Dara Calleary
Ceist:535. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures that need to be in place for community centres to reopen after Covid-19 closure (details supplied). [13819/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCovid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (535)
Freagraí scríofa
I am aware that community centres and voluntary organisations are currently making important preparations for reopening facilities across Ireland.
Public health guidance has been issued by Government, the HSE, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC), the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and others. This guidance should be carefully considered and should form the basis for any COVID-19 related plans.
Further guidance has been developed by my Department in conjunction with Pobal for the community and voluntary sector to help them with reopening, and this is available here:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fd1c9-guidance-for-reopening-community-sector/
If community centres run by volunteers have paid workers on their premises, they should follow the Return to Work Safely Protocol which is on the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/ . The employer is responsible for putting in place control measures, in consultation with a worker representative.
In cases where all involved are unpaid volunteers, and therefore the Health and Safety Authority would not have a role, a responsible person within the organisation should put in place appropriate measures before reopening.
As each facility and activity is different, there is an emphasis on personal responsibility and the need for people and organisations to exercise judgement in their activities. My Department encourages community and voluntary groups, regardless of the activity that they are involved in, to consider how the published information applies to them, and to put in place the appropriate measures when reopening facilities.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (536, 537, 538)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:536. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which a project (details supplied) links in with the national broadband plan; her plans to expand the project to other locations outside of the five chosen as bases to deploy the scheme; the way in which the five bases were selected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13963/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:537. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the costs incurred to date with a project (details supplied); if she consulted with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13964/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:538. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the duration of the contract with a supplier (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13965/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 536 to 538, inclusive, together.
The initiative which the Deputy refers to is an exploratory project involving my Department, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and Microsoft Ireland, to explore the possibility of using a new technology to deliver free broadband to second-level students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their Leaving Cert. cycle.
The initiative will explore the capacity to use the existing high-speed broadband connection in a public libraries across each of five counties - Carlow, Donegal, Kilkenny, Mayo and Waterford - as a conduit to connect students in households which currently do not have adequate internet access. The initiative will be targeted primarily at students enrolled in Delivering Equality of Opportunity (DEIS) schools.
The five counties to participate in the trial initiative were selected on the basis of a number of criteria, including the internet capacity of public libraries within each county and the proximity of public libraries in those counties to DEIS schools. The selection of these locations was a collaborative process between my Department and the LGMA.
The individual library branches and specific schools for participation within these counties have yet to be finalised, and the final decisions will involve a range of stakeholders including my Department, the LGMA and the Department of Education and Skills in the context of identifying suitable DEIS schools.
The trial initiative will last for a maximum of 24 months, with a progress evaluation to be conducted every six months by an Evaluation Board. The outcomes of the trial initiative will determine the potential to expand the project into other locations.
No costs have been incurred to date. Any physical assets required for the trial initiative will be provided by Microsoft, and the project will not seek to recover any monies from participant households. Any other incidental costs might which arise as the project progresses are expected to be negligible.
As an exploratory trial project, initiative is a collaboration between a number of public and private sector bodies on a not-for-profit basis and will not in any way impact on the contracts for the National Broadband Plan or the Broadband Connection Points.
My officials are in regular contact with their colleagues in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on a range of telecommunications-related matters and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment was aware of this initiative.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (539)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:539. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid available to churches, church organisations, charity organisations and so on which have accrued large expenses while they were closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14009/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government is aware of the challenges facing communities and is committed to working closely with the sector in managing through these, recognising that it will require a whole of Government approach.
In that context my Department is providing funding supports to organisations through the Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund. This fund is intended to be a targeted once-off cash injection for organisations and groups currently delivering critical front-line services to the most at need in our society and in danger of imminent closure due to lost fund-raised or traded income as a direct result of restrictions to counter the spread of COVID-19.
This fund will provide up to €35million of funding through the Dormant Accounts Fund (DAF) and the criteria align with DAF objectives to support:
1. The personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged; or
2. The educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
3. Persons with a disability.
Over one thousand applications were received during the application period. Due to the considerable interest in the Stability Scheme and in order to ensure that funding is released as quickly as possible, applicants were considered in smaller groupings.
The first tranche of funding was announced on Friday 26 June with 179 organisations being awarded €10.5 million in funding, the full list can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/.
