Written Answers Nos. 1118-1137
1118. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1252 of 9 September 2024, if a further update will be provided on the matter (details supplied). [1890/25]
View answerMy Department will finalise this requested information and send it directly to the Deputy within 10 working days. This entails reviewing each of the 792 applications that had licences approved for the single consent system.
1119. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support for the three-year MX101 (Marine Experience101) "Island of Ireland" pilot programme with the Atlantic Youth Trust and National Maritime College of Ireland within Munster Technical University, in partnership with Atlantic Technical University and Ulster University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1958/25]
View answerMy Department supports the provision of essential training and skills development for those working, or intending to work, in the Irish commercial seafood sector in a number of ways. My Department funds two National Fisheries Colleges of Ireland operated by our national seafood development agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), in addition to a range of other training and development supports provided by BIM such as mobile coastal training units, in-person workshops and online programmes. BIM also administer grant aid, funded by my Department under Ireland's Seafood Development Programme, which provides financial assistance to applicants wishing to pursue relevant courses, for example those provided by the Marine Survey Office (MSO). Full details in relation to this are available on www.bim.ie
In 2020, the ISO 9001:2015 Certification was awarded to BIM’s National Fisheries College of Ireland for the delivery of maritime training and education. Attaining this internationally recognised standard for quality management systems, ensures that prospective students can be certain any training they receive across all of BIM’s training sites will be of a consistently high standard. These accredited seafood training programmes and workshops are available across all sectors of the Irish seafood industry.
Neither my Department nor BIM have had any involvement to date in the development of the pilot programme being referred to. It is not possible to comment at this time as to whether or not any individuals intending to apply for this new course will be eligible to receive grant aid from BIM under the supports mentioned above, as the information required to determine this is not available to my Department or BIM at this time. It does not appear that this course is open to applications as yet.
In general, where those working, or intending to work, in Ireland's commercial seafood sector wish to apply for grant aid support to pursue a course which is not listed on the BIM website ( e.g. here BIM - Training), they should contact BIM directly, who consider such requests on a case by case basis.
1120. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department suspended payments to farmers in early December 2024; if payments to farmers have commenced in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1959/25]
View answerThere was no suspension in beef payments in early December 2024. The maximum number of participants that could be paid under both schemes (as set out below) was paid in December 2024. If the Deputy has a specific case(s), he can provide it to my Department.
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to 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.
Payments in the amount of €47.8m issued to some 14,943 SCEP participants eligible for payment in early December 2024. Those not eligible for payment include participants with a land error, those who had been granted additional time to complete SCEP training etc. Those not eligible to receive a payment in December 2024, who have since become eligible, will receive a payment in the next payment run.
The objective of the Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) 2024 is to further increase the economic efficiency of and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.
Payments in the amount of €19.98m issued to some 23,132 BWS 2024 participants eligible for payment in early December 2024. Those not eligible for payment included participants who had not submitted a BISS in 2024 or had not returned / returned sufficient records, when requested, within the stated timeframe. Those not eligible to receive a payment in December 2024, who have since become eligible, will receive a payment in the next payment run.
Advance payments for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme began on the 16th October 2024. Balancing payments for the BISS scheme commenced on the 2nd December 2024 and ran every Tuesday and Thursday until the 19th December. These payments recommenced on the 2nd January 2025. Other Direct Payment schemes such as CRISS and Eco-scheme all made advance and balancing payments in a similar way, and in the case of the Protein Aid and CISYF, payments issued as scheduled in December. Pay runs under all of these schemes continue on a weekly basis.
The Knowledge Transfer Programme 2024- 2027 is scheduled to commence payments relating to year 1 actions in March 2025. There has been no suspension of payments in relation to this scheme.
Similarly, CAP Pillar 2 (rural development) and forestry payments have been processed in line with normal timelines over the last number of weeks.
In the case of ACRES, a total of €419 million has been paid to farmers since late 2023 in respect of their participation in the Scheme, and payments continued during the month of December, with the most recent pay run issuing on 23 December. Payments are resuming this week, and will continue to be paid on a fortnightly basis.
As regards TAMS, a total of more than €55 million was paid to farmers in 2024. Payments were made on a weekly basis in the period prior to, and during, December, and have resumed in January 2025.
