Sorca Clarke
Question:512. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capital budget allocation for his Department in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [31093/23]
View answerDepartmental Expenditure
Questions (512)
Written answers
The information requested by the Deputy is in the table below.
Capital Allocations for The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2021 - 2023
|
Year |
Amount €000 |
|
2021 |
299,293 |
|
2022 |
316,679 |
|
2023 |
462,950 |
Of which Non-Core Capital funding
|
Funding |
2021 €000 |
2022 €000 |
2023 €000 |
|
Brexit Adjustment Reserve Funding (BAR) |
0 |
7,630 |
125,000 |
|
European Union Recovery Instrument Funding (EURI) |
10,000 |
34,600 |
43,300 |
Agriculture Industry
Questions (513)
Claire Kerrane
Question:513. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what consideration has been given to re-establishing sugar beet processing in the State; if he will advise on any research or consultation his Department has carried out in this area as part of efforts to increase tillage production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31164/23]
View answerWritten answers
In 2006, the EU introduced a restructuring mechanism intended to reduce overall production of sugar, acknowledging the then global over supply and resultant low prices being achieved. Ireland secured €353 million as part of the reform package with some €220 million being distributed to beet growers and a further €6 million to machinery contractors in the sector.
As part of the reform of the CAP, agreement was secured on the abolition of sugar quotas from 30 September 2017. From that date, investors in the European Union, including Ireland, are free to invest in sugar producing capacity if they wish.
Since 2006, a number of groups have expressed an interest in the redevelopment of the sugar sector, two of whom prepared desktop feasibility studies between 2010 and 2011. In their findings, both proposals sought to develop a new sugar and bio ethanol production facility with capital costs, estimated at the time, of between €250 million and €400 million.
In 2018, I understand that Beet Ireland sought to engage with interested growers in an equity partnership proposal to develop a sugar processing facility in the south-east. However, the group announced in June 2019 that it was postponing its plans.
The Deputy will appreciate that any proposals to re-establish sugar production must be industry-led and supported by a robust business case that would attract the substantial level of funding required to support and underpin a new start-up of the scale required to re-establish the sector in Ireland.
The importance of the tillage sector is recognised in the Food Vision 2030 strategy and in the Climate Action Plan 2023 where a target is set out to increase the area in tillage to 400,000 hectares. This is well founded given that the sector is one of the most carbon efficient sectors of Irish agriculture.
To help achieve this target, I recently established the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group which had its first meeting on 11th May 2023. This group brings together all relevant stakeholders to set out a roadmap 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 final quarter of this year.
Climate Action Plan
Questions (514)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:514. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a climate delivery taskforce has been established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the agriculture sector as outlined in the Climate Action Plan annex of actions; if he will report on their progress to date and the participation of the Department of the Environment, Climate And Communications in the taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31171/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), launched on 21 December 2022, provided for a climate delivery taskforce to be established to focus on the specific areas or initiatives of climate delivery that require cross-Government collaboration in all relevant departments in the agriculture sector.
My Department’s Climate Action Management Board (CAMB) is chaired by the Secretary General and was established in 2019 and has met quarterly over the period. It is attended by Assistant Secretaries from my Department and relevant State Agencies who collectively are responsible for monitoring and delivery on the actions relevant to this sector.
Forestry Sector
Questions (515)
Cathal Crowe
Question:515. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes that are currently being undertaken with regard to the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; when he expects these processes to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31296/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the 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, from the European Commission under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. 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 this approval. The Commission is currently reviewing Ireland's State Aid Notification and will decide whether the aid proposed under the new Programme is compatible with EU rules. To this end, I can confirm that my Department received further correspondence relating to our application from the Commission on 6 and 21 June. My Department will now respond to this correspondence comprehensively as soon as possible.
Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.
The launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority, as a comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (516)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:516. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the €271 million provided from Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding in Budgets 2022 and 2023 was spent; if there is an expectation that there will be unused monies unallocated by 31 December 2023; the estimated amount, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31313/23]
View answerWritten answers
I note that the Deputy mentions a figure of €271 million being provided from Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) in Budgets 2022 and 2023 to my Department.
For consistency with previous answers on BAR funding my officials consider the total BAR budget for 2022 and 2023 to be €278m, the difference being a €7m capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing operated by Enterprise Ireland (EI) which supports investments aimed at product and market diversification.
Officials in my Department included this €7m allocation in the Department’s 2022 BAR allocation but it was not included by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in their figures. It is a minor issue but for the sake of clarity should be highlighted. It is envisaged that the 2022 expenditure on this scheme will form part of any BAR claim and the 2023 allocation for the scheme is classed as BAR funding by both Departments.
