Written Answers Nos. 422-441
422. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisoners currently serving a custodial sentence in the State where a declaration was made to the courts and/or the prison services as having an official diagnosis of a disability or health condition under categories (details supplied), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52442/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service do not receive formal declarations in the format requested.
I can further advise that all prisons perform committal interviews, both nursing and medical, and this process captures information relating to physical and mental disabilities, including intellectual disabilities. It should be noted that this information is self declared and as such a person may decide not to disclose or declare such details. These committal interviews result in relevant supports being put in place to help the person committed adjust to the prison environment. This may include physical aids or a specific referral to the Health Service Executive or other community support, for example, speech and language therapy, or physiotherapy.
Where a prisoner indicates that a diagnosis has been made in the community, all reasonable steps are taken to gather the relevant information to inform and support the management of their sentence.
Where a committal interview or other engagement with a staff member, e.g. teacher or Prison Officer, highlights a concern over, for example, autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, a referral may be made to the IPS Psychology Service for assessment, diagnosis and ongoing support as required.
Recommendations made in the High Level Task Force on Mental Health and Addiction and the Department of Health policy, Sharing the Vision, include the requirement for a mental health needs analysis of the prison population. Planning is under way in relation to this needs analysis, co-funded by the Health Service Executive, the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service. This mental health needs analysis will capture information in relation to 'Mental Disorder' therefore, developmental disabilities and personality disorder will be included. This mental health needs analysis will helpfully inform the way in which the Irish Prison Service assesses and captures information associated with disability, including developmental disability, in the future.
423. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons served with the Probation of Offenders Act 1907 in the State where a declaration was made to the courts as having an official diagnosis of a disability or health condition under categories (details supplied), in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52443/23]
View answerThe Probation Service does not collect the disability details of clients in the format requested by the Deputy.
However, to be of assistance, I can advise the Deputy that in 2021, the Probation Service published "Moving Forward Together: Mental Health Among Persons Supervised by the Probation Service". This report is available on the Probation Service website.
The key findings of this report note that:
• 43% of people subject to Probation Supervision experience active symptoms of mental health problems (57% women; 40% men)
• Most often anxiety and depressive symptomatology
• 10% experience symptoms indicative of serious and/or severe and enduring mental health problems
• 41% are identified as having a known mental health diagnosis provided by a qualified clinician (52% women; 38% men)
• 16% anxiety disorder and 15% mood disorder
• 8% schizophrenia/primary psychotic disorder
• 4% personality disorder and related traits
Further, in 2021, the Probation Service also published "Informing and Supporting Change: Drug and Alcohol Misuse among People on Probation Supervision in Ireland". This report is also available on the Probation Service website.
The key findings of this report note that in relation to:
Alcohol Misuse
• 64% of the sample had misused alcohol
• Binge drinking (44%) was the most prevalent type of alcohol misuse behaviour reported
• Alcohol Dependency (18%)
• 53% of the population were reported as having a direct link between alcohol use and their current offence
Drug Misuse
• 67% were reported as having misused drugs – three times the prevalence level reported among the general public
• Cannabis (84%) was the most common substance used – (Benzos 55%, Cocaine 48%, Heroin 41%)
• 48% of the population were reported as linking their drug misuse to their current offence
• Males were more likely to misuse Cocaine, Ecstasy, and Cannabis. Females were more likely to misuse Heroin
• When compared to men, women reported higher rates of drug misuse only across all age profiles, except for the age category 12-24 years
Drug and Alcohol Misuse
• 81% reported as having misused drugs and/or alcohol
• Gateway Substances: Alcohol (57%) and Cannabis (51%)
• Highest level of misuse was reported among those aged between 25-34 years (61%)
I can also advise the Deputy that all Probation Officers are trained in how to respond to the unique needs of the client. The Probation Service uses the Risk-Needs-Responsivity principle which tailors the response to each individual client. This enables Probation Officers to recognise and overcome any barriers that the client may have in engaging with Probation supervision, including physical, mental, sensory or intellectual health issues.
