Written Answers Nos. 108-127
108. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Justice the total number of arrests and measures that will be taken following rioting in Dublin city centre on the evening of 23 November 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52887/23]
View answerThe rioting and violent disorder we saw in Dublin last week was a disgrace and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I want to commend all Garda members for their quick and effective response in restoring order to the city. A high visibility policing plan which operated over the weekend ensured order was maintained and this will continue.
As the Deputy is aware, it is the role of the Garda Commissioner to determine and manage policing strategies and he has the Government’s full support in that crucial work. I meet with the Commissioner to assess what more can be done to support An Garda Síochána, either through additional resources, policy or legislation.
I am informed that, as of 27 November 2023, a total of 48 arrests have been made in the city since Thursday. It should be noted by the Deputy that this is operational data and as such is subject to change.
I am also assured by the Garda Commissioner that Gardaí are conducting a detailed investigation into all of the circumstances surrounding the violent public disorder in Dublin on Thursday night. As this investigation is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any specifics. The Commissioner has also appointed an Assistant Commissioner to conduct an operational debrief on the Garda response.
For my part I am committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed, and to introducing tough new laws, to ensure that Dublin and Ireland are safe places to live, work and visit. Budget 2024 provides an unprecedented budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána – this is a 23% increase since 2020. Earlier this year I announced a further €10 million for Garda overtime in Dublin. This additional allocation is being spent, to provide consistent high visibility policing in the capital.
I acknowledge that we need more Garda members in our communities. Recruitment is now gathering momentum. Numbers in Templemore continue to increase, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. 135 trainees entered the training college in February, 154 entered in May, 174 entered in July, and another 177 entered the college last month, the largest intake since Covid. 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.
I am committed to putting in place the conditions to improve recruitment and retention. As part of Budget 2024, I've increased the training allowance paid to trainees, which is now €305 per week. We are also increasing the maximum age of recruitment from 35 to 50.
I have also provided resources to ensure that Garda members have the equipment they need to deliver an effective policing service. The rollout of mobile devices is complete, giving Garda members real-time access to apps, eliminating paperwork and allowing them to carry out their frontline duties far more efficiently. As part of Budget 2024, funding was provided for 2,500 units of body armour. There are over 3,400 vehicles in the Garda fleet. This is the largest ever Garda fleet in operation and represents an increase of more than a 30% increase since 2015.
An additional €4.4 million was recently allocated for the purchase of 95 extra Garda cars and vans by the end of this year, including 17 public order Garda vans which will be deployed in our towns and cities across the country to provide further reassurance for people, businesses and communities. It also includes 38 new fully electric patrol cars and 40 unmarked surveillance cars. This is in addition to 10 community policing vans which are currently being prepared for deployment.
I have already enacted new laws which introduce tougher sentences. We have doubled the maximum sentence for assault causing harm to 10 years, increased the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life and increased the maximum sentence for assaulting a Garda member or emergency worker from 7 to 12 years.
I am pleased to say that the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill passed all remaining stages in the Dáil today and will now go to the President for signature. The Bill provides for body worn cameras, Garda CCTV, automatic number plate recognition, and Community CCTV.
I have also instructed my officials to include the offences of rioting and violent disorder in the new Facial Recognition Bill, which will be ready to go to Government within weeks.
109. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many staff are employed at Irish ports to examine imported timber for bark beetles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52593/23]
View answer110. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what percentage of timber being imported into Ireland is being examined for bark beetles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52594/23]
View answer111. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the tonnage of timber imported into Ireland to date in 2023, by month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52595/23]
View answer112. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if timber being imported into Northern Ireland is being checked for bark beetle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52596/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110, 111 and 112 together.
Coniferous roundwood is both imported into and exported out of Ireland. All imports into Ireland must be compliant with the EU Plant Health Regulation and importers must be registered as Professional Operators. Similarly, any action Ireland takes in response to threats from pests must also be compliant with EU Plant Health Regulations and the International Plant Protection Convention.
Importers in Ireland are prohibited from importing roundwood from areas known to be affected by quarantine bark beetle species. The only area internationally where imports into Ireland of coniferous roundwood with bark is permitted is from a specific UK Government authority assigned ‘Pest Free Area’ (PFA) in the West of Scotland. In light of recent developments with bark beetles in Great Britain, found outside of their ‘Pest Free Area’, this Department has been engaging directly with Scottish forestry authorities, Northern Ireland and the European Commission to ensure that the pest free status of the island of Ireland is maintained.
