Wednesday, 19 Apr 2023

Written Answers Nos. 89-104

Prison Service

Questions (89, 90, 91, 92)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

89. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the total number of committals to prison in 2022, by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18562/23]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

90. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of remand committals to prison in 2022, by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18563/23]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

91. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the average number of people in prison custody in 2022, by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/23]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

92. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the total number of people who were committed to prison in 2022 as the result of the non-payment of a court-ordered fine, by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18565/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 to 92, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, judges are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. As a general rule, the court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime but to the individual offender. In doing so, the Court identifies where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applies any mitigating factors which may be present.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Prison Service must accept all prisoners committed by the Courts and as such the Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time, and the prison system is, of course, subject to peaks and troughs.

I can advise that there were 7,043 committals to custody in 2022. This is a 14.8% (910) increase on the number of committals in 2021. Females accounted for 11.5% (807) of all committals, and males for 88.5% (6,236) of all committals.

The daily average number of people in custody in 2022, was 4,122. This is an 8.6% (328) increase in the daily average number of persons in custody since 2021.

I can further advise that the number of remand committals accounted for 38% of all committals in 2022.

The additional information requested by the Deputy is provided in the tables below.

Total Number of Remand Committals to Prison in 2022, by Gender

Gender	Number of Committals
Female	314
Male	2,383
Total	2,697

Daily Average Number of People in Custody in 2022, by Gender

Gender	Average
Female	173
Male	3,949
Overall Average	4,122

Committals to Prison in 2022 as a result of the non-payment of fines, by Gender

Gender	Number of committals
Female	46
Male	159
Total	205

Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 91 answered with Question No. 89.

Question No. 92 answered with Question No. 89.

Residency Permits

Questions (93)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when a renewed residence permit card will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18568/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have been informed that the person referred to by the Deputy will receive their IRP card in the next 10 - 15 working days.

If customers have an emergency, they can contact the Immigration Service Help

[e-mail] who will endeavour to assist them.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (94)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

94. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18575/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

A request for further documentation was made to the person concerned on 23 September 2022 and was reissued on 10 April 2023. The documents have now been received and the processing of the application can resume with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

The median processing time for applications now currently stands at 19 months. I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: [e-mail], which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Forestry Sector

Questions (95)

Marian Harkin

Question:

95. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a timeline for the implementation of the Native Woodland Scheme, which was due to start in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18385/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The new ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. The Native Tree Area Scheme will be included in the new Programme.

This scheme will allow farmers to apply for areas up to one hectare without the requirement for a forestry licence. As such it will an opportunity for farmers to engage in small scale tree planting and it is my expectation that it will encourage interest in forestry.

We have been working intensively with the European Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new Programme. Once approval has been received we will be in a position to launch the new Programme, pending finalisation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, which I am assured is also nearing completion.

At this time, all applications that are in the system are being worked on and processed in the normal manner, progressing to the point just before certification and approval. The aim is to have all the work completed on as many grant aid files as possible, so that approvals will be ready to issue as soon as the state aid approval is granted.

I launched the Interim De Minimis scheme for afforestation and roads to help bridge the lacuna between the old and new Forestry Programmes. As you are aware, there are 1,023 approved afforestation licences with 7,591 ha ready for planting and to date over 1,500ha hectares have been approved for planting under the Interim De Minimis scheme as. A similar Scheme was launched for Reconstitution and Underplanting (Ash Dieback).

I assure you that the launch of the €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 including the Native Woodland Scheme is a matter of the utmost priority for me and my Department.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (96)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

96. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline his views on how hydrogen can be used in the agricultural and farming sectors; if his Department has discussed the roll-out of hydrogen in these sectors with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors, including heavy goods transport, high-temperature heat for industry, and electricity generation. It is at the very earliest stage of development and is at proof of concept stage of development in terms tractors and other heavy agricultural equipment.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is the policy lead in this area.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (97)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

97. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the supports which are currently offered to farmers and agricultural workers who wish to make a transition to renewable sources of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18417/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The main support for farmers provided by my Department wishing to invest in renewable energy is the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment scheme. This launched on 22nd February 2023 and is proving to be a hugely successful scheme. The new TAMS is closely aligned to our climate and sustainability needs through continued and enhanced support for renewable energy.

To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms. There is an overall budget of €370m for the TAMs 3 scheme over its lifetime to end-2027. The solar scheme is ring fenced with its own investment ceiling of €90,000 and will be grant aided at the enhanced rate of 60%.

Applicants under TAMS 3 can receive the Clean Export Guarantee payment for any electricity spill-over that may occur on given day as this is funded directly by the electricity companies. However, they are not eligible for any other payment, such as the Clean Export Premium, as it would be double funding of the investment.

Adoption of sustainable energy practices at farm level, including energy efficiency, deployment of renewables at farm level and the provision of agriculture feedstocks for renewable energy generation is a key climate pillar for the agriculture sector.

