Written Answers Nos. 895-915
895. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocations made by Horse Racing Ireland to its prize fund; the allocation to the prize fund from the horse and greyhound racing fund; and the allocation from commercial activity in each of the past two years, in tabular form. [6674/23]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) as provided for under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. My Department makes payments from the Fund to HRI and to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). This is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, with 80% allocated to HRI and 20% to RCÉ.
In 2021 €76. 8m was allocated to HRI from the Fund of which €61.4m related to current expenditure and €15.4m for capital expenditure. In 2022 €70.4m was allocated to HRI from the Fund of which €55.7m related to current expenditure and €14.7m for capital expenditure. In relation to the current expenditure allocation, my Department requests that no more than the 80% be applied to prizemoney and a minimum of 20% be applied to integrity services.
HRI has informed my Department that their prizemoney allocations for 2021 and 2022 were funded from a combination of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund and from commercial income.
The information the Deputy has requested in relation to prizemoney allocations for 2021 and 2022 is detailed below.
Prizemoney allocations 2021 and 2022
|
Year |
HRI |
Owners |
Corporate Sponsors |
Total |
|
2021 |
€43.166m* |
€14.671m |
€4.793m |
€62.630m |
|
2022 |
€41.9m** |
€16.9m |
€8.8m |
€67.6m |
* In 2021, €7m of the €43.166m was funded from commercial income.
**In 2022, €9.7m of the €41.9m was funded from commercial income.
896. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE staff by job title working in his Department’s laboratory at Backweston as of 7 February 2023; the number of vacancies by job title; and when those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [6675/23]
View answerTable
|
Grade |
WTE |
Vacancies |
Vacancy filled proposed date |
|
Assistant Secretary General |
1 |
||
|
Director |
1 |
||
|
Chief Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Deputy Chief Analyst |
4 |
||
|
Superintending Senior Research Officer |
5 |
||
|
Senior Research Officer |
8 |
||
|
Research Officer |
10 |
1 |
Q1 2023 |
|
Head Laboratory Attendant Specialist |
1 |
||
|
Senior Inspector |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Principal |
1.8 |
||
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
1 |
Q1 2023 |
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
1 |
||
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
31 |
||
|
Laboratory Analyst |
97 |
4 |
2 in Q2 2023, 1 in Q3 2023 |
|
Laboratory Attendant |
9 |
1 |
Q1 2023 |
|
Laboratory Attendant Specialist |
3 |
||
|
Executive Officer |
4.6 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
12 |
||
|
Senior Serological Assistant |
1 |
||
|
Serological Assistant |
6 |
||
|
Supervising Serological Assistant |
1 |
||
|
Senior Seed Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Higher Seed Analyst |
1 |
||
|
Seed Analyst |
1 |
||
|
Quality Manager |
4 |
||
|
Agricultural Inspector |
6.8 |
1 |
Q2 2023 |
|
Assistant Agriculture Inspector |
16.8 |
1 |
Q2 2023 |
|
General Operative |
1 |
||
|
Total |
237 |
9 |
897. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which the Prosecutorial Committee will become a working section of his Department; if he will clarify whether the deliberations of this committee would be available under FOI; and if he will provide the number of cases this section is processing and the number it has decided to prosecute on. [6717/23]
View answerProsecution through the Courts is an important component of my enforcement powers as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Consistent with good governance and in the interests of transparency, consistency and accountability, it is important that my Department can demonstrate that it has in place a structured, transparent, objective decision-making process in relation to these powers.
To that end, I have approved the establishment of a Prosecutions Committee in my Department to provide formal approval for both initiating prosecutions and / or the withdrawal of existing prosecutions.
The establishment of the Committee was notified to my Department's staff on 1st February 2023 and, from that date onward, proposals to prosecute (or proposals to withdraw an extant prosecution) are to be sent to the Committee for formal approval. The Committee will meet as necessary to consider such proposals and decisions will be recorded by the Legal Services Division of my Department.
Everyone involved in investigations and enforcement of my Department's legislation, including those accused of offences, will benefit from the improved recording and communicating of prosecution decisions that the establishment of the Committee is designed to bring about.
The work of the Committee is subject to Freedom of Information and all access to information requests will be determined in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2014. To date, no proposals have been submitted to the Committee.
898. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons his Department has successfully and unsuccessfully prosecuted for the possession and administration of controlled substances given to animals in the past 20 years to date. [6749/23]
View answerThis information is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
899. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine having ruled out a beef reduction scheme for farmers looking to exit the sector and discounting the resultant emissions reduction, the additional substitute measures he is proposing for the Climate Action Plan to ensure that agriculture stays within its sectoral emissions ceiling in the first carbon budget period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6817/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Climate Action Plan for 2023 contains the measures necessary to ensure compliance with the sectoral ceiling as assigned for each sector of the economy last summer. Agriculture was assigned a 25% reduction target, with carbon budgets of 106MT and 96MT assigned for budget periods 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 respectfully.
This target reflects a very challenging but achievable ambition for the sector. The science and technological solutions are evolving, and I am confident that breakthroughs in areas like feed additives will provide a viable implementable solution over the next number of years.
However, I have been clear that we need to rapidly accelerate progress in relation to core measures: reduced N applications, moving to protected urea, focusing on earlier age of cattle finishing. Furthermore, to ensure compliance with the first carbon budget in particular, I have sought to provide diversification opportunities like Anerobic Digestion, forestry, organics and tillage will provide opportunities for farmers who wish to consider alternative income sources to livestock farming.
However, I have been very clear- no farmer will be forced to reduce stock numbers against their wishes. Furthermore, I can see limited value in introducing a reduction scheme for a sector which is already experiencing natural fall in live stock which is the case in the suckler herd.
Therefore, while I am considering the full range of recommendations presented in both the Dairy and Beef Food Vision reports, a number of the measures will need very careful consideration over the months ahead.
900. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding provided to Teagasc each year since 2010, in tabular form; the structure and oversight his Department has to protect taxpayers’ interests; if the taxpayer receives good value for this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6818/23]
View answerTeagasc operates as a non-commercial state body under the aegis of my Department. The day-to-day running of the organisation is the responsibility of the executive and its governing board, the Teagasc Authority.
My Department provides Teagasc with an annual Grant Aid subvention for salary and pension costs, operational activities, and to aid infrastructure projects. The amounts provided since 2010 are set out below.
|
Year |
Amount (€m) |
|
2010 |
126.165 |
|
2011 |
132.156 |
|
2012 |
128.460 |
|
2013 |
121.838 |
|
2014 |
119.210 |
|
2015 |
121.639 |
|
2016 |
127.310 |
|
2017 |
129.080 |
|
2018 |
135.582 |
|
2019 |
135.693 |
|
2020 |
144.373 |
|
2021 |
141.942 |
|
2022 |
148.957 |
In addition, Teagasc derives other income from research grants, advisory and education fees and industry levies. Prioritisation of funding for individual services is an operational matter for Teagasc.
In terms of oversight, there is ongoing dialogue between my Department and Teagasc on governance and programme matters. An "Oversight and Performance Agreement” is in place with Teagasc to oversee their activities and monitor performance. Audited financial statements are published annually detailing Teagasc's financial performance and financial position at year end. Teagasc's system of internal control is supported by an Audit and Risk Committee and an Internal Audit Function.
Teagasc is also obliged to submit an annual “Programme of Activities” to my Department for approval detailing activities for the year ahead with estimates of expenditure. In addition, the Chairperson of the Authority submits a comprehensive report annually on activities in the previous 12 months. It includes affirmations of compliance with a wide range of Government policies.
I am satisfied that the taxpayer receives value for money from its contribution to Teagasc activities. This funding enables Teagasc to educate and train students and adult farmers, conduct valuable public good research and encourage farmers to adopt new technologies and practices on Irish farms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water quality and enhance farm biodiversity.
901. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the commercial interests that are represented on the Teagasc authority; if this appropriately reflects the central scientific challenge for Irish agriculture, namely, to produce highly nutritional food with radically lower absolute amounts of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6819/23]
View answerTeagasc was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, to provide research, training and advice to the agricultural sector. The Teagasc Authority is collectively responsible for leading and directing Teagasc’s activities, including reviewing and guiding strategic direction. In fulfilling its functions, the Authority is guided by the principles in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies to ensure that it acts in the best interests of stakeholders, while having due regard to its legal responsibilities.