In the case of organics, payments under the Organic Farming Scheme commenced in November 2024, and approximately 95% of participants had received their payments by Christmas. Payments have also recommenced in January.
Finally, in the case of forestry, annual income tax-free premium payments to the value of €24.2 million issued to more than 7,000 forest owners about two weeks ago.
1121. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions taken to date, and proposals advanced, regarding the need to retain the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1970/25]
View answerLast August I published “Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach”. It outlines a summary of the collaborative and unprecedented approach being taken at present to improve Irish water quality from an agricultural perspective.
As set out in that document, at the EU Nitrates Committee in December, in line with the process set by the European Commission, Ireland advised the meeting that in accordance with Paragraph 2(b) within Annex 3 of the Nitrates Directive, Ireland wished to apply for permission to continue applying in excess of 170kg of livestock manure Nitrogen per ha from 2026, subject to a set of conditions that will ensure that application is scientifically justified and will contribute to achievement of the Nitrates Directive’s objectives of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by agricultural nutrients.
Over the coming months the Government will work with stakeholders, including through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group, to develop Ireland's 6th Nitrates Action Programme which is due to come into operation in January 2026 covering the period 2026-2029. The Government will also work with the European Commission to ensure that Nitrates Action Programme provides the assurances it needs to allow it put an Implementing Decision proposing the higher nutrient application limit and the associated conditions to a vote of the EU Member States.
1122. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all valid 2023/2024 applications for ACRES are finalised, and payments issued without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/25]
View answerACRES advance payments for the 2024 scheme year commenced on 22 November 2024, when payments totalling €123.7 million were made to 28,294 Tranche 1 participants. Currently, a total of €172.1 million has been paid in advance payments in respect of the 2024 scheme year to 39,826 ACRES participants that have cleared all the required pre-payment checks.
A total of €246.9 million has been paid to 42,075 participants (25,254 General and 16,821 Co-operation), or 93.6% of all ACRES participants, in respect of their participation in ACRES in 2023.
My Department is working to process the remaining payments. Further pay runs, to participants in both Tranches, will take place in the coming weeks, and will continue thereafter on a fortnightly basis as cases pass all required validation checks.
I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.
1123. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of any public contracts in his Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2028/25]
View answerThe principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the acquisition of goods and services. This is a requirement in accordance with the Directive on Public Procurement and the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016.
Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertising of the tender competition on the eTenders site and on the Official Journal of the European Union, where appropriate. It is open to companies and individuals who are tax resident outside of Ireland to participate in tender competitions.
It is a condition of a contract award that successful tenderer(s) shall, for the term of such contract(s), comply with all EU and domestic tax laws. My Department requires that successful tenderers supply a Tax Clearance Access Number and Tax reference Number to facilitate online verification of its tax status prior to making payment. However, this does not provide my Department with information as to the tax residency of suppliers.
1124. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of any public contracts issued to a company (details supplied) over the last 10 years, including the value of the contract and the purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2046/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not issued any public contracts to the company (details supplied) over the last 10 years.
1125. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses from the horse racing industry were sent to slaughter in 2024; to outline where horses are now being sent to slaughter given that the only licensed slaughterhouse was suspended last year.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2067/25]
View answerThe number of horses slaughtered in 2024 was 919 of which 641 were notified as thoroughbred horses. The Department does not have a record of the racing history of those notified as thoroughbred horses. The licence of Shannonside Foods, which was the only approved equine slaughter plant, was revoked on animal welfare and equine traceability grounds in June 2024 and no horses have been slaughtered in Ireland since. In 2024, 256 horses were certified for export from Ireland for slaughter in France.
1127. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total cost of the rapid-build homes at Haywood Road, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1695/25]
View answerAs part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Ukrainians at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.
The first phase of ten sites is completed with 2,312 residents having moved into their new homes.
The cost of each unit is approximately €145,000 (45m² / 484sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs, etc. relating to the overall development at Clonmel.
82 units are currently envisaged as viable for the site by the Office of Public Works.
As the project in Clonmel is still ongoing, it is not possible at this point to specify a final cost figure for the site.
