Written Answers Nos. 644-663
644. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the positions in HSE intellectual disability services whereby applicants with a driving conviction are disqualified from and fail to meet the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3351/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
645. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the roles in HSE intellectual disability services for which one is not required to have access to a vehicle in order to hold the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3352/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a consultant refuses to prescribe medical cannabis for a patient when they are not familiar with the Medical Cannabis Access Programme, what recourse a patient has in such circumstances to gain access to medical cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3367/23]
View answerClinicians have two routes to access cannabis-based products for their patients.
The Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP): This is a 5-year pilot programme restricted to prescribing of cannabis-based products by medical consultants, for patients with certain medical conditions who have exhausted all other available medical treatment options. Those conditions are:
- Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis;
- Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy;
- Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy.
For more information relating to the MCAP, including FAQs, please see the Department of Health’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/90ece9-medical-cannabis-access-programme/
The operation of the MCAP is the responsibility of the HSE, and any queries in relation to applications should be addressed to the HSE at the email address: pharmacy.response@hse.ie
Ministerial Licence under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016: For medical indications not included in the MCAP, doctors may continue to utilise the Ministerial Licensing route to prescribe cannabis-based products for their patients, should they wish to do so. In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis-based products for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time. This information can be found at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a5c4e-applying-to-the-minister-for-health-for-a-medical-cannabis-licence/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/e35cb4-ministerial-licence-application-process/
It is important to note that the decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis-based treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process and cannot interfere in the clinical decisions of a medical practitioner.
647. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to the memo from the HSE sent to early learning, childhood service providers and schools to be distributed to parents and guardians regarding the flu vaccine for children aged 2 years to 12 years, and the accompanying schedule for vaccination centres providing this vaccine; the reason pharmacies providing the flu vaccine to children are excluded from mention in this memo and not considered as an alternative to vaccination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3372/23]
View answerI understand that a memo issued from the HSE on 16/01/23 to early learning, childcare service providers and schools advising of additional walk-in flu vaccination clinics for all children aged 2 - 17 years. These clinics were set up to increase flu vaccine uptake rates in children in response to rising numbers of flu cases and hospitalisations in the population in general but also specifically in children.
The memo noted that in addition to the walk in clinics, that the vaccine was still available from participating GPs and pharmacists.
648. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if there is any support or contact available to occupational therapists returning to the profession, in order to facilitate them completing the 420 hours of professional development as required by CORU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3373/23]
View answerDuring the course of their career, many Occupational Therapists may not practise their profession for a period of time. This may occur for many reasons, which could include parental leave, extended travel, caring responsibilities or illness.
We know that these Occupational Therapists may wish to come back to their profession and resume their practice. However, when returning to the profession after a prolonged period (greater than two years), a process of updating or re-familiarisation may be required to ensure safety of both the registrant and the patients or service users in his/her care.
This is why CORU has established the re-familiaristion process and set out Return to Practice requirements.
If the applicant takes a break in their practice of less than two years, they can begin practising again without having to meet any additional requirements set by CORU. If they are returning to the register having been out of practice for between two and five years, a minimum of 210 hours of updating is required.
Where the person is returning to the register after five years or more out of practice, a minimum of 420 hours of updating is required.
The period of updating must consist of contact hours spent engaging in one or more of the following:
1. Supervised practice
2. Formal study, and/or
3. Private study
All applicants are required to prepare a learning plan for discussion and agreement with their supervisor prior to commencing their period of supervised practice.
- the area in which they are going to work when they begin practising again;
- their previous experience;
- any relevant skills they gained while they were out of practice; and
- any relevant developments in their profession while they were out of practice.
The applicant is responsible for their own period of updating and for making sure that they meet standards set by their Board before they return to practice. CORU seeks this information so that it can verify that the updating period took place. CORU does not arrange placements for an applicant and does not provide supports in arranging or facilitating Return to Practise for any profession as to do so could create a conflict of interest when later assessing the undertaking completed by a person seeking to return to the profession in question.
