Jackie Cahill
Question:251. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice what impact the Sale of Alcohol Bill will have on sports clubs that hold a liquor licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6705/24]
View answerLegislative Measures
Questions (251)
Written answers
The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol intends to modernise our existing licensing laws in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society, and to encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy.
The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards in relation to the sale of alcohol, while providing support to those involved in our night time economy. Given the known social and health effects associated with misuse of alcohol, Ireland has, for many decades, operated a restrictive regime for licensing.
The General Scheme of the bill retains that approach and will ensure that the sale of alcohol remains closely regulated.
It is my intention to separate the Sale of Alcohol Bill into two Bills. Firstly, I intend to introduce the Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2024. This is a shorter reform Bill to introduce a number of key reforms contained in the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 to modernise our licensing system, including:-
• The standardisation of opening hours for pubs and off-licences.
• The introduction of an annual late bar permit and an annual nightclub permit.
• The inclusion of new grounds of objection in line with the Zero Tolerance Third National Strategy to Tackle Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
• Strengthening of the powers of An Garda Síochána to ensure that public safety and order are maintained.
• To provide that licensing applications, which are currently heard in the Circuit Court, will move to the District Court.
• The inclusion of the provision for outdoor seating.
The Intoxicating Liquor Bill will standardise the opening hours within which licensees can trade to 10.30am to 12.30 am each day of the week. Sports clubs that are registered clubs will be able to avail of the extended opening hours to 12.30am every day of the week.
I hope to bring this legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming period. Work will continue to progress on the other provisions in the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022 to modernise our liquor licensing laws thereafter.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (252)
Bernard Durkan
Question:252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current position in relation to an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6727/24]
View answerWritten answers
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
This application was received by my Department on 8 August 2023.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process, customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Citizenship Ceremonies
Questions (253)
Bernard Durkan
Question:253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the next citizenship ceremony is planned to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6751/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to say that the next Citizenship Ceremonies will take place on Monday 26 February 2024 at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
Invitations to successful applicants will be begin to issue shortly.
Information on Citizenship Ceremonies is available on my Department’s website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/citizenship-ceremonies/.
All invitees attending a Citizenship Ceremony should ensure that they have an up to date IRP Card that provides details of their permission to remain in the State on the date of the ceremony.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (254)
Bernard Durkan
Question:254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress in determining an application for citizenship (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6752/24]
View answerWritten answers
The naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments.
My Department has recently moved from paper to online based citizenship applications. This is one of a number of measures introduced in an effort to optimise the application process and enhance the overall customer service experience. As part of the new online process, customers are issued with an acknowledgment on submission of the online application. The forms provide a seamless application process and help guide applicants through what is required for an application.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department continues to communicate regularly with all applicants to keep them informed as to updates on processing times and arrangements.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Referendum Campaigns
Questions (255)
Carol Nolan
Question:255. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the measures she is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of her Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from her Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6765/24]
View answerWritten answers
In general, it is the role of the Electoral Commission, which is independent, to prepare impartial and unbiased information about the proposals in the upcoming referenda on Article 41.1.1 and Articles 42.2.1 and 42.2.2 of the Constitution and make that information available to the public.
The Department of the Taoiseach has issued guidance to all Departments on the implications of relevant court judgments for the upcoming referenda on the 39th and 40th amendments to the Constitution in December 2023. My Department and the bodies under its aegis have been made aware of their obligations in this regard.
As the Deputy may be aware, funding to NGOs and community organisations by my Department supports the provision of specific services and projects, primarily in the youth justice, rehabilitation of offenders, community safety and DSGBV areas.
All entities in receipt of grants from my Department (including registered charities) are subject to a signed grant agreement which specifies the purpose of the grant. These grants do not provide funding for NGOs to campaign in referenda. The Department undertakes a number of checks to ensure that spending is not used on activities outside that specified within the relevant grant agreement.
Probate Applications
Questions (256)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:256. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice if she is aware that delays in processing probate cases are having an impact on prospective home buyers who are having to apply and reapply for mortgage approval while they wait; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6805/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware as Minister for Justice, I have no role in the exercise of Probate functions.
