Written Answers Nos. 488-511
488. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the statistics on the average stocking rate of farms located on mountain land here, including those that have qualified for ANC payments for meeting the mountain type criterion in each of the years 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017. [50227/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease see below the statistics on the average stocking rate of farms containing land designated as 'mountain land' under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme for the years 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017.
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Average stocking rate held - l/u per hectare |
0.83 |
0.84 |
0.87 |
489. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in AEOS whose contracts will end in 2018, by county, in tabular form; if these persons were eligible to apply under tranche 3 of GLAS while still in an AEOS contract; if they were not eligible to join GLAS, the number of such persons who left AEOS contracts in order to join GLAS by the tranche 3 deadline; the number who stayed in AEOS by the tranche 3 deadline; if such persons will be permitted to join GLAS under a fourth round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50232/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of participants currently in AEOS that have contracts due to end on 31 December 2018 is 2,253. A breakdown by county can be found below. All these AEOS participants were eligible to apply for GLAS 3. 3,464 AEOS 3 participants moved to GLAS 3.
There are no plans to reopen the GLAS scheme. The target set out in the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020 to approve 50,000 GLAS participants has been achieved. It is one of a suite of many RDP schemes and the reopening of any scheme can only be considered within the overall RDP budget which is currently fully committed.
Current AEOS 3 participants
|
County |
No. of Participants |
|
Carlow |
8 |
|
Cavan |
76 |
|
Clare |
123 |
|
Cork |
94 |
|
Donegal |
321 |
|
Dublin |
3 |
|
Galway |
371 |
|
Kerry |
171 |
|
Kildare |
6 |
|
Kilkenny |
20 |
|
Laois |
19 |
|
Leitrim |
156 |
|
Limerick |
53 |
|
Longford |
18 |
|
Louth |
14 |
|
Mayo |
364 |
|
Meath |
24 |
|
Monaghan |
46 |
|
Offaly |
23 |
|
Roscommon |
139 |
|
Sligo |
92 |
|
Tipperary |
37 |
|
Waterford |
21 |
|
Westmeath |
31 |
|
Wexford |
9 |
|
Wicklow |
14 |
|
Total |
2,253 |
490. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who applied to the crop loss compensation scheme by county, in tabular form; the number of approved applicants; the number of applicants who withdrew from the scheme; the number who have been issued payments to date, by county. [50233/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe crop loss support measure was launched in July to assist growers most affected by the wet weather harvest conditions of September 2016. A total of 167 applications were received under the measure.
The first tranche of payments under the measure has now been processed and payments will arrive in bank accounts later this week. In a large number of cases, further information or clarification is required in order to fully process applications. In all of these cases, the applicants have been contacted directly by an official from my Department. As the further information requested is received, these cases will be examined again and subsequent pay runs will be put in place as more case are cleared for payment.
The figures requested on a county basis are set out in the table below.
|
County |
Number of Applicants |
Paid |
Withdrawn |
|
Cork |
86 |
19 |
1 |
|
Donegal |
25 |
7 |
0 |
|
Galway |
23 |
8 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
7 |
1 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Longford |
4 |
1 |
0 |
|
Louth |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
7 |
1 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
167 |
45 |
1 |
491. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the potential impact the proposed ban on recreational angling for bass fishing for the first six months of 2018 and only catch-and-release fishing for the following six months will have on local tourism (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI also share the concern of your constituent with regards to the current proposal for sea bass from the European Commission as part of the Fishing Oppurtunites Proposal for 2018. Ireland has been to the forefront in protecting the vulnerable Sea bass stock for many years with a complete prohibition on commercial fishing in place since 1990.
Our recreational sector, the policy responsibility for which lies with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment (DCCAE), is very important to us from a tourism point of view. Recreational sea bass angling is carefully managed and monitored by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and the angling community themselves. Ireland is of the view the proposal to prohibit any recreational fishing for sea bass is a step in the wrong direction and would result in loss of valuable data that is gathered under the catch and release arrangements that is needed to support protection and rebuilding of this stock.
We have already communicated our opposition to this aspect to the Commission proposal on sea bass and will, in consultation with DCCAE, IFI and the Marine Institute, continue to make this case strenuously.
492. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the basic farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [50331/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2016 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by sale as Transferee. There are outstanding issues pertaining to the sale of these entitlements and my Department has issued letters to the seller of the entitlements seeking additional documentation which is required to process the transfer to the person named. To date, this additional information has not been submitted. Following receipt of the requested information my Department will process this Transfer of Entitlements application.
493. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the resources his Department has devoted to the removal of abandoned boats around the coast; the powers local authorities have to force owners to remove such boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50354/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility under the Fishery Harbours Centre Act, 1968 (as amended) for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs. The Fishery Harbour Centres (Management, Control, Operation and Development) Bye-Laws 1979 give the Harbour Master powers to remove wrecked or derelict vessels from the confines of these six Fishery Harbour Centres. This is a rare occurrence and monies are made available when necessary on a case by case basis.
The Receiver of wrecks, who is a Revenue Official appointed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, also has a role in respect of any wrecks found in or on the shores of the sea or any tidal water or harbour.
The Deputy will be aware that there is other State owned harbour infrastructure around the coast that does not fall within the remit of my Department. I would therefore suggest that the Deputy contact the relevant public body with responsibility for these, including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of State port companies and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government in respect of ports or harbours managed by local authorities.
494. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of remote sensing eligibility satellite inspections that were carried out in counties Roscommon and Galway to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of inspections in which results are still outstanding; the number of cases in which payments under the basic payment or areas of natural constraint schemes are still outstanding due to a delay in results of these satellite inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50358/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU regulations governing the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing inspections where completed, are fully completed before any payments are issued. My Department is required to undertake inspections on at least 5% of applicants and cases can be selected for inspection under more than one scheme.
The following table details the current position on cases selected for a 2017 Remote Sensing inspection in Counties Galway and Roscommon:
|
County |
No. of 2017 Remote Sensing (RS) Inspections |
No. of Cases - RS Inspection Results Received |
No. of Cases - RS Inspection Results Awaited |
No. of Eligible BPS Applicants subject to RS Inspection |
No. of Eligible BPS Applicants subject to RS Inspection - Paid |
No. of Eligible ANC Applicants subject to RS Inspection |
No. of Eligible ANC Applicants subject to RS Inspection - Paid |
|
Galway |
460 |
454 (99%) |
6 |
448 |
416 |
447 |
395 |
|
Roscommon |
267 |
261 (98%) |
6 |
259 |
235 |
260 |
216 |
Outstanding cases continue to be finalised, on a daily basis, through the inspection and payment stage process, subject to scheme specific eligibility criteria being met, e.g. ANC stocking density requirements.
495. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the public contracts between his Department and companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016, inclusive; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that it is not possible to provide the information requested in the required time. A detailed reply will issue in the coming week.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
496. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 14 November 2017, his Department's protocol for advising the SFPA of reports of illegal fishing boats in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.
I should advise the Deputy that, whereas issues of a general nature concerning sea fisheries control are brought to the attention of my Department from time to time, my Department rarely receives information concerning specific allegations of alleged illegal fishing within the Exclusive Fishery Zone. In the event that such specific allegations are brought to the attention of my Department, the arrangement is to refer the matter to the SFPA/Naval Service for attention and any action they consider appropriate as the relevant control authorities.
497. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports available for those who lost fishing equipment due to recent storm damage; the way in which a person can apply for financial assistance in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector up to 2021. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 15 schemes.
The EMFF Regulation provides for a special compensation scheme for fishermen experiencing significant economic losses arising from severe storms etc. Article 35 foresees the establishment by fishermen of a 'Mutual Fund for Adverse Climatic Events and Environmental Incidents'. This Fund would act as a form of mutual insurance for otherwise uninsurable losses, by paying compensation to affiliated fishermen for losses that exceed 30% of the fisherman's annual turnover arising from severe storms and other adverse climatic events, losses arising from environmental incidents and for the costs of rescue at sea for fishermen or fishing vessels.
The Fund must be established and managed by fishermen and be funded through the subscriptions of affiliated fishermen. The compensation would only be available to fishermen affiliated to the Fund. Support to the Fund from the EMFF Programme would be in the form of a contribution to the costs of compensation paid out by the Fund. Depending on the type of vessels or fishermen experiencing losses, EMFF assistance may be up to 80%.