My Department maintains very close contact on plant health matters with its counterpart Department in Northern Ireland, the Department of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (DAERA), in the context of the consideration of the island of Ireland as a single epidemiological unit. Through this engagement I understand there are currently no roundwood imports into Northern Ireland, exported from the Scottish PFA.
Furthermore, I understand that the Scottish Authorities carry out a range of surveys for bark beetles, including aerial surveillience, pheromone trapping and on the ground surveys. These surveys have been ongoing for several years and no instance of spruce bark beetles of concern to Ireland have been found within the PFA.
In addition, I understand that the felling sites in the PFA, where timber is due to be exported to Ireland, are subject to an inspection regime, as part of their phytosanitary certification system.
Imports of roundwood logs from this PFA in Scotland are subject to an inspection regime by my Department. This involves documentary, identity and plant health physical checks at the port. All imports from the PFA must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate which is issued by the UK Government authority, in accordance with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), to attest that the logs meet the phytosanitary import requirements of Ireland and the EU, and are in conformity with the certifying statement.
In addition, and in order to support the proof of origin of the roundwood (i.e. the PFA), Phytosanitary Certificates provide identification of the specific forest location from which the roundwood is sourced. All documents associated with roundwood imports are inspected to verify the phytosanitary import requirements for the Protected Zone of Ireland are satisfied and the roundwood originates from an area within the PFA, and these are recorded and mapped to identify and track roundwood source locations.
My Department regularly engages with stakeholders including on phytosanitary risks. The Department launched a major plant health initiative in its ‘Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025’ which outlines the importance of plant health biosecurity for Ireland and helps ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the risks to plant health in Ireland, and their role and responsibilities to reduce those risks. In addition there has been significant investment in EU ‘Border Control Posts’ facilities in recent years to allow import control inspections of plants and plant products from non-EU countries.
The table below summarises the total number of shipments and total mass of the imports of roundwood into Ireland from the Pest Free Area of Scotland.
|
Year |
No. of imports |
Tonnes |
|
2020 |
73 |
125,850 |
|
2021 |
135 |
222,387 |
|
2022 |
74 |
112,750 |
|
2023* |
57 |
87,575 |
*2023 to end of October
113. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a BISS payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52597/23]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and ECO schemes was received from the above named applicant on the 27th of May, 2023.
An administrative review was carried out relating to a commonage on the applicants form and an update was completed so that payments can now be processed for BISS, CRISS, ECO and ANC which are due to issue the first week in December.
114. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid in late payment interest payments for goods and services provided to his Department in each of the years from 2016 to date in 2023; and separately, the top five highest late interest payments made in each of those years, and the service and goods supplier that received the payments, in tabular form. [52640/23]
View answerThe amounts of late interest in respect of all commercial transactions by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine for the years 2016 to 2022 and from 1st January 2023 to 31st October 2023 are set out in the first table below. The top five highest late interest payments for each year and the recipients of these payments are set out in the second table.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
1/1/2023 to 31/10/2023 |
|
|
Late Interest |
€946 |
€3,023 |
€932 |
€4,258 |
€2,035 |
€312 |
€735 |
€718 |
Top five companies that received late interest
|
2016 |
2017 |
||
|
VODAFONE |
€ 270.41 |
THE BEACON HRM GROUP |
€ 1,608.47 |
|
HUTCHINSON 3 IRELAND |
€ 256.72 |
AN POST |
€ 319.73 |
|
NAT COOP FARM RELIEF SERVICE |
€ 89.54 |
IRISH CATTLE BREEDING FED CO |
€ 295.28 |
|
BOWSPRIT MARKETING |
€ 31.51 |
DATAPAC |
€ 228.98 |
|
MID FREIGHT SHIPPING LTD |
€ 28.16 |
APLEONA HSG LIMITED |
€ 123.69 |
|
2018 |
2019 |
||
|
TONY KIRWAN PLANT HIRE LTD |
€ 321.99 |
ORNUA CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED |
€ 2,723.37 |
|
APLEONA HSG LIMITED |
€ 78.18 |
ORNUA CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED |
€ 508.08 |
|
DAYSHA LEADING SOLUTIONS LTD |
€ 46.10 |
EIRCOM LTD |
€ 125.99 |
|
CANON IRL LTD |
€ 35.27 |
RECORDS STORAGE SERVICES |
€ 72.02 |
|
ANTHONY PATTON & SONS LTD |
€ 31.74 |
JANIX LIMITED |
€ 71.23 |
|
2020 |
2021 |
||
|
ANIMAL HEALTH IRE INITIATIVE |
€ 429.24 |
CARL STUART LTD |
€132.92 |
|
MALLON TECHNOLOGY LTD |
€ 318.28 |
I N A B HEALTH & SAFETY AUTH |
€53.44 |
|
COLORMAN IRELAND |
€ 161.99 |
BRENDAN BOURKE |
€25.11 |
|
P C PERIPHERALS |
€ 135.31 |
EDDIE CARR & CO |
€18.14 |
|
APLEONA HSG LIMITED |
€ 95.35 |
EIRCON INTERNATIONAL LTD |
€13.37 |
|
2022 |
