargo service. As contractors for the project are now coming on site, I have asked my Department to work closely with affected stakeholders to communicate practical issues, such as this, which will arise.
There are a number of other slipways in the region, both locally and further afield, that could replace the one that the operator is currently using and my Department is not aware of any reason why the operator would be unable to fulfil their contract in that regard.
1889. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the call by a fishing representative organisation (details supplied) for fair access to restored and co-managed fishing grounds. [2415/23]
View answerI wish to reassure the Deputy that I recognise the value and importance of maintaining a vibrant and sustainable small-scale sea-fishing sector.
As the Deputy may be aware, in December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years was allowed for vessels over 18m targeting sprat to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
However, in 2019, a Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy giving effect to this restriction. The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf. As this matter continues to be sub judice, I cannot comment further at this time.
Quotas for fish stocks are available to small-scale coastal fishers who are licensed to fish for quota stocks including whitefish and pelagic stocks. Catch limits are set for whitefish stocks primarily based on the length of a fishing vessel. On this basis, all vessels under 55 feet in length receive the same catch limit. The important pelagic stocks of mackerel, herring and horse mackerel already have allocations made available, in accordance with Ministerial policy, supporting smaller vessels.
The National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), supported by a network of Regional Inshore Forums (RIFFs) are supporting initiatives that seek to protect the collective interests of the inshore sector in Ireland. I formally recognised the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) as an EU Producer Organisation in 2021 and I appointed it to the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). Both the NIFF and IIMRO are both effective in their participation on the QMAC, advocating on behalf of all small-scale fishers to influence how Ireland's fish quotas are made available, within national policy.
I can advise the Deputy that I meet directly with the NIFF to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. The NIFF brought forward the first industry-led Strategy for the sector in 2019 and is now implementing this with support from my Department, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and other agencies. The Strategy flowed from an extensive consultation process that engaged the inshore sector and other stakeholders. Priorities identified in the strategy include developing a profile of the inshore sector, building the sector’s capacity to engage with policy development and enhancing industry’s understanding of management and planning for inshore fisheries.
1891. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there has been any analysis undertaken of the cluster housing pilot scheme in Kilsheelan, County Tipperary; if there are other cluster housing pilot schemes planned in the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1149/23]
View answerThe "Revitalisation of a Rural Village: A Model for Cluster Housing" project located in Kilsheelan, Co Tipperary was approved for funding of €603,750 from the third call for Category 1 applications under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The lead party for the project is Tipperary County Council.
The project will provide serviced housing sites in Kilsheelan Village, which will be then made available for sale to the public to design and build their houses. The project will also develop a new public park in the village and a new arrival point for the River Suir Blueway.
I am informed by my officials that the detailed design stage for the project has been completed and Tipperary County Council is expected to advertise the construction tender in Q1 2023. The project is currently expected to be completed in Q4 2023.
Projects approved for funding under the fund are required to complete an evaluation once sufficient time has elapsed for the benefits and outcomes to be determined. This would not be until after the project has been completed. To date there have been no other similar cluster housing projects approved under the fund.
1892. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the next round of Pobal community centres investment fund grants will be open; and if it will be open to non-community centres, specifically GAA clubs. [63183/22]
View answerThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure a further €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
This builds on the funding approved under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to providing funding to improve and upgrade these centres which will allow them to continue to provide services for communities to come together.
It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted primarily at new build community centres. GAA clubs were eligible to apply to the 2022 fund so long as they satisfied the criteria outlined in the fund guidelines. The detail of the 2023 scheme is currently being developed by officials within my Department, and I would expect that the eligibility criteria would be similar to that of the 2022 fund. It is my intention to announce the details of the 2023 fund in quarter 1.
1893. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63207/22]
View answerThe Charities Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the decision-making process of the Regulator, particularly with regard to the registration of charities and whether they are operating in accordance with regulations. That is entirely a matter for the Regulator and any queries should be raised directly with the Regulator.