It is expected that further tranches of funding will be announced in the coming weeks.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (540)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:540. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the costings carried out on the programme for Government; and if she will provide documents on those costings. [14036/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of the Taoiseach facilitated the provision of briefing materials from Government Departments to parties engaged in Government formation discussions. I am aware that these briefing materials, including those provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, have been published by the Department of the Taoiseach and are available at
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7b927-programme-for-government-documents/
There are a range of commitments in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future that relate to, or interact strongly with, rural and community development policy. These build on the progress to date in terms of our investment programmes for rural and community development and recent and emerging policy development work within both areas. It is fully recognised that further detailed consideration of measures, often in co-operation with other Government Departments and our external stakeholders, will be required as implementation of the programme progresses.
Consultancy Contracts
Ceisteanna (541)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:541. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the external consultancy organisation or provider which delivered diversity and inclusion training within her Department from 2018 to date; the costs associated with such services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14061/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion and enabling the achievement of equality of opportunity in all employment practices. My Department has not yet delivered diversity and inclusion training. The Department was in the process of procuring training for all staff, which was put on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. My Department will be providing Disability awareness training to all staff in last quarter of 2020.
The Department has a designated Disability Liaison Officer in place to assist and support staff with disabilities, and their line managers, by the provision of necessary information and guidance as needed.
My Department continues to take active measures to promote and advance diversity and inclusion in both the promotion of relevant policies and active engagement with staff to encourage a culture of a diversity and inclusion where all staff are valued in the workplace.
Departmental Legal Costs
Ceisteanna (542)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:542. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the expenditure her Department incurred in respect of external legal fees in each of the years from 2016 to date in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14078/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department was established on 19 July 2017. Since that date it incurred expenditure in respect of legal fees of €2,655 in 2018 and €1,855 in 2019.
In 2018, the Department was assigned a designated point of contact for the provision of legal advice through the Office of the Attorney General, and it is intended that this service provides for the majority of our ongoing requirements in this regard.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (543)
Martin Browne
Ceist:543. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if resource centres that are not in receipt of core funding will have their funding streams improved from the phased roll-out of projects similar in approach to community development plans as outlined in the programme for Government; and if the introduction of a five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector as outlined in the programme for Government will also result in improved funding streams for resource centres not in receipt of core funding. [14344/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In August 2019, the Department launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A five-year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. This Strategy sets a general direction of travel for Government policy in relation to community development, local development and the community and voluntary sector and will be implemented in partnership with sectorial stakeholders over the next five years and beyond.
The sector participated in comprehensive consultation with my Department to support the strategy development process and the issues of core funding arose as part of those consultations. The strategy recognises the impact of previous policy and resource decisions on the sector and seeks to address these through its 11 high-level objectives and associated actions. The strategy aims to empower communities, their representative organisations, and the community and voluntary sector, to inform and shape responses to their needs into the future.
This is an ambitious strategy and will take time to implement. While implementation of all of the actions will begin during the strategy period, there are some that will continue to be progressed and built upon beyond the life of the current strategy, particularly those that address the development of a sustainable funding model. These actions are no less a priority because they will take longer to implement fully. On the contrary, I recognise that these actions are crucial to a sustainable community and voluntary sector and will underpin support for the sector for many years to come. The disruption brought by COVID19 has inevitably delayed some implementation work this year, however, my Department is committed to the full implementation of the Strategy and I look forward to working closely with the sector to support its implementation.
While recognising that the social recovery of Ireland post COVID-19 will require a whole of Government approach, my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities, LCDCs, Local Development Companies, Community and Voluntary organisations and representatives of the sector to determine how we can all support communities across the country during the recovery process and beyond.
Community facilities can access funding from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. Supports provided by my Department help people to participate in the development of their communities and also to improve community facilities.
These supports include the Community Services Programme (CSP), the Community Enhancement Programme the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the LEADER Programme. Details regarding all these schemes can be found on my Departments website at https://www.gov.ie/ en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/
Community Development Initiatives
Ceisteanna (544)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:544. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the breakdown of the full year budget allocation of her Department for the Dublin north-east inner city initiative as of 1 January 2020. [14433/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides funding towards the regeneration of Dublin’s North East Inner City (NEIC) to support the implementation of the Mulvey Report “Creating a Brighter Future” and the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020 – 2022.
