Fergus O'Dowd
Question:1079. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if a replacement for the Immigrant Investor Programme is currently being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16779/23]
View answerDepartmental Schemes
Questions (1079)
Written answers
As the Deputy is aware, I obtained approval from the Government to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
The Immigrant Investor Programme was established over a decade ago during a time of unprecedented economic difficulty to stimulate investment in Ireland that would be of strategic and public benefit to the State. Since its inception, the Programme has brought significant investment to Ireland and has been operated by the Department of Justice to the highest professional standards.
However, it is important that we keep all programmes under review and having taking into account both internal and external reviews including implications for wider public policy, such as the continuing appropriateness and suitability of this programme for cultural, social and economic use, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme.
My Department has no plans to replace the IIP with a similar scheme.
The closure of the Programme will not affect existing projects or individuals already approved under the programme. My Department will continue to monitor existing approved projects in relation to the delivery and for compliance with the terms of the Programme. Current applications on hand at the time of closure will continue to be considered.
The IIP Unit has published a FAQ on my Department's website, and is available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-closure-of-the-immigrant-investor-programme-iip/
Visa Applications
Questions (1080)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1080. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the options available to a prospective visa applicant, applying following family reunification application approval, who is unable to provide their passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16782/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Travel Document Unit in my Department processes travel documents for people who are deemed to be refugees under the 1951 United Nations Convention. This Unit also processes a separate travel document for family members of persons granted refugee status who are beneficiaries of family reunification programmes that cannot obtain a national passport.
In recent times this Unit has experienced a very high volume of applications requiring processing and all non-emergency applications are processed in chronological order. The processing time of Travel Document applications is currently 22 weeks. Further details on Travel Documents together with an application form can be found at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-join-family-in-ireland/applying-for-a-travel-document/
Family Reunification
Questions (1081)
Jackie Cahill
Question:1081. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice if a family that plans to travel to Ireland, following approval of their family reunification application, could travel to another country discreetly beforehand, for fear of persecution in their home country if they travelled directly to Ireland, and from there be issued their visas in a short timeframe in order to travel to Ireland and reunite with their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16783/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that applicants must make an application for an Irish entry visa from their home country or a country where they are legally resident. Visa applications for beneficiaries of family reunification programmes are dealt with on a case by case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically.
Once a visa application has been granted ISD may facilitate the printing and issuing of the visa sticker in another country at the request of the applicant. Applicants should contact the Visa Office directly, quoting the application number, to request this. The persons referred to can contact the Visa Office directly so that a pragmatic solution may be achieved. The Visa Office can be contacted at:
travelrequest@justice.ie
An Garda Síochána
Questions (1082)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:1082. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána by rank who have sought an extension of their mandatory retirement age under Regulation 6 of SI 335/1951 (as amended) for 2021 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16813/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware the Garda Síochána (Retirement) (No. 2) Regulations 1951 (S.I.335/1951) allow the Garda Commissioner, with the consent of the Minister for Justice, to extend the age of retirement of a Garda member where this is in the interests of the efficiency of the Garda Síochána due to special qualifications or experience in policing possessed by that member.
I can inform the Deputy that the Commissioner has sought permission for my consent of 37 extensions of retirement for Garda members in the period referred to; 22 in 2021 and 15 in 2022.
The following table provides a breakdown by year and rank:
|
Rank |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Garda |
9 |
7 |
|
Sergeant and Above* |
13 |
8 |
|
Total |
22 |
15 |
* For data protection reasons, information can only be provided in a merged format.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1083)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:1083. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is considering purchasing woodlands (details supplied) in County Carlow to preserve them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18187/23]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that this relates to the sale of private property located at Strawhall, Athy Road, Carlow Town, which is currently afforested. My Department has no plans to purchase this property.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1084)
Seán Sherlock
Question:1084. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have sufficient resources in terms of fully trained personnel to process licences and approvals to achieve Government policy on forestry and to fully implement all proposals in the next forestry programme in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16343/23]
View answerWritten answers
In order to fully realise the ambition set out in the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme, we need a well functioning forestry licensing system. The issuing of licences, depending on the complexity, requires input from a range of Department staff including Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists, Archaeologists, Engineers and Administrative staff. The input required will depend on the individual circumstances in each licence application.