The Probation Service also assists people on probation supervision in identifying, supporting and responding effectively to substance misuse issues. This is reflected in its direct interventions, through motivational engagement, targeted programmes and appropriate referral. The Probation Service’s commitment to address substance misuse is echoed in interagency work with other statutory, community and voluntary organisations.
In addition, the Probation Service continues to provide significant funding each year to support a range of community based organisations across Ireland, which support the individual needs of their service users on their desistance journey.
424. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the number of foreign nationals who have successfully applied for Irish citizenship in each of the past ten years. [52448/23]
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.
Applicants are required to have 5 years reckonable residence in the State prior to making an application, except for spouses of Irish nationals and people granted International Protection where the requirement is 3 years. In all cases, the final 12 months must be continuous residence in the State.
It is open to anyone to make an application for citizenship once they meet the criteria as set out in the 1956 Act, as amended. Once an application is received, a determination on whether the applicant satisfies the statutory criteria for naturalisation will be made.
I can advise the Deputy, that in October 2023 my Department moved from paper based applications to online forms for all new adult applications and this should help in reducing the median processing time for applications.
Detailed information on how to apply for naturalisation is available on my Department's Irish Immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/
The table below details the number of Certificates of Naturalisation issued for each of the years 2013 to date, as requested by the Deputy. The number naturalised in any given year may includes persons approved for naturalisation in a previous year. The Citizenship Division issues invitations to ceremonies to successful applicants at the earliest possible opportunity.
Over 17,000 applicants have received a decision in relation to their application for naturalisation to date in 2023. So far this year there have been 9 Citizenship Ceremonies. These have taken place in the RDS, Dublin in March, in the INEC, Killarney in June and the Convention Centre in Dublin in October. A further 7 ceremonies will be held over two days in the Convention Centre Dublin next month and invitations to applicants will issue shortly.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2013 |
24,202 |
|
2014 |
21,064 |
|
2015 |
13,532 |
|
2016 |
10,017 |
|
2017 |
8,186 |
|
2018 |
8,213 |
|
2019 |
5,781 |
|
2020 |
5,468 |
|
2021 |
9,776 |
|
2022 |
13,601 |
|
2023 (YTD) |
12,500 |
425. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if it has ever been considered that certain Garda duties should be accompanied by a white Garda helmet, which have been successful in other jurisdictions in enhancing visibility and a sense of safety. [52465/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to Garda uniforms and equipment. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However I can confirm that members of An Garda Síochána assigned to motorcycle duties, pedal cycle duties and air support unit duties are issued with white helmets.
I can also confirm that I have shared the Deputy's suggestion with An Garda Síochána.
426. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice whether the period of continuous residence in the State exercised by temporary protection beneficiaries would qualify as part of the duration of reckonable residence required for the purposes of eligibility to apply for long term residency in the State. [52490/23]
View answer427. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice whether the period of continuous residence in the State exercised by temporary protection beneficiaries would qualify as part of the duration of reckonable residence required for the purposes of eligibility to apply for naturalisation in the State. [52491/23]
View answer428. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice whether and which immigration permission temporary protection beneficiaries reside in the state under and how, following any cessation of the temporary protection directive, this would interact with the criteria and terms of stamp 4 permissions [52492/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 427 and 428 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the activation of the EU Temporary Protection Directive is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of Ukrainian people by Russian aggression. Ireland participates in this EU measure, which is given legal effect under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and who meet the criteria set out in the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382) are eligible for this temporary protection, initially for one year and on a renewable basis, as long as the Temporary Protection Directive remains activated.
The Temporary Protection Certificate issued to all Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection is a temporary permission to remain in Ireland and is renewable on an annual basis as long as the Temporary Protection Directive remains in force. Beneficiaries of temporary protection are granted access to the labour market and to Government supports, as required under the Directive.
The Temporary Protection Directive has been extended until March 2025, in accordance with the recent Council Decision (EU 2023/2409). Ireland favours a harmonised, EU-wide approach to exiting Temporary Protection and continues to engage with the EU Commission and fellow member states to consider what provisions will be made for beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, and how this might relate to immigration arrangements and schemes generally, when the Directive is no longer active.
429. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda recruits who passed through Templemore Garda Training College in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52506/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, 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. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities – and strengthening An Garda Síochána is at the core of that.
Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.31 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
Numbers in Templemore continue to increase, with attestations every 3 months. 135 trainees entered the training college in February, 154 entered in May, 174 entered in July, and another 177 entered the college in October, the largest intake since Covid.
This means that nearly 500 trainees are currently in the system, with one more class due into Templemore on December 27. 237 new Gardaí have attested so far this year, and the next Attestation is scheduled for 12 January.
Detailed information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station is published by my Department, and may be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have appended a table of probationer Gardaí for the years requested to this answer. Please note that these figures are up to October 13, the latest date for which figures are available .
430. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice if there is an optimum number of gardaí per 1,000 inhabitants; if so, the number, by rank; the ratios currently in place, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52507/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the allocation of resources, including Garda members, to a given Division, District or Station. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review to ensure their optimum use.
It is important to note that analysing Gardaí assigned per head of population in a given area does not paint a full picture as population statistics are only one of a number of factors taken into consideration. Crime statistics and trends and ongoing Garda operations are also considered by the Commissioner when allocating members.
Further detailed information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division and Station can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
Budget 2024 provides an unprecedented budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff, as well as ensuring Gardaí have the equipment, technology, facilities and fleet they need to carry out their vital work.
Momentum in recruitment is building and we are now seeing Garda recruits regularly enter Templemore. A class of 177 entered Templemore in October while 135 trainees entered the training college in February, another 154 in May and a class of 174 in July. Another class is due to enter Templemore in December, putting us on track for between 700 and 800 new recruits into the college this year. 126 new Gardaí attested at the start of October bringing the total of Probationer Gardaí to 237 for this year. The next attestation will take place in January 2024.
431. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice to detail in tabular form the amount of funding that has been given out since the closure of the immigrant investment programme, and the successful organisations that have received same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52576/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to close the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) to further applications from 15 February 2023.
All projects which IIP applicants are investing in are examined in great detail by an Independent Evaluation Committee comprising key officials from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland who have appropriate corporate expertise in this area.
This examination process involves an assessment of the commercial viability of the project; employment outcomes associated with the proposed investment; and the overall benefit to the Irish State. The Committee makes a determination as to whether a project is suitable for IIP investment and if deemed suitable, the project and individual application(s) associated with it will be submitted to me for final approval.
My Department does not currently publish the details of individual approved IIP investments.
The tables below provides a breakdown of IIP applications received, approved and the value of investments since the inception of the programme to the end of September 2023. A breakdown of figures relating to applications pre and post closure of the programme are not available.
|
Year |
Applications received |
Approved applications |
Value of Approved Investment |
|
2012 |
5 |
2 |
1,500,000 |
|
2013 |
18 |
16 |
12,200,000 |
|
2014 |
30 |
5 |
2,950,000 |
|
2015 |
75 |
70 |
38,300,000 |
|
2016 |
334 |
33 |
18,750,000 |
|
2017 |
324 |
369 |
250,700,000 |
|
2018 |
423 |
155 |
138,750,000 |
|
2019 |
443 |
237 |
209,300,000 |
|
2020 |
339 |
270 |
188,000,000 |
|
2021 |
258 |
264 |
185,700,000 |
|
2022 |
1316 |
306 |
205,900,000 |
|
2023 (30/09) |
1763 |
152 |
107,000,000 |
|
Total |
5328 |
1879 |
1,359,050,000 |
*Approvals issued in any year may relate to applications which were received in previous years due to the time taken to process applications.
|
Investment Type |
Total Applications Approved |
Total Value of Investment |
|
Enterprise |
928 |
792,200,000 |
|
Investment Fund |
268 |
250,000,000 |
|
REIT |
6 |
12,000,000 |
|
Endowment |
621 |
250,900,000 |
|
Bond & Mixed Investment |
56 |
53,950,000 |
|
TOTAL |
1879 |
1,359,050,000 |
432. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are personnel in his Department who could be classified as having a significant or exclusive focus of their role dedicated to dealing with integration; if so, to detail the title of the post; the grade level of that post; the core functions of that role; to provide details of the exact nature of their responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51818/23]
View answerI understand, following clarification received from the Deputy that the question pertains to the Integration and protection of refugees.