Information is available on the Citizens Information website with details on contacting Occupational Therapy services which may be able to provide assistance on obtaining the relevant development hours stipulated by CORU. Details are available at: Occupational therapy services (citizensinformation.ie)
The applicant can do their period of updating either on a full or part-time basis. They do not have to complete their entire period of updating in one go. The only condition is that all of their updating should be completed no more than two years before they apply for registration or restoration to the register.
If they continued to maintain their continuous professional development (CPD) while out of practice, activities in this area may be submitted for consideration if carried out no more than two years before they apply for registration.
Additional information can be found on the CORU website:
coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/registration/registration-requirements/return-to-practice/
649. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by his Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3384/23]
View answerMy Department provides grants under various initiatives.
The Healthy Ireland Initiative provides grants to Sports Ireland, the GAA, the FAI, Local Authorities and the community/voluntary sector for initiatives to promote healthy and active lifestyles.
The Drugs Programmes Initiative provides funding to Regional and Local Drugs Taskforces and the community/voluntary sector for drug prevention and education initiatives.
Grants from the Sláintecare Integration Fund are also provided to the HSE and NGOs to test and evaluate innovative models of care, leveraging technology where possible and providing a ‘proof of concept’ with a view to mainstreaming/scaling of successful projects through the annual budget estimates process.
While not all community or voluntary organisations have charitable status, with some established as limited entities, my Department has not issued grant payments or funding supports to for-profit businesses. The issue of tax breaks is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and is not within my remit to grant.
650. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the Control of Dogs Act review group, the persons or bodies that are the members of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the persons or bodies that are the stakeholders involved; if academic research will be consulted during the process; the estimated timeline of completion of the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2976/23]
View answerOfficials from my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development met on 13th January to discuss the setting up of this working group, which is a priority for both Departments. The terms of reference are currently being developed.
There is a clear commitment from Minister Humphreys and me, and our respective Departments, to tackle this issue and ensure that the law is as robust as possible, to ensure that both people and animals are safe.
Our dogs are more than pets, they are our companions and loyal friends. However, scenes we have witnessed recently show the threat dogs can pose if they are not properly controlled by their owners. Both Minister Humphreys and I will work proactively on this in the time ahead.
651. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if outstanding payments due to a person (details supplied) for the years 2019 and 2021, under GLAS will be paid immediately. [2766/23]
View answerThis Herd Number, containing two persons, was approved to GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2016.
Payments issued for scheme years 2016 to 2018 inclusive. Unfortunately one of the persons named on the Herd Number died in 2018.
The Inheritance Enquiry Unit is currently engaging with the Solicitor and Legal Personal Representative for the Estate. On receipt of the necessary documentations, any payments due to the Estate, which may be released to the Legal Personal Representative.
Processing of 2021 GLAS payments are ongoing. Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
652. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if further information will be provided in relation to the plans by Coillte (details supplied) to use public private partnerships to acquire land going back to March 2021; the way in which he was informed of same; the reason that members of Dáil Éireann were not informed; if he drew the attention of an Taoiseach to the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/23]
View answer658. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3000/23]
View answer669. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3365/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 652, 658 and 669 together.
Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Minister and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am, therefore, not in position to comment on any operational issues relating to the establishment of the new investment fund. Neither my Department nor myself were involved in the establishment of the Fund.
On the policy issues raised, the primary aim of the proposed new Forestry Programme is to enable Ireland to use its potential for afforestation to help meet its national emission reduction and biodiversity obligations while, at the same time, supporting the forestry sector and farm families. This is why the Government have committed €1.3 billion to this Programme, with substantially higher payments for farmers. This is biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever introduced by any Government here, and it has been designed to ensure that farmers will be its primary beneficiaries.
The afforestation targets set out in both the Programme and the Climate Action Plan are ambitious and will require the input of all stakeholders. It is Government policy that Coillte, as the State forestry company, should play its part too by re-engaging with afforestation and they have responded to this in their new Forestry Vision and Strategy. They have indicated that they will support the delivery of Ireland's afforestation targets through a suite of initiatives which will contribute 100,000 hectares by 2050. As the company is precluded following a decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union from directly receiving premiums, they have indicated that some of the implementation of their strategy will be collaboration with third parties in projects.
