Written Answers Nos. 265-284
265. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the pathway for a parent to claim an increase for a qualified child on a payment after being awarded primary custody of the child but when the other parent refuses to relinquish their payment and continues to claim for them despite no longer being the primary caregiver; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30237/23]
View answerPeople in receipt of certain payments from my Department may get an extra payment for their child (an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC)), in addition to their weekly personal rate, subject to certain conditions.
An Increase for a Qualified Child is payable in respect of each qualified child who normally resides with the customer. Only one increase is paid in respect of each qualified child. If a person and their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are both getting a social welfare payment each will get a half-rate Increase for a Qualified Child for each child, where applicable. In the case of separated parents, the child shall be considered normally resident with the parent who has legal custody, provided this person is substantially maintaining the child.
If the Deputy wishes to send me details of a specific case, I will arrange to have my officials look into it.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
266. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, for each commercial public body under the aegis of her Department for 2022. [30266/23]
View answerThere are no commercial State bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. However, I did answer the question in relation to non-commercial State bodies within the remit of my Department on 13th June last [27970/23].
The statutory bodies (all of which are non-commercial) operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Neither the Pensions Council nor the Social Welfare Tribunal incur expenditure on consulting services; their operations are wholly carried out by existing resources provided from within my Department.
Details in relation to the total spend for the year 2022 on consulting services and on ‘business as usual’ outsourcing as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016 for the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Authority is set out in tabular format below.
Citizens Information Board
|
Type |
Details of Consultancy / Business as Usual Outsourcing |
Amt € (inc. VAT) |
|
Consultancy |
Professional advice on a quality and continuous improvement system for MABS |
€23,247 |
|
Consultancy |
Procurement advice and support |
€28,444 |
|
Consultancy |
Sign Language Interpreting Services (SLIS) voucher scheme evaluation |
€12,300 |
|
Consultancy |
Consultancy services relating to the following: Post Restructuring Review, CIB Strategy, Volunteer Review |
€147,770 |
|
Consultancy |
PR consultancy |
€11,108 |
|
Consultancy |
Environment scan relating to the development of the CIB Strategy |
€19,557 |
|
Total Expenditure on Consultancy Services |
|
€242,426 |
|
Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
Outsourced payroll processing for CIB |
€17,220 |
|
Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
Outsourced HR services for CIB and its funded services |
€112,521 |
|
Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
Management Information system support |
€7,211 |
|
Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
Outsourced pensions advice |
€3,916 |
|
Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
Cyber security |
€95,251 |
|
Business-as-usual outsourcing |
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) development |
€644,366 |
|
Total expenditure on Business-as-Usual outsourcing |
|
€880,485 |
Pensions Authority
|
TYPE |
Details of Consultancy / Business as Usual Outsourcing |
Amt (inc. Vat) |
|
Consultancy |
Legal Advice |
€289,713 |
|
Consultancy |
Research Consultancy |
€38,573 |
|
Consultancy |
ICT Consultancy |
€154,010 |
|
Consultancy |
Investigation and Compliance Support |
€71,992 |
|
Total Expenditure on Consultancy Services |
|
€554,288 |
|
Business-as-usual outsourcing |
Financial |
€72,514 |
|
Business-as-usual outsourcing |
Other |
€56,511 |
|
Total expenditure on business-as Usual outsourcing |
|
€129,025 |
267. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a case (details supplied). [30316/23]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability. I am not able to discuss individual cases but will set out the relevant policies in my reply.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension who wish to return to work may apply to transfer to Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition. Partial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State.
The personal rate of payment of Partial Capacity Benefit is based on a medical assessment of a person’s restriction regarding their capacity for work. After the medical assessment, if a person's disability is rated as moderate, severe or profound their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% per cent of their existing rate, respectively. If assessed as mild they will not qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit. A person who moves from Invalidity Pension can be in receipt of Partial Capacity Benefit for a maximum duration of 156 weeks. There are no restrictions or limits on earnings from employment or on the number of hours a person can work.
A primary qualifying condition for the Carer’s Allowance payment is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such care. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months. The primary objective of the payment is to provide an income support to carers whose earning capacity is substantially reduced as a consequence of their caring responsibilities.
If a person on Invalidity Pension transfers to Partial Capacity Benefit and takes up employment, it is highly unlikely that their carer would still be eligible for the Carer's Allowance payment (or half-rate Carer's Allowance). The individual concerned would need to contact the Department directly to discuss their personal circumstances as their payment would depend on the number of hours of employment and the level of care required by the caree.