1/1/2023 to 31/10/2023 |
||
|
O'MALLEY & SONS BALLINA LTD |
€ 532.86 |
WARD SOLUTIONS LTD |
€ 146.30 |
|
ANIMAL HEALTH IRE INITIATIVE |
€ 105.52 |
IARNROD EIREANN |
€ 97.22 |
|
O GALLIGAN MARINE LTD |
€ 35.44 |
SOFTWORKS COMPUTING LTD |
€ 85.20 |
|
BRENDAN BOURKE |
€ 10.58 |
DISTILLED SCH SHARED SER LTD |
€ 69.66 |
|
BRENDAN BOURKE |
€ 7.92 |
AIR PRODUCTS IRELAND LTD |
€ 61.71 |
115. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if slurry bags are eligible for TAMS grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52687/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
Slurry bags are available in TAMS 3 under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme. Applicants should apply for the store, store cover and safety fence under the geo membrane lined store investment. It should be noted that this investment item must comply with planning legislation and, therefore, in every case a slurry bag requires full planning permission.
116. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the eligibility criteria of the Brexit fish processor transition scheme can be reviewed in view of the fact that the majority of fish processors, who the scheme is designed to help, are not eligible for the scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52698/23]
View answerRecognising the significant impact of the TCA on the Irish Seafood Sector, I established the Seafood Task force in March 2021 to examine the implications arising from the EU/UK TCA for the Irish Fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it. The Task force was asked to outline initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities. The Fish Processor Transition Scheme reflects one such initiative.
In developing this scheme, my Department was required to seek State Aid approval from the European Commission. This process commenced earlier this year. Initially, the scheme baseline was proposed with reference to a single year (2019), in line with the Report of the Sea Food Task Force. However the proposed scheme reference year was challenged in relation to compliance with the provisions of the Guidelines for State aid in the fishery and aquaculture sector (2023/C 107/01) regarding the calculation of compensation (i.e. a reference period based on a three-year average). There was a significant risk that a negative State Aid decision would issue if my Department persisted with retaining a single year reference period in the scheme. Had that happened, the scheme could not have been implemented and there would have been no liquidity funding available for processors.
In order to progress the scheme and achieve state aid approval in a time-frame that was compatible with the deadlines in the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) regulation, my Department proposed to amend the scheme to calculate losses by reference to a three-year average baseline, and I approved this change in September as my concern was to ensure that a positive State Aid decision was received in time to implement the scheme within the time available.
State Aid approval was subsequently granted on the basis of a three-year average baseline. Any change to the eligibility criteria now would require an amendment to the scheme, and this in turn would require an amended State Aid decision, which may take up to two months to decide. Spending under this scheme must be approved and spent by 31 December 2023, as set out in the BAR Regulation.
My Department continues to work closely with BIM to ensure that the scheme addresses the losses incurred by the Irish seafood processing sector as a consequence of the reduced supply of species directly impacted by quota reductions, in particular losses related to those quota species specifically affected by the TCA.
117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of all EU Directives which have not yet been ratified within his Department; the estimated date of ratification of each Directive; and the deadline set by the EU for ratifying each Directive, in tabular form. [52700/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is currently up to date with the transposition of Directives, with none awaiting transposition.
118. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the confusion which exists in a scheme (details supplied) in relation to whether or not it is calendar year sales or accounting year sales that are required for an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52730/23]
View answerRecognising the significant impact of the TCA on the Irish Seafood Sector, I established the Seafood Task force in March 2021 to examine the implications arising from the EU/UK TCA for the Irish Fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it. Based on their deliberations, the Task force was asked to outline initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities. The Fish Processor Transition Scheme reflects one such initiative.
This scheme will compensate processors that have suffered a reduction in turnover of at least 15% or more in the 12-month period of January to December 2021 compared to the average annual turnover for 2018 to 2020. The support is designed to stabilise cashflow and assist processors to adapt operations to the new trading arrangements with the UK. It will facilitate an orderly transition during the time needed for such companies to find alternative suppliers or to implement other structural measures (e.g., reconversion to other raw material or orderly reduction of business activity) post-TCA.