1128. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is intended to extend the accommodation recognition payment for hosting refugees from Ukraine beyond 31 March 2025; if so, whether it will continue to be administered through the Irish Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/25]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment is a tax-free monthly payment available to those providing accommodation to people who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive since March 2022. The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.
The scheme is currently due to end on 31 March 2025. However, it may be extended by Order in accordance with the governing legislation.
The future of the Accommodation Recognition Payment will be considered in the context of the continued whole of Government response to the war in Ukraine.
1129. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth given that Ireland currently does not have an agreement to internationally adopt children from Palestine, if he has any plans to change that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1972/25]
View answerAt this time, there are no plans to establish an agreement for intercountry adoptions from Palestine. Intercountry adoption should not be considered in the first instance as a solution/humanitarian response to emergency situations such as war, civil unrest, natural disasters or the displacement of people due to these events.
Ireland is a signatory to the 1993 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which it ratified through the enactment of the Adoption Act 2010. Intercountry adoption to Ireland therefore operates on the basis of the principles established by the Convention, the primary objectives of which are to provide safeguards to prevent the abduction, sale and traffic of children, and to establish a system of co-operation amongst countries in order to ensure that intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of the children concerned.
It has been highlighted, particularly by UNICEF and the Hague Conference on Private International Law (the HCCH) that, in emergency situations, there is an increased risk that international standards and essential safeguards for child protection are not respected. Adoption procedures should not take place during emergency situations, and those situations should not be used as justification for intercountry adoptions. Rather, in such situations, the focus should be on child protection and welfare measures, other than adoption, in line with the 1996 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children.
1130. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the vacant positions in all the CDNTs around the State; the efforts being made to fill these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2096/25]
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.
1131. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the Funding Our Future policy, published by the Government in May 2022; the current estimate for the shortfall in core funding for the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2125/25]
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.
1132. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will take urgent action in relation to the international protection applicants temporarily housed in City West, who received emails stating they must vacate the centre by 10 a.m. on 4 December, 2024; if he will instruct IPAS to revoke its decision in order that these men are either kept in City West or immediately transferred to alternative accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46183/24]
View answerThe Department’s cold weather response plan came into effect on Friday 15 November 2024, amid significant adverse weather conditions forecast.
This response plan focuses on international protection applicants who are in our tented accommodation sites, and applicants who are unaccommodated. This plan is also active this week, as we see further cold weather and extremely low temperatures nationwide.
At this time, there are approximately 3,100 people who are international protection applicants who have not been offered accommodation. This is because, since the end of 2023, IPAS has not had enough accommodation to offer spaces to all applicants.
Any international protection applicants who are unaccommodated and who are rough-sleeping are the main focus of the IPAS cold weather response plan.
• IPAS teams arrange offers of accommodation to people seeking international protection who are actively rough sleeping. People are identified to IPAS through awareness and a daily outreach referral process that IPAS has in place.
• Drop-in day services are also provided for unaccommodated people who wish to avail of them. In such centres, people seeking international protection can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.
• In addition to the steps above, where possible, temporary shelter is also offered to new applicants arriving during the weather warning period.
Our teams continue to manage a very limited supply of accommodation. The Department regrets that such offers to new applicants during extreme weather are temporary, but this is because of the profound shortage of capacity, and because IPAS must keep available spaces for the most vulnerable applicants, and for women and families.
Due to the current cold weather warnings, we have reactivated our cold weather response plan to enhance safety measures for people seeking international protection. Our teams are keeping the needs of applicants and residents under ongoing review and are in regular contact with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.
My Department also continues to develop and source accommodation for international protection applicants in locations all over the country, as part of implementing the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection.
1133. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of civil servants in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in his Department and in agencies under the aegis of his Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46185/24]
View answerThe numbers of civil servants on career break from my Department are shown in the tables below by year, month and grade.
There was one civil servant on a career break longer than 5 years (less than 6 years) in 2023 and in January 2024.
The Civil Service agencies under the aegis of the Department have responded directly to the Deputy in respect of their own organisations.
