Peadar Tóibín
Question:1131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine by how much the Norwegian blue whiting quota in Irish waters exceeds Ireland’s quota; and when this decision was made. [17430/23]
View answerFishing Industry
Questions (1131)
Written answers
Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Coastal States' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include EU Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.
In the case of Blue Whiting, the management area covers ICES subareas 1-9, 12 and 14 - this covers a large area of the North-east Atlantic (including the waters around Ireland) as well as adjacent waters.
The 1980 Agreement is the main bilateral agreement governing the EU's fisheries relations with Norway. It covers the North Sea, Skagerrak and the North East Atlantic, and allows for the setting of Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for joint stocks, transfers of fishing possibilities, joint technical measures and issues relating to control and enforcement.
The main issues of concern for Ireland in the annual negotiations relate to transfers of the Blue Whiting stock in Western Waters to Norway and Norway's access for Blue Whiting in EU, in practice, Irish waters.
The transfer of Blue Whiting to Norway is a long-standing feature of the EU-Norway agreement, as it is used within the agreement as a “currency” in the negotiations to pay for Arcto-Norwegian cod in the Barents Sea which the EU receives from Norway under an agreement reached as part of Norway's accession to the EEA.
Ireland's long-standing position is that those who benefit most from this transfer of Arctic cod pay for it or, as a minimum, contribute most.
The EU-Norway negotiations for 2023 concluded on 17 March 2023. The agreement reached will see the EU transfer 74,000 tonnes of Blue Whiting to Norway in exchange for Arctic Cod. Norway may catch this Blue Whiting in EU waters, excluding the area south of 56°30’N and east of 12°W (this is the area in the Irish EEZ commonly referred to as the “Irish Box”). In addition to the transfer amount, Norway may fish 150,000 tonnes of its own national Blue Whiting quota in EU waters, excluding the “Irish Box”.
Ireland's contribution to the transfer amount is capped at 4% and, significantly, it has been established for the first time that Ireland will be directly compensated with additional quota by other Member States for transfers and access provisions. This results in over 4,000 tonnes of additional Blue Whiting quota for Ireland, giving Irish fishers a total Blue Whiting quota of 53,776 tonnes for 2023 worth in excess of €13 million.
In addition, I was able to secure a significant reduction in the level of Norwegian access to EU, and consequently Irish, waters. Traditionally, Norway has been able to catch up to 68% of its own Blue Whiting quota in EU waters. The amount agreed for 2023 (150,000 tonnes) represents only 45% of Norway’s 2023 Blue Whiting quota – a 33% reduction on previous years.
These outcomes - direct compensation for Ireland, a reduction in the traditional level of Norwegian access and their complete exclusion from the "Irish Box" - represent a positive result for Irish fishers. I worked closely with Irish Fishing industry representatives throughout the negotiation process and their cooperation and active campaigning in Europe was key in securing this strong outcome for Irish fishers.
Fishing Industry
Questions (1132, 1134)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the blue whiting quota is distributed among the Irish fleet; and if he will explain the rationale behind this distribution. [17431/23]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:1134. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for the allocation of 9% of the blue whiting quota to the polyvalent feet in comparison to the 91% allocated to the 23 Refrigerated Seawater vessels. [17433/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1132 and 1134 together.
The Blue Whiting fisheries quota management policy is established policy and was put in place following a public consultation process in June 2014. The 2014 policy put in place sets down a clear, transparent, and fair process for the management of the blue whiting fishery.
In 2014, the Minister published a consultation document on the management arrangements and sought the views of the industry representative bodies on the paper. This consultation document was prepared taking account of the views submitted by Industry representative bodies, the existing sharing arrangements between segments, and the internal segment management arrangements, together with the history of the fishery and its future potential.
The Minister recognised the increased interest from the polyvalent vessels and increased the share allocated to this segment from 6% to 9%.
Fishing Industry
Questions (1133)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1133. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vessels with authorisations to fish in Irish waters for the 2023 season. [17432/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has no role in authorising vessels other than Irish licensed and registered vessels in the Blue whiting fishery. In 2023, 23 vessels from the RSW Pelagic Segment and 12 vessels from the Polyvalent Segment have been authorised to fish for Blue whiting in the specified area, which includes Irish waters. The specified area is defined as follows: United Kingdom, Union and international waters of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8a, 8b, 8d, 8e,12 and 14.
Question No. 1134 answered with Question No. 1132.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1135)
Holly Cairns
Question:1135. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide his response to the issue of only four afforestation licences in March 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recently launched the new €1.3 billion 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, while we await State Aid approval we can only issue licences for non-grant aided afforestation applications, however my Department has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) which provides the option of immediate planting for those with valid grant aided approvals to end December 2022. To date in 2023, we have granted 241 afforestation applications representing 1,501 hectares under the De Minimis Scheme.
