Written Answers Nos. 1183-1200
1183. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will be issued to a person (details supplied) who has been in contact with the records branch of his Department for information on a right of way which is needed for the purchase of property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1736/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that the person named made contact with the Records Branch in my Department via email on 24th September 2020. A response was sent to the person named, acknowledging receipt of his query.
On 11th November 2020, a further email was issued, advising him that the relevant documents had been located and copied. This correspondence also contained a bill for €60. No further correspondence has been received from the person named to date.
I would advise that the individual should make contact directly and respond appropriately to the latest correspondence from the Records Branch.
1184. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding awarded to animal welfare charities in 2020, by county, name and amount of funding in tabular form; if further tranches of funding will be made available considering the major decline in fundraising due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to assure the Deputy that animal welfare is a high priority for my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to address the issue. The Programme for Government contains an undertaking to provide additional funding to support animal welfare in the coming years to which I am fully committed.
In this regard, in December 2020, I announced record funding of €3.2 million to 101 animal welfare organisations throughout the country (see attached list) to assist them in their valuable work and to help offset some of the difficulties created by the Covid-19 pandemic. This represented a significant increase in the funding provided in 2019 which amounted to €2.906 million.
My Department's scheme for support to animal welfare charities in 2022 will be advertised later this year and applications from eligible organisations will be welcomed. The following link contains information on the awards made by the Department.
1185. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details for his Department for outsourcing to consultancies of specifically Covid-19-related work, services or advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1788/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has been able to maintain all its usual services throughout the pandemic without the need to outsource such work.
1186. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of beef carcasses under 30 months that have been exported worldwide in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1806/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTrade data from the CSO shows the volume and value of all beef exported for 2018, 2019 and January to October 2020. The full CSO trade stats for 2020 will not be available until mid-February 2021.
This data is not broken down by age at slaughter. The data does not relate directly to individual carcasses, rather it is categorised by CN code which reflects products as exported. It is not possible to correlate the volume of meat exported to individual carcasses from the data available.
However, it should be noted that 71% of the approximately 1.3 million beef breed bovines slaughtered annually in both 2018 and 2019 were 30 months or less. This data and related data on slaughter patterns is contained in this Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) annual reports which are available on my Department's website.
In the region of 90% of Irish beef is exported each year.
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|
Jan-Dec 2018 |
|
Jan-Dec 2019 |
|
Jan-Oct 2020 |
|
|
|
Exports |
|
Exports |
|
Exports |
|
|
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
Beef |
2,434,586 |
534,542 |
2,348,872 |
528,379 |
1,865,606 |
421,908 |
1187. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the Covid-19 stability scheme funding that went to disability organisations. [44999/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19 Stability Fund was 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. The criteria of the scheme stated that any grants awarded would be dependent on the need identified and organisations approved for funding were prioritised on that basis.
Eligible organisations were required to demonstrate the delivery of critical front line services to the most vulnerable in their communities to meet the criteria of the Stability Fund. To date funding of €5,746,221 has been allocated from the Stability Fund to 51 organisations that indicated that they were disability services providers.
This funding is now supporting the delivery of many critical front line services in every part of the country. The fund is now closed to new applications, however a small number of appeals await final decision. Outcomes will be communicated to these organisations individually.
A list of the 51 successful disability services organisations is provided in the attached and a full list of all successful applicants to the Stability Fund is available on my Department’s website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3957e-covid-19-stability-fund-successful-applicants/
1188. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports available to community organisations to support them through the Covid-19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1065/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the challenges faced by many community organisations at this time and my Department has put a range of initiatives in place that provides supports to the community sector during the COVID-19 crisis.
My Department currently supports over 420 community organisations under the Community Services Programme (CSP) to provide local services through a social enterprise model. In response to the difficulties being experienced by organisations due to COVID-19, my Department developed a CSP Support Fund during 2020 totalling €4.75m which assists all CSP supported organisations to continue to retain their CSP supported employees on their payroll and also provides assistance for the Employers PRSI contribution, during this crisis period up to April 2021.