2024:
|
2024 |
CO |
EO |
HEO |
AO |
AP |
PO |
ASEC |
Total per month |
|
Jan |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
|
Feb |
3 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
17 |
|
Mar |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
17 |
|
Apr |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
|
May |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
|
Jun |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
|
Jul |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
16 |
|
Aug |
3 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
Sep |
3 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
|
Oct |
3 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
|
Nov |
3 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
|
Dec |
3 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
2023:
|
2023 |
CO |
EO |
HEO |
AO |
AP |
PO |
ASEC |
Total by Month |
|
Jan |
1 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
N/A |
1 |
15 |
|
Feb |
1 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
N/A |
1 |
15 |
|
Mar |
1 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
N/A |
1 |
15 |
|
Apr |
1 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
N/A |
1 |
16 |
|
May |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
16 |
|
Jun |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
16 |
|
Jul |
1 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
16 |
|
Aug |
1 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
17 |
|
Sep |
2 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
18 |
|
Oct |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
17 |
|
Nov |
3 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
20 |
|
Dec |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
N/A |
1 |
19 |
1134. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46203/24]
View answerThe table below shows the number of vacancies by grade in the Department in 2023 and 2024.
The agencies under the aegis of the Department will reply directly to the Deputy in respect of their own organisations.
|
Month - Year |
Jun-23 |
Sep-23 |
Dec-23 |
Mar-24 |
Jun-24 |
Sep-24 |
Dec-24 |
|
SO (Service Officer) |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
CO |
77 |
55 |
38 |
79 |
68 |
22 |
21 |
|
EO |
90 |
76 |
63 |
81 |
38 |
24 |
28 |
|
AO |
38 |
38 |
21 |
51 |
35 |
29 |
19 |
|
HEO |
58 |
55 |
40 |
43 |
38 |
42 |
34 |
|
AP |
38 |
34 |
16 |
34 |
25 |
27 |
15 |
|
PO |
1 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Accountant Grade 1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
|
Accountant Grade 2 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
9 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
|
Social Worker |
5 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Advisory Counsel Grade 3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Total |
314 |
272 |
191 |
310 |
223 |
157 |
123 |
1135. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, that they have been placed on a redeployment panel; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, that consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46221/24]
View answerI am advised by my colleagues in HR that no Department staff have had their career break extended beyond 5 years by the Department. All staff returning from career break have been assigned to appropriate vacancies and it has not been necessary to place any staff on a redeployment panel or consider facilitating them on a supernumerary basis.
The Civil Service agencies under the aegis of the Department have responded directly to the Deputy in respect of their own organisations.
1136. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps a parent can take when there are no childcare places for children under two years in Mullingar even on a three-day basis (details supplied). [46256/24]
View answerMy Department employs a range of approaches to identify and address shortages of early learning and childcare places, bearing in mind the wide range of types of early learning and childcare provision offered by services and required by families.
Last year, I established a Supply Management Unit within the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Division of my Department. A key part of the Supply Management Unit’s remit is to develop capacity for monitoring, analysing and forecasting the supply and demand of childcare.
The development of a forward planning model is currently underway utilising the skills of statisticians on secondment from the Central Statistics Office, those experienced in the field of early learning and childcare and the expertise of a GIS mapper working with the Department. The model will seek to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country, whether or not those places are occupied and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level.
It is important to note that demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.
My Department collects extensive data on supply through both survey and administrative data. A range of data sources show that the level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially year-on-year between 2022 and 2023. However, there is also evidence that demand for places is increasing and, for certain cohorts and in certain areas, outstripping supply. This is partly driven by the significant improvements in affordability that have been achieved in recent years. Published data on capacity broken down at county level is available at www.pobal.ie/childcare/capacity/
Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026. The primary focus of the new Building Blocks Capacity Grant Schemes is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch. €25m will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme. The Extension Grant Scheme, which is now open for applications and is a competitive application process, is open to existing Early Learning and Childcare services to undertake large scale extensions to their premises to provide additional capacity for full day places for 1-3 year olds. The scheme will also fund community services to build or purchase new premises.
My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs), which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers with early learning, and childcare matters. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
1137. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine a matter regarding a delay in an assessment of needs assessment for a child (details supplied); what plans are in place to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46275/24]
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.
