Written Answers Nos. 350-374
350. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the long-term monitoring his Department carries out regarding changes to soil health in Ireland over time as recommended by Teagasc; the analysis his Department has carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37478/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTeagasc and research partners UCD, University of Limerick and Sligo IT completed a Research Stimulus project “SQUARE” in 2018 funded by my Department.
In the SQUARE project, a baseline survey of soil health status was taken for a range of grassland and arable soils across Ireland (total: 108 field sites). This research identified key soil indicators related to the five soil functions; (1) primary production, (2) Nutrient cycling, (3) Water regulation and purification, (4) Climate regulation and carbon sequestration and (5) habitat for biodiversity. These key soil indicators can be used to assess and monitor different aspects of soil health over time. This research also investigated the interactions between soil type, climatic region and management and their effect on these key indicators of soil health.
Overall, while the SQUARE project results indicate that the soil health status of Irish soils is relatively good, it identified that one of the main threats to soil health in Ireland was the risk of soil compaction.
351. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried with regard to regenerative agriculture techniques and their potential in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that there has been an increased interest in regenerative farming in recent years and the movement is growing internationally.
In 2018, the National Organic Training Skillnet organized the first Biological Farming conference in Ireland. Ireland’s second annual Biological Farming Conference ‘BioFarm’ was held in November 2019. In recent weeks, the third Bio-farm event was addressed by my colleague Minister Hackett.
The event featured speakers on many aspects of innovative agriculture that mitigate climate change, regenerate soil health and carbon cycles, empower farmers and create food security. The motivation for the conference came from the increase in interest and knowledge exchange on biological/regenerative farming practices.
Under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects, funded and supported by my Department, we are in the process of researching holistic farming approaches, such as through the Danú Farming Group EIP. The Danú Farming Group aims to educate farmers on biological farming by developing a conventional to biological farming transition programme. The project seeks to achieve over its lifetime of 5+ years to develop the transition programmes on the basis of field trial findings that are practical, affordable and capable of implementation by any interested farmer.
352. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers with an off-farm income are deemed ineligible for the tuberculosis hardship grant; his plans to change the rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37496/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe hardship grant is one of a number of supplementary compensation schemes aimed at contributing towards the consequential losses suffered by farmers as a result of a TB breakdown. These supplementary schemes are unique to Ireland and are not available in other jurisdictions with a TB eradication programme where compensation for reactor animals is the only relief available to herdowners.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herdowners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown. The specific focus of the eligibility period from 1st November to 30th April is a relief measure aimed at reducing cattle wintering costs for restricted farmers. To qualify for the scheme, certain criteria must be met including that the holding must be in a continuous period of restriction of at least 60 days in length and that the herdowner cannot be in receipt of any off-farm income.
Off-farm income does not include income from certain sources i.e;
- Payments under the Basic Payment, GLAS, DAS, AEOS or REPS Schemes.
- Payments from the Department of Social Protection, Health Board, Intreo/Solas/Education Training Boards (ETBS), Rural Social Scheme.
- Income of any other family members.
- Income from the supply of milk.
All of the conditions above are aimed at ensuring that the grant is awarded to those herdowners in most financial hardship due to their TB breakdown.
353. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position on the deduction of payments for landowners who voluntarily give a portion of their land for use as a community greenway or cycleway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37504/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the Basic Payment Scheme, my Department pays out some €1.2bn annually to farmers based on the entitlements that they hold in respect of eligible land they declare in their scheme applications. In general, there are two key principles in relation to the eligibility of land.
Firstly, the land in question must be available to the applicant for a period from either the start of the year until a date after 31st May, or from a date before 31st May until the end of the year. With regard to the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme and agri-environmental schemes such as GLAS, the applicant must farm the land for the full year.
Secondly, the land must be agricultural in nature and be maintained in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation without preparatory action going beyond usual agricultural methods and machineries. There must also be evidence of an agricultural activity on the land. All requirements must be satisfied for the land to be eligible for payment.