The 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 Reserve 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 for meat and dairy processing. The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification.
The total 2022 BAR outturn was €27.831m (fisheries €22.615m, horticulture €1.141m and EI capital investment scheme €4.075m).
To date in 2023, €238m has been allocated for Brexit related purposes. This includes supports for the fisheries sector, the horticultural sector (€9.85m), an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing, support to develop facilities for the disposal of meat and bone meal by-product as well as supports for the beef sector.
My Department is 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. At this point in time it is anticipated that the entire €238m will be expended by the 31 December 2023 deadline.
Departmental Funding
Questions (517)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:517. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding his Department has provided and will provide in the future to support moving the Irish fishing fleet to low impact gears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31314/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Seafood Development Programme has been the main source of funding for the seafood sector since 2016. Under this programme there have been a wide range of projects and schemes to support the sustainable development of fishing activities. The Sustainable Fisheries Scheme in particular has provided funding for on board investment in vessels and for public projects. In terms of on board investment, approximately €12 million in grant funding was awarded to fishers between 2016 and 2022, which included support for environmentally friendly fishing gear. In 2023, I announced the reopening of this scheme under EMFF to ensure support would continue to be available for investments in the fleet. In terms of public projects, funding has been provided for development and testing of selective fishing gears and methods which assists in providing guidance for fishers on the most sustainable fishing practices.
In December 2022, I announced that the European Commission had adopted the new European, Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme which will succeed the EMFF programme and ensure continued support is provided for the sustainable development of the fishing fleet and the seafood sector as a whole up to 2027. This larger €258 million programme includes actions to improve fishing gear selectivity to reduce unwanted catches and reduce the use of fishing gear most harmful to biodiversity through investment in the fleet. It will also support public research and development projects to ensure the industry has guidance on the most sustainable practices. The development of schemes under this new programme will be completed with the input and oversight from the programme's monitoring committee which includes representatives of the fishing sector, wider seafood sector, Departments and public bodies and those with environmental expertise.
Fishing Industry
Questions (518)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:518. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what plans his Department has to start moving the Irish fishing fleet to electric/renewable fuel sources in the years ahead; the proposed budget and multi-annual cost provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31315/23]
View answerWritten answers
The energy transition of the Irish fishing fleet is important in terms of responding to climate change, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and facilitating the fleet in becoming more sustainable in both environmental and economic terms.
The development of electric or renewable propulsion for fishing vessels is in its infancy and faces significant barriers to development. While longer term possibilities of substitution of fossil fuels are being explored, I am taking immediate action through supporting the improvement of energy efficiency for the Irish fleet. Under my Department’s EMFAF Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, actions have been included to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the Irish Fleet. This will be supported through making funding available for the replacement or modernisation of vessel engines and supporting the adoption of more fuel-efficient fishing gears on board fishing vessels. Outside of direct supports, funding is also made available for research in the area of reducing carbon emissions.
Beyond fleet development, the Climate Action Plan 2023 contains two specific actions on this issue for my Department to develop a roadmap for the efficient upgrading of existing infrastructure within the Fishery Harbour Centres and to reduce fossil fuel dependency/consumption across Fishery Harbour Centre infrastructure.
The Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme for 2023 includes projects to upgrade existing lighting and heating systems in Fishery Harbour Centres. This includes €450,000 for Energy Saving Measures in Killybegs and €100,000 for similar works in Castletownbere. The provision of improved electrical shore power is expected to further reduce the consumption of fossil fuels by fishing vessels within the Fishery Harbour Centres. A key investment already in situ is the ‘Cold Ironing’ project at Killybegs which was part funded by the Irish Government and EMFF Seafood Development Programme at a cost of €1.7 million. That project is expected to save up to 2,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year and puts Killybegs at the forefront of having such technology.
Veterinary Services
Questions (519)
Bernard Durkan
Question:519. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to offering veterinary positions/contracts to veterinarians who have qualified in other jurisdictions outside the EU, given the current reported shortage of veterinarians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31324/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that all open competitions for recruitment to my Department, including those for veterinarians, already are open to citizens beyond the E.U. For instance, citizens of the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are eligible. In addition, a spouse or child of such citizens can be eligible as can persons awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015, or any family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification. Where qualification, has taken place in another jurisdiction, the Department can call on experts to objectively assess the standard of the qualification to ensure that the candidate meets the requirements of the post on offer.
