Written Answers Nos. 664-675
664. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has estimated the number of applications that will be made for grant support under TAMS 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3169/23]
View answerTAMS provides generous grant rates for a comprehensive range of investment items. The suite of seven measures under TAMS II which closed 16th December 2022 have proved to be very popular with Irish Farmers. Over 53,000 approvals have issued to date with expenditure having reached in excess of €391m to over 32,000 applicants and commitments of an additional €108m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those grants.
TAMS is a demand led scheme and TAMS 3 will continue to support farmers from 2023 onwards. There will also be some changes including a resetting of the investment ceiling to €90,000 per holding, increased grant rates for specified investments and a full review of reference costs. The terms and conditions for the schemes and the investment list for grant aided items are currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
665. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct Coillte to provide information in relation to the Coillte-approved and licensed shoots that occurred in a location (details supplied) on 27 December 2022 and 8 January 2023; the reason that Coillte is choosing to prevent the public from accessing two public parks in order to facilitate members from a gun club; if his attention has been drawn to reports that members of the gun club were firing shots while members of the public were still in the wood on 8 January 2023; the actions that were taken to address this with the members of the gun club to ensure that it does not occur again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3195/23]
View answerCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
666. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has received communication from an association (details supplied); when this will be reviewed and a response issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3212/23]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence that the Deputy has provided and can confirm that a reply issued from Minister of State Hackett on 09 January 2023 addressing the concerns raised.
The launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter that is being taken very seriously by my Department and I would like to assure the Deputy that it is a matter of the highest priority. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. As part of this process, the draft Forest Strategy Implementation plan containing the Forestry Programme was published on the 18 October 2022 for a six-week period of public consultation. The Department is currently collating and integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 also requires State Aid to implement and the SEA/AA process is a critical step in the process of securing State Aid approval from the Commission. The previous State Aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas expired on 31 December 2022 and have now been replaced with a revised version as of 01 January 2023.
The introduction of these revised guidelines meant that a formal application for State Aid could not have been submitted to the European Commission until the revised guidelines were in place, i.e. before January 2023. Cognisant of the importance of implementing the new Forestry Programme as early as possible in 2023, and of the constraint that we could not submit a formal application for State Aid in 2022, the Department secured the agreement of the European Commission to facilitate a pre-notification in November 2022.
I am acutely aware of the urgency with which planting activity must take place, given both our ambitious targets and the need to ensure an active pipeline of work for the wider sector, including the forestry nursery sector. In this light, my Department worked intensively with the European Commission to pursue transitional arrangements for the use of valid Forestry Scheme approvals from January 2023. A circular on these arrangements issued to the sector together with an FAQ on 22 December 2022. A circular and FAQ issued on that date, and they are linked again below for ease of reference.
assets.gov.ie/243790/fca932df-df84-4888-9681-aadc6c2c8b12.pdf
assets.gov.ie/243779/74976133-b1ae-4b11-b055-b97b2ac67323.pdf
assets.gov.ie/243792/b84b04c8-bd53-479d-a3aa-76d1a1d884e3.pdf
As explained in the FAQ, my Department has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme and an Interim Forest Road Scheme to provide an option of immediate planting and/or roading from January 2023 for those with existing valid approvals. These Interim Schemes have been in place since 3 January 2023 and over 70 applications have already been received from the sector by my Department.
My Department is actively engaging with the Commission, and our officials are working intensively towards submitting the formal application with a view to secure full State Aid approval for the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 as soon as possible.
As regards Ash dieback, I am more than aware of the concerns SEEFA have raised and I will continue to work to address those very serious concerns. My Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have made a recent change in Planning and Development Regulations, which provides for an exemption from the requirement for planning permission for projects involving the replacement of broadleaf high forest by conifer species in all applications less than 10 hectares, where the project is licensed or approved by my Department. This legislative amendment was consistently highlighted by the sector and by the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine as a barrier to participation in the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback).
It is clear that applications for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) will benefit from this legislative change, including those applications which are still being processed and have yet to be decided upon. In addition, as stated previously, I am committed to reviewing this scheme early this year.
667. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has engaged with electricity companies in respect of limits the companies have set regarding the amount of energy they will purchase from a standalone farm or a group of farmers who operate an anaerobic digester plant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3213/23]
View answerEnergy policy is a matter for the Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communications (DECC), including electricity policy.
While my department as a role to play in the provision of agricultural feedstocks as a positive contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system, the engagement between electricity suppliers and Anaerobic digestion developers is a matter for the market.
668. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an IT glitch occurred on his Department’s side when an application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was submitted resulting in this application being deemed as a draft submission; when will this matter will be rectified for this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3350/23]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that on 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme 2022, which aimed to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) for winter 2022. This is to ensure that Ireland does not have any animal welfare issue over this winter and the coming spring.
The online application system for the Fodder Support Scheme 2022 opened on 17th June 2022 and closed on 27th August 2022. My officials have examined the relevant records and have confirmed that a Draft Application for the Fodder Support Scheme 2022 was created by the herdowner concerned.
As part of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme online application process, all applicants had to acknowledge that if they did not click the submit button at the end of the application, then they had not applied for the Scheme. All herd owners registered with the Department to receive text messages whose application was at "draft status" were contacted on the 28th of July 2022 to advise them and that further action was necessary to apply for the Scheme. This text message was sent to the person named but there is no record of him taking any further action in terms of submitting his application.
670. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [3375/23]
View answerThe information requested is being collated, and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as practicable.
671. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason that voluntary organisations and community groups are only eligible for funding under category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2753/23]
View answerVoluntary organisations and community groups were eligible to apply for funding under Categories 1, 2 or 3 of the 2022 Community Centres Investment Fund.
- Category 1 - grants up to €25,000
- Category 2 - grants between €25,001 and €100,000
- Category 3 - grants between €100,001 and €300,000
Under Categories 2 and 3, in order to ensure appropriate accountability for public funding, organisations were required to have a legal status in Ireland or to be a registered charity.
672. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department is considering reopening the streetscape and shopfront enhancement projects under a future town and village programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2974/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The Scheme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future and is administered on behalf of my Department by the local authorities.
The Streetscape Enhancement Measure is an element of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and is providing grants to retailers and property owners in order to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies. The overall purpose of the Measure is to give our towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit.
In August 2022, I announced the 26 towns and villages that will benefit from a €2.6 million fund to support the enhancement of streetscapes and shopfronts. The selected towns and villages are receiving funding of up to €100,000. The list of approved projects is available on my Department's website.
The Measures and funding provisions to be included in the Town and Village Renewal Scheme are reviewed each year and will be reviewed again in advance of the next launch of the Scheme.
673. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a research and consultancy project (details supplied) that has been contracted by her Department can be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3191/23]
View answerOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021 - 2025, commits to developing an effective rural proofing model to ensure that the needs of rural communities are considered in the development of Government policies.
Following a competitive tendering process, my Department appointed independent consultants to undertake research and develop proposals for an effective rural proofing model for Ireland. The report’s recommendations were examined in detail with a view to informing the Department's approach to developing a plan for a new rural proofing model.
The recent 13th OECD Rural Development Conference further informed our understanding of international practice. A key learning arising is that no one size fits all approach exists and that a pilot approach increases the chances of rural proofing being effective.
As part of a phased approach my Department will work with a number of Departments in 2023 on a pilot basis to trial a new, proactive approach to screening policies through a “rural lens”.
I have asked my officials to engage with all Government Departments to identify areas to work collaboratively on in 2023. A number of areas have already been identified, such as on the development of the Sustainable Tourism Policy, the review of the National Planning Framework and the development of the cross departmental National Hubs Strategy, and initial engagements have already taken place in this regard.
Under this pilot approach, Departments will consider the likely impact of their policies on rural areas at an early stage in their development, and, where necessary, adjust the policy to ensure that the rural perspective is incorporated.