At present, greenways or cycleways are deemed to be ineligible features and thus do not qualify for payment under the Basic Payment Scheme. Further detail in relation to the eligibility of land is contained in “A Guide to Land Eligibility – Direct Payment Schemes” which is available on my Department’s website.
354. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the implementation of the EU unfair commercial practices directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37505/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective (EU) No. 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain (UTP Directive) must be transposed into Irish law by 1 May 2021. This can be done by way of a Statutory Instrument, but any measures that extend beyond the minimum harmonisation requirements of the UTP Directive will require primary legislation.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
My officials are currently drafting a proposal for a Statutory Instrument to directly transpose the UTP Directive as it stands. In addition, the legal requirements for the establishment of a new Office of a Food Ombudsman or equivalent are also being considered, including the requirement for primary legislation in order to give that Office additional powers beyond those in the UTP Directive.
This new office will be an important step in our commitment to bringing transparency to our food sector.
355. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37524/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an incomplete Tree Felling Licence application from the person named in February this year. Tree felling licences carry a mandatory replanting requirement irrespective of whether they were originally grant-aided or not. The applicant has the option to replant the felled land, or to provide an alternative site, which must receive approval for planting before any felling can take place.
A letter was sent to the applicant in April requesting details of the replanting proposed following felling. As the applicant was unable or unwilling to replant the land, the application was cancelled. For the avoidance of any doubt, no tree felling may take place without a valid tree felling licence.
356. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37555/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that, in respect of the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
357. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an ERI application for a new herd number in the name of a person (details supplied); and if the matter will be expedited. [37595/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a new non-animal registered number RH1 in the name of a person (details supplied); and id the matter will be expedited. [37597/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 357 and 358 together.
A non-animal identification number has issued to the person named and a notification to that effect issued earlier this week.
359. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if forestry roadworks approved under the local authority planning process prior to 7 February 2020 and circular 3/2020 are now required to have approval under the single consent process thereby adding another layer of bureaucracy and further costs to applicants; and If he will review a contract number (details supplied) and clarify the issues raised. [37602/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department worked closely with the Department of Housing to bring an amendment to the Planning and Development Acts to facilitate a more efficient application process for forest roads. Section 8 of the Act was commenced in February and in tandem with this the Forestry (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020 (SI No. 39 of 2020) were signed.
The legislation means that from the 7th February, 2020 all applications for forest roads including an entrance (or widening an existing entrance) onto a public road (other than a national road) must be processed under a single consent system operated by my Department.
We are currently reviewing this case and its particular circumstances and will be in direct contact with the applicant.
360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in the past month within his Department in processing licences for forestry roads and for felling timber in view of the critical supply situation in the timber mills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37618/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the serious issues being faced by the forestry sector, and in particular timber mills, due to delays in processing forestry licences and in issuing decision on appeals. My Department is treating the current situation extremely seriously. We are committed to addressing the situation and have taken steps to improve matters by means of additional resources, a systematic approach to processing files and the reform of the appeals system.
In terms of resources, there are currently sixteen full-time equivalent ecologists working on licensing files, compared to one at the same time last year, with sanction in place for an additional eight permanent ecologists. My Department is recruiting thirteen Forestry Inspectors, ten of which will be working on licensing files.
Regarding the backlog of files with the Ecology Unit, a project plan is now in place, which comprises the above-mentioned additional ecology and inspectorate resources; the continuous improvement of business processes; and the establishment of a Project Management Unit to support monitoring, reporting and communicating with applicants, forestry companies and consultants.
The Deputy will be aware that the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act commenced on Tuesday 6th October. The new Act, amending the Agriculture Appeals Act, was designed to align forestry licensing appeals process with best practice in other appeals processes. Among other things, it allows for the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) to determine appeals by enabling it to sit in divisions of itself
I have moved quickly to resource the FAC to realise the provisions as set out in the Act and have appointed three Deputy Chairs along with two 2 ordinary members. There are now hearings scheduled for four different FAC Committees. Three additional persons with planning expertise have also been contracted to assist members of the FAC. This will increase the number of decisions on appeals and give applicants certainty in terms of their licence applications.