All entry requirements are set out in each of our competition booklets and those relating to citizenship are identical to the conditions that apply to the open competitions run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of all public sector organisations.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (520, 521, 522)
Bríd Smith
Question:520. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds named on the RCETS to date who were born in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31370/23]
View answerBríd Smith
Question:521. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021 who were exported un-named to the UK or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31371/23]
View answerBríd Smith
Question:522. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds who were microchipped and registered in the Irish stud book whose year of birth was 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31372/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 to 522, inclusive, together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Question No. 521 answered with Question No. 520.
Question No. 522 answered with Question No. 520.
Disability Services
Questions (523)
Michael Creed
Question:523. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation regarding negotiations to address the pay parity in relation to Section 39 disability organisations, given the impact this is having on recruitment and retention in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31078/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant for the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.
I acknowledge the hugely important role section 39 organisations and their workers play in our health and social care services. They are essential in providing services to many families and vulnerable people in society. In 2022, the HSE provided in excess of €675m to Section 39 providers for Specialist Disability Services.
These organisations are privately owned and run. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. While they are private organisations, we recognise their sustainability, and ability to pay staff, is highly dependent on state funding.
I am aware that organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the HSE. Similar considerations arise in respect of organisations funded by Tusla under Section 56 of Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and in other sectors across Government.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.
On 17 April, officials from my Department, the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Health met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the WRC on 15 May. None of the organisations attending the exploratory talks is the employer of the staff in question. As this is an ongoing facilitated process I am limited in what I can say, however I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users and providers.
It is important to note that this is a broader cross-sectoral issue, so individual components cannot be dealt with in isolation.
Disability Services
Questions (524)
Robert Troy
Question:524. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she intends to reinstate the mobility allowance. [31192/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government decided to close the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report is available on the website of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Departmental Data
Questions (525)
Pauline Tully
Question:525. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital allocations that have been made by his Department to the Disability Capital Programme in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the portion of this allocation in each of these years that went to provide community-based supported housing for people with disabilities being transferred from congregated settings; the portion of this allocation in each of these years that went to provide community-based supported housing for people with disabilities under the age of 65 years being transferred from nursing homes, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31254/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the question refers to operational matters I have forwarded the question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Funding
Questions (526)
Pauline Tully
Question:526. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding his Department plans to allocate to progress the recommendations in the Disability Capacity Review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31255/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032 and it is intended to address the capacity deficits in a phased approach over this period. This reflects the obligation under the UNCRPD for progressive implementation of social, cultural and economic rights.
Following the commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to work towards implementing the findings, a Disability Action Plan Framework was published in July 2021 alongside the Terms of Reference for an interdepartmental Working Group to develop this Action Plan.
The Working Group has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will be a vehicle for implementing the recommendations of the Disability Capacity Review and an implementation plan for the first phase, is currently being finalised for approval. This detailed Action Plan sets out the first phase of work to build the necessary capacity. This Action Plan aims to;
• build the capacity of disability support services to meet changing needs;
• improve timely access to services;
• do the groundwork to tackle constraints on the development of services;
• strengthen the focus on individualised services and supports to enable people with disabilities to live a life of their choosing in the community;
• begin the realignment of services to deliver better value with a particular focus on early intervention;
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. Building on the previous year, an unprecedented level of funding of €2.6b for Disability services has been allocated for 2023. This follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
Emergency Accommodation
Questions (527)
Marc MacSharry
Question:527. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 352 of 20 April 2023, when an accommodation provider for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) who is experiencing financial difficulties will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30505/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is prioritising making more timely payments of valid invoices, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing of elements of the process to speed up processing and to respond to supplier calls.
With regard to the service provider referred to, I am advised by my officials that outstanding invoices are currently being processed with payment expected to issue shortly pending final checks.
My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the payments backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
Direct Provision System
Questions (528)
Brendan Griffin
Question:528. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has entered into an agreement to use a building (details supplied) in County Kerry as a direct provision centre to accommodate asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30538/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by my officials that the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) has received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property identified by the Deputy.
The property is undergoing a refurbishment programme. It is anticipated that works will be completed by end June/early July 2023 and that the property will be made available to my Department at that point. The residency will be entirely made up of beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Children in Care
Questions (529)
Patrick Costello
Question:529. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new child care workers who have started working in special care units in each of the past 24 months. [30546/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
Children in Care
Questions (530)
Patrick Costello
Question:530. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new child care workers who have stopped working in special care units in each of the past 24 months. [30547/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.