Farmers, being the biggest cohort of landowners, will have the most opportunity to benefit from the new Forestry Programme and will receive 33% more premium payments than any other landowner under the Programme. There is also a role for Coillte and for non-farmers in helping to achieve our ambitious afforestation targets, and the new Forestry Programme will provide for this too. This will include support for the creation of new forests in Ireland through the harnessing of funding and assets from private and public sources, including afforestation grants and premiums, to provide long term social returns for all stakeholders. In other words, where land is in private ownership, whether farmer or non-farmer, it will be eligible for grants and premiums under the new Programme, as is currently the case under the existing programme.
Coillte advised the Department of its intention to engage in increased afforestation, including through business partnership arrangements, during the development of their new Forestry Strategic Vision, which was launched on 21st April 2022. As I have previously outlined, the question of consent or approval by the shareholders does not arise in relation to Coillte’s role in providing services to the Fund. It is an operational matter for Coillte and they were under no obligation to seek consent.
Senior representatives of Coillte have since met with myself and Minister Hackett on 19th January and outlined their intention on wider afforestation generally and that the Irish Strategic Forestry Fund which is one of the targets to achieve
One of the other initiatives which Coillte are pursuing is the planting of native woodlands through their involvement in Nature Partners’ CLG. This is a non-commercial entity, which aims to increase the percentage of land under native woodlands. Coillte is providing management services and land acquisition services to the company but the company may procure these services other than from Coillte. I have asked Coillte to inform the interested Deputies directly on the plans for Coillte Nature CLG.
653. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can advise on the role of Teagasc advisors in relation to notification of schemes and deadlines for applications to farmers and assisting farmers with applications and other services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/23]
View answerTeagasc was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, to provide research, advisory and education services to the agricultural sector. The primary objective of the Teagasc Advisory Service is to maximise the income and sustainability of farm families in line with the goals of the current Teagasc Statement of Strategy.
The Advisory Service provides support to Teagasc clients through contracted advisory services and to the wider farming network through public good advisory, knowledge transfer and education activities and events. It includes advisory support to a wide range of schemes available to farmers, including information around the eligibility, technical and operational aspects, potential payment rates available and the suitability of certain schemes to the overall farm business and activities for individual farmers.
Teagasc also support application submissions and follow-up services associated with a number of schemes to contracted farmer clients. Similar services are also provided by Private Advisory Consultants. It is a matter for each farmer as to which advisory service they wish to avail of. A number of schemes are also available for farmers to engage with directly without the support of an advisor agent on their behalf.
When it comes to schemes, my Department will clearly communicate the deadline and other relevant information to interested participants at the time of the scheme launch. This can be communicated through a range of methods both directly in terms of on online promotion, public meetings and indirectly through farm media and of course through the professional farm advisors (either Teagasc or private). To ensure that all advisors are also fully informed of this information in order that they provide the best possible information to their clients, my Department runs annual mandatory training courses for advisors. This ensures a continued high level of professionalism in the advisory services.
654. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware if pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin is being used or produced in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2961/23]
View answerThere are five products, authorised for use in Ireland, that contain Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) also known as Equine Serum Gonadotrophin (eCG).
It should be noted that the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) which is a state body under the aegis of the Department of Health, is the competent authority for the authorisation of (human and) veterinary medicines in Ireland. The HPRA has advised my Department however that the listing of an authorised veterinary medicinal products on its database does not automatically mean that the products listed, are available, or being actively marketed and used here.
I am advised that the active substance PMSG is not produced in Ireland. According to the HPRA, Ireland has never been a source of the active substance, and if it were to be produced here it would have to be regulated under Directive 2010/63/EC and would come under the remit of the HPRA’s scientific animal protection service. The HPRA have confirmed that they have not given any licence for this purpose.
655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reinstate BPS payments to a person (details supplied) on the basis of an appeal which has been submitted to his Department. [2977/23]
View answerThe person named was deemed to be non-compliant with Section 11 of Terms and Conditions of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) which state:
"In order to avail of the full payment an applicant must declare at least enough eligible forage hectares under their Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application each year to match their maximum payable area. (MPA)."
