Written Answers Nos. 174-193
174. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons that appeared before a court in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 for rape, sexual assault; child sexual abuse; sexual harassment; rape within a relationship and child pornography; and the number of persons convicted of the same offences over the corresponding timeframe. [23630/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have forwarded your query to the Court Service for direct reply.
175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice his views on whether visa requirements for Indian citizens visiting Ireland are cumbersome; and his further views on reviewing same. [23636/23]
View answerIndian nationals are subject to the same visa requirements and checks as all visa required nationals wishing to travel to Ireland.
I can advise the Deputy that a number of steps have been taken in recent years to upgrade the visa processing system to make it more efficient and easier for visitors from abroad to submit their visa applications for travel to Ireland; this has included the availability of services provided by VFS Global at their Visa Application Centres (VACs). It is important to state that the services provided by this organisation do not extend to making decisions on visa applications; such decisions are the sole remit of either the staff of my Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The use of these centres provides greater accessibility to applicants in these countries as they can make visa applications at locations nearer to them. They also greatly increase the visibility of Ireland as a destination for tourism, business or education purposes across a wider geographical area in very large countries or countries where our consular representation is not physically present. In India there are a total of twelve centres across the country where applications for both Irish and United Kingdom visas can be made and where initial processing of documentation is carried out.
The applicant can choose the centre most convenient to their home or business address, and for a small extra charge, can choose to have the visa returned by courier to their home or business address. There is also a facility for group bookings to facilitate applicants who are travelling together to Ireland. It is intended over time to expand the use of such facilities in order to provide better services to potential travellers to Ireland.
The current visa processing times for the New Delhi Visa Office can be found in the table below:
|
Visa category |
Sub-category |
Median processing time (working days) |
|
Business / Conference / Event |
|
15 |
|
Employment |
Critical skills permit |
15 |
|
Employment |
General / Other permit |
20 |
|
Join family |
|
20 |
|
Study |
|
20 |
|
Visit |
|
20 |
|
Other |
|
20 |
176. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address the potential grain and straw shortages this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23307/23]
View answerI understand early estimates from industry suggest that a challenging environment for tillage production this year. However, the area of crops cannot be confirmed until my Department collates and analyses Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) data later in the Summer.
Last year, I initiated a new Tillage Incentive Support Scheme as an additional support for increasing area of tillage and which was highly successful last year and which I have made available again this year.
Notwithstanding any potential change in area, a changed profile with less winter sowing's of crops last autumn and which are generally higher yielding in both grain and straw will likely lead to a decrease in grain and straw production in 2023 when compared to 2022.
A shortage of grain internationally is not anticipated however and prices have fallen in line with absence of supply concerns. The majority of straw is sold for bedding with lesser amounts to the mushroom industry and for feeding.
In recent years, I introduced the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and despite some strong concerns, there was sufficient straw to meet industry needs. I will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months.
Notwithstanding the above, maintaining the current tillage area with an ambition for further growth is an important strategic objective of my Department. This is highlighted in the Food Vision 2030 Strategy and more recently in the Climate Action Plan where a target has been set to grow the area under tillage crops to 400,000ha by 2030.
To achieve this objective, I recently established the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group, and I hosted its first meeting on Thursday 11th May 2023. This group will bring together all relevant stakeholders to set out a road-map for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 2030.
I have tasked the group with providing a detailed plan and recommendations by the end of July with a final plan to be submitted during the final quarter of 2023.
177. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports available for farmers to manage roadside ash trees infected by ash dieback disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23353/23]
View answer187. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) seeking his support and endorsement in the modifying of the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (RUS) to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees that pose a safety risk to the public and road users on public roads; if the RUS scheme will be reconfigured to acknowledge the financial loss incurred; if he will consider the introduction of a financial support scheme to help farmers and landowners remove diseased ash trees for the safety of others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23536/23]
View answer190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine he plans to revise the reconstitution and underplanting scheme to include payments to farmers to remove roadside trees infected by ash dieback; if he has plans to allow for a support package to be made available through local authorities to enable farmers and landowners to hire professional to safely remove infected trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23618/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 177, 187 and 190 together.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is aware of correspondence from the organisation named regarding Ash Dieback in roadside trees which includes their request for the introduction of a financial support scheme.
The care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the roadside trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
The Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees, but has recently published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”) and this can be accessed at the Department website.
A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on the reconstitution schemes that my Department has offered for Ash Dieback. These schemes include supports to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Last month, I launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, increased from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme and does do not offer assistance for the removal of roadside trees.
178. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to providing a full reconstitution grant which would cover costs associated with clearing and replanting sites affected by ash dieback, given that the current reconstitution and underplanting scheme does not recognise the financial losses incurred by farmers or compensate for the loss of timber earnings as a result of addressing ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23354/23]
View answer191. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to revise the reconstitution and underplanting scheme to allow for a 100% reconstitution grant that would cover all costs associated with site clearance and subsequent replant with a suitable replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23619/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 191 together.
