Written Answers Nos. 1600-1602
1600. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds named in each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [14026/23]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
The ICC has informed this Department that the figures for the number of non-coursing greyhounds named in each of the years 2016 to 2022 and to date in 2023 are only available from 2021. The figures below in tabular form are from 2021 to 20th March 2023. Track greyhounds are not excluded from coursing events and vice versa.
|
Year |
Number |
|
2021 |
9,025 |
|
2022 |
10,505 |
|
2023 |
2,098 |
1601. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocation in 2021 and 2022 for capital works projects under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme; the percentage of that funding that was actually spent in each of those years; and if any underspend of that funding is automatically transferred over the next year's budget. [14029/23]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board. Funding is allocated on an annual basis in line with national priorities for Exchequer funds and in line with priorities set by my Department.
In 2021, I allocated €38.279m in funding to the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. This included almost €4.2m in funding for local authority delivered projects. Details of the project allocation are available in tabular form online at gov.ie - Minister McConalogue announces €38.3 million in funding for Capital projects at Ireland’s six Fishery Harbour Centres including an enhanced scheme for 79 Local Authority harbours (www.gov.ie). Of the allocated budget, 70% was expended with impacts on the programme including the COVID-19 restrictions generated delays for projects.
In 2022, I allocated €35.399m in funding for capital investment into the FHCs and a small number of other locations under my Department's remit. Of the allocated budget, 90% was expended. Details of the project allocation are available in tabular form online at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3030f-minister-mcconalogue-to-invest-35-million-during-2022-in-Irelands-six-fishery-harbour-centres/. A number of the larger capital projects (Dinish Island pier extension in Castletownbere, the Fishing Pier in Howth and Smooth Point Pier extension in Killybegs) are multi-annual projects over the years in question and the allocation for the following year had to reflect the delays which arose due to COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain issues.
In December 2022, I announced the second tranche of the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022 – 2023, bringing total funding for the Scheme to €55.3 million for 164 projects around the Irish coast. My Department is administering the Scheme. Each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects. This funding is only available during the lifetime of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
1602. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for an afforestation grant or forestry premia will be entertained by his Department in respect of lands which were previously afforested and felled for which no grant or premia were previously claimed or received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14044/23]
View answerUsually a forest that is replanted is not eligible for grant aid, even where no grant was received for the first planting. As the Deputy may be aware, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the prior Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 has been developed in alignment with Ireland’s new draft Forest Strategy and as such, is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
My Department has secured funding of €1.3 billion for this Programme and 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 by diversifying farm incomes.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 requires EU State Aid approval to implement and my Department is engaging intensively with the Commission so that approval is granted as soon as possible.
Within this draft Forestry Programme, it is proposed to offer a new pilot Scheme for Climate Resilient Reforestation which would offer a grant and seven years of premiums for certain categories of replanting. Further details of this proposed scheme can be located within the draft Forestry programme 2023-2027 located via Ireland's draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan
If the Forest Owner commits to replant with one of the categories included in the proposed pilot Scheme then they will be entitled to a grant regardless of whether or not they received a grant for their first rotation. This of course will be dependent on meeting the terms and conditions of this pilot Scheme.