For the purposes of BDGP in this case, the MPA of the person named was calculated to be 176.66 hectares when he applied to participate in the programme in 2015. The forage area which he declared on his 2022 BPS application was 130.10 hectares which equates to 73.6% of his MPA.
As the person named did not declare enough forage land on his BPS application he cannot be considered for payment under BDGP for 2022.
A request for a review was received on 16th December 2022. This was considered and a reply issued to the person named on 20th December 2022 informing him that the original Department decision was unchanged. A request for a further review was received on the 18th January 2023. This is now being examined and a written reply will issue as soon as possible.
This person's BPS payment is not affected.
656. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback) applications received for the year 2022; the total amount approved; the total denied; the total remaining on hand yet to be approved from 2022, all in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2988/23]
View answerSince the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by ash dieback disease through the ash dieback reconstitution scheme (introduced in 2013) and more recently via the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) introduced in July 2020.
Since the commencement of that RUS – Ash dieback scheme in July 2020 up to 31st December this year, a total of 978 applications have been received, covering 3,783ha. Of this total, 390 have been approved, and there remains 587 on hand, covering 2,543 ha, which are at various stages of the approval process.
In 2022, 228 licences issued, covering 1,230ha, with one application refused (10ha). There was 88 applications received in 2022. The table below outlines application received and on hand.
|
Total received to 31/12/22 |
978 |
|
Total approved to 31/12/22 |
390 |
|
Total refused to 31/12/22 |
1 |
|
Total on hand |
587 |
|
Total received 2022 |
88 |
|
Total on hand from 2022 |
80 |
I have secured a package of €1.3 billion for forestry which will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and it is intended to continue to offer the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme through the next Forestry Programme which will cover the period from 2023-2027.
Forest Owners will qualify for a clearance grant and may select from a number of proposed Forest Types. The current scheme provides 100% grant aid to landowners to clear their ash crop, replant with an alternate species and manage their forest until successfully established and it is proposed that, as is currently the case, the grant rates offered will correspond to the equivalent rate offered in the proposed new Afforestation Scheme; see Circular 20 of 2022 Forestry Programme Support Scheme Grants and Payments which may be viewed at gov.ie - Forestry Grants and Premium Schemes 2014 - 2022 Circulars (www.gov.ie)
The Programme, and the Forestry Strategy, which is the framework within which it operates, has recently closed a public consultation from which we are currently collating and reviewing the feedback received, and this in turn will inform the final versions. We are also actively engaging with the European Commission to progress State Aid approval to the new Programme, with the aim of launching as soon as possible.
I have, of course, also met with landowners whose forests have ash dieback and I am more than aware of their concerns and I will continue to work to address them.
657. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of a dog breeder (details supplied) in Cork who was shut down due to the horrific conditions the animals were subjected to; his Department’s plans to ensure this does not happen going forward; if he will commit to the closure of all puppy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2997/23]
View answerI am aware of the case referred to and I commend the authorities for taking the necessary action to alleviate the suffering of the animals in question.
The Deputy will be aware that the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, which regulates the operation of dog breeding establishments is an Act under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Affairs and is enforced by the relevant local authority.
On the overall issue of controls relating to dogs, I have, in collaboration with Minister Humphreys, set up a working group to review all relevant matters. This group held its first meeting on Friday 13th January. The Terms of Reference and composition for the working group are being finalised and further details will be announced in the near future. The group will meet regularly in the coming weeks.
659. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of European Union Brexit funding that has been made available to the fishing sector, including a breakdown of all the relevant schemes; and his plans to provide further funding from EU Brexit funding to the sector. [3120/23]
View answerIn the wake of the Trade and Co-Operation Agreement, I established the Seafood Task Force to make recommendations on how best to support the seafood sector and coastal communities to adjust to the post-Brexit environment. Its deliberations resulted in 16 recommendations outlining supports worth €423 million. The majority of these recommendations were for supports for fishers, with additional supports proposed for other parts of the seafood supply chain. Based on these recommendations, to date, I have announced €265 million worth of supports and investment programmes. All of the relevant schemes are presented in tabular form below.