The Probate Office is an office of the High Court, and management of the courts is the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. Probate functions are also carried out by County Registrars at District Probate Registries in 14 provincial court offices.
In Summer 2020, the Courts Service embarked on a 10-year Modernisation Programme following business case approval by the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. As part of this Modernisation Programme a proposal to digitally transform the Probate process has been identified and a budget has been allocated to the Courts Service to facilitate the project, called eProbate, to deliver this proposal.
The project will deliver a facility to submit and track applications for Grants of Representation online via a public facing portal. This new digital offering is currently in the early stages of development and will continue to be developed throughout 2024 with an expected public launch and roll-out in 2025. The public facing portal will act as a single point of contact for users to submit and track their applications through the entire process. The electronic submission of applications through the online portal, combined with automated validation of key information at submission time, will enable faster and more efficient processing of applications, with the aim of reducing waiting times.
At the same time, the Courts Service is aware of its need to reduce waiting times while the eProbate project is underway. In this regard, it is prioritising the recruitment of additional staff to help in this task.
Coroners Service
Questions (257)
Cathal Crowe
Question:257. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will address concerns raised by the Coroners Society of Ireland (details supplied) around the pay and conditions of its members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7018/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024 is an urgent measure intended to ensure continuity of Coroner service in the Dublin district. More broadly, I am committed to bringing proposals to Government in relation to overall reform of the coroner service later this year.
Section 2 of the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024 provides that the Minister for Justice, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, stipulates the terms and conditions under which appointments of coroners for the Dublin district will be made. This section further provides for coroners in the Dublin district to be appointed as civil servants of the State.
Officials in my Department worked closely with officials in the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that the appointment of coroners as civil servants of the State would not impinge on the independent role of the coroner under the Coroners Act 1962 as amended (the Act).
I am satisfied that the designation of a coroner as a “Civil Servant of the State” is not inconsistent with the independent nature of the office. Furthermore, there are numerous examples of civil servants of the State having independent powers.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Coroners (Amendment) Bill 2024 does not undermine the independence of a coroner in the performance of his/her statutory functions, and there is no intention to do so in this Bill, or indeed as part of the wider reform programme.
Section 3 of the Bill provides that future appointments to the Dublin district will be for a term not exceeding 5 years, renewable once with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform.
The Bill provides greater stability for the Dublin district by providing for the appointment of coroners to the district on an initial 5 year term. This reflects the need to meet the requirements of a very busy district, which has since 2016 operated on the basis of temporary assignments. It should also be noted that 5 year terms are standard for many senior level roles in the public service, for example the Commissioner for Data Protection, the Media Development Commissioner and the Commissioner for Communications Regulations.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that I have recently responded to correspondence from the Coroners Society of Ireland regarding the above issues and that officials in my Department continue to engage with the society on the modernisation of the service generally.
Forestry Sector
Questions (258, 281)
Claire Kerrane
Question:258. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 67 approved national tree area scheme licences have been planted and paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6725/24]
View answer
Verona Murphy
Question:281. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 67 NTA licences have been planted and paid, and whether his Department has any plans to improve the attractiveness of the scheme by allowing black soil/shallow peat to qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7066/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 281 together.
The Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS) was introduced with the purpose of facilitating small-scale tree planting. The introduction of an exemption for afforestation in limited circumstances facilitates the exclusion of clearly defined activities from requiring an afforestation licence. This exemption is an enabling proposal that allows the creation of forests through initiatives, other than the afforestation scheme, thereby contributing to Ireland’s targets in relation to a wide range of environmental priorities particularly climate change, biodiversity and water quality.
The scheme was launched in October 2023. I am glad to say that there has been extensive interest in this innovative scheme of native planting. Approvals to plant have issued for 79 applications at this stage.
Applicants have a period of twelve weeks after completion of planting to submit their Form 2 for payment of the first grant and first premium. There have been no payments to date, however we are aware that some applications for payment are being prepared and you can be assured that once these applications are received they will be processed promptly.
There are no plans to amend the scheme in relation to black soil/shallow peat.