I want to take this opportunity to highlight that the organisation can contact the Charities Regulator directly regarding their application, through an online query form or through the ‘MyAccount Portal’, located at www.charitiesregulator.ie/en/contact-us, with a dedicated phone line for queries about charity applications and registration status, (01) 633 1500, also available between 10am and 1pm, Monday to Friday inclusive.
1894. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the cane corso and malenois dog breeds will be considered as dangerous breeds that should be muzzled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63317/22]
View answerThe Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. The Control of Dogs Regulations 1998 set out further requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, have to follow. Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.
Concerns had been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders asserted that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believed that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds and should move away from muzzling.
Following a review of this policy area, including a public consultation process to which over 1,000 responses were received, my Department published on gov.ie the report on ‘A Review of Measures relating to the Control of Dogs in Ireland’. A selection of the submissions received were also published alongside the report.
My Department is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required with a view to inclusion in the Government legislation programme.
Furthermore, last week, my officials and I met with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D., to discuss how our departments can address shared concerns regarding dog control and ownership. We have agreed to establish a working group that will examine the various issues and consider all relevant legislative and enforcement issues in relation to dogs. This review will bring all the key players together to consider what action can be taken to keep both people and animals safe.
1895. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63350/22]
View answer1924. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the development work on a project (details supplied); if the master plan has been completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1954/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1895 and 1924 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. The Fund has, to date, allocated funding of €395 million for 215 projects across the country worth a total of €542 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The project referred to by the Deputy was approved for funding of €135,000 under the second call for Category 2 applications to the fund, which was completed in August 2020. The lead party for this project is Mayo County Council. Based on progress reports submitted to my Department by the Council, I understand that work on this project has been progressing and the project is expected to be completed in the coming months. More detailed and up-to-date information on progress will be available directly from Mayo County Council.
1896. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she intends to commit to the plans for a long-awaited community centre on the Tullow Road, Carlow; if her attention has been drawn to reports that the plans have been designed by the local authority and that a community consultation has taken place in an area that has one of the largest population densities in Carlow town and urgently requires proper amenities; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the plans have been ready for almost a year; when the Government will commit to matching the necessary funding; when the funding will be released; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63353/22]
View answerLast April, I launched the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF). This was a new €15m capital fund to support community groups with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community centres.
On October 12th, I announced over €12.5 million in funding for 580 successful Category 1 applicants. On December 8th, I was delighted to announce a further €33 million in funding for 278 successful Category 2 and 3 applicants. Details of the successful applicants are available on my Department’s website.
It should be noted that the development/building of new community centres was not covered under this Fund. However, is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted for new build community centres as well as upgrades and improvements to existing centres.
The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and I hope to announce further details in quarter 1 of 2023. The group in question could consider applying to this new fund to help with the costs of their proposed facility.
1897. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if all sections of all Acts passed in the past ten years have been commenced; the number of sections that are outstanding; the number of Acts that have review periods; if the reviews have taken place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63387/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that all sections of any Acts relevant to my Department over the period of time referenced have commenced and that there are no outstanding sections or reviews.
1898. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will direct her Department to bring a person (details supplied) to the courts for failing to display a registered number issued by the relevant local authority to the dog-breeding establishment under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. [63405/22]
View answer1904. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will direct her Department to investigate registration issues in respect of a specific dog breeding establishment (details supplied) to ascertain whether unlicensed activity is being undertaken at same; the sanctions and enforcement her Department may be considering in respect of the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63786/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1898 and 1904 together.
My Department has policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
Under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, local authorities are responsible for all operational activities such as the registration, inspection and regulation of Dog Breeding Establishments, including enforcement activities.
It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the local authority register and to display the DBE registration certificate, as issued by the relevant local authority, in a prominent position at the premises. It is a matter for each local authority to ensure compliance with this requirement and my Department has no function in this operational activity.
Separately, the non-inclusion of the DBE Registration Number, as issued by the relevant local authority, on any advertisement under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019, falls under the remit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