In respect of plans for providing further funding, leveraging the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, the remaining recommendations of the Task Force are currently being assessed. In making its recommendations, the Task Force acknowledged that each would have to be examined from the perspective of available funding, eligibility under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation, State Aid rules, and the Public Spending Code and given the volume could only be introduced on a phased and prioritised basis. The precise amount of funding for schemes based on these remaining recommendations will be dependent on the outcome of these processes and agreement at EU level.
It is also worth noting, that in making its recommendations, the Task Force suggested longer term supports and investments beyond the lifetime of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which would utilise funding from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). In December 2022, I was pleased to announce that the EU Commission had adopted my Department’s EMFAF Seafood Development Programme which will facilitate the implementation of these longer term recommendations. The Programme is worth €258 million and is co-funded by the EU and Irish Government.
|
Announced Brexit Adjustment Reserve Schemes |
Scheme Budget |
|
Temporary Tie-Up 2021 (recommended by the interim report) |
€10m |
|
Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme |
€3.7m |
|
Inshore Marketing Scheme |
€1m |
|
Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme |
€55.3m |
|
Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme |
€25m |
|
Seafood Capital Processing Support Scheme |
€45m |
|
Temporary Tie-Up 2022 Scheme |
€24m |
|
Brexit Co-operative Transition Scheme |
€1m |
|
Brexit Sustainable Aquaculture Growth Scheme |
€20m |
|
Brexit Voluntary Decommissioning Scheme |
€80m |
|
Brexit Off-Register Capacity Buy-out Scheme |
€2.8m |
|
Total of Seafood Taskforce Scheme announcements to date |
€267.8m |
660. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided for afforestation annually for each of the years 2018 to 2022 inclusive, in tabular form, including a breakdown of the amounts provided to farmers, private forestry companies, community/non-profit groups, public/semi-state bodies, and any other relevant category. [3122/23]
View answerThe first table below sets out the allocation and spend for afforestation in each of the years 2018 to 2022.
|
- |
Afforestation Allocation. |
Spend |
|
2018 |
88,000,000 |
€86,653,515.45 |
|
2019 |
87,250,000 |
€80,480,250.00 |
|
2020 |
87,250,000 |
€71,756,705.67 |
|
2021 |
89,750,000 |
€62,349,710.00 |
|
2022 |
89,750,000 |
€61,874,637.00 |
The second table sets out the spend on afforestation for the categories of farmer, non-farmer, public/semi -state bodies and community/non-profit groups.
|
- |
Farmer |
Non-Farmer |
Public/Semi State Bodies |
Community/ Non-profit Groups |
|
2022 |
€45,744,203.00 |
€15,829,736.00 |
€255,098.00 |
€45,600.00 |
|
2021 |
€47,820,408.00 |
€14,484,239.00 |
€0.00 |
€45,063.00 |
|
2020 |
€56,434,428.00 |
€15,123,729.00 |
€0.00 |
€198,548.67 |
|
2019 |
€66,783,313.00 |
€13,696,937.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
2018 |
€74,431,190.00 |
€12,102,422.00 |
€0.00 |
€119,903.45 |
The Deputy should be aware that private forestry companies do not receive direct payments from my Department but in very many cases the applicant will mandate grant payments to the forestry company undertaking the work on their behalf.
The Deputy should also note that under the 2014-2020 programme prolonged to 2022 there was no differential in premium rates or premium duration for farmers and non-farmers and as such no obligation on the application to provide such information. Therefore the statistics gathered are based only on those who declared themselves to be farmers and these numbers may not reflect the true number of farm forestry owners. The public planting in the table below was planting carried out under the Creation of Woodlands on Public Lands Scheme. The community/non-profit category is spending under the NeighbourWood scheme.
661. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the call by a fishing representative organisation (details supplied) to provide for specific small-scale fisher infrastructure investment to improve facilities in landing areas, strengthen short supply chains and food security, and prioritise decarbonisation of the small-scale fleet. [3123/23]
View answerI 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 fishers, and developed a series of recommendations. Since the publication of its report, I have introduced a number of schemes in line with the recommendations including the €55 million Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme, which is seeing investment in harbour infrastructure to support the fishing sector, including inshore fishers. While any specific measures at such facilities are a matter for the local authority concerned, the application process for the Scheme requires the local authorities to identify how such projects will assist in the delivery of the Climate Action Plan.
