Written Answers Nos. 934-949
934. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if consideration will be given to issuing a certificate of naturalisation at the forthcoming ceremony in June in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28459/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application of the person referred to by the Deputy has been approved and they have accepted an invite to the upcoming ceremony on the 20 June 2023.
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 INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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.
935. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the ownership of the small building at the rear of a courthouse (details supplied); if this is under the control of her Department; and if so, if it will be considered for community use through a leasing arrangement. [28497/23]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made, and the Courts Service has provided the following update on this matter.
The Government's revised National Development Plan 2021 -2030 includes a number of Courts Service projects to be completed during the period of the plan, including in Wicklow Town.
Specifically in relation to Wicklow Town, I am informed that the existing courthouse is in very poor condition and has been closed on health and safety grounds since 2010. All court business is currently being dealt with at Bray. A courthouse comprising of an appropriate number of courtrooms and related facilities is envisaged as being required to meet current and future demand in Wicklow.
Specifically in response to the question raised, the Courts Service advise that the building directly to the rear of the courthouse is closed on Health and Safety grounds and accordingly is not habitable. I am further informed that there is a building to the right of the courthouse (former library) which is currently being used as a Ukrainian hub.
936. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice the resources allocated to An Garda Síochána; the Government's planned investments aimed at ensuring that An Garda Síochána has adequate resources and a modern Garda fleet of vehicles to effectively carry out their duties in maintaining law and order, preventing crime and protecting the safety of communities across Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28563/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023.
As the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including all human resource matters and recruitment along with the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am however assured by Garda authorities that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use. Factors considered include crime trends, population stats and ongoing operations.
As of the end of April 2023, there were 13,995 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of 9% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Garda members throughout the country. The Government has provided funding for the recruitment of a further 1,000 Gardaí in 2023 and we are seeing new recruits enter the Garda College in Templemore in 11 week intervals.
Gardaí are supported by 3,128 Garda staff, which is over 50% more than the number of staff in 2015. Furthermore, since 2015, almost 900 Garda Members have been freed up from back office duties to front line policing because of civilianisation.
Budget 2023 also saw a €5 million increase in the Garda overtime budget, to over €100 million, to support a high visibility police presence and ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
€10m was allocated in 2023 towards investment in the Garda fleet. As of 31 May 2023, there were a total of 3,433 vehicles in the Garda fleet which represents a 10% increase in the same figure on 31 December 2020.
The Government is also committed to ensuring Garda members have the resources they need to perform their vital roles in the community in a safe manner. An extra €6 million was allocated for new ballistic vests to protect front-line Gardaí, €11 million for new Garda mobile devices, apps and specialist equipment and a further €3 million to start procurement for body worn cameras.
937. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if ten farmers are owners in a commonage and one farmer cuts turf against the rules in that commonage, if all farmers will be penalised; if he will consider changing the law in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27125/23]
View answerThere are two approaches within the Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) – ACRES General and ACRES Co-operation.
Commonage falls within both approaches and is a mandatory action for all ACRES participants with commonage land. While it is a results-based action in the ACRES Co-operation, it is only commonages greater than 10 hectares within the ACRES General area that will qualify for a results-based payment. The purpose of a results-based system is to reward farmers for carrying out good environmental practice and encourage increased ambition through subsequent increased scores and resulting increased payments. ACRES does not prohibit any activity, including active turbary.
While fully appreciating the rights of farmers to cut turf, my Department and the Co-operation teams across the country, who are assisting farmers in the ACRES Co-operation zones, are conscious that active turf-cutting could have a disproportionate impact on scores on commonage. To ensure ACRES participants on commonage lands are rewarded for their environmental ambition, I have decided that non-turbary and turbary areas are scored independently of each other. In doing so, any scoring related to active turbary will be confined to those sub-units of active turbary, thereby allowing most of the commonage land to be assessed independently of turbary, where such rights exist.
Farmers in ACRES will be paid in full for their combined score on non-turbary and turbary areas, subject to scheme ceilings. I am satisfied that this approach strikes a good balance between the environmental ambition of the scheme while respecting the traditions of our commonage activities.
938. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the details of the scheme (details supplied) for the forgotten farmers will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27230/23]
View answerWith regard to the preliminary outline of a proposal to provide support to the forgotten farmer group as developed by my Department, there are a number of issues to be addressed, for example - the funding required and consistency with the public expenditure - before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants under a scheme can be finalised.
Details of the scheme will be made available as soon as this process has been completed. I am committed to delivering for these farmers, many of whom find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own, at the earliest opportunity.
939. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding allocated to his Department from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve in 2022 and 2023; the areas to which his Department has allocated this funding, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/23]
View answerThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provides financial support to the most affected Member States to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Expenditure under the BAR must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and failure to do so will see the European Commission deem expenditure ineligible.
In 2022, €40m was allocated for Brexit-related purposes for the fisheries sector (€33.2m), the horticultural sector (€1.5m), and €5.3m was provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme. The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification.