Applicants must demonstrate that this reduction in turnover is attributed to the TCA in respect of reduced supply of species directly impacted by quota cuts and/or because of increased operational costs for logistics and administration associated with Brexit.
My department has clarified to BIM that it is reasonable that existing company accounts for the relevant years be used for the purposes of determining the baseline figure that will be used to calculate losses for the purpose of this scheme. If any applicant has a query in relation to the methodology for the calculation of losses, they should contact BIM directly who will be able to advise them in relation to this.
119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on forestry premiums for the previous forestry programme; if he will advise on the difference in premiums under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 given it appears that existing premiums are not indexed and farmers and forestry owners are receiving a lower premium where they have planted under the previous programme considering planted were previously aligned in the 1990s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/23]
View answerThe Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022). This new Programme was created in alignment with Ireland’s recently published Forest Strategy and as such, is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is extremely ambitious and distinct from its predecessors, demonstrated by the new & revised schemes on offer. This is reflected in the increased premium payment rates contained within the Programme. These increased rates are envisaged to incentivise behavioural change and to reflect the new terms and conditions associated within these schemes.
Please see the below table for the increase in premium rates for Forest Types offered under the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027, relative to the equivalent offering in the Afforestation Scheme 2014-2022.
|
Forest Type |
FP 2014-2022 Annual Premiums/ha |
FP 2023-2027 Annual Premium/ha |
Difference |
|
|
FT1 |
Native forests |
€665 |
€1,103 |
€438 |
|
FT6 |
Pure Broadleaves - oak or beech |
€645 |
€1,037 |
€392 |
|
FT7 |
Other Broadleaves |
€605 |
€973 |
€368 |
|
FT8 |
Agroforestry |
€645 |
€975 |
€330 |
|
FT11 |
Mixed high forests: Scots Pine, Douglas Fir |
€590 |
€863 |
€273 |
|
FT12 |
Mixed high forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves |
€510 |
€746 |
€236 |
As the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) is a standalone Programme, the schemes contained within are subject to their own unique terms, conditions, and rates.
The Forestry Programmes also operate pursuant to State Aid approval. A key element of this approval is that the aid must have an "incentive effect". An incentive effect is present when the aid changes the behaviour of an undertaking such as additional activity contributing to the development of the sector, where it would not have taken place without such aid or where in its absence the activity would have transpired in a restricted or different manner.
My Department, as the granting Authority in this instance, must ensure that any State Aid provided does not subsidise the costs of an activity or undertaking that would have incurred in any instance and must not compensate for the normal business risk of an economic activity. State Aid shall only be deemed allowable once an application has been made before the activity or undertaking has commenced. A participant under an existing contract would be in breach of this incentive effect if availing of State Aid premium rates applicable to the current or future Forestry Programmes.
120. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if with regard to maps provided by his Department demonstrating the different ‘layers’ of consideration for afforestation under criteria for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, if he will provide those maps as one combined map with all relevant layers to show a holistic overview of area available for afforestation under the new programme; if he will advise of the area covered as represented in those layered maps as a total in comparison with the land area in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52757/23]
View answerMy Departments systems allow for online submission of afforestation applications by registered foresters acting on behalf of applicants or landowners. This user system is referred to as iFORISINET or iNET.
My Department has made Environmental Considerations map layers relevant to afforestation applications available to registered foresters via the iNET mapping system. These maps help registered foresters to identify opportunities for further forest planting in Ireland, along with indicating areas where new forest planting may be inappropriate, for a variety of reasons.
It is important to note that whilst an area might be within an environmental considerations area such as a ‘breeding wader hot-spot’ or a ‘high nature value farmland’ area, this does not in itself rule out afforestation within this area.
While the different layers are well known and available on INET my Department is committed to publishing a composite map highlighting where the different constraints on afforestation are located as part of a plan led approach to forest creation. This will give a high level view indicating the areas of the country with little or no restrictions and those areas where more assessment is required before an application can be made.
However, for the purposes of determining the eligibility of specific projects for the afforestation scheme land owners and registered forester are advised to consult the relevant environmental consideration map layers on iNET and other afforestation scheme eligibility requirements which are detailed in the scheme documentation from my Departments website.
121. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to specify the policy document and the specific sections that detail his Department's position that agroforestry is not an acceptable forest type option for forest owners who have clear felled conifer plantations and wish to replant with agroforestry; to clarify why his Department do not accept agroforestry in such circumstances; to further specify when the policy was enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52767/23]
View answer122. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine why agroforestry is an acceptable forest type option for replanting ash dieback infected sites but is not an acceptable forest type option for forest owners with conifer plantations who wish to replant with agroforestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52768/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121 and 122 together.