My Department has already devoted extra ecology and inspectorate resources to licensing and is currently assessing under an Organisational Review any necessity for additional resources to meet future demand. Detailed training has been given to Departmental inspectors to assist them in the AA Screening Process.
I would also add the importance of good quality applications from registered foresters in this regard. As part of Project Woodland, a Training Needs Analysis was carried out which assessed the training needs of forest owners, foresters, ecologists and archaeologists and has made recommendations for required training to support the submission of quality applications relating to afforestation, forest roads and felling licences and the Native Woodland Conservation Scheme. My Department is putting in place an implementation plan for the execution of these recommendations. As always my Department remains available to provide the necessary training and guidance if needed to help improve the quality of applications.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1085)
Cathal Crowe
Question:1085. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the organic capital investment scheme provides grants for mulchers attached to tractors and self-propelled mulchers towed by quads; if so, the level of grant payment available; if there are any particular terms and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16623/23]
View answerWritten answers
Any of the approximately 4,000 participants in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) can apply for support for mounted and self driven mulchers at a grant rate of 60% when the Organic Capital Investment Scheme opens. Applicants must indicate whether they are applying for a mounted or self driven mulcher. Organic farmers who are not participants in the OFS are eligible for grant aid of 40%.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (1086)
Niamh Smyth
Question:1086. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the entitlements linked to the herd number of a person (details supplied) will be reinstated, given they did not lease or sell stock during their time of illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16815/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has been in contact with the persons concerned, to discuss this matter, and has examined the medical evidence provided. Unfortunately, the Department is not in a position to reinstate the entitlements to the named person for two reasons.
The medical evidence in support of the named person's late applications is not relevant because the herd number had been transferred to another person with effect from 7 March 2019.
The land which they asked to have included on the late BPS application, had it been accepted under force majeure, was rented out to a third party who included it on their BPS application. The same land cannot be claimed by two applicants in the same scheme year.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1087, 1088)
Matt Carthy
Question:1087. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is not currently processing form 1As regarding forestry applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16950/23]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:1088. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he received advice from the European Commission as to whether to accept and process either form 1As or financial approval in relation to afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16951/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087 and 1088 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. 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.
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.
As the prior Forestry Programme has expired, grant aided applications cannot be accepted or issued under this framework to date. As the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently undergoing State Aid assessment, to accept any applications for Grant Aid at this time would be in breach of State Aid Rules. As a key principle of State Aid approval is that such aid must have an "incentive effect" for the applicant.
My Department is continuing to actively engage with the Commission in this area, and our officials are working intensively towards opening applications as soon as is allowable.
I assure you that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority.
Question No. 1088 answered with Question No. 1087.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1089)
Matt Carthy
Question:1089. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he believes the incentives proposed in the next forestry programme are sufficient to compete with other land uses in order to achieve Programme for Government planting targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16952/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, extensive work has been undertaken to date in the development of a new future for forestry in Ireland. Ireland has now for the first time a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of comprehensive consultation and engagements. The Vision has informed the development of our new draft Forestry Strategy for Ireland.
The new Forestry Programme will be the means by which we implement this Forest Strategy to 2030. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
The Deputy will be aware that funding of €1.3 billion has been secured for the next Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027. Subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission, this will be the largest, most farmer-friendly investment in forestry in the history of the State. It includes proposed attractive grant and premiums that will support landowners to plant trees in a manner to providing lasting benefits for many key areas including climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
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 planting objectives. The Government’s preferred model of afforestation is for farmers to plant trees on their land, which is why we have designed the new Forestry Programme in a way that will pay farmers 33% more in annual premium payments than any other landowner, on top of the single farm payment, which non-farmers will not receive to incentivise afforestation.