This Department is not responsible for the medical card scheme, it is administered by the HSE so I cannot comment on that aspect of the Deputy's question.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a respite carer’s grant will be made available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30466/23]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that, as a result, they require that level of care.
An increased payment can be made where full-time care is being provided to two people. CA is payable for up to two care recipients at a time. The Carers Support Grant (CSG) is payable for each person being cared for.
I can confirm the person concerned is in receipt of CA for their son since 4 December 2014 and they received the 2023 CSG of €1,850 in respect of him on 17 June 2023.
Two new applications for CA were received from the person concerned in relation to their mother on 31 March 2023 and their aunt on 3 April 2023.
The evidence submitted in support of both applications was examined and the deciding officer decided that, although a certain level of care was being provided, the level involved did not amount to full-time care.
The person concerned was notified on 8 May 2023 of these decisions, the reasons for them and of their right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested both a review and appeal of these decisions and submitted additional evidence in support of their applications.
As part of the reviews, the applications were referred to a local social welfare inspector (SWI) to assess the level of care being provided and confirm that all the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
Once the SWI has reported, a decision will be made, and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
In cases where an applicant does not have an entitlement to CA, the carer may apply for the CSG as a standalone payment. The CSG is an annual payment for carers who look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to the same caring conditions as CA.
Application forms for CSG can be found at any Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens' Information Office or can be downloaded from gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/form/c79632-carers-support-grant-csg1/.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
269. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a carer’s allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30467/23]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on 8th June 2023 and registered on the 20th June 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
270. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which a payment for disability allowance has ceased in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30468/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
A review of this individual's DA claim was initiated on 4 May 2021. While the customer supplied some of the requested information, they did not supply their spouse’s pay slips & bank accounts. A further information request issued to the person concerned on 15 June 2021.
A letter, detailing the intent to suspend their payment, issued on 19 August 2021 and a termination letter issued on 16 September 2021. The person concerned appealed that decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) on 8 October 2021. Having examined this case, the Appeals Officer upheld the decision of the Deciding Officer in a decision letter dated 6 July 2022.
The person concerned subsequently submitted a Section 317 review request on 10 July 2022. Having examined the case under this Section, the Appeals Office wrote to the appellant on 6 October 2022 stating that they had found no reason to overturn the previous decision and their claim remains disallowed.
The person has not reapplied for DA since this termination.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
271. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds upon which an application for a top-up of the State pension was refused in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30469/23]
View answerState pension (non-contributory) is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over who have a legal right of residence and habitually reside in the State, and who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or only qualify for a reduced-rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.
The state pension non-contributory application submitted by the person concerned was disallowed on the grounds of failure to provide sufficient evidence of habitual residence. A letter issued to the person concerned on 13 June 2023 outlining the decision and the reason(s) for the disallowance.
These further representations from the Deputy are accepted as a request for a review of the person's application. A further letter has been issued to the person setting out evidential requirements to determine their possible entitlement. On receipt of the requested documentation, a Deciding Officer will review the person's eligibility for state pension non-contributory and the person will be notified of the outcome in writing.
Separately, it is open to the daughter of the person concerned to apply for carer's benefit or carer's allowance in respect of care provision to the person. Application forms for both schemes are available at any INTREO Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office, or Citizens' Information Office, or can be downloaded at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/service/2432ba-carers-allowance/.
www.gov.ie/en/service/455c16-carers-benefit/.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if recently attributed home carer credits will entitle a person (details supplied) to a top-up on their State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30470/23]
View answerThe person concerned reached pension age on 21 May 2023. An application form for State Pension (contributory) was received on 22 February 2023.
Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). 520 full-rate contributions equate to 10 years of full-rate insurable employment.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a total of 347 full-rate contributions. Since their contributions fall short of the requisite 520 paid full-rate contributions, they do not qualify for State pension (contributory).
They were notified in writing of this decision on 20 April 2023, provided with a copy of their social insurance record on which the decision was based, and afforded the right of review and appeal.
Both the Homemaker’s Scheme and Home Caring Periods can be used to improve a person’s rate of pension entitlement. However, a person must firstly satisfy the qualifying conditions for State Pension (contributory) to avail of either of these schemes.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
273. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be reviewed as a matter of urgency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30471/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 11 April 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this individual's application for DA, it was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.