Funding of €6.5m will be provided by my Department in 2020 towards this initiative.
The funding allocation for the NEIC Initiative is decided on a year-to-year basis as part of the Estimates process. Once notified of the NEIC Initiative’s funding allocation for a given year, the NEIC Programme Implementation Board (PIB) invites proposals for the distribution of the funding which are then considered via a sub-group structure and submitted to the PIB for approval. This process is currently underway. A full breakdown of how the overall allocation is distributed within the NEIC will therefore be available at year end.
CLÁR Programme
Ceisteanna (545)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:545. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date in reviewing the CLÁR programme; if there are plans to extend the areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14516/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale infrastructure projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population.
The areas originally designated for CLÁR were selected in 2001 based on the level of population decline in each area between 1926 and 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease at that time. The average population loss in the original CLÁR areas over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.
In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the NIRSA Institute (National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis) at Maynooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.
A full review of the CLÁR programme has been initiated by my Department with the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA), NUI, Maynooth. This will examine the most recent changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of 2016 Census data. The review will also consider whether any factors other than depopulation should be taken into account in determining CLÁR areas in the future.
I expect the review to be completed in the coming months. Once completed, and following consultation with relevant stakeholders, the review will help to inform the design of future CLÁR programmes.
Ministerial Responsibilities
Ceisteanna (546)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:546. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will publish the Departmental briefing paper on her role, remits and powers afforded to her upon appointment to the Cabinet. [14531/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that the Department briefing provided to me upon my appointment will be published on my Department's website in the coming weeks.
National Broadband Plan
Ceisteanna (547, 548)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:547. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which the sites for the Airband technology exploratory initiative were chosen. [14570/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:548. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will include a site in west County Cork in the Airband technology exploratory initiative. [14571/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
The Airband initiative is an exploratory project involving my Department, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and Microsoft Ireland, to explore the possibility of using a new technology to deliver free broadband to second-level students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their Leaving Cert. cycle.
The initiative will explore the capacity to use the existing high-speed broadband connection in a public libraries across each of five counties - Carlow, Donegal, Kilkenny, Mayo and Waterford - as a conduit to connect students in households which currently do not have adequate internet access. The initiative will be targeted primarily at students enrolled in Delivering Equality of Opportunity (DEIS) schools.
The five counties to participate in the trial initiative were selected on the basis of a number of criteria, including the internet capacity of public libraries within each county and the proximity of public libraries in those counties to DEIS schools. The selection of these locations was a collaborative process between my Department and the LGMA.
The individual library branches and specific schools for participation within these counties have yet to be finalised, and the final decisions will involve a range of stakeholders including my Department, the LGMA and the Department of Education and Skills in the context of identifying suitable DEIS schools.
The trial initiative will last for a maximum of 24 months, with a progress evaluation to be conducted every six months by an Evaluation Board. The outcomes of the trial initiative will determine the potential to expand the project into other locations.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (549)
Robert Troy
Ceist:549. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure basic payment scheme, BPS, beef environmental efficiency pilot, BEEP, and beef data and genomics programme, BGDP for 2019 are awarded to a person (details supplied) following appeal. [13752/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials from my Department have been in direct contact with the person named, and have advised him of the required information he must now submit in order to progress this matter.
Once the required information has been received, it will be examined accordingly.
Animal Sales
Ceisteanna (550)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:550. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to take action to deal with the widespread non-compliance with the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019, in view of the fact that the majority of advertisements for dogs on a website (details supplied) breach the regulations as highlighted to him in correspondence from a number of animal welfare organisations, Deputies and MEPs. [13779/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I acknowledge receipt of correspondence of 25 June, of which the Deputy is a signatory, on the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations (SI 681 of 2019).
You will recall that in 2018 my Department launched a public consultation on matters relating to the sale and advertisement of pet animals. The consultation asked specifically for the public’s views on a voluntary Code of Practice for Pet Shops, and whether further legislation was needed regarding the advertisement and sale of pet animals. Following on from this consultation, my Department issued a voluntary Code of Practice for use by sellers or suppliers of pet animals in 2019. The Code, which contains guidelines on animal welfare for a range of species, was sent to all pet shops in the country, and is available on my Department’s website.