The 1988 Act provides for the appointment of five persons to the Authority having experience in agriculture, agricultural research, education, food processing, the food processing industry or the management of commercial enterprises, and five persons from stakeholder organisations. Those organisations are ICOS, IFA, ICMSA, Macra na Feirme and the unions representing staff in Teagasc. Five appointments, including the Chair, are made following a competitive process run by the Public Appointments Service. One position on the Authority is reserved for a senior official from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
I am satisfied that the Teagasc Authority is equipped to lead Teagasc in meeting the challenges that lie ahead to mitigate emissions from the agriculture sector and create a sustainable food system. The recently launched Teagasc Climate Action Strategy aims to empower farmers to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and production systems.
To achieve this, Teagasc is significantly increasing its resources devoted to climate related research and knowledge transfer. Its Food Research programme, for example, is focused on assisting farmers and the food industry to produce safe, nutritious and flavoursome foods. The Teagasc Environment research programme aims to enhance water quality, improve biodiversity and develop mitigating actions to address climate change (and ammonia emissions).
902. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of salmonella outbreaks in each relevant county detected in 2023 to date; his Department’s response to these outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6826/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as of 9th February 2023, 10 poultry flocks have been confirmed as positive for Salmonella Typhimurium and the number in each relevant county is listed below. For GDPR reasons where there are less than 5 flocks affected in a county, then the figure given is “<5”.
|
County |
No. Outbreaks |
|
Cork |
< 5 |
|
Kilkenny |
< 5 |
|
Limerick |
< 5 |
|
Mayo |
< 5 |
|
Monaghan |
< 5 |
Fig. 1 No. Outbreaks per County 1st January 2023 to 9th February 2023
These flocks have all been depopulated by the owner and appropriate measures taken for public health reasons.
A National Salmonella Control Programme in poultry operates on an ongoing basis which includes regular sampling by the Department and farmers at multiple points during the stages of the poultry production cycle. This outbreak was identified because of surveillance under this Salmonella Control Programme, demonstrating its effectiveness.
My Department continues to work closely with the various food business stakeholders, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the National Reference Laboratory in order to determine the cause of the outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium and to mitigate risks of further outbreaks. This complex investigation is ongoing and involves very significant amounts of sampling and testing, including official sampling carried out by my Department and private sampling carried out by the company.
903. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has identified the cause of salmonella outbreaks on poultry farms; the measures he proposes to reduce the risk of further outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6827/23]
View answerThis is a very complex investigation as there are many potential different sources of Salmonella infection. Our focus is on protecting the integrity of this industry which plays such a key role in so many communities across the country.
All possible sources are being investigated -such sources could include an infected Broiler breeder flock (as infection can pass via the hatching eggs), cross contamination of chicks in the hatchery, contaminated transport containers or vehicles, or contaminated feed.
The Department continues to work closely with the Food Business Operator, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the National Reference Laboratory in order to determine the cause of this outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium and to mitigate risks of further outbreaks. This involves very significant amounts of sampling and testing and includes both company and Official sampling.
The European Union has coordinated control programmes for Salmonella and there are targets set for the reduction of Salmonella in poultry in the European Union. The National Salmonella Control Programme is in place to reduce or control the prevalence of Salmonella in broiler flocks and broiler breeder flocks, with separate control programmes in place for other poultry.
This programme includes regular sampling by both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and farmers at multiple points during the life stages of the broiler flocks. This outbreak was identified as a result of surveillance under this programme, demonstrating its effectiveness. This programme has been operating successfully for many years, with a very low prevalence of any Salmonella species identified in Irish broiler flocks.
In addition, all poultry farmers are aware of the importance of good Biosecurity on their farms to reduce risk of outbreaks of diseases. A RDP-funded Targeted Advisory Service for Animal Health measure is already in place as a support for assessing farm level biosecurity risks and is available at no cost to poultry farmers.
904. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports he provides to poultry farms that are subject to salmonella outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6828/23]
View answerI am aware of the recent identification of Salmonella typhimurium in a number of broiler flocks which were identified as part of surveillance under the national salmonella control programme. In these cases the business operator undertook a cull of the birds to mitigate any food safety risk.
My Department has and continues to work closely with the Food Business Operator, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and the National Reference Laboratory in order to determine the source of this outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium and to mitigate risks of further outbreaks.
This involves very significant amounts of sampling and testing by both the company and also by my Department.
