Written Answers Nos. 146-151
146. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of afforestation premium that was paid nationally in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2193/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme is the main forestry scheme offered by my Department as one of a number of supports and land use options available to land owners. The Scheme guarantees premiums for 15 years and represents an attractive source of income for land owners.
In 2016 my Department processed applications for over 14,950 forestry premiums. The premiums paid totalled €72.94 million. These premiums make a significant contribution to the rural economy nationally.
147. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of forestry in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2194/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department compiles a number of different afforestation statistics which are available on my Department's website including the National Forest Inventory Results Data which are an invaluable source of statistical information on Ireland’s forest estate.
The area of forestry in each county is indicated in the table, which is taken from the National Forest Inventory.
|
County |
Hectares '000 |
|
Carlow |
8.4 |
|
Cavan |
16.83 |
|
Clare |
52.29 |
|
Cork |
83.62 |
|
Donegal |
56.34 |
|
Dublin |
5.23 |
|
Galway |
59.41 |
|
Kerry |
53.17 |
|
Kildare |
10.4 |
|
Kilkenny |
19.02 |
|
Laois |
25.26 |
|
Leitrim |
26.5 |
|
Limerick |
26.34 |
|
Longford |
8.36 |
|
Louth |
2.43 |
|
Mayo |
51.73 |
|
Meath |
12.5 |
|
Monaghan |
5.6 |
|
Offaly |
24.51 |
|
Roscommon |
25.88 |
|
Sligo |
20.58 |
|
Tipperary |
47.85 |
|
Waterford |
26.55 |
|
Westmeath |
13.17 |
|
Wexford |
13.83 |
|
Wicklow |
35.86 |
|
Total |
731.65 |
148. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cows with four and five star rating that were born during or before 2013 and are moved from one herd to another for winter feeding and then back to their original herd after the winter months will be eligible for the beef data and genomics scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2206/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme provides for six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability.
In situations where animals are moved from the herd temporarily for winter feeding purposes these animals will remain eligible provided that the movement is recorded on AIM as a feedlot movement and the animals are moved back to their original herd following the winter feeding.
149. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will notify all persons in the beef data and genomics scheme of the cows that are and are not eligible for the scheme when sending the BDGP Eurostar report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2230/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Cattle Breeding Federation will shortly issue up to date Genomic Evaluations to all Participants in the BGDP. Scheme participants will be able to identify eligible and ineligible replacement animals from this report.
150. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his key priorities in relation to the forthcoming capital review; the projects submitted for priority inclusion in the review; the status of negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2282/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2018-2027 National Development Plan is currently in the process of being finalised. The plan, which will be published alongside the new National Planning Framework “Ireland 2040”, will set out the Government's intentions in relation to public capital investment beyond 2021.
My priority is for the investment in the agri-food sector, through a well-funded Rural Development Programme, Seafood Development Programme and Forestry Programme, which will empower rural communities and underpin the sustainable growth the agri-food sector as set out in Food Wise 2025. Investment in the agri-food sector is required to improve competitiveness, to ensure the maintenance of Ireland’s landscape, improvements in biodiversity and water quality, to contribute to climate change goals and the development of our Fisheries Harbour Centres and research infrastructure.
In addition to specific public infrastructure projects, capital expenditure by my Department is largely comprised of demand-led multiannual investment programmes which support investments by large number operators in a range of projects across the agriculture, food and marine sectors. I expect this will continue to be the case and I have sought the inclusion in the new NDP of a number of programmes/projects including the following
- Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme
- Forestry Programme
- Remediation of Haulbowline Island
- National Food Innovation Hub
- Prepared Consumer Food Innovation Centre
- Investment in company innovation capacity
- Fisheries Harbour Centres
- Marine Institute and other research infrastructure.
- Seafood Development Programme
151. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if bullying or sexual harassment claims have been lodged in his Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of complaints in each category on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place within his Department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2308/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation and my Department implements the Civil Service wide anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy ‘Dignity at Work’. I am satisfied that the policy is being implemented effectively throughout my Department. This policy came into effect on 20/2/2015, and replaced the previous policy called ‘A Positive Working Environment’ for all Civil Service employees, except for State Industrial employees, for whom the ‘A Positive Working Environment – Anti-Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy for State Industrial Employees’ applies.
All staff in my Department are reminded annually of their responsibilities under the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, which includes the duty to show due respect for their colleagues at work and to abide by the Civil Service anti-bullying policy. Furthermore, all new recruits to my Department are required to familiarise themselves with both the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour and the Dignity at Work policy.
From time to time staff have raised a variety of issues regarding workplace difficulties. All issues raised are carefully considered under the Dignity at Work policy.
Since 2011,18 cases of alleged workplace difficulties have been received by Human Resources Division. Of these 18 cases, 4 cases met the criteria for bullying as defined in the Dignity at Work policy and were investigated. Following investigations, two complaints were upheld and two complaints were not upheld.
|
Year |
Number of Bullying Allegations received. |
|
2011 |
2 |
|
2012 |
3 |
|
2013 |
1 |
|
2014 |
3 |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2016 |
6 |
|
2017 |
2 |
|
2018 |
0 |
Mediation is recommended across the Civil Service as a mechanism to facilitate the resolution of workplace difficulties. Mediation attempts to create workable agreements between parties to create a positive working environment for all. My Department actively promotes mediation at an early stage when workplace difficulties first arise.