It also includes a proposed Native Tree Area Scheme. An amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
I am aware of the urgency in which planting must take place, given the importance of afforestation for our ambitious planting targets and for the continuation of work to this 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. 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. A circular on these arrangements issued to the sector on 22 December 2022. This ensured that those with valid licence approvals could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed to be paid under the new Programme.
It is my intention to introduce a programme as soon as is allowable under State Aid Rules, which will deliver for society, for landowners and for the forestry sector in Ireland. Its objective will be to increase afforestation rates to drastically expand the national forest estate on both private and public land.
I hope to incentivise farmers in particular to re-engage with forestry and I believe the attractive increases in grants and premiums will help enable this land-use change to afforestation above other competing available land uses. I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. My Department is continuing to actively engage with the Commission in this area, and our officials are working intensively towards opening applications as soon as is allowable.
As you will be aware, a comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1090)
Matt Carthy
Question:1090. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if IT systems within the forestry division are currently capable of processing licensing applications in relation to the new forestry programme; if not, if any works are currently being undertaken to ensure that they are made ready; the status of any such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16953/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that the Department is involved in an intensive process with the EU Commission to secure state aid approval for the ambitious new Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027. Late last year, interim schemes for afforestation and roads were launched providing the opportunity for existing approval holders who had not commenced work under the previous scheme to opt into the interim scheme via general de minimis. More recently an interim scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback was launched.
The proposed new programme contains not only significantly increased rates of grant and premiums, but also new forest types as well as new schemes and substantial development work of our IT system is necessitated. The introduction of interim schemes added another layer of development to this work. This work has been ongoing from the last quarter of 2022. Work on all aspects of the Afforestation and Roads for the new programme and the interim schemes is fully completed including payment stages. Work is ongoing on other schemes with priority to ash dieback, the Native Tree Area, Woodland Improvement and Reconstitution.
The Deputy may be aware that our systems must be capable of reflecting all the environmental and inspection layers involved in approving forestry applications as well as all fiduciary and reporting responsibilities at payment stage and this involves extensive IT development work and user testing and I am very pleased that the main schemes of afforestation and roads are fully operational at this time subject to any changes that the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and the EU Commission state aid approval process might necessitate.
Timber Supply
Questions (1091)
Michael Lowry
Question:1091. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take the time to review correspondence (details supplied) and request a derogation from legalisation that will forbid production of creosote fencing products from April 2023 because the market for timber fencing has not yet caught up with regulations, such a derogation would prevent a severe shortage of high-quality timber fencing products in the country and reduce the need to import product from outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16956/23]
View answerWritten answers
The approval and uses of creosote as a wood preservative were recently reviewed under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation.
The EU review process, which was managed by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulted in a renewal of approval for creosote that was limited in its scope due to significant concerns, including the carcinogenic potential for humans. This means there is a cancer risk associated with using creosote.
Permitted uses were restricted to industrial vacuum pressure impregnation of wood used for railway sleepers, electricity poles and telecommunications poles only.
The renewal Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/1950) came into force on 1 November 2022 and stipulates that from 30 April 2023 only railway sleepers or utility poles for electricity or telecommunications treated with creosote may be placed on the market in EU Member States.
A national derogation to allow for placing on the Irish market of creosote treated agricultural and equine fencing beyond 30 April 2023 is not possible under the regulatory framework.
It should be noted that timber already treated with creosote and sold to end users e.g. farmers before 30 April 2023, can be used after that date.
Details of the alternative wood preservative products authorised for use in Ireland can be found on my Department’s website (www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie).
There are also a number of timber preservatives that are permitted to be used to treat timber fence posts in accordance with the Irish National Standard IS 436: Farm fencing - Timber post and wire -Requirements.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1092)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1092. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a farm payment appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/23]
View answerWritten answers
The applicant named was selected for a 2022 land eligibility inspection under the provisions of the EU Regulations governing Direct Payment Schemes.