My Department has made available free of charge to all poultry farms an expert-led Biosecurity Assessment to assist farmers in optimise their farm biosecurity practices.
There are no compensation measures available in respect of salmonella in broiler flocks.
905. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish in full the shareholder letter of expectation issued to Coillte on 2 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6829/23]
View answerThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Government Departments should ensure that they have written oversight agreements clearly defining the terms of the State Body’s relationship with the relevant Minister/parent Department.
For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and the State Body is the Shareholder Letter of Expectation.
A Shareholder letter of Expectation issued from Minister of State Hackett to Coillte on 2nd June 2022, co-signed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
In keeping with the principle of full transparency, I have already forwarded the 2022 Shareholder Letter of Expectation to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 3rd February 2023 together with the 2017 and 2014 letters for the information of all members. I am also making arrangements for these to be published on my Department's website shortly.
906. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the dividend policy of Coillte was last reviewed; the outcome of such review; when the next review is likely to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6830/23]
View answerCoillte’s dividend policy focuses on delivering a material financial dividend to shareholders based on the optimal use of the significant commercial assets, in particular forests, vested in the company by the state.
The dividend policy was last reviewed in 2019 and provides for a dividend payment of 20% to 30% of normalised profits each year, which has formed the basis for all dividend payments to date. The 2022 Shareholder Letter of Expectation noted that the dividend policy was expected to be reviewed. This review is currently under way and will conclude later this year.
907. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 278, 280 and 281 of 11 May 2022, if the Government has sought a further derogation this year in relation to the use of non-organic wheat in organic diets up to a threshold of 5%, given the underlying conditions in relation to the invasion of Ukraine have not abated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6831/23]
View answerOrganic regulations which were introduced on 1st January 2022 restricted the previously allowed 5% non-organic feed protein derogation to young poultry and pigs, resulting in older, mature stock requiring a 100% organic feed.
It became apparent in early 2022 that a scarcity of organic protein feed had developed as a consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, impacting on the manufacturing of organic poultry and porcine compound feed.
As a result of submissions made by my Department and other Member States to the European Commission on the matter, Regulation 2022/1450 was introduced providing a derogation for a limited and defined use of non organic protein in organic poultry and porcine feed. This Regulation came into effect on 24 February 2022 for a maximum period of 12 months. Over the past year my Department has been closely liaising with stakeholders on the matter.
At the EU Committee of Organic Production meeting in January 2023 discussion took place on this derogation. The Commission stated, based on an examination of reliable data, that there is no longer a scarcity of organic protein feed in the EU. Consequently, there will not be an extension of the derogation and stakeholders have been updated by my Department.
908. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the State’s State aid application with regard to forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7349/23]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the Government has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.
Currently, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. Within this process, the draft Forest Strategy Implementation plan, containing the Forestry Programme was published on 18th October 2022 for a six-week period of public consultation. My 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 1st 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.
The Department is currently actively engaging with the Commission, and working intensively towards submitting the formal application with a view to secure full State Aid approval for the Programme as soon as possible.
909. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to undertake an awareness campaign on dog ownership nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7376/23]
View answerI am fully committed to promoting responsible pet ownership among the general public.
The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 Working Together for Animal Welfare includes a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW). The ACCAW convened in November 2021 and has diverse range of skill sets, so that it can advise me on matters relating to companion animals including canines.
The Council met four times in 2022 and a regular agenda item relates to the promotion of responsible pet ownership. I am working closely with the Council on matters relating to the care and welfare of dogs, including dissemination of knowledge and awareness among the general public.
In addition, I established, with Minister Humphreys, the Working Group on Control of Dogs last month with membership composed of officials from my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and further representation from local authorities.
The Working Group will advise both Minister Humphreys and myself on matters related to the control of dogs. This may include the possibility of a campaign to raise public awareness on responsible dog ownership.
In December, 2022, I announced record funding of over €5.8 million to 99 animal welfare organisations with an increased focus on rewarding animal welfare charities engaged in educating and raising awareness among the public on responsible pet ownership. The funding recognises 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. Raising awareness and educating the public on responsible pet ownership through our animal welfare charities can help to prevent dogs subsequently being abandoned or surrendered to charities for rehoming.
911. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total number of applications received for funding under the Community Services Programme for County Louth, by organisation name and location for 2023 [6748/23]
View answerMy department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager.
The CSP contribution is not aligned to the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. The contribution must be co-funded by other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services.
My department and Pobal have been working on the restructuring of the CSP since the publication in 2020 of the report on the independent review of the CSP by Indecon International Economic Consultants. The redesigned programme was introduced from January 2023 with a new funding rate allocation model, to replace the existing flat rate model.
The CSP currently supports 12 organisations that provide supports/services in County Louth. These are approved for funding of over €1.788m in 2023, supporting 9 managers and 66 full-time equivalent positions, with new multi-annual contracts issued recently from Pobal to the organisations in question. Details of the organisations in County Louth that are supported under CSP are provided in the table below. Full details of all CSP supported organisations are also available on Pobal's website, www.pobal.ie.
|
Organisation |
Location |
Total Funding 2023 |
|
Holy Family Parish Community Creche Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€414,594.00 |
|
Ait na nDaoine Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta |
Dundalk |
€139,648.50 |
|
Dundalk Media Centre Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€128,132.00 |
|
Lios Na Nog Playgroup Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€230,330.00 |
|
Muirhevnamor Community Council Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€105,099.00 |
|
Omeath District Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Omeath |
€116,615.50 |
|
Creative Spark Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€97,099.00 |
|
Ionad Na nDaoine An tShlanaitheora Cuideachta Faoi Theorainn Ráthaíochta |
Dundalk |
€160,198.00 |
|
Little Partners Creche Company Limited By Guarantee |
Dundalk |
€168,264.00 |
|
Drogheda Youth Development Company Limited By Guarantee |
Drogheda |
€76,066.00 |
|
Carlingford Heritage Company Limited By Guarantee |
Carlingford |
€76,066.00 |
|
Ardee and District Community Trust Company Limited By Guarantee |
Ardee |
€76,066.00 |
912. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on a proposed indemnity scheme for farmers with land that is accessible to the public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6787/23]
View answerEmbracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027, was launched last November. The Strategy was developed in collaboration with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is a collaborative cross-Government, stakeholder-led strategy. It reflects the views of stakeholders, the public and the whole of Government and it sets the stage to strengthen and support the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland for years to come.
Embracing Ireland's Outdoors has committed to enhacing access to outdoor recreation amenities including expanding the Mountain Access Project to other uplands areas. My Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners in upland areas who allow access to their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and my Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed would require legislative provision and that a number of separate pieces of legislation might need to be amended.
In light of the complexities involved, my officials have been considering alternative pilot approaches, including an insurance solution, to address the matter on an interim basis. Through this process, a public liability insurance policy was secured by my Department for the two existing Mountain Access Project areas, the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry and Binn Sléibhe in Galway, and this came in to effect in 2021. This pilot solution was developed in consultation with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is being implemented on a two year trial basis, with a possibility for extension pending the expansion of the Mountain Access Project. The policy represents a substantial step forward on this matter for landowners in the Mountain Access Project areas involved.
In addition, the issue of indemnity is also being addressed through the proposed changes to the Occupiers' Liability Act which are currently being progressed through the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022. My Department is also engaging with the Attorney General on the issue.
913. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Community Centres Investment Fund provided funding for improvements to car parking facilities around community centres and parish halls in the 2022 allocation; if so, which category of funding was this awarded under; when the fund will be open for applications in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7088/23]
View answerLast April, I launched the Community Centres Investment Fund (CCIF), to support community groups with the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community centres. Outdoor amenities or improvements were not eligible for funding under the fund.
The Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted primarily at new build community 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.
914. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the proposed works for the Mell Greenway, Drogheda, following the further engagement from her Department offering an extension to 31 January 2023 to allow the local authority to progress the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7096/23]
View answerThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing infrastructure.
In February 2020, Louth County Council was approved funding of €200,000 under ORIS to develop and enhance the Boyne Greenway. To date no funding has been drawn down on this project.
In September 2021, the Department approved a proposal by the Council to change the scope of the project, on the condition that a Project Implementation Plan would be submitted. A draft plan was submitted in January 2022 which indicated an expected completion project date of December 2022.
Further delays were experienced with the project as it is subject to planning approval by An Bord Pleanála. Given the issues that arose, an extension to the 31st of January 2023 was approved to allow the local authority to progress the project.