For those that wish to wait for the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, unused valid Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers.
In terms of afforestation applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not issued, we are continuing to process these so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
My Department is proactively engaging with the European Commission with a view to securing full State Aid approval as soon as possible.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1136)
Holly Cairns
Question:1136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to meet with an organisation (details supplied) concerning issues in the forestry licensing system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will know that the issue with licensing has been substantially resolved and that actions to achieve this resolution were discussed in detail with all stakeholders over an extended period through the framework of Project Woodland in particular.
Improved licence output was achieved through process efficiencies and enhancement, as well as through a significant investment in resources. Seven hundred and two afforestation licences representing over 4,972 hectares of afforestation was approved in 2022. In relation to felling, overall felling licence output to the end of 2022 was 3,293 licences. This represents 9.6 million cubic metres of wood, more than twice the forecast harvest for the second year running.
Communication with stakeholders, and in particular with registered foresters who submit licence applications, is central to a fully functioning licensing system. This communication takes the form of circulars and meetings and these occur on a regular basis and I am confident that the views of all forestry stakeholders are taken account of and acknowledged in the delivery of the licensing system.
Insurance Coverage
Questions (1137)
Michael Creed
Question:1137. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the expenditure by a State organisation (details supplied) on professional indemnity insurance; if he can provide details of the number of claims made by clients against this indemnity insurance; the number of settlements reached in advance of formal claims by the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17586/23]
View answerWritten answers
Teagasc was established as a non commercial state agency under the Agriculture, (Research, Training and Advice) Act of 1988.
As the provision of professional indemnity insurance for Teagasc staff is an operational matter for Teagasc, I have referred the matter to them for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1138)
Michael Creed
Question:1138. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current situation regarding a 2022 BPS payment (details supplied); and if his Department can issue payment on two outstanding entitlements with regard to this claim. [17592/23]
View answerWritten answers
A 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Application in respect of the person named was received on 12 May 2022. The application was processed with an advance payment issuing in October 2022 and the remaining balancing payment due, issuing in December 2022.
Subsequently a request seeking to amend the original application was received on 13th February 2023. The request was to add two additional land parcels to the 2022 Basic Payment Application which were omitted at the time of application.
However, under the Terms and Conditions of the Basic Payment scheme, requests to add land can only be considered up to the closing date for amendments, which was 31st May 2022.
As this request was received outside the allowable time period, unfortunately, it cannot be considered. A letter outlining this decision and the right of appeal has issued to the person named.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1139)
Michael Ring
Question:1139. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the reason his Department is stating that an application has not been received in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, in view of the fact the application was submitted on time, and that the agricultural advisor has proof that the plan aspect of the application was submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17622/23]
View answerWritten answers
Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and closed on Wednesday 7th December 2022. The closing was extended by two weeks to assist advisors and farmers in the preparation and submission of applications.
The ACRES application process was outlined to all ACRES advisors at ACRES advisor training which was attended by all ACRES advisors. The process was also outlined via ACRES Circular No 10/2022 dated November 9th 2022 which was sent as a reminder to all ACRES advisors. The process required advisors to undertake the following mandatory steps for each application
1. Submit an Expression of Interest;
2. Prepare and submit a Farm Sustainability Plan (FSP);
3. Complete and submit the ACRES application (to include relevant uploads, namely, the submission of valid soil sample results where available & proof of membership of a breed society if selecting Conservation of Rare Breeds action).
The ACRES team in my Department has completed an extensive search of the ACRES application system to trace the possible submission of an ACRES application on behalf of the person named. This search has confirmed that not all of the necessary steps were completed by the advisor. As the application process was not completed, no application was successfully submitted for this herd number.
The application window for Tranche 1 of ACRES has now closed, approvals have issued and no further applications can be submitted. The option to apply for Tranche 2 will be open to all eligible farmers. It is anticipated that Tranche 2 will open for applications later this year with contracts in that Tranche to commence from 1st January 2024.
Land Issues
Questions (1140)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1140. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 739 of 21 February 2023, what are the requirements and what approval is necessary to transfer a Irish Land Commission Trust (details supplied) to the community to develop a multipurpose community facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17673/23]
View answerWritten answers
In general, the procedure for the disposal of trust lands of this nature to a community-based company is as follows:-
The trustees requesting the disposal must be appointed as trustees of the property concerned under a Ministerial Warrant of Appointment.
Before I can determine a request from the trustees, a public meeting must be convened to ascertain the views of the people of the area regarding the dissolution of the trust and to establish if there is community consensus to the proposed course of action. A report of this meeting is submitted to the Lands Branch of my Department.