Referendum Campaigns
Questions (259)
Carol Nolan
Question:259. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to ensure that organisations, including State bodies under the aegis of his Department as well as non-governmental organisations and charities that are in receipt of funding from his Department, do not use any portion of such funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda on Articles 41.1.1, 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 of the Constitution, thereby breaching the McKenna principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that Funding provided by my Department is provided in line with Circular 13 of 2014 – “Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds”. Funding is provided based on vouched expenditure and only after the signing of Terms and Conditions which state the specific purpose of the grant.
Funding under the Competitive Research Programme requires that Research Performing Organisations submit certificates of assurance that their research awards are used in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Research Call Guidelines and that awards are utilised only for the purpose that they were provided.
My Department has also circulated guidance it received from the Department of an Taoiseach in respect of the application of the principles of the various Court judgements relevant to the Government’s role in referendum campaigns to all Heads of Division. The guidance is also being circulated to the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
It is the responsibility of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, under Chapter 5, Part 2 of the Electoral Reform Act 2022, to provide a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and to promote public awareness and encourage voting at the referendums.
Animal Welfare
Questions (260)
Patrick Costello
Question:260. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce legislation to ban fox, hare and mink hunting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6777/24]
View answerWritten answers
On the general matter of hunting, a detailed debate was held during the passage of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 and the Dáil decided to allow the continuation of fox hunting in accordance with an appropriate code of conduct.
Section 25 of the Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013 allows for the establishment of codes of practice and for the adoption of codes published by other persons for the purposes of providing practical guidance relating to any aspect of the Act, including fox hunting. Voluntary codes of practice have been established by the Hunting Association of Ireland which detail the conduct to be adhered to in respect of the hunting of foxes and the treatment of the animal during the hunt. The code also considers local concerns and the concerns of the landowner(s) on whose land hunting takes place.
My Department has no plans to change the existing legislation.
All hunting of hares with dogs is illegal except under licence granted through section 23 of the Wildlife Acts. The Acts are under the remit of my colleague the Minister Housing, Local Government and Heritage - National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The granting of licenses for the netting and tagging of hares is a matter for NPWS.
Mink are not protected under the Wildlife Acts, hence landowners and their agents do not need permission or licences from the NPWS to control their numbers. It should be noted that the methods used must be humane and not endanger any protected species.
Departmental Funding
Questions (261)
Claire Kerrane
Question:261. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding provided to animal welfare organisations (details supplied) is subject to reporting and monitoring by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6781/24]
View answerWritten answers
Animal welfare is a key priority for the Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to support animal welfare charities organisations involved in rescuing and rehoming animals through my Department's annual Animal Welfare Grant Programme. The organisation in question receives funding through this programme.
Animal welfare organisations are allocated funding on the basis of clear criteria, including the requirement for each organisation to be registered with the Charities' Regulator, and to submit up-to-date accounts which are examined by Department officials.
The applications process is robust and comprehensive. Applicants provide information on their activities, including reporting specific data and metrics requested as part of the process. Details in relation to the organisation's performance in the care, welfare and rehoming of animals for the previous year are required and taken into account as part of the assessment. As with all applicants, the organisation in question is also subject to veterinary inspections, which are carried out in the context of the grants application process. A further element of the Animal Welfare Grants assessment is the performance of applicant organisations in educating the public and raising awareness on the care and welfare of animals in line with the key principle outlined in the Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 Working Together for Animal Welfare.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (262)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:262. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under ACRES will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6811/24]
View answerWritten answers
The person named is among those in the ACRES Co-operation Project stream awaiting payments.
The level of environmental ambition within ACRES and the scaling up of a results-based system brings with it many opportunities for farmers, but is not without its challenges. ACRES Co-operation Project payments are more complex to administer and work is ongoing in this regard, with every effort being made to deliver payments as quickly as possible, including to the person named.
As the Deputy will be aware, last Friday, 9th February 2024, I announced that I will be making an interim payment to all ACRES participants, both General and Co-operation Project, who have not yet received their advance payment for 2023. Further details will be provided in the coming days. I intend to deliver this payment by the end of February.