My officials conntinue to process licence applications daily. In October 2020, my Department issued 301 new licences across afforestation, felling and roads. Decisions were issued on twenty four Forest Road Licence applications for 6.72km of forest roads and, to last Friday, an additional eighteen decisions issued, for 4.8km. This brings the total to date this year to 304 licences issued for 111 kms of forest roads.
In terms of tree felling licences, there were 229 licence issued in October and a further 92 to date in November. To date this year, licences for 4.1m cubic metres have issued.
361. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all reports on the development of a deep water pier in Ros a Mhil will be completed; if in examining this project the wider policies of the Government for the sustainable development of territorial waters and the needs they will create for deep water piers around the coast will be taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37622/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968, established the concept of fishery harbours in the State and invested their management in the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine took over responsibility for the Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs) in October 2007. Ros an Mhíl is one of six Fishery Harbour Centres, the others are located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth and Killybegs.
The FHCs were established to act as dedicated centres and focal points for the promotion and development of the Irish seafood industry which comes under the remit of this Department.
Overall policies and strategies for delivering on climate change and renewable energies are not primarily a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, these primarily fall under the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
Should any proposals be brought forward either centrally or from private enterprises to develop the infrastructure in Ros an Mhíl or any of the Fishery Harbour Centres, to support the sustainable development of territorial waters, they will be considered as appropriate.
Funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the FHCs, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. A phased programme for the infrastructural development of Ros an Mhíl FHC has been progressed over the last number of years, which has seen a significant investment. In total, approx €31m has been invested in capital developments at Ros an Mhíl FHC between 2000 and 2019. In addition, in excess of €1.5m has been allocated for capital works in the harbour in 2020.
The possibility of a deep-water berthing project at Ros an Mhíl FHC has been mooted for some time. The Department commissioned DKM consultants to conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis into the development of a deep water quay at Ros an Mhíl FHC and a draft report was submitted to the Department in June 2017. While positive, the Department had reservations with the report and never formally accepted it. Since the report was drafted, there have been changes to some of the fundamentals underpinning the original analysis.
In 2018, the Department subsequently commissioned engineering consultants to undertake a review of the design solutions, scoping options and operational aspects of a possible future project. An interim draft of the Quay Wall Peer Review Report was received in April 2019. This report identified the need for additional site investigations to be carried out in Ros an Mhíl FHC. These site investigation works were carried out in August/September 2019 and have now been completed.
The final Quay Wall Peer Review report was received on 27th July 2020 and a further update was issued on the 4th September 2020. The Department is now considering this report in full, including the site investigation results, to inform a future assessment of possible design solutions and scoping options, which will, in themselves, inform any future decisions on progressing this project.
As is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres generally, any future decision with regard to formally initiating this project in Ros an Mhíl FHC, will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
362. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to protect the inshore fishing sector due to the effect Covid-19 is having on them and also the recent court ruling on the six-mile limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37628/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThroughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Government has made available financial and other supports for employees and businesses negatively impacted by the Pandemic. Both the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme have supported the incomes of employees and the self-employed in our seafood sector and I am aware that many availed of these Government payments in the first half of 2020. Government has also made available low-cost loans to seafood businesses for working capital and other purposes.
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-2020 is the principal source of public funding for the sustainable development of our fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The Programme is delivered through a range of support schemes providing supports for capital investment, innovation, advisory services, marketing, training, stock conservation and protection of marine biodiversity. These support schemes have continued throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic and take-up of grants has remained strong. The Programme is now nearing its end, with funds already mostly committed through grant offers and I anticipate that the Programme will finish in 2021. My Department is working to develop a new Seafood Development Programme for the 2021-27 period.
As part of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus, the European Union amended the EMFF Regulation (508/2014) in 2020 to ensure that Member States’ EMFF Programmes could be best used to support their seafood sectors with the specific impacts of the Pandemic. The additional measures available through these amendments will end on 31st December 2020.