The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12th October 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.
In March 2013, the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.
Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.
A total of €9.2 million has been expended to date on both schemes. All these schemes include a grant for site clearance as well as replanting and cover the costs associated with these operations.
Last month, an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis was launched which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027
• Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
A similar scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of the new forestry programme.
State Aid Guidelines provide for aid for the restoration of damage to forests caused by a variety of events including damage from disease and pests. State Aid rules are explicit that this aid is for restoration and does not facilitate compensation for loss including income.
My Department continues to review the operation of the ash dieback scheme, having regard to its effectiveness, the status of the plantations, state aid regulations and other issues having regard to the age and stage of the rotation of the almost 16,000 hectares of ash that were grant aided between 1990 and 2013.
179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he agrees that more clarity is needed in relation to injuries sustained in relation to the policy that if a horse is injured at a track and does not die within 48 hours, it is not listed as a track death, including an explanation of the exact date a horse has died and why; if he will instruct Horse Racing Ireland to update its processes in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23392/23]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
180. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with relevant bodies (details supplied) regarding negotiations on a media rights deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23395/23]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. Under Section 10 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, HRI has responsibility for negotiating and awarding contracts for media rights.
The arrangement for the assigning of media rights are defined by law. I am aware of issues that have arisen with regard to a proposed new media rights contract for all racecourses in Ireland. In that regard, I encourage all relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure the financial interests of all racecourses and the wider industry are maintained.
181. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23400/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
In addition to the information supplied in the table, there are cleaning costs at three of my Department offices managed through a facilities management company, which are incorporated into the overall monthly fee charged to the Department by that company. The contract for these offices is currently held by Apleona.
182. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm whether his Department has sought a delay to water quality reports under the nitrates derogation to allow the effect of new measures on water quality to be appropriately reflected as part of conditionality attached to the derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23484/23]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority for the interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme and the associated Nitrates Regulations. However, my Department works closely with them in this regard.
During the negotiations of Ireland’s current Nitrates Derogation, and since the European Commission published its Implementing Decision granting Ireland's Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025, officials from my Department and officials from DHLGH have actively engaged on several occasions with the European Commission on nitrates and water quality issues. This proactive engagement is expected to continue.
In light of the negative trends in Irish water quality in the run-up to Ireland’s application for our current Nitrates Derogation, the European Commission imposed additional conditionality on that derogation.
The Commission’s Implementing Decision granting Ireland's derogation includes a requirement for Ireland to conduct a two-year review of water quality, this year.
In accordance with the Commission Decision, the review must compare water quality data for 2021 and 2022. Where this data shows that there are polluted waters, or waters at risk of pollution that are not showing signs of improvement, or where worsening trends have occurred over this period, the maximum stocking rate limit for derogation farms must be reduced from 250kg to 220kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare from 2024 onwards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently working to provide the water quality data that will be used in this review.
We are preparing a case to engage further with the European Commission with the objective of seeking flexibility from them on the two-year water quality review with a view to giving existing measures more time to demonstrate their impact. We will push for the best possible outcome for farmers in this process, however, there is no guarantee that there will be a change to the Commission's Implementing Decision as it stands.
183. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Suckler Brand Oversight Group, including progress and spending to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/23]
View answerThe Suckler Brand Development Oversight Group was established, after being agreed upon by stakeholders at Beef Taskforce meetings in September and October 2020, to oversee and advise on the creation and implementation of a distinct brand for suckler beef to be led by Bord Bia.
The Suckler Brand Development Oversight Group is chaired by my Department and includes a range of stakeholders from state agencies, the beef industry and farmer stakeholder representatives.
The group has met five times to date with the next meeting due in the coming weeks.
Bord Bia’s expenditure on the project to December 2022 amounted to €790,000; while €800,000 has been allocated for the project in 2023.
Despite delays arising from the pandemic, good progress has been made on the initiative to date, with Bord Bia activity including:
• A review of the opportunity for suckler beef based on research across a number of key European markets.??
• The approach to implementing the brand proposition communications across the markets has been shared within the Oversight Group and Bord Bia are working with the sector in terms of bringing the Irish Suckler beef proposition to market.?
• Bord Bia has developed a collection of bespoke suckler video and photography, shot on farms in the summer of 2022, and is currently developing?Irish Suckler Beef communications materials for consumer audiences.
The Oversight Group has provided input to each stage of the proposed suckler branding proposition as presented by Bord Bia at each meeting.
184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a suckler scheme entry will be reviewed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
The reference number presented for SCEP is based on historical data. This is the number of eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf on the holding in the years 2016-2021 inclusive. The applicant receives an average of the best three years of 2016-2021 as the reference number.
As the person named had data (i.e. had eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf) in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, he received a reference number of seven and a maximum payable area of 4.67.