My Department and BIM stand ready to assist and advise fishermen and their representatives in establishing the Fund, but the EMFF does not permit a financial contribution towards the costs of establishment or management of the Fund.
This Mutual Fund is the vehicle envisaged in the EMFF Regulation for storm damage compensation, and all available funds are allocated to the EMFF Programme.
498. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria used for selection of Fermoy, Cork, as the centre for the new National Food Innovation Hub as opposed to other locations; the strategies subsequently in place to promote the agrifood business nationwide with specific reference to strategies for north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary objective of the National Food Innovation Hub is to create a business innovation network at Moorepark involving dairy companies, Moorepark Technology Ltd (MTL), incubator companies and public-private partnership based R&D programmes with a research focus on food processing, quality and nutrition. It involves constructing up to 12 customer application suites containing office and laboratory space, so that each company can have an on-campus presence at Moorepark to conduct new-product development etc.
Developing the National Food Innovation Hub at Moorepark will promote greater collaboration between industry and public research, and deliver a step change in innovation activity in the food industry. It responds to increasing demand from dairy and food companies to co-locate their own staff at Moorepark to utilise MTL facilities and collaborate with Teagasc research staff, which requires additional laboratory, office and ancillary space.
The National Food Innovation Hub will be directly linked to both the Teagasc Food Research Centre and MTL to engender close collaboration between the research centres and the companies located on the Moorepark campus. It is envisaged that this unique food cluster will stimulate intensive collaboration between companies and Teagasc researchers to create a platform for innovation, economic growth and job creation.
In addition, a wide range of modern food processing facilities and equipment is available to food businesses at Moorepark including a pilot plant facility operated by MTL, which contains up-to-date and versatile pilot scale processing equipment. With regard to developing the wider agri-food sector, Food Wise 2025, the ten year strategy published in July 2015, identifies the opportunities and challenges facing the entire sector and provides an enabling strategy that will allow it to grow and prosper at local, regional and national level.
It includes more than 350 separate recommendations for actions, spread across cross-cutting themes of sustainability, human capital, market development, innovation and competitiveness. My Department is committed to a robust implementation process which will drive implementation of the Food Wise recommendations. The implementation process is driven by a High Level Implementation Committee, which I chair.
499. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when ANC and BPS payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted a 2017 Transfer of Entitlements application to my Department seeking the transfer of entitlements by Gift as Transferee. The application has been deemed to be successful and the person named has been notified in writing. Payment under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
500. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to update his Department's website to include certified objects that qualify for grant aid under TAMS (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's website has been updated.
It is a matter for applicants who apply for grant aid under the TAMS II Schemes to ensure that the suppliers of specific construction materials such as the beams and steel used to construct their new buildings are on the Department's approved list before they undertake the work.
Comprehensive details of the specifications and approved suppliers are available on the Department's website.
501. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a folio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50480/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department first became aware of this issue in September. The matters raised are complex conveyancing issues centred on establishing ownership of a piece of land bordering Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre. My officials are progressing the matter through the appropriate channels. However, there are a number of potential stakeholders and as with all legal property matters of this nature, resolution may take some time.
502. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next tranche of TAMS applications will be released to the local offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50496/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applications received in Tranche 8 of the TAMS II Scheme are being processed and released to the local office on an ongoing basis. It is a requirement of the Scheme that all applications received in a given tranche must go through a ranking and selection process before approval and this process is underway.
503. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fee paid by his Department to contract companies to carry out remote sensing eligibility satellite inspections, by county, in tabular form in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50517/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspection process involves the processing of a large range of satellite imagery received at various stages throughout the year. Each case selected for inspection is then comprehensively reviewed using this imagery to ensure that the claimed area in the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the applicant, that the different crop types are as claimed and that eligible land or features are included for payment purposes. Where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available imagery, a field visit must be undertaken to verify the position on the ground.
Payments by my Department to carry out Remote Sensing inspections in respect of the 2016 and 2017 scheme years totalled €1.127m for 2016 and €0.947m for 2017 to date. Payments are not made on a county basis.
504. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry application and appeal by a person (details supplied). [50572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received a General Felling Licence application on 5th February 2016, for 2.14ha of forestry, from the person named.
Upon examination of the application it was ascertained that the applicant did not wish to replant the land, which is a condition of all General Felling Licences. Where it was not intended to replant the actual parcel of land the subject of the felling licence, a Limited Felling Licence application was the appropriate form to submit. However, the forest owner would still have been obliged to replant an equivalent area.
The applicant was advised in writing on 16th June 2016 that the application for a General Felling Licence would not be granted as he did not wish to replant the felled area. He was also informed that should he wish to proceed with the proposed felling, it was more appropriate to apply for a Limited Felling Licence and an alternative area to be replanted in lieu of that to be felled should be proposed in the application. The application forms for a Limited Felling Licence were included with the letter.
My Department did not receive any application for a Limited Felling Licence, nor did they receive an appeal. The General Felling Licence application is closed.
Since this original application, the Forestry Act 2014 was commenced. Therefore, if the applicant wishes to fell the trees in question, an application for a Tree Felling Licence must be made. However, it must be reiterated that the land which is the subject of the felling licence application or an equivalent area will still require to be replanted under the 2014 Act.
505. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers impacted by severe flooding in County Donegal in August 2017 who applied to his Department for direct financial aid for losses (details supplied); the number of farmers who have been issued payments to date. [50672/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 Flood Damage Relief Measure was implemented in response to the severe localised flooding experienced in the Inishowen area on August 22nd 2017. The closing date for applications was September 29th.
314 applications for financial aid were received which are broken down into the following categories.
|
- |
Category |
Number of applications |
|
Category 1 |
loss of livestock |
40 |
|
Category 2 |
loss of conserved fodder |
61 |
|
Category 3 |
Clean up of damaged Agricultural land |
246 |
|
Category 4 |
Repairs to fencing |
263 |
All eligible applications are subject to on farm verification and these reports are currently being finalised. Following this process it is expected that payments will commence shortly.
506. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéid post atá daingnithe nó aitheanta ag an Roinn (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; cé mhéid duine atá ann ag a bhfuil líofacht i nGaeilge agus atá ag feidhmiú sna poist sin atá daingnithe no aitheanta mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an tráth seo aon phost eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge. [50674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTa 3,111 fostaithe lán ama (FTE) sa Roinn faoi lathair 20/11/2017.
Laistigh do mo Roinn féin tá (6) ionad atá oiriúnach do poist datheangach.
Tá cúig post dátheangach líonta ach tá foluntas amhaín fós le lionadh. Thit sé seo amach mar tá fadhb ag an Roinn Oififeach Feidhmiúcháin dátheangach ar fail. Is mór an trua an scéal seo.
Tuigim go bhfuil an Roinn ag iarraidh an fadhb a réiteach faoi lathair leis An Roinn Cultuir Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Tá mé dóchasach go mbeidh said in ann teach ar réiteach I gcomhar leis an tSeirbhís Um Cheapachain Phoinlí (PAS).
Ní choiméadann an Roinn aon cuntas oifigiúl do caighdean an teanga Gaeilge I measc na duine ata fostaithe sa Roinn.
Níl aon phoist éile dhatheangach a phlé san am seo ag an Roinn.
507. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh ina Roinn ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid de na folúntais sin a bhain le poist a bhí sainaitheanta mar phoist a raibh Gaeilge riachtanach ina leith; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh faoi láthair agus cé mhéid de na folúntais siúd atá sainaitheanta mar fholúntais a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo. [50691/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs iad seo a leanas foluntais ata líonta i mbliana ag Roinn Talamhaíochta Bia Agus Mara ón Chead lá d’Eanair go dtí 20Ú la Samhain 2017.
432 Iomlán
Seo an briseadh síos don uimhir sin. 139 ardú ceime don foireann fostaithe ag an Roinn hana fein. 194 Iarrthoiri nua ag teacht isteach don seirbhis Poiblí daon chead uair agus an 99 deanta suas do dhuine a aistriú ó Roinn éile eagsúla. Níl fostaithe sealadach tógadh san airaimh.