Intensive work will continue on the calculation of the full payments due to farmers under ACRES, and when this work is completed, the final payments issued to farmers will take into account the interim payments already made to the relevant participants.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (263)
Claire Kerrane
Question:263. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 433 of 30 January 2024, how many tenders from alternative service providers were received for the services now being provided to his Department by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6812/24]
View answerWritten answers
The named organisation is owned and operated by industry stakeholders and is a not for profit entity charged with ensuring stakeholder responsibility for the direction of livestock breeding in Ireland.
It is the only body approved by my Department to carry out performance recording, assessment of genetic value and publication of breeding values for dairy and beef cattle in Ireland. Accordingly, no other organisation was available to deliver the service as required.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (264)
Claire Kerrane
Question:264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 413 of 7 February 2024, what role his Department has with regard to oversight of dog ownership compliance; what engagement he has with Rásaíocht Con Éireann on this focus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6834/24]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to dog ownership compliance, my Department is responsible for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped. These regulations were made under the Animal Health & Welfare Act, 2013 and therefore can be enforced by any authorised officer under that Act. This includes officers of my Department, An Gardaí Síochána, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, Customs agents and, through service level agreements, authorised officers of the ISPCA, DSPCA and Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
Compliance with dog licensing requirements is a matter for the Local Authorities.
Oversight of compliance with dog ownership requirements by Rásaíocht Con Éireann is an operational matter for that organisation. I have referred the matter to RCE for direct response.
Forestry Sector
Questions (265, 266, 267, 268)
Michael Lowry
Question:265. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information regarding breeding waders and afforestation in the new forestry programme; when will this information be released for public review and consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6837/24]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:266. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information regarding farmland birds and afforestation in the new forestry programme; when will this information be released for public review and consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6838/24]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:267. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information regarding high nature value farmland and afforestation in the new forestry programme; when will this information be released for public review and consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6839/24]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:268. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide additional information regarding the hen harrier within the ‘current distribution and breeding distribution for hen harrier’ layer and afforestation in the new forestry programme; when will this information be released for public review and consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6840/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 268, inclusive, together.
The new Forest Strategy for 2023–2030 was published on 6th September 2023. This was informed by comprehensive engagement with the sector and other stakeholders, and public consultation.
This Strategy provides Ireland with a roadmap for the remainder of this decade to put in place strong foundations for the development of multifunctional forests that deliver for climate, nature, wood, people, and economic and rural development.
A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the new Forestry Programme was carried out prior to its commencement, and this also involved extensive consultation, including public consultation.
Ireland has a responsibility to protect species of birds and their habitats, particularly those that are most at risk. This includes Hen Harriers and specific breeding waders, namely Curlew, Dunlin, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Snipe and Redshank. Also, the EU Commission’s State Aid Guidelines for afforestation place a strong emphasis on protecting high nature value farmland from inappropriate afforestation.
In the State Aid approval letter, the EU Commission specified that “Afforestation will be adapted to environmental sensitivities, such as habitats and species (including NATURA sites, Freshwater Pearl Mussel and Hen Harrier, Breeding Curlew, open habitat birds, Annex I habitats), high nature value farmland, peat soils, hedgerows, water quality (including fisheries sensitive areas, waterbody status, acid sensitive areas), archaeology, landscape, and local sensitivities.”
Following receipt of the State Aid approval letter, the details around the protection of birds and high nature value farmland in an afforestation context were set out and published by my Department in the document Environmental Requirements for Afforestation (2023)’. In-person training on these new requirements has been carried out with Registered Foresters and private ecologists. Further training will take place this year, as and when required.
In addition my Department has recently established an Afforestation Technical Working Group, comprising Registered Foresters and my officials to assist in identifying any technical issues associated with the delivery of the Afforestation Scheme, to ensure standards are applied correctly, and to identify and prioritise training requirements.
Question No. 266 answered with Question No. 265.
Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 265.
Question No. 268 answered with Question No. 265.