As per the SCEP terms and conditions, a New Entrant to suckler farming is an applicant that commenced suckler farming since 2021, i.e calved and registered an eligible calf for the first time since 1st January 2021. Therefore, the person named is not considered as a New Entrant under SCEP.
The closing date for submission of SCEP applications is 22nd May 2023. To date, no SCEP application has been received from the person named. If the person named wishes to have a review of his reference data, a SCEP application must be submitted online and then he can make such a request in writing to SCEP, Beef Schemes section of my Department in Portlaoise or by email to SCEP@agriculture.gov.ie , including any supporting documentation for their review.
185. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on his plans to introduce a farm retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/23]
View answerI am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation take over the farm when the time is right to do so. The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level. There are challenges both for younger farmers becoming established and older farmers having concerns about future income, taxation issues and the retirement process.
Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector also recognises the importance of generational renewal and proposes a number of actions. There are a range of measures in place at present, both in the new CAP and at national level, that support younger and older farmers and facilitate generational renewal.
The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 reaffirms our commitment to generational renewal, reflecting the need for skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods. Measures include:
• Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF), formerly the Young Farmer Scheme, with a significantly increased financial allocation of 3% of the direct payments ceiling, providing over €35m per year in funding to eligible young, trained farmers.
• Higher grant rates of 60% under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) are available for capital investment for young farmers to invest in and futureproof their farms.
• The National Reserve provides new entitlements to those meeting the definition of a Young Farmer and provides top-ups to entitlements that are leased or bought by a Young Farmer in the years they are activated by them. The scheme has allocated entitlements of €50m to some 10,500 young farmers since 2015.
• The Department also continues to support and further develop collaborative farming models, with grants available for registered farm partnerships. We are also considering a new initiative for older farmers, providing financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice about succession planning and navigating a pathway to retirement.
At national level there are a number of taxation measures, both to facilitate succession and to support the establishment of young farmers.
• Succession and the early transfer of family farms is supported by Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and Stamp Duty exemptions.
• Investment and access to land are supported by 100% Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers, 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers and Relief for Long-Term Leasing (which in particular provides a route to retirement for older farmers). In addition, the Succession Farm Partnership Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist the transfer of land within a partnership structure to encourage earlier transfer of family farms.
In addition, the Deputy will also be aware that the Climate Action Plan 2023 includes the commitment to mobilise the recommendations of the Food Vision 2030 sectoral groupings to incentivise voluntary livestock reductions, including the development of a proposal for a dairy cow reduction or an exit scheme. This is still under consideration.
I want to ensure that the agri-food sector remains strong and sustainable into the future, and will continue to engage with stakeholders to find the best approaches to support all farmers, young and old.
186. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Ministerial consent was provided approving the 1983 transfer of a Land Commission Trust property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23504/23]
View answerOfficials in the Lands Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have advised that the registration of the trust property at Castlemaine, on folio KY 24138, was amended in 1983 without Ministerial consent.
188. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23570/23]
View answerThe Per Cent for Art scheme is a government initiative, first introduced in 1978, whereby 1% of the cost of any large scale publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art. Since 1997 this scheme has been made available to all capital projects across all government departments. The scheme is now administered by the Arts Council under the auspices of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The per cent for art scheme, which is applicable to large scale, exchequer funded Capital projects, is not typically applicable with respect to my Department’s activities in terms of capital projects. As such there has been no expenditure on the Scheme in DAFM over the period referenced.
189. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether his Department owns a site (details supplied). [23605/23]
View answerOfficials in the Lands Branch of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have advised that this property does not appear to have been the subject of former Irish Land Commission proceedings and is therefore not held by me in that capacity.
192. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in considering proposals for housing asylum seekers, if consideration is given to the existing population of an area; and if he will commit, despite the pressures on accommodation, to ensuring proportionate numbers and public engagement. [23299/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, access to suitable accommodation for international protection applicants is severely constrained at present. There are over 500 people seeking protection currently unaccommodated in the State.
The number of international protection applicants (IPAs) and Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland is expected to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future.
The Department is availing of all offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of repurposed buildings, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.
Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case. Before the opening of any facility, the Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors. These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation. However, the Department is cognisant of these issues and is working towards improving advance communications for elected representatives, local authorities and local communities.
The Department of the Taoiseach has convened a Senior Officials Group (SOG) which is looking at the issue of community engagement and communications. My Department, and several others are engaged in that process. That is evaluating the most effective methods of engaging with communities in respect of refugees and international protection applicants. A new community engagement and communications approach will be agreed, to be implemented under the auspices of Minister Joe O'Brien T.D., who has a specific mandate in this regard, once the SOG has completed its work over the next weeks.
It is not possible, however, to link the selection of international protection accommodation centres to population size.
193. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the staffing to caseload ratios used to calculate the numbers, types, and scale of therapists and clinicians required for each CDNT; how regularly these ratios are reviewed; and the processes in place to reconfigure services according to local needs. [23314/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