In 2023, €238m is allocated for Brexit-related purposes, including further supports for the fisheries sector (€162.15m), the horticultural sector (€9.85m). €17 million is provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme.
In addition, €20m has been allocated to develop facilities for the disposal of meat and bone meal by-product and €28m has been allocated for a scheme to support suckler and beef farmers. The most recent development has been under the BAR was the launch of a €23m beef genotyping scheme which is a world first.
We are actively considering other proposals and in this regard is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to maximise the funding from BAR that is available to the various sectors that come under the remit of my Department.
940. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme; how many applications have been received for the scheme and how many have been approved; the amount of payments that have been made under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and 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. I am confident that SCEP will drive further improvements in our already world-class suckler and beef herds. It will also be a crucial income support for these farmers.
The online applications system for SCEP opened on 20 March 2023 and closed on 22 May 2023. There is a 25-calendar day period after 22 May 2023 closing date during which late applications are accepted with a reduction in payment of 1% per working day. Applications received after the 25 days period are ineligible.
As of 31 May 2023, there were 20,679 applications received under SCEP. Applications are not deemed approved until they meet the eligibility criteria. Payments for scheme year one will commence in December 2023.
941. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much of the announced €1.3 billion for forestry that is from core expenditure; how much additional funding is in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/23]
View answerThe Deputy is aware of the €1.3 billion funding that I secured for the new programme which will be made available through the National Development Plan. The table below outlines the planned capital and current expenditure for 2023. The Capital allocation from 2024 onwards will be determined as part of the annual budgetary process, with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, with due regard to legacy liability and projected demand.
The Deputy will note that the allocation and projected spending in each year includes provision to discharge the liability on the current Afforestation Scheme and older Legacy Schemes. This is particularly important to note in respect of forestry which pays premiums for periods from fifteen to twenty years. The remainder funds the new afforestation programme and support schemes.
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- |
- |
2023 Expenditure by Older and New Programmes |
|
Old Programme Capital |
€62,869,360 |
|
|
Old Programme Current |
€1,943,000 |
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|
Legacy Total |
€64,812,360 |
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|
New Programme Capital |
€45,485,640 |
|
|
New Programme Current |
€2,117,000 |
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|
FP 23 Total |
€47,602,460 |
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Total Forestry Budget |
€112,415,000 |
942. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration would be given to increasing direct payments per sheep under the sheep improvement scheme which is a targeted scheme for sheep farmers, in order to provide much-needed additional support to sheep farmers, encourage young farmers to enter and continue sheep farming, and ensure that this type of farming is viable going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27310/23]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to maintaining a viable sheep sector as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and sheep farmers, I know, are equally committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product.
The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) aims to build on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) in the 2014-2020 RDP by providing support for management actions that go beyond mandatory standards to improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. The SIS will complement some elements provided for in the SWS, while also building on other actions beneficial to sheep health and welfare, thereby further enhancing the standards of animal welfare in the Irish sheep flock.
My Department received over 19,000 applications for the SIS which has a 20% increase in the payment rate per eligible ewe - from €10 to €12 - compared to the SWS. The total amount payable under the scheme is based on income foregone and costs incurred related to the specific measures included.
Given that the scheme has a five year duration and is still only in the first year of operation, it would be premature to consider seeking to agree amendments with the European Commission on the structure of the intervention at this early stage.
However, my officials continue to keep all schemes and supports under constant review and will always examine any suggestions from stakeholders on how the operation of schemes can be modified to ensure that they meet their operational objectives over their lifetime.
Regarding the current challenges facing sheep farmers, I have requested my officials to closely monitor market developments and the Government will continue to make every effort to support the sector.
943. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the reports in the latest edition of 'The Skipper' of the alleged actions of SFPA officials, while encouraging fishing skippers to agree to install remote electronic monitoring (REM) cameras on board their fishing vessels; and if he will order an independent review of these serious allegations. [27369/23]
View answerThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. All operational issues are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
In relation to the Deputy's query, the SFPA has advised as follows:
The SFPA is participating in a Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) pilot project, which is part of a larger European Union, European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), North-Western Waters (NWW) REM initiative. REM is a technology that allows for the remote monitoring of fishing vessels, providing valuable information on fishing activity and compliance with regulative requirements, including the landing obligation.
The objective of the project is to assess the efficacy of the EFCA REM technical guidelines which are currently in place and to provide the SFPA and the fishing industry an opportunity to gain meaningful experience of the role REM will play in future fisheries management. EFCA are assisting participating Member States with the preparation of an Operational Plan for the Pilot Project.
The SFPA is not in a position to offer immunity for any suspected fisheries related offences. The vessel owner and operator must operate in line with landing obligation requirements. Attention must be paid to legal catch retention and discard practices. Any landing obligation issues detected exclusively under the scope of the REM project will be identified to the participant and, if appropriate, additional training will be provided to assist pilot project participants in attaining full compliance with the requirements of the landing obligation. Wherever necessary, enforcement action will be pursued.
944. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that foresters need some form of financial support to stay in the industry while his Department is awaiting approval from the European Commission for the €1.3 billion forestry programme launched eight months ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27411/23]
View answer945. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he sees it fit to make a one-off payment to aid foresters in making their annual insurance payment, given that it is a requirement to have professional indemnity insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27412/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 944 and 945 together.
As Deputy may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and our overall climate and environment.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
My Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission in order to secure approval. Once it is received, we will be in a position to launch new forestry schemes, subject to finalization of the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Not all schemes under the Programme require State Aid approval under the Guidelines and on the 24 April, under the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation, my Department opened two schemes for applications, the Forest Roads Scheme and the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme – Module 2 Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector.
In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department also engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.
As regards payment to forestry companies and forest owners, we have to date this year paid out over €47.8 million which is a significant, fully Exchequer funded, investment in forestry. This is broadly in line with payments for the same period in 2022. We will continue to deal with payments in a timely manner, as has been our practice to date.
In terms of liquidity, I have met the pillar banks to highlight clearly that we will deliver on a new Forestry Programme and to reiterate how central the forestry sector is to Government policy.
I am aware that registered foresters and forestry companies must provide evidence of renewal of professional indemnity insurance on an annual basis in order to remain on the list of registered foresters and forestry companies. My department does not intend to introduce a one-off payment to aid foresters in making their annual insurance payment. I am firmly committed to introducing a well - funded Forestry Programme which both meets the needs of society and that of the sector, and this will provide guaranteed long-term investment in the sector.
946. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the status of the internal departmental report which suggested that up to 65,000 cows would need to be culled for each of the next three years at an annual cost of €200 million (details supplied); if this option has been endorsed by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27432/23]
View answerI established the Food Vision Dairy and Food Vision Beef and Sheep Groups to advance the actions for the sectors identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.
Building on the work of the Food Vision Dairy and Food Vision Beef and Sheep Groups, the paper highlighted by the Deputy identifies options to “close the gap” between what are the known solutions to deliver abatement in agriculture and the carbon budgets assigned to the sector. This document was part of a deliberative process and is not a final policy decision.
A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd. My officials are currently working to explore this proposal further and there will be significant engagement with stakeholders over the coming months on the parameters of the scheme. While the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group also included a proposed recommendation for a voluntary exit or reduction scheme in its final Report, after careful consideration and consultation with stakeholders, the proposition for a voluntary exit or reduction scheme for our beef herd is no longer being considered.
My Department will work collaboratively with all other Departments and agencies involved to implement priority actions to support farmers and the industry in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed.
947. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans his Department has to ensure that all breeders selling animals as pets online are registered with his Department under The Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of pet animals) Regulations 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27505/23]
View answerThe requirement to register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as a seller or supplier of pet animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 applies to persons other than those who are already required to register with their local authority under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.
Dog breeding establishments are regulated by and fall under the remit of the Minister for Rural and Community Development. Controls relating to these establishments rest with that Department and the relevant local authorities.
With the exception of those registered under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010, sellers and suppliers of more than six pet animals in a given year must register with my Department and maintain certain records.
In addition, all advertisements for the sale or supply of pet animals must include certain minimum information about the pet and the seller or supplier.
Earlier this year, my colleague Minister or Rural and Community Development Humphreys and I established a working group on the Control of Dogs and its report was approved by cabinet at the end of March and is available at gov.ie - Working Group on Control of Dogs (www.gov.ie).
One of the recommendations of that report was to review the pet sales register. This is now completed with the revised list available at gov.ie - Rules on the Sale, Supply and Advertising of Pet Animals (www.gov.ie).
Should anyone be aware of any person selling pets, who is not registered under either the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 or under the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019, they should contact the relevant Department.
948. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the farm machinery industry, in view of the current critical shortage of qualified mechanics in the farm machinery industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/23]
View answerI am advised that the training of agricultural mechanics, is a matter for SOLAS, the state agency responsible for the Further Education and Training sector in Ireland, and that training is delivered via local Education and Training Boards in respect of the approved apprenticeship training programme (Craft of Agricultural Mechanics). Further information is available from Local Education and Training Board Training Centres.
Teagasc operate under the remit of my Department with responsibility for providing education and training services to the agricultural sector. I understand from Teagasc that is not involved in apprenticeship training of farm mechanics. It does provide a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Mechanisation), which students studying at an agricultural college can take as one of four second year options. The course aims to provide people with the knowledge and skills required for working in the farm machinery industry as skilled machinery operators, agricultural contractors, fabricators or in machinery sales. Some graduates may progress on to the agricultural mechanic apprenticeship with SOLAS and may gain advanced entry on to stage II of the apprenticeship programme.
949. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector will open for applications in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27580/23]
View answerThe 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector opened for applications on 1 June 2023. The Scheme which has budget of €10 million for 2023 is an 11% increase in funding when compared with 2022. The Scheme assists in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2023 Scheme is 30 June 2023. The details of the scheme have been notified to the European Commission in accordance with the European Union Guidelines for State aid, but the granting of approval of aid for investments under the Scheme will only be granted after approval by the European Commission in accordance with the Commission Decision on the measure.