Departmental Data
Questions (269)
Matt Carthy
Question:269. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences applied for in County Monaghan in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; the number issued; the total hectares planted; by year; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6896/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Afforestation licensing figures for County Monaghan can be found in the table below:
|
- |
No. Applied |
Area (ha) |
No. Issued |
Area (ha) |
No. planted |
Area (ha) |
|
2020 |
12 |
98.24 |
10 |
40.34 |
9 |
30.86 |
|
2021 |
6 |
15.69 |
13 |
127.18 |
5 |
16.56 |
|
2022 |
7 |
26.31 |
9 |
22.79 |
3 |
6.77 |
|
2023 |
1 |
7.48 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
9.59 |
|
Total |
26 |
147.72 |
32 |
190.31 |
21 |
63.78 |
In relation to this table, it is worth noting that licences issued may have been applied for in a previous year, as the licensing process takes time and requires careful assessment of all environmental and silvicultural considerations. Furthermore applicants have three years from approval to plant their forest.
The new Forestry programme 2023 – 2027 will help to support an increase in afforestation. It offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premia rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premia term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types.
I encourage all landowners, and farmers in particular, to consider joining the scheme as it provides a complementary income stream to active farmers, and delivers public goods for the benefit of all.
Departmental Data
Questions (270)
Matt Carthy
Question:270. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that received a payment under an agri-environmental scheme, REPS, AEOS, GLAS, ACRES, in County Monaghan in the years 2018 through 2023; the average payment, by scheme, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6897/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by the Deputy is presented in the table below which shows the number of participants paid in County Monaghan and the total payments. The average payment has been calculated through dividing the total payments by the number paid. All figures provided are scheme year payments.
Please note the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) were both completed prior to 2018 so no scheme year payments issued during this time period.
|
- |
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2018 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
1,040 |
0 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,528,555.82 |
0 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,392.84 |
0 |
|
|
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2019 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
1,032 |
0 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
€4,021,356.16 |
0 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,896.66 |
0 |
|
|
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2020 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
1,025 |
0 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,958,129.02 |
0 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,861.59 |
0 |
|
|
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2021 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
974 |
0 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,704,347.44 |
0 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,803.23 |
0 |
|
|
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2022 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
883 |
0 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,308,287.97 |
0 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
€3,746.65 |
0 |
|
|
|
AEOS |
REPS |
GLAS |
ACRES |
|
SY 2023 |
Number Paid |
0 |
0 |
0 |
453 |
|
|
Total Payment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€1,940,206.96 |
|
|
Average Payment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
€4,283.02 |
Departmental Budgets
Questions (271)
Matt Carthy
Question:271. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocated to the unit within his Department with responsibility for oversight and implementation of the unfair trading practices; the amount expended and the purpose of expenditure, by year, since its establishment until the establishment of the agrifood regulator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6976/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government included a commitment for a new office of National Food Ombudsman to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive and to have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of the new Office required primary legislation which I progressed through the houses of the Oireachtas.
Because the time required to draft and enact the primary legislation would not have allowed the transposition of the UTP Directive within the deadline of 1st May 2021 set down by the Directive, a two-step approach was taken to establishing the new Office. In April 2021, Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 transposed the UTP Directive directly, as it stood, into Irish law. This allowed me to establish the required UTP Enforcement Authority, as an interim measure, in my Department.
There was a budget allocation to the UTP Enforcement Authority of €1 million in 2021, €4 million in 2022 and €4 million in 2023. The amounts expended and the purpose of the expenditure are laid out in the tables below.
It was expected that the budget funding requested would be required for the new premises needed for the Agri-Food Regulator, once established, as well for staffing, and other ancillary services including IT systems and legal services. However the primary legislation was not finalised until July 2023 and the new Office not established until 13 December 2023. This meant that significant savings in the budget allocations were made in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 as the UTP Enforcement Authority remained in my Department and its costs were met by my Department’s administrative budget.
In regard to costs for premises, it became possible to locate the Agri-Food Regulator in premises already in government usage in the shared Government Offices at Backweston Campus, Celbridge, and which did not need extensive retrofit. This allowed for significant capital cost savings.
The current records for expenditure per year indicate as follows:
2021
|
Purpose of the expenditure |
Amount expended € |
|
Exhibitions |
8,357 |
2022
|
Purpose of the expenditure |
Amount expended € |
|
Surveys, communications, seminars, graphic design |
251,215 |
2023
|
Purpose of the expenditure |
Amount expended € |
|
Surveys, financial services, graphic design |
79,990 |