Furthermore, again in 2019, my Department brought forward the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations (SI 681 of 2019), with a view to further controlling the sale and supply of pet animals, in the interests of supporting the welfare of animals and bringing greater transparency to the sale and supply of pets. The Regulations require anyone selling or supplying more than six pet animals a year to register with my Department. Advertisements of pet animals are required to contain certain information about the animals. These Regulations, which were welcomed by the ISPCA on their introduction, are part of the on-going work of my Department towards improved animal health and welfare.
These initiatives are aimed at improving the welfare of animals in the context of their sale and supply. They are in addition to general animal health and welfare legislative requirement, as well as in the case of dogs, controls under the Dog Breeding Establishment legislation, where applicable.
My Department takes an active role in the issue of the welfare of pets being sold and supplied at the European level, as a member of a group of a number of EU Member States and animal welfare charities established to consider issues relating to the pet trade. The Department participates in the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group formed in 2015 by a number of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and classified advertising websites to address irresponsible advertising of pets online. Officials of my Department have engaged and will continue to engage constructively with members of IPAAG, on the issue of online advertising and enforcement of the new Regulations.
The recent communication has raised a number of matters as to the operations of these new initiatives. Officials of my Department are currently studying the matters raised.
Beef Environmental Efficiency Scheme
Ceisteanna (551)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:551. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a late beef environmental efficiency pilot, BEEP, application will be accepted from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13806/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The closing date for receipt of applications Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Sucklers was 15th May 2020. No application was received from the person named.
A letter from the person named requesting a review of their participation in the scheme was received on 24th June 2020. A review was carried out and a letter detailing the outcome of that review issued to the person named on 26th June 2020.
If the person named is not satisfied with the outcome of the review, they retain the right to appeal the matter to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
Bord na gCon
Ceisteanna (552)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:552. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an interest free loan reported to be €250,000 from the Irish Greyhound Board to the private operators of Clonmel greyhound stadium has been repaid; and the details of all current IGB loans to tracks and outstanding repayments. [13831/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (553)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:553. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will order the immediate closure of Enniscorthy, Youghal, Thurles and Kilkenny greyhound tracks in view of fire safety concerns highlighted in two Indecon reports (details supplied). [13832/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Live Exports
Ceisteanna (554)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:554. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle live exported to Northern Ireland for slaughter since Covid-19 in tabular form; and the number exported in each of the years 2017 to 2019. [13837/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The following table shows the numbers of cattle (including both calves and adult cattle) exported to Northern Ireland from week 13 (w/c 30/03/20) to week 25 (w/c 22/06/20), with comparative data for previous years. My Department does not have data on the number of these animals slaughtered in Northern Ireland.
Exports to Northern Ireland of 14,321 live cattle between weeks 13 and 25 can be compared to total cattle slaughterings in Ireland in the same period of over 382,000.
|
Live Exports to NI |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
(Cattle & Calves) |
||||
|
Week 13 |
482 |
247 |
909 |
426 |
|
Week 14 |
657 |
465 |
989 |
397 |
|
Week 15 |
725 |
431 |
1,097 |
597 |
|
Week 16 |
607 |
371 |
945 |
661 |
|
Week 17 |
642 |
479 |
827 |
812 |
|
Week 18 |
791 |
419 |
999 |
977 |
|
Week 19 |
666 |
612 |
910 |
826 |
|
Week 20 |
548 |
530 |
785 |
1,249 |
|
Week 21 |
486 |
341 |
616 |
1,274 |
|
Week 22 |
602 |
385 |
650 |
1,279 |
|
Week 23 |
381 |
359 |
508 |
1,955 |
|
Week 24 |
591 |
339 |
436 |
1,842 |
|
Week 25 |
293 |
338 |
464 |
2,026 |
|
Subtotal Week 13-25 |
7,471 |
5,316 |
10,135 |
14,321 |
|
Annual Total |
26,071 |
24,627 |
33,506 |
Note that information on live exports and other metrics for beef and other meats is available in the weekly Meat Market Reports located here:
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/beef/beeffactorypricesweeklyreports/2020/meatmarketreportsweeklyupdates/