The commonage parcel on the applicants 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application was inspected on 12 July 2022. The applicant was notified of the inspection outcome on 20 October 2022.
The applicant submitted comments on 1 November 2022 rejecting the inspection findings. These comments were reviewed and a final letter issued to the applicant on 3 November 2022 with no change to the original inspection outcome. This letter also advised the person named of his right to seek a review of this decision.
The applicant subsequently submitted Geotagged photos on 3 November 2022 and sought a review of the ground inspection result of the commonage parcel. A further ground inspection of the commonage parcel was conducted on 29 November 2022 and the outcome of this review was issued on 13 December 2022, resulting in no change to the original inspection outcome.
Notification of appeal by the applicant was received by the Department from the independent Agriculture Appeals Office on 30 March 2023. The outcome of the appeal will be notified directly to the applicant by the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (1093)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:1093. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a dead greyhound being eaten by wildlife was found at a registered greyhound premises in Kilkenny in mid-March 2023; the reason four of the remaining dogs who were seized at this premises were accepted for racing and trialling at the SIS race meeting at Kilkenny greyhound track within the previous eight days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16974/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (1094)
Marian Harkin
Question:1094. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the compensation payments will be paid to landowners whose lands were damaged during the Shass mountain landside in Drumkeerin. [16993/23]
View answerWritten answers
Payments have commenced under the Shass Landslide Aid Scheme, and will continue to issue as applications are processed. In a small number of cases further detail has been requested from the applicants. When this further information is received these applications will be processed.
Animal Diseases
Questions (1095, 1096, 1097)
Catherine Connolly
Question:1095. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions his Department is taking to control the spread in the marine environment of the deadly contagious bacterial disease Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) that has reappeared in Irish organic salmon farms in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16995/23]
View answerCatherine Connolly
Question:1096. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the scientific evidence to support the assertion in the Connacht Tribune on 24 March 2023 by the Marine Institute that Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) "poses no risk to human health"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16996/23]
View answerCatherine Connolly
Question:1097. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to a statement by the multinational salmon farm company Mowi in its 2022 fourth quarter (Irish section) Stock Market Report that "Earnings were significantly impacted by issues with SRS, as in Scotland, following a record-warm summer" and "Harvest volume was 720 tonnes gutted weight, down from 1568 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2021 due to the biological issues", to supply a list of all Mowi and other farms in Ireland that were infected with Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16997/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1095, 1096 and 1097 together.
Under Regulation (EU) 2016/429, operators of fish farms are obliged to report the presence, or suspicion of the presence, of listed diseases to the Competent Authority. The Competent Authority in the case of fish health in Ireland is the Marine Institute. Salmonid Rickettsial Septicaemia (SRS) is not listed as a notifiable disease in EU regulation and there is no requirement for salmon farm operators to report outbreaks of the disease to the Competent Authority. No reports of SRS were made to the Marine Institute in 2022. However, the Marine Institute is aware that a number of salmon farms were affected by SRS to varying degrees in 2022.
I am advised by the Marine Institute that Piscirickettsia salmonis, the bacteria that causes SRS, grows optimally between 15°C to 18°C but growth is retarded above 20°C and below 10°C. Due in part to this thermal range, there is no indication that P. salmonis or other rickettsia-like organisms of fish cause disease in humans or other mammals. SRS was first reported in Chile in the 1980s and has been widely recorded in Norway, Scotland, Canada and Ireland since this first report. During this period there has been no reports of human illness associated with P. salmonis.
The Marine Institute recognises SRS as a significant fish health challenge for the Irish salmon industry. In general, controlling the spread of contagious bacterial diseases in marine environments is a complex and challenging task that requires coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders including state bodies, fish farmers and the research community. Therefore, to assist salmon farmers to control SRS the Marine Institute is engaging with industry and academic partners to develop more rapid and reliable diagnostic tools as well as the potential development of new vaccines for SRS for use in the Irish setting.
Question No. 1096 answered with Question No. 1095.