The consultant's report is an important and valuable reference as we develop our approach to rural proofing and the report is now available on my Department's website at the below link.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/06a3d-rural-proofing-proposals-for-a-rural-proofing-model-for-ireland/
674. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on works (details supplied) under the small-scale capital works programme; the timeline for these works; when they are expected to conclude; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3309/23]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, progress on the works in Ballaghaderreen Library, and the timeline for completing the project are, first and foremost, a matter for Roscommon County Council.
I am advised by Roscommon County Council that their original tender invitation of June 2022, seeking the services of a mechanical and electrical consultant for this project was unsuccessful, and required the Council to re-tender for this service. As a result, the project has now incurred a slight delay to the timeline originally anticipated. Roscommon County Council's second tender invitation has resulted in the appointment of consultants to design the final specifications for all works approved under my department's Small Scale Capital Work scheme at Ballaghaderreen Library. The consultants are leading a multidisciplinary team that includes a conservation expert, and are providing expert advice in line with the requirements of the Section 57 declaration. Roscommon County Council have advised my department that they intend to publish a tender invitation for the construction works in early February 2023. Subject to the appointment of a building contractor in Q1 2023, it is expected that all works will be concluded in Summer 2023.
In the meantime, Roscommon County Council has advised that the mobile library continues to provide a service in the town every Wednesday, and that they are also supporting visits to schools in the area.
675. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by her Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3388/23]
View answerGiven the level of information and details required here, it is not possible to provide the information in the time allotted. I propose replying directly to Deputy O'Reilly with the requested details.E
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
Funding to Support Rural and Community Development projects 2020, 2021 and 2022.
My Department provides funding for programmes to support rural and community development projects nationally, including for support to enterprises. Funding in each case is subject to compliance with programme terms and conditions. All funds are repayable should the terms and conditions of the programme/scheme not be adhered to.
Details of the programmes which support enterprise and the funding, allocated in each of the years, 2020, 2021 and 2022 are listed in the table below.
|
Programme |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
LEADER |
€19,993,390 |
€18,587,517 |
€17,900,424 |
|
Dormant Accounts Social Enterprise |
€1,989,357 |
€2,299,898 |
€2,300,000 |
|
Connected Hubs |
€0 |
€8,900,000 |
€5,100,000 |
|
Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Streetscape |
€0 |
€3,880,000 |
€2,600,000 |
|
Community Services Programme |
€43,300,000 |
€46,070,000 |
€45,440,000 |
Programme details –
- - LEADER
The LEADER programme is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups across rural Ireland. A feature of the LEADER programme is that it is based on a community-led, bottom-up approach to rural development. LEADER provides funding to enterprises through different themes and sub-themes including the sub-theme of enterprise development which supports the growth and development of businesses.
- Dormant Accounts - Social Enterprise
Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives. Funding was provided to a number of schemes in each of the years to social enterprises in the form of capital grants, or to social enterprise networks/support organisations to provide training/mentoring to social enterprises.
- Connected Hubs
The Department’s Community Hubs Fund provided €14 million to almost 200 projects between 2021 and 2022. Successful projects are developed in collaboration with local authorities, community groups, social enterprises and some private hubs. All grants are repayable should the terms and conditions of the scheme not be adhered to.
- Town and Village Renewal Scheme – Streetscapes
This scheme provides grants via local authorities to retailers and property owners in order to improve the facades of their buildings, carry out artwork or install features such as street furniture or canopies. The overall purpose of the Measure is to give our towns and villages a facelift and make them more attractive places to live, work or visit. Under the 2021 Scheme €3.88m was paid to enhance 129 towns under the Measure. In 2022 another 26 towns and villages that will benefit from a €2.6 million fund were announced. The selected towns and villages are receiving funding of up to €100,000.
- Community Services Programme
The Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports 420 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of staff in CSP organisations.
In addition, some of my Department’s programmes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) provide funding to state funded bodies, for example, local authorities, to support the development and delivery of projects, which regenerate towns and villages in rural Ireland. The type of projects delivered under the RRDF and TVRS include digital and food hubs, enterprise centres and tourism related projects which will benefit and support businesses.