For the fisheries sector, the amendments to the EMFF Regulation facilitated Member States that chose to implement either a fleet tie-up scheme or a storage aid market support scheme and only those two measures. Over the course of March and April 2020, the previous Minister engaged in detailed discussions with representatives of the fisheries sector, including Producer Organisations, fisheries cooperatives, and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum. It was clear from those meetings that there was a consensus among fishing representatives that they did not wish to see a storage aid scheme introduced, as they feared it would create a market overhang of stored product that may undermine market prices. Instead, fishing representatives expressed a wish to see a temporary fleet tie-up scheme introduced to support the fixed costs of vessel owners who chose to tie-up during periods of market turbulence, with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment complementing such a scheme by supporting the incomes of crew while the vessels are tied up. A Covid-19 Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme was implemented over three months June to August 2020.
In December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1st January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures. The Policy Directive directed the Licensing Authority to insert a condition to this effect into the licences of affected vessels.
A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy.
On 6th October 2020, the Judge held in summary that the High Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
The breach of fair procedures as referenced above related to a failure with obligations to consult with the applicants in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the consultation process and in particular by failing to consult with them once a preferred option had been identified.
The High Court’s ruling of Judicial Review proceedings which relate to the Policy Directive has been appealed by the State to the Court of Appeal and a stay is being sought on the orders granted therein.
As this matter is sub judice, I am not in a position to comment on the policy until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
363. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a fourth division of the Forestry Appeals Committee will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37636/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of days the new divisions of the Forestry Appeals Committee have sat to date; the number of days it is proposed that these new divisions sit per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and grade of staff that have been appointed to his Department to improve the processing of forestry licences; the number of additional staff that will be hired to improve the licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37638/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra366. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of FAC appeal hearings that are scheduled between now and the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37639/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra367. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the current backlog of appeals in the Forestry Appeals Committee is expected to be cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37640/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra368. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details, step-by-step of the appeals process with respect to forestry licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37641/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff employed by the Forestry Appeals Committee; the grades of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37642/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 to 369, inclusive, together.
I am aware of the urgency to deal with the backlog of licence applications and appeal cases currently with my Department and with the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC). We are committed to addressing the situation and have taken steps to improve matters by means of additional resources, a systematic approach to processing files and the reform of the appeals system.
I must note that the FAC is operationally independent of my Department and they schedule hearings and deal independently with all operational matters in relation to individual decisions and the conduct of hearings.
Forestry Appeals Committee
Since the introduction of the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020, I have moved quickly to appoint new members to the FAC, which comprises internal and external members. The appointment of three very experienced Deputies Chair means that with the existing Chair and two additional ordinary members, the Committee has operated in four divisions since 9th November, 2020.
The FAC hear both oral and non-oral hearing appeals. All appeals hearings are being held remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions and the hearings are conducted five days a week. The Committee has 71 appeals scheduled for November I understand.
The Agriculture Appeals Office, which also operates independently of my Department, provides Administrative support to the FAC and the Appeals Officers appointed to the Agriculture Appeals Office are also members of the FAC. There are thirteen Appeals Officers in the Appeals Office, four of which are permanently assigned to FAC while the remaining Officers carry out Agriculture Appeal duties and are rotated onto FAC as necessary. The Agriculture Appeals Office also has responsibility for providing administrative support to the FAC and this administrative support includes one Higher Executive Office, three Executive Officers and four Clerical officers. In addition, three planners have been contracted to assist the FAC in preparing documentation for the committees.
Forestry Licensing
There are currently 147 staff working across my Department's three Forestry Divisions comprising a combination of forestry inspectors, ecologists, archaeologists and administrative staff. There are 21 ecologists working on licensing files (16 fulltime equivalents), with sanction for an additional eight permanent ecologists.