I wish to thank the Deputy for the clarification and confirm that my Department does not have staff with a significant or exclusive role dedicated to dealing with integration.
433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an extension could be given to the beef suckler farmers for the new scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51901/23]
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.
Under the female replacement strategy in SCEP, participants were required to have the equivalent of at least 50% of their yearly reference number in eligible females on 31 October 2023 for Scheme Year 1. An extension to 24 November 2023 was granted at the end of October 2023 to approximately 3,000 SCEP participants affected by the delay in genotypes being processed.
There are however still a cohort of these SCEP participants waiting for the results of their genomic samples that they submitted before 31 October 2023. It is in that context, that my Department has issued a further extension to these farmers until the 22 January 2024. An SMS issued to impacted participant's on the 24 November 2023 and a letter will issue to the affected herds over the coming days advising them that a further extension has been granted.
This extension is being granted until the 22 January 2024. At that point, these herds will be reassessed on 22 January 2024 to determine if they have met the requirement of at least 50% eligible females in their herd on that date. This extension applies to the 2023 scheme year only.
Participants who are eligible to avail of this extension to 22 January 2024 will not be paid for this action (Female Replacement Strategy) in December 2023 and they will incur a penalty of 10% of the value of the payment for action. However, should the participant subsequently be deemed compliant with the Female Replacement Strategy requirement on the 22 January 2024, they will receive their payment for Action 2 and be reimbursed the value of the penalty.
Participants availing of this extension must have the full requirement of eligible females in their herd on 31 October 2023 or 24 November 2023 or 22 January 2024 i.e. they cannot use an aggregate count of these dates.
434. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Food and the Marine to list the companies and State agencies that have engaged in the Woodland Environmental Fund since its formation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51910/23]
View answerThe objective of the Woodland Environmental Fund (WEF) is to facilitate the planting of more native woodlands within Ireland by providing an access point for businesses to part fund the establishment of these forests.
WEF funding is a once off single payment of €1,000/hectare, paid by the business to the landowner. The payment is made once the forest is established and has been approved by the Department.
To date 87 native woodlands sites have opted into the Woodland Environment Scheme with the below list of companies engaging with the scheme and these native woodland owners
|
Accenture |
|
|
Aldi |
|
|
Bord Gáis Energy Limited |
|
|
Corporate Care Relocation |
|
|
John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Limited |
|
|
Lidl |
|
|
LK Enterprise Dev Partnership |
|
|
Platt & Reilly Ltd. |
|
|
Rowan Engineering Consultants Ltd. |
|
|
Schools for Peace & Sustainability Ltd |
|
|
Sisk |
|
|
Sustineo |
435. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for overpayments which have arisen against herd owners (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51916/23]
View answerDuring the processing of the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme applications, over-claims were identified by my officials, in respect of the above-named herd owners. An over-claim exists where lands are declared for payment but are deemed ineligible.
Where an over-claim is identified my Department is required under EU Regulation 809/2014 to carry out a review of said land parcels to determine if those ineligible areas existed in the previous four years. The reviews identified the presence of such ineligible features and these were communicated by letter to the herd owners on 16 August 2021.
The herd owners were subsequently notified that the Department was seeking to recoup the overpayments and the overpayments were processed in June 2023.
436. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 930 of 7 November 2023, if he will advise on funding distribution (details supplied) for 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51918/23]
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.
437. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether, in light of a High Court ruling, he would reinstate the policy directive on banning inshore trawling within the six-mile limit whilst providing adequate notice to the required EU and UK bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51965/23]
View answerIn December 2018, it was announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. This decision to exclude vessels over 18 metres from trawling inside the six nautical miles was the subject of extended legal proceedings following a Judicial Review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy Directive which underpinned the initiative. The outcome of these proceedings, only achieved earlier this year, is that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 has been quashed by an Order of Certiorari made by the Court of Appeal.
Further to the final judgment of the Courts, and on the basis of legal advice received in respect of next steps, I have decided to proceed with a new public consultation in the matter of trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. As I have previously put on record on this issue, my Department has sought up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, respectively, on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles. I look forward to receiving policy options from my Department for my consideration in due course.
438. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of Freedom of Information requests submitted to his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023; the total number of such requests that were rejected in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51966/23]
View answerThe number of FOI requests received, along with the number refused, in 2022 and to 20 November 2023 are set out in the table below.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 (to 20/11/2023) |
|
FOI Requests Received |
368 |
359 |
|
Refused |
94 |
92 |
439. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many applications for funding have been received to date under the reconstitution ash dieback scheme 2023-2027; how many applications have been successful; the total funding allocated and the number of grant recipients per county to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52029/23]
View answerThe Reconstitution Scheme for ash dieback involves three payment stages, site clearance, replanting first grant and replanting second grant. Applications have been received for both site clearance and replanting first grant under the interim scheme 2023. Whilst no funding applications have yet been received in respect of the Forestry Programme 23-27, there has been 75 approvals for 359Ha issued in recent weeks.
Under the interim scheme, 28 applications for the Site clearance have been received and 18 of these have been paid with the other 10 being processed. 11 applications for the first replanting grant have been received and 4 of these have been paid.
The Total funding allocated and number of grants per county are represented in the table below.
|
County |
Scheme |
Amount |
Area |
Instalment |
|
Cork |
De Minimis ASH DB 1st Grant |
€3,287.70 |
0.00 |
First |
|
|
|
€3,287.70 |
|
|
|
Offaly |
De Minimis ASH DB 1st Grant |
€3,706.29 |
0.00 |
First |
|
|
|
€3,706.29 |
|
|
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB 1st Grant |
€6,712.92 |
0.00 |
First |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB 1st Grant |
€28,906.07 |
0.00 |
First |
|
|
|
€35,618.99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€42,612.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cavan |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€9,140.00 |
4.57 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Cavan |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€880.00 |
0.44 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€10,020.00 |
|
|
|
Cork |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€1,280.00 |
0.64 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Cork |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€5,300.00 |
2.65 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€6,580.00 |
|
|
|
Kildare |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€1,420.00 |
0.71 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Kildare |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€3,300.00 |
1.65 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Kildare |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€1,160.00 |
0.58 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€5,880.00 |
|
|
|
Meath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€7,660.00 |
3.83 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€7,660.00 |
|
|
|
Offaly |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€2,220.00 |
1.11 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€2,220.00 |
|
|
|
Waterford |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€3,280.00 |
1.64 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€3,280.00 |
|
|
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€4,640.00 |
2.32 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€19,980.00 |
9.99 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€8,960.00 |
4.48 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€2,120.00 |
1.06 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€3,520.00 |
1.76 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€1,800.00 |
0.90 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€7,500.00 |
3.75 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
Westmeath |
De Minimis ASH DB Site Clearance |
€2,720.00 |
1.36 |
SITE CLEARANCE |
|
|
|
€51,240.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€86,880.00 |
43.44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Total Paid under De Minimis Ash Dieback Scheme |
€129,492.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
440. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is permitted to export stone from Borrow Pits, for which no licence or permit is required, out of the forest in which the pit is located, onto public roads to another, different forest in accordance with the licence/permit requirement exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52049/23]
View answerMy Department may permit the extraction of stone, gravel or sand from a borrow pit where such activity is ancillary to the construction of a forest road for which a licence under the Forestry Act 2014 and Forestry Regulations 2017 is being granted.
It is also a requirement of the application process for a Forest Road licence, as set out in Circular 9 of 2019, that any borrow pits within the landholding from which it is intended to source road construction materials are clearly marked on the Biodiversity Map accompanying the application and planned extractions from these pits (new or existing) are then subject to the same environmental assessment procedures as the road route itself.
Whether the extraction of stone, gravel or sand from a borrow pit other than in these circumstances or outside the landholding is or is not ‘exempted development’ under the planning code is a matter for the relevant planning authority.
441. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 28 September 2023, if he will update his response based on engagement since the original question. [52105/23]
View answerFollowing receipt of clarifications from Horse Sport Ireland in relation to the breeding programme for the Irish Draught Horse, my officials are carrying out a full evaluation of the documentation. The organisation will receive a reply shortly.