In addition to the above documents, the trustees must create or identify a company to which the trust property can be transferred and submit a Memorandum and Articles of Association for approval by my Department. An Agreement of Transfer must also be completed which will exempt the company from payment of Capital Gains Tax. Finally, a letter must be provided confirming that the new company will indemnify me, as Minister, against any proven compensation claims from former users of the trust lands.
When the required documentation is received, my officials prepare a Warrant of Disposal for my signature. A notice of the proposed disposal is then published in a local newspaper and in Iris Oifigiúil. There is a six-month time span for claims to be made and for proven claims to be assessed by my Department.
Thereafter, officials in my Department will, where appropriate, arrange to lodge the Warrant of Disposal with Tailte Eireann (formerly the Property Registration Authority) in order to have the registration of the Folio updated.
With regard to the trust lands at Castlemaine, Co. Kerry, as I advised in my response to your previous question, my officials are currently reviewing this particular case.
Control of Dogs
Questions (1141)
Paul Kehoe
Question:1141. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update in relation to the Control of Dogs Act 1986 working group; if he will provide details of the number of additional dog wardens to be recruited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17705/23]
View answerWritten answers
Against the background of a number of recent well publicised dog attacks on children and on livestock, I and the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, have established a working group on the matter of the control of dogs.
The working group recently submitted a report to both Ministers which makes a number of recommendations for actions to address this problem.
This report was approved at cabinet on Tuesday 28th March and is published at gov.ie - Working Group on Control of Dogs (gov.ie).
Among its recommendations, the working group did recommend an increase in the number of dog wardens, noting the increased resource allocation which will be necessary to achieve this. Details on numbers to be recruited have yet to be finalised.
Fishing Industry
Questions (1142)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:1142. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the response of his Department to the submission on Herring 6A South Quota to them by Donegal County Council Fisheries Committee; and if he will consider implementing the recommendations that they have made. [17714/23]
View answerWritten answers
Following a request for a review of the 2012 Herring Policy in relation to the Herring quota in 6A South, I considered there are sufficient changed circumstances to justify a limited review of the policy.
I launched a Public Consultation on a review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy, in relation to the quantity of herring set aside for the Herring 6A South quota for inshore vessels that are not part of the ring-fenced group. I can confirm that a submission from the Donegal County Council Fisheries Committee was received.
The period of Public Consultation has now closed and I am currently examining all the submissions received and will consider all the issues involved and make a decision on whether an amendment to the existing policy is justified and any new arrangements in the interim or longer-term basis.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1143)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Departmental staff currently on sick or stress leave; and the number who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17772/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that currently there are 112 (or 2.8%) of my Department's staff absent on sick leave. Of these, four are absent citing stress.
The number of staff who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023 is set out in the table below. Please note that the number of staff who took sick leave citing stress are included in the overall number of staff taking sick leave in each year. Also, absences citing stress include work related and non-work related stress.
|
Year |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (to date) |
|
Number of Staff who took Sick Leave |
1,602 |
1,574 |
1,037 |
965 |
1,401 |
629 |
|
Number of Staff who took Stress Leave |
65 |
53 |
32 |
32 |
30 |
9 |
Departmental Staff
Questions (1144)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1144. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of allegations of bullying made by departmental staff against departmental staff in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will detail what actions are being taken by his Department to investigate the allegations, or if they are being investigated. [17790/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Civil Service is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation and my Department implements the Civil Service wide anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy ‘Dignity at Work’. I am satisfied that the policy is being implemented effectively throughout my Department.
From time to time staff have raised a variety of issues regarding workplace difficulties. All issues raised are carefully considered under the Dignity at Work policy.
Since 2018, six cases of alleged workplace difficulties have been received by Human Resources. Of these six cases, two cases were forwarded for formal independent investigation based on the criteria for bullying as defined in the Dignity at Work policy. One of those investigations is still ongoing. The result of the other was that the allegations were not upheld.
The table below lists the number of complaints of alleged bullying received by my Department from 2018 to present:
|
Year |
Number of Bullying Cases |
Number of cases independently investigated |
|
2018 |
4 |
1 |
|
2019 |
0 |
0 |
|
2020 |
2 |
1 |
|
2021 |
0 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
0 |
|
2023 |
0 |
0 |
Departmental Staff
Questions (1145)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:1145. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Departmental staff dismissed in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17808/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of staff of my Department who were dismissed in each of the past 10 years and to date, is set out in the table below. These figures also include staff who were dismissed during their probationary period.
|
Year |
Number of Dismissals |
|
2023 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
2020 |
1 |
|
2019 |
1 |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2017 |
2 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2014 |
1 |
|
2013 |
1 |