The application was also disallowed as the person concerned had failed to provide sufficient information in order to determine that her means does not exceed the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 29 May 2023, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. A review request can be submitted to this office in writing outlining their reason for a review and by submitting additional supporting documentation to support their application. The person concerned will need to provide any further medical evidence they think is relevant and the outstanding bank account statements from all accounts held in her name or in joint names.
This information can be forwarded to: Disability Allowance Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford, N39 E4E0.
An appeal request can be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) in writing, outlining their reason for an appeal and by submitting additional supporting documentation to support their application.
Details of the SWAO are as follows: Social Welfare Appeals Office, FREEPOST, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2, DX2 XY31 or by email to: swappeals@welfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
274. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the public consultation on spent convictions launched by her Department in October 2020; if there will be a report issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30235/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government commits in the Programme for Government to reviewing the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 and to broaden the range of convictions that are considered spent. As part of this review process, a public consultation on spent convictions was launched by my Department in October 2020.
Bespoke research on the approach to spent convictions internationally was also commissioned. Based on the outcome of that consultation and other submissions received, as well as the international research, my Department has compiled a report aimed at identifying and assessing the possible implications of amending the 2016 Act, so that the fairest possible outcomes can be achieved for the public.
This matter and report remain under consideration at this time, also in relation to the Justice Plan 2023 objective to support the work of the Oireachtas in order to progress the Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018. This Private Member’s Bill proposes to amend and considerably extend the above mentioned 2016 Act and I have met with Senator Ruane about the Bill previously, as well as officials in my Department engaging constructively with her about it.
275. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the reason there was a net reduction in the number of refuge spaces available in County Louth from 15 in quarter 3 2022 to 13 in quarter 2 2023, the only net reduction of spaces in the country; how this will be addressed through the provision of additional spaces in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30240/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Government will establish a statutory agency with a dedicated focus on Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
The agency will have a specific mandate to drive the implementation of the Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across Government, bringing the expertise and focus required to tackle this complex social issue. Pending establishment of the Agency, responsibility for domestic violence services continues to be managed by Tusla.
As this will continue to be the case until services formally transfer to the new DSGBV agency, I have referred the question posed by the Deputy to Tusla for direct reply.
However, in the interim it may interest the Deputy to know that key priority under the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, is to double the number of refuge places over the lifetime of the Strategy. Alongside this we will continue to deliver additional safe homes and step down accommodation.
Development of 24 refuge units is underway in Wexford, Dundalk and Navan to be delivered by 2024. There will be 98 refuge units in priority locations delivered by 2025 along with a further 19 additional and upgraded units by the end of the strategy.
276. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Justice the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, for each commercial public body under the aegis of her Department for 2022. [30263/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no commercial agencies, bodies or offices under the aegis of my Department.
277. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if a family reunification application by a person (details supplied) will be prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30281/23]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa application on 18 November 2022. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were then received on 21 November 2022 in the Manila visa office. The visa application was then forwarded to the Dublin Visa Office for further processing.
I can advise the Deputy that Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.
This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.
It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
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 (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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
278. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if it is intended for the new section 16 Irish associations comprehensive guidelines to retrospectively apply to applications that predate them; if decisions on such applications are currently on hold until the development and publication process has been concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30301/23]
View answerThe issue as to whether the new guidelines will apply retrospectively to Section 16 applications on hand is under active consideration.
Given the complexities of the issues involved and the absolute discretion afforded to the Minister in the Citizenship Act, it is imperative that the necessary time is spent to ensure the guidelines are both clear and comprehensive. Work is ongoing between my Department and the Office of the Attorney General to ensure the guidelines will be finalised and published without undue delay.
I have instructed that these guidelines be drawn up in the interests of fair and transparent procedures and attendant decision making. The guidelines will not represent a change in Ministerial policy in this area.
It is to the advantage of every applicant under S16 that clear guidelines are put in place and the rationale behind decisions to either approve or refuse is easily discernible. Applicants have the right to know the criteria applied in any decision and my officials will ensure the guidelines will be published on the Departmental website 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 Deputy should be aware that there is no automatic right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived, even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined.
279. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline the circumstances in which waivers are sanctioned in naturalisation applications; if she will confirm the naturalisation application process; if she will outline the criteria to meet eligibility; if she will outline the current timeframes for processing applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30410/23]
View answerThe granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is governed by the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with the provisions of the Act. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
Section 15 of the Act sets out the statutory conditions that must be fulfilled for a certificate of naturalisation to be granted.
Section 16 of the Act gives the Minister discretion to waive the statutory conditions in certain circumstances, including where the applicant is of Irish descent or Irish associations (related through blood, affinity or adoption to a person who is or is entitled to be an Irish citizen). Any application under Section 16 that relies on Irish associations and affinity should be supported by substantive documentation that in the Minister’s view, renders the application exceptional and one where the normal pathways to citizenship provided for under the legislation are not appropriate.
The Deputy should be aware that there is no automatic right or entitlement to have any of the statutory conditions waived, even where the applicant comes within the certain circumstances defined.
Given the complexity of the matter, Citizenship Division of my Department are in the process of preparing comprehensive guidelines, which will be made available to applicants for naturalisation on the basis of "Irish associations" and these are nearing completion.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory conditions as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.
At present "Irish association" cases are taking in excess of 30 months to process.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and the naturalisation process, along with the relevant application forms and guidance notes, is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/.
Additionally, any person born outside of Ireland who have an Irish national grandparent born in Ireland may obtain Irish citizenship through registration in the Foreign Births Register which is maintained by Department of Foreign Affairs, for more information please see: www.dfa.ie/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/.
280. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total spend on consulting services and on business-as-usual outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, for each commercial public body under the aegis of his Department for 2022. [30254/23]
View answerRegarding the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred this query to the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly on the matter.
281. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out in detail the evaluation criteria used for the decision-making process for the granting of tree planting licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30294/23]
View answer282. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if under the new forestry programme 2023-2027, it is intended to maintain the heathlands that emerged following the deforestation of our ancient woodlands or native woodland re-establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30295/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 and 282 together.
The new €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme, once approved, has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life. The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process. Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.
The Forestry Programme will have a strong emphasis on expanding the planting of native woodlands, conserving existing native woodlands and avoiding planting on peat lands, wetlands and other sensitive areas.
Afforestation requires a licence from my Department. The application process starts with an application being prepared and submitted to my Department by a registered forester, on behalf of the landowner. My Department is required to carry out a public consultation for every afforestation project. All applications are made public on my Departments Forest Licence Viewer. Submissions are taken into consideration during the licensing process.
An assessment is carried out of silvicultural suitability of the proposed forest type at the location proposed. My Department's ‘Land types for afforestation (2017)’ is a key reference document for this assessment.
An environmental assessment is carried out. My Department's ‘Environmental Requirements for afforestation (2016)’ is the key reference document for this assessment.
Depending on the location of the project my Department refers the application to referral bodies (e.g. NPWS, An Taisce). This is described in the Forestry Standards manual (2015). Responses from referral bodies are taken into consideration during the licensing process.
All applications are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening for every site. For sites that are screened in for AA, my Department carries out a stage two AA and this is subject to a second round of public consultation. My Department may also require ecological measures to be taken to protect specific species and habitats (not related to the AA process).
Proposed planting sites that contain or are near archaeological monuments are assessed and appropriate measures put in place to safeguard the sites in question. My Department consult directly with the National Monuments Service on these measures.
Depending on the application and the location of the site my Department may require further information from the applicant. Decisions of my Department are subject to appeal to the Forestry Appeals Committee. These various processes arise from the relevant agreed framework and case law.
283. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what economic measures, other than the Jim Power report (2021), he employed when deciding on the level of funding to be given to the Irish greyhound racing industry from the Exchequer in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30416/23]
View answerRásaíocht 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 2021 Power Report found that the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.
The Department provides dedicated financial support under the Horse and Greyhound Fund to RCÉ. The annual allocation to RCE is considered as part of the Department's annual budgetary process.
As part of this process the RCÉ pre-budget submission for 2023, which highlighted the need for continued exchequer funding to maintain operations and meet statutory obligations and increased welfare costs, was a consideration with regard to funding levels.
284. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish Coursing Club has received any reports in the past five years of non-coursing greyhounds presented for microchipping or earmarking being older than the specified age of 12 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/23]
View answer285. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he shares the concerns of many people that non-coursing greyhounds are being microchipped or earmarked at a much later age than that of the specified age of 12 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30418/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.
This is a matter for the Irish Coursing Club. Information is not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