My officials have continued to engage with Louth County Council regarding the project. At the end of January, Louth County Council advised that the application is still under consideration by An Bord Pleanála. If planning permission is secured in the coming week, the local authority has indicated that it intends to award contracts by the second quarter of 2023, move to construction phase and draw down funding in full before the end of this year.
On this basis, a further extension to 31st of March 2023 has recently been approved. Progress on delivery will again be reviewed at that point. If sufficient progress has not been made by the approved extension date, it is likely that the funding allocation will be decommitted. In those circumstances, once the necessary consents were in place, it would be open to Louth County Council to submit a new application for consideration under the Scheme.
915. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding provided under the social inclusion and community activation programme in each of the years from 2018 to 2022, by county, in tabular form. [7350/23]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 that provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies.
SICAP is managed at a local level by 33 Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), with support from local authorities. It is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs) across 51 areas (Lots).
An additional €5 million was allocated in 2022 to support the LDCs with the community response to people arriving from Ukraine, this additional funding is included in the total for 2022.
The following table outlines the funding provided under SICAP in each of the years from 2018 to 2022 by county:
|
County |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Carlow |
€547,157 |
€547,157 |
€563,572 |
€563,572 |
€706,455 |
|
Cavan |
€756,620 |
€756,620 |
€779,319 |
€779,319 |
€985,194 |
|
Clare |
€872,448 |
€872,448 |
€898,621 |
€898,621 |
€1,340,371 |
|
Cork |
€3,016,388 |
€3,016,388 |
€3,106,880 |
€3,106,880 |
€4,042,149 |
|
Donegal |
€2,008,917 |
€2,008,917 |
€2,069,184 |
€2,069,184 |
€2,489,756 |
|
Dublin |
€9,440,878 |
€9,656,953 |
€9,946,662 |
€9,946,662 |
€11,807,406 |
|
Galway |
€2,280,673 |
€2,280,673 |
€2,349,093 |
€2,349,093 |
€2,768,009 |
|
Kerry |
€1,573,532 |
€1,573,532 |
€1,620,738 |
€1,620,738 |
€2,071,203 |
|
Kildare |
€1,061,036 |
€1,061,036 |
€1,092,867 |
€1,092,867 |
€1,357,382 |
|
Kilkenny |
€632,126 |
€632,126 |
€651,090 |
€651,090 |
€838,021 |
|
Laois |
€586,627 |
€586,627 |
€604,226 |
€604,226 |
€778,408 |
|
Leitrim |
€524,650 |
€524,650 |
€540,390 |
€540,390 |
€657,548 |
|
Limerick |
€2,354,680 |
€2,354,680 |
€2,425,320 |
€2,425,320 |
€2,798,878 |
|
Longford |
€511,559 |
€511,559 |
€526,906 |
€526,906 |
€631,478 |
|
Louth |
€1,313,599 |
€1,313,599 |
€1,353,007 |
€1,353,007 |
€1,641,472 |
|
Mayo |
€1,269,910 |
€1,269,910 |
€1,308,008 |
€1,308,008 |
€1,663,969 |
|
Meath |
€393,336 |
€393,336 |
€405,136 |
€405,136 |
€650,660 |
|
Monaghan |
€631,656 |
€631,656 |
€650,606 |
€650,606 |
€736,216 |
|
Offaly |
€760,463 |
€760,463 |
€783,277 |
€783,277 |
€964,294 |
|
Roscommon |
€598,350 |
€598,350 |
€616,301 |
€616,301 |
€747,993 |
|
Sligo |
€585,514 |
€585,514 |
€603,079 |
€603,079 |
€742,519 |
|
Tipperary |
€1,173,386 |
€1,173,386 |
€1,208,587 |
€1,208,587 |
€1,539,822 |
|
Waterford |
€1,120,415 |
€1,120,415 |
€1,154,027 |
€1,154,027 |
€1,423,339 |
|
Westmeath |
€781,539 |
€781,539 |
€804,985 |
€804,985 |
€1,011,337 |
|
Wexford |
€1,276,311 |
€1,701,748 |
€1,752,800 |
€1,752,800 |
€2,133,120 |
|
Wicklow |
€985,739 |
€1,314,319 |
€1,353,749 |
€1,353,749 |
€1,681,431 |