Faoi lathair tá (6) post dátheangach sa Roinn, Tá cúig post dátheangach líonta ach tá foluntas amhaín fós le lionadh. Thit sé seo amach mar tá fadhb ag an Roinn Oififeach Feidhmiúcháin dátheangach ar fail. Is mór an trua an scéal seo.
Tuigim go bhfuil an Roinn ag iarraidh an fadhb a réiteach faoi lathair leis An Roinn Cultuir Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Tá mé dóchasach go mbeidh said in ann teach ar réiteach I gcomhar leis an tSeirbhís Um Cheapachain Phoinlí (PAS).
508. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the expected roll-out of broadband under the national broadband plan to homes at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49872/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector so that today over 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband and this is set to increase to 77% (1.8m premises) by the end of 2018 and to 90% (2.1m premises) by the end of 2020.
In April of this year, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP. The Map is searchable by Eircode/address and is colour coded:
- AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.
- BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering, or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
- Light BLUE areas represent eir's commercial rural deployment plans to roll out high speed broadband to 300,000 premises by the end of 2018 as part of an Agreement signed with me in April.
The map shows that there are 140 premises in the townland of Fountainstown, County Cork, of which 137 fall within the AMBER area and will require State Intervention. The remaining 3 premises fall within the BLUE area and will be covered by commercial operators. Individuals can themselves check whether their premises is in a BLUE or an AMBER area by accessing the High Speed Broadband Map and entering their Eircode at www.broadband.gov.ie.
My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company or companies who will roll out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now at an advanced stage. The “Detailed Solutions” submitted by two bidders on 26th September are being evaluated by the NBP specialist team. The next stage in the procurement process is the receipt of final tenders followed by the appointment of a preferred bidder(s) and contract signature. As part of this procurement process, the bidder(s) will be required to submit their strategies, including timescales and plans to priority areas, for the network build and rollout.
I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ireland and the frustration for communities that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 542,000 premises (including the 137 premises in Fountainstown) that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority and my Department will engage with the winning bidder(s) to ensure the most efficient deployment as part of the contract.
In the interim, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure. There is a link to a list of these local Broadband Officers on my Department's website.
509. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the establishment of a digital safety commissioner, as recommended by the Law Reform Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware through his work as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, which is currently considering the subject of online safety for children and young adults, the issue of online safety is of vital interest and importance to citizens. It is also a complex area that straddles the responsibilities of many Departments.
There have been a number of reports on this topic, most notably the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group's report from 2014, and the Law Reform Commission's report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety published in September 2016. There have also been a number of initiatives at European level which are of specific relevance to this area, including the European Commission's Code of Conduct on Countering Illegal Hate Speech in 2016 and its more recent Communication in September 2017 titled Tackling Illegal Content Online - Towards an enhanced responsibility of online platforms.
Given the cross-cutting nature of online safety, I held a meeting on Tuesday 21 November with my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. It was agreed at that meeting that an Open Policy Debate, to be held in early 2018, would be the most appropriate way to progress this matter.
My Department will lead this initiative in cooperation with the Departments of Justice and Equality and Children and Youth Affairs and other relevant Departments. My Department will be engaging with the relevant online platforms to ensure their full participation in the initiative, and will also invite parents' groups and other key stakeholders to take part. A key objective of the Open Policy Debate will be to raise awareness in respect of the actions which are already taking place in this area at an Irish and European level, and identify any gaps which need to be addressed.
510. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of vacancies in each State board under the aegis of his Department, in tabular form. [49931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 8 vacancies on State boards under the aegis of my Department, the details of which are set out in the table below.
|
State Board |
Existing vacancies as at 24 November 2017 |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
1 |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) |
1 |
|
RTÉ |
1 |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA)* |
5 |
|
Total Vacancies |
8 |
* It is not proposed to fill some of the vacancies outstanding on the DHDA Board given current proposals to merge DHDA with DCC.
511. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the names of persons he has appointed to each State board under the aegis of his Department who have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, in tabular form. [49993/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAppointments to State boards under the aegis of my Department include Ministerial appointments, reappointments, appointments of Elected Employee Representatives and appointments of ex-officio directors (CEOs). All appointments made by me since taking office have been made in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards. Where a list of candidates has been presented to me by the Public Appointments Service, I have always selected candidates for appointment from that list.