Animal Welfare

Questions (98)

Holly Cairns

Question:

98. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on funding a national trap, neuter and return programme for the wild cat population. [18453/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Each year, my Department provides funding to animal welfare charities across Ireland. In December 2022, I announced the provision of €5.8m to 99 animal welfare charities, a record amount which thereby exceeded the Programme for Government commitment to double the funding allocated to animal welfare charities.

Many of these charities carry out trap, neuter and return programmes for feral cats in Ireland. The full list of funded charities has been published on my Department's website; some of them focus on cat trap, neuter and return activities, while others include such work within a wider programme of animal welfare actions.

Based on the figures reported by these charities in their applications for grant funding to my Department, 5,810 cats were trapped, neutered and returned by these animal welfare charities nationally in 2021.

I continue to provide such funding to animal welfare charities, including those which carry out trap neuter and return programmes, in 2023. The application process for grant funding will open later in the year.

Grant Payments

Questions (99)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

99. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) for the REAP scheme which has been approved for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named has been paid in full for their participation in REAP. Their final payment was made in December 2022.

Equality Issues

Questions (100)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

100. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures to encourage more women to take part in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Census of Agriculture completed in 2020 reported that approximately 13% of farm holders in Ireland were female.

I am very pleased that, for the first time, Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) includes a number of specific measures aimed at increasing the participation of women in farming. It will deliver some €10 billion to farm families over the next five years, including innovative proposals to promote gender equality:

- An increased grant rate of 60% under the Capital Investment Scheme to fund investments by trained women farmers, due to launch in May of this year.

- The promotion of women-only Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups.

- Improved recording and reporting of gender data and the leveraging of the National CAP Network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of CAP.

- All CAP interventions will be developed with a gender-aware perspective to ensure there are no inherent barriers to women's participation.

- European Innovation Partnerships offer an ideal opportunity for the sector to develop initiatives that will promote women's participation in farming.

In addition, since 2015, the Department has provided free support for rural female entrepreneurs under the ACORNS programme. This initiative involves the development and implementation of a tailored programme to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. Up to 50 new female entrepreneurs in rural locations are participating in the ACORNS 8 programme due to conclude this month.

Food Vision 2030, our shared 10-year strategy for the agrifood sector, recognises the importance of gender equality to its long-term sustainability and includes actions to promote and improve gender balance.

One of those actions was to hold a National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture, which I hosted on 1st February this year, St Brigid's Day. The Dialogue was chaired by former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, and it examined gender issues in farming and the agrifood sector generally via discussion panels, guest speakers and workshops on themes including:

- Leadership and Visibility

- Education and Awareness

- Sustainability

- Legal and Financial.

The outcome of the discussions is currently being compiled into a report that will inform policy in this regard in the coming years. This will be strengthened by a specific research project on women’s participation in agriculture, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. I look forward to making further progress on this important issue.

I am proud to be the first Minister to have a specific focus on supporting women farmers and I will continue to support them in the time ahead.

Forestry Sector

Questions (101)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

101. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences issued to date for 2023; what measures are being taken to ensure the Climate Action Afforestation Target is met for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18542/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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.

I am pleased to say that we have commenced our formal submission for State Aid approval and I expect that it will be fully lodged by the end of this week.

This clears the way for the Commission to formally assess our application and to make a determination on our request for State Aid approval. Once that has been received we will be in a position to launch the new Programme, pending finalisation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, which I am assured is nearing completion.

Currently, while we await State Aid approval we can only issue licences for non-grant aided afforestation applications, of which four have been granted. However, the 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 248 afforestation applications representing 1,533 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.

In relation to the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year as set out in the Climate Action Plan, the new increased premium rates and extended period of 20 year payments to farmers will, I expect, re-engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.

The €1.3 billion 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.

Third Level Education

Questions (102)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of places that are available to those wishing to study veterinary medicine; what his engagement is with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to increase the current number of places available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18543/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that it is my colleague Minister Harris and his Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that has responsibility for the higher education sector and that Department may have the more definitive data on the matter.

I understand from recent data circulated from University College Dublin, which is the sole provider of education of veterinary medicine in Ireland, that currently it has over 600 students of veterinary medicine across its two undergraduate programmes - (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine Graduate entry).

It is also clear that a significant number of Irish students now take the opportunity to study veterinary medicine in other EU countries. Minister Harris and I have both indicated that this is something that merits evaluation. In recent months, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) sought expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in providing additional capacity in the area of veterinary medicine education. Minister Harris has indicated that he has recently received a report from the HEA on the matter which he is now considering and that he will consult with me on the issue in the very near future.

Business Supports

Questions (103)

Michael Lowry

Question:

103. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are grants or funding assistance available for a new business (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18529/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (104)

Holly Cairns

Question:

104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the provision of community neuro-rehabilitation teams in each CHO. [18606/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.