Agroforestry is a land use option that is positive for animal welfare, improves biodiversity, reduces on farm emissions, and can prevent nutrient runoff when situated in strategic locations. In addition, it is possible to grow timber with little impact on existing agricultural production. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015 and the measure mainly targeted silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder.
The new forestry Programme provides for increased incentives for landowners to convert some of their agricultural land to agroforestry. However, the conversion of existing forest land to agroforestry is not a policy objective of my Department, nor is it a strategic action in my Departments Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan.
Owners of ash forests affected by ash dieback are treated as a special case and my Department has allowed, on a case by case basis, and in accordance with my Departments Felling and Reforestation Policy (2017), the conversion of ash forests devastated by ash dieback to be replanted under an agroforestry regime. There are no plans to extend this provision to other forest types.
123. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 21 November 2023, the specific section of the policy or scheme document that details his Department's position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52769/23]
View answerThe scheme document for Reconstitution of Ash dieback can be found at: gov.ie - Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 (www.gov.ie).
The specific section that the Deputy requires can be found under No. 6. - General Rules.
124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid approved to a small fisherman (details supplied) in County Kerry under the Brexit Inshore Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023 can be transferred to reduce outstanding harbour fees on his account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52792/23]
View answerRecognising the significant impact of Brexit and the TCA on the Irish Seafood Sector, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine set up a Seafood Task force in March 2021. The Task Force was tasked with examining the implications arising from the EU/UK TCA for the Irish Fishing industry and coastal communities particularly dependent upon it. Based on their deliberations, the Task Force was asked to outline initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing. The Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme reflects one of the Task Force's 16 recommendations.
The purpose of the scheme is to support inshore fishers as a sector adversely affected by the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union, in particular by supporting job creation and protection in the sector and assisting inshore fishermen to continue to adapt their business models to the post Brexit environment. The scheme aims to achieve this objective by offering funding to the inshore sector to assist them in repurposing their business models to adjust to the negative impacts faced from market access, logistic difficulties and difficult trading conditions as well as supporting the sector in developing new plans and approaches to the market as a result of Brexit. Training was offered to assist the sector in adapting business and marketing plans to account for the new market forces and operating environment; providing them with the tools and technical knowhow to maximise economic return from their existing resource. In that context, the schemes purpose is not to offset or reduce Harbour Dues.
As Minister responsible for the management of the Fishery Harbour Centres, I have a responsibility to manage the Fishery Harbour Centre Fund into which income from the Fishery Harbour Centres is paid to provide for the operation, maintenance and delivery of customer services in the harbours. Within my Department, the Debt Recovery Unit, liaises with Fishery Harbour Centre customers who fall into arrear and makes every effort to engage with customers from the earliest stage possible in managing debts accrued and preventing further debt accrual.
In the case of the details supplied, the repayment of harbour dues is subject to a Court ordered payment plan and it is not appropriate for me to comment further.
125. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend a 2023 Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme grant approval for a fisherman (details supplied) in County Kerry to allow further engagement regarding a repayment plan for outstanding harbour fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52795/23]
View answerAs I recently advised the Deputy, the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023 aims to provide assistance to inshore fishers in adjusting their business operations as a result of the impacts of Brexit. The scheme has a budget of some €3.5 million and is being administered by an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) under the oversight of my Department.
The scheme is closed, and all payments under the scheme must be made by the 31 December 2023. BIM has no sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure, National Plan Delivery and Reform to carry forward monies allocated for this scheme into 2024.
The terms and conditions of the scheme require, under Point 14, that all applicants must settle any outstanding licensing fees or harbour charges owing to my Department before payment of grant aid under this Scheme. This is a standard condition attaching to the payment of grant aid.
The scheme Terms and Conditions are available on BIMs website: BIM - Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023
In that context, I have asked BIM to engage directly with the fisher whose details have been provided and to advise and update him of the status of his application.
Within my Department, the Debt Recovery Unit, liaises with Fishery Harbour Centre customers who fall into arrears, makes every effort to engage with customers from the earliest stage possible in managing debts accrued and preventing further debt accrual.
In the case of the details supplied, the repayment of harbour dues is subject to a Court ordered payment plan and it is not appropriate for me to comment further.
126. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 978 of 7 November 2023, what services the assessment of need administrative hub in CHO7 will carry out; if there is a difference in the level of services that exist in the assessment hubs established in CHO3, 6 and 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52602/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6 October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
127. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need carried out by the private sector following a referral from the HSE; the number per month in each of the past six months; the CHO location of each of these private referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52603/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6 October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