My Department is recruiting 13 Forestry Inspectors, 10 of which will be working on licensing files. Eight of the 10 have been cleared by the Public Appointments Service and are in the final stages of joining the Department. These staff are coming on stream now. Four Temporary Forestry Inspectors have been recruited to assist with licensing and are on contract for another 9 months.
Regarding the backlog of files with the Ecology Unit, a project plan is now in place, which comprises the above-mentioned additional ecology and inspectorate resources; the continuous improvement of business processes; and, the establishment of a Project Management Unit to support monitoring, reporting and communicating with applicants, forestry companies and consultants.
Forestry Licence Appeals Process
When a decision on a forestry licence application issues, it is advertised on the gov.ie portal. 28 days is provided in which to bring an appeal, during this time, no forestry operations may commence. It is up to the FAC to decide on the validity of the appeal; to schedule any hearing; and, to issue a decision on the appeal. The FAC has set a fee of €200 to bring an appeal.
An appeal against a decision is notified to officials of my Department by the FAC and the licence is suspended. Officials prepare the file documentation and forward it to the FAC. They attend any hearing that is arranged and once the decision is notified, act accordingly, for example, to reinstate the licence.
The FAC has several options open to them in deciding an appeal. They may affirm the licence decision; vary it, which is usually to add, remove or amend a condition; or cancel the licence decision. Since the Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act commenced on 7th October, the FAC may also remit and set aside the licence decision, in which case the licence is returned to my Department for reassessment; or finally, they may substitute their own decision. The FAC will advertise decisions on their own website and will notify the parties to the appeal.
370. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work his Department is currently doing to address the serious and growing issue of cruelty to horses in our urban areas particularly the Clonburris lands in South Dublin County Council area; if his officials will meet with council officials and gardaí on these issues; if so, when and the format; if the minutes of the meetings are publicly available; and the further actions he plans to take to address this serious problem. [37737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide, bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to disadvantaged areas. For example, in the context of breeding, the DSPCA with financial assistance from my Department, continues to facilitate castration clinics and education programs in an effort to address the problem of over-breeding which can add to welfare issues.
In 2018 and 2019, my Department also funded an equine welfare course aimed at horse owners, in particular those who have involvement with trotting/harness type animals. Four of these courses were run including one aimed at participants from Co Dublin.
In addition, the Programme for Government also contains commitments to provide additional urban horse welfare programmes to which I am fully committed. My Department continues to take a proactive approach in tackling challenges that arise in the case of horses by developing facilities for urban and traveller horse populations and in educating young people among these communities in the care and welfare of horses. This work is done in close collaboration with the local authorities involved.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences, the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. The local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.
I have asked officials in my Department to look at the records of welfare calls to the Department and there have been no incidents reported on Clonburris lands.
If the Deputy wishes to pass on details of any cases of alleged neglect or cruelty that he is aware of, they will be fully investigated by my Department and appropriate actions, up to and including prosecution, may be taken.
The dedicated e-mail address and Helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
The may have been raised directly with the relevant local authority if it a matter under the Control of Horses Act 1996.
371. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the towns in counties Cavan and Monaghan which will benefit from the funding allocated for town centre masterplans in budget 2021. [37541/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2018, my Department launched a Town Centre Living Initiative to explore in a holistic way how to encourage increased residential occupancy in rural towns and villages. The pilot focused on 6 towns with different characteristics in different parts of the country. Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, was one of the towns included in the pilot.
An independent report on the pilot Town Centre Living Initiative was published on 22nd June 2020. The report outlines the approach taken by each town under the pilot and sets out the key issues identified to encourage increased town centre living and the repurposing of vacant properties for residential purposes.
The report, which is available on the Gov.ie website, highlights the multiplicity of factors that need to be addressed to encourage town centre living.
One of the key issues the report highlights is the importance of Local Authorities consulting with local communities and property owners on town centre development proposals, and the value of developing a shared vision or master plan for the town.
In that regard, I have secured an additional €2 million in Budget 2021 as part of the expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be used to support the development of masterplans as a basis for the strategic development of our rural towns and villages. This initiative, which will support up to 50 towns and villages across the country, will be progressed early in 2021 and further details will be announced at that time.
372. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the additional funding made available through LEADER, CLÁR and the rural regeneration development fund for counties Cavan and Monaghan in budget 2021. [37542/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra2021 will see continued delivery of key programmes for Cavan and Monaghan and communities across the country.
Budget 2021, announced last October has earmarked €341 million for my Department. This will support the recovery of the rural economy and enhance community development supports, in particular in the context of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Brexit.
The Revised Estimates Volume 2021 will set out further details of my Department’s allocation for next year. I understand that it is scheduled to be published in mid-December by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
I was delighted to announce the successful projects under Measures 1 and 2 of CLÁR 2020 on Monday 2nd November last. €4.1 million has been allocated to support 115 projects involving the provision of safety measures around schools and community facilities, as well as the development of community recreation areas. Cavan was approved funding of €334,692 for 8 projects and Monaghan was approved funding of €233,276.70 for 7 projects. Details of the successful projects are available on my Department's pages on the Gov.ie website.
I intend to Increase LEADER funding next year from €40 million to €44 million. This will fund the completion of existing projects , as well as new projects to be approved under a state-led Transitional LEADER Programme. This will bridge the gap between the current LEADER programme and the next iteration.
The ambitious Castleblayney Market Square Regeneration will refurbish and extend the existing Hope Castle Gate Lodge building. Rural Regeneration and Development Funding will also provide a modern library, gallery space and cultural and creative space. The project was approved for funding of €2.6 million under RRDF.
Virginia Civic Centre, will see a new library, additional theatre space and a multipurpose civic event facilities, both inside the centre and in its grounds This has been approved for almost €4m.
In total 6 projects in Cavan and 7 in Monaghan have been approved under the Fund.
I will also provide increased funding allocations for other elements of RRDF:
- Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Scheme from €10 million to €12 million;
- €5m for investment through the Town and Village Renewal programme in facilities for digital hubs and broadband connection points (BCPs) across rural Ireland.
- An additional €2 million has been secured as part of the expanded Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be used to support the development of masterplans as a basis for the strategic development of our rural towns and villages. This initiative will be progressed early in 2021 and further details will be announced at that time.
- Establish a €2m funding stream to enable rural towns and villages to develop masterplans aimed at revitalising town and village centres and increasing town centre living.
373. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of broadband connection points provided to date in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020; and the total number to be delivered in the counties by the end of 2021. [37545/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBroadband Connection Points (BCPs) will be among the first sites connected under the National Broadband Plan. At present, there are approximately 200 public access BCP sites scheduled for connection in 2020, in addition to 75 school BCPs. Up to 100 further public access sites are planned for connection in 2021.
BCPs will be located in some of the most rural and isolated areas in the country, including 10 islands in counties Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Mayo. The sites will be provided with a high-speed broadband service (minimum 150mbps) for the community to use on-site.
Initial connectivity is provided via a temporary wireless solution at each site by National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company contracted to deliver the National Broadband Plan in the State subvention area. Once this equipment has been installed, Vodafone Ireland install Wi-Fi access points and other customer premises equipment.
As of Tuesday 17 November, more than 80 public access BCPs across the country have been installed with Wi-Fi equipment, with new sites being added every day. The table below details the number of installed sites for Cavan and Monaghan to date and the number of sites to be connected in both counties by end Q1 2021. Full details of the BCP locations, both installed and planned, can also be found on NBI's website at https://nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
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County |
Installed |
Planned |
|
Cavan |
1 |
10 |
|
Monaghan |
7 |
5 |
Once the build phase of the BCP project has completed, my Department's officials will work with the Local Authorities, site owners and a number of other stakeholders to develop the BCP network. I envisage that the network will mature over the coming years, providing a range of digitally-enabled services including eHealth initiatives, training and education, and connected working.
374. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37568/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question of third-party contracts entered into by agencies under my Department’s remit is an operational matter for the agencies concerned.
I have requested the agencies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the matter.