Bord Bia has responsibility for the promotion and marketing of Irish food in domestic and international markets and continues to work closely with the seafood sector to develop new higher value markets. Their seafood promotions focus on all types of seafood from small and large producers, encouraging domestic consumers to actively seek out Irish seafood and promote it on the basis of its quality, range and responsible sourcing credentials. I announced a Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme in March 2022 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 and inshore herring, mackerel, hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. I can advise the Deputy that the valuable work on this dedicated inshore marketing scheme is continuing in 2023.
The short chain of locally caught and consumed seafood products is encouraged and promoted where possible. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s seafood development agency, has supported a number of such initiatives and I have recently engaged with BIM on exploring new product opportunities for the Mackerel Hook and Line fishery. BIM continues to assess how European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports can be designed so that appropriate groups or organisations can seek support for such initiatives.
While the drive for decarbonisation is set to intensify over the coming years, I understand there are promising technologies on the horizon in relation to powering the Irish fishing fleet in the future. In the short term, alternative fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and the use of hybrid engines are being reviewed in terms of the applicability of these technologies in an Irish context. In order to take advantage of alternative fuels and the potential use of electricity to charge engines, the relevant infrastructure needs to be put in place and this is an area which is also under review at present.
I can inform the Deputy that BIM conducted a baseline study of emissions in the Irish seafood sector in 2022 and this will form a basis for decarbonising the sector in the future. Other agencies such as the Marine Institute and the Commissioner of Irish Lights as well as the Department of Transport have significant knowledge and experience in this area and which can support the Irish fishing sector, including inshore fishers, to reduce emissions and assist in the delivery of climate related goals.
662. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to his Department’s photovoltaic panel installers registration form, the number of installations which have been inspected for quality control by his Department; the expertise that exists within his Department to carry out such inspections, particularly from a safety and technical perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3166/23]
View answerA number of facilities and installations in farmyards in receipt of a TAMs grant are subject to inspections by Department staff. The purpose of these inspections is to confirm that the facilities are installed as applied for, in accordance with the requirements of the specifications set by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. Such specifications include standards that ensure the facilities are installed correctly and safely, and that they are fit for purpose for use by the applicant.
The relevant Department staff have sufficient experience and training in carrying out farmyard inspections insofar as this is work that is regularly carried out by them, while they ensure that the facilities meet the minimum requirements of the Department specifications. Updated training is regularly supplied to TAMS staff where needed. All applicants in receipt of a TAMS grant are subject to a 5% inspection rate.
Safety of the facilities, both at installation phase and for subsequent use by the farmer is of paramount importance and this is evident in the various technical specification, not least specification S198 - Minimum Specification for the Installation of Solar PV Systems. All relevant electrical and structural standards are prescribed in this specification. Furthermore, the solar PV installer, must be registered with the Department, is required to sign off on a testing and commissioning reports that confirms that the system is ready for electricity generation in a safe manner in line with the latest electrical standards applicable. Virtually all the Department’s registered solar PV installers are monitored by the SEAI which has expertise in this area. In addition, the provision of an ETCI certificate by a Safe Electric registered electrician for the works completed is required. This certification process monitors the quality of electrical work completed.
663. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAMS-supported photovoltaic installations finalised to date; the further number of such applications currently being processed by his Department; the overall value of both of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3168/23]
View answerSolar PV installations were grant aided under TAMS II which closed to new applications on 16th December 2022. They will also be included in the new TAMs 3 when it is launched soon.
Following approval, all applicants for grant aid under TAMS must complete their investments and submit an online claim within the time line specified on their approval letter.
To date 410 applications for grant-aid were received, of these 167 with a investment value of €3,364,955.62 have been installed, and received payment.
212 applications with an investment value of €5,458,587.09 have not yet been finalised.
A further 31 applications with an investment value of €481,360.78 did not submit claim for grant aid within the specified time line- these applications are now deemed expired.