The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was launched in June 2020 with funding of €2m and provides small capital grants to community organisations. Separately, with funding from the July stimulus package, my Department launched a €5m fund under the CEP for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. While it is now closed for 2020, it is hoped to run the CEP again in 2021.
More recently my Department launched a €1.7m COVID-19 Emergency Fund , which local community and voluntary groups can apply for by contacting the Local Community Development Committee in their area. This follows on from a previous €2.5m round of this fund.
In 2020, my Department launched the €45m COVID 19 Stability Fund for organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector, Charities and Social Enterprises. Funding of €44m has been approved to just under 600 organisations to date and the payment processes for this funding remain ongoing. The Stability Fund is now closed for further applications.
The Rural Development Investment Programme is being tailored to address the emerging challenges associated with COVID-19. This includes schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme through which Local Authorities were provided with grant funding for interventions that helped local communities respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19 and to help support the economic and social recovery of our rural towns and villages. The 2020 Town and Village Scheme has now closed. However, details of the 2021 Scheme will be circulated to all Local Authorities when it is launched later this year.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the Community and Voluntary sector, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges presented by COVID-19. I would encourage all groups to engage with their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
Information on all funding available through my Department can be found on my Department's website.
1189. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of dog attacks on sheep flocks by county in 2020; the number of sheep attacked by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1087/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year my Department publishes annual statistics on gov.ie in respect of a range of dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2019 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/
The number of livestock worrying incidents reported to the local authorities in 2019 was also collated and published for the first time in 2020. 253 livestock worrying incidents were reported to local authorities in 2019. This data is displayed by county on page 11 of the 2019 Dog Control Statistics.
Information relating to the number of sheep attacked is not available in my Department.
The 2020 dog control statistics will be collated and published later this year.
1190. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to prevent unlawful puppy farming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1341/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe role of my Department is to ensure animal health and welfare. The movement of animals, including pets, among EU Member States and between the EU and third countries is governed by EU legislation, which imposes requirements in relation to movement that vary according to species, type of movement and country of origin.
In relation to the movement of dogs, requirements include vaccination against rabies, microchipping, an EU pet passport or and EU animal health certificate, treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis. Compliance checks are carried out on departure from the country of origin in the case of a commercial movement of dogs, and on entry into Ireland in the case of pet travel. Anyone moving a dog to another EU Member State must also be registered with my Department.
1191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will consider granting an exceptional extension regarding the LEADER programme in which projects approved by the end of 2020 but ultimately may not go ahead allowing the funding to be used for other 2020 projects that missed out. [44658/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast December, I announced funding of €20 million for the Transitional LEADER Programme, which will come into effect from 1 April 2021 for new project approvals.
In tandem with this announcement and in response to a number of requests for an extension of the timeline for project approvals, I extended the deadline for project commitments under the 2014-2020 programme to the end of March 2021 to facilitate the full allocation of the funds available to the Local Action Groups (LAGs).
In addition, for the duration of the Transitional Programme, LAGs will also be permitted to reallocate any funds approved under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme which are subsequently decommitted from a project as a result of an underspend, or non-progression of a project. Projects availing of this reallocated funding must be approved by the LAGs on or before 31 December 2022 and completed by 31 December 2023.
Final claims for payment under the 2014-2020 programme must be submitted to my Department no later than 30 June 2024.
My Department has advised the LAGs of the changes by way of a circular issued to them in December 2020.
1192. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44686/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The 2020 scheme had an indicative budget of €25 million, which included an additional €10 million provided as part of the Government’s July Stimulus Package.
The 2020 Scheme included two separate funding Measures - an Accelerated Measure and a Standard Measure.
Funding of €10.4 million was announced under three rounds of the Accelerated Measure during 2020. Last week, I also announced details of 147 projects approved for €15.4 million of funding under the Standard Measure of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
I can confirm that the project referred to by the Deputy was amongst the list of projects approved under the Standard Measure. Full details of the projects approved under the 2020 Town and Village Renewal Scheme are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/0012f5-town-and-village-renewal-scheme/.
1193. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of occasions on which the interdepartmental committee for the development of the islands met in 2020; the dates of the meetings in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44696/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Interdepartmental Committee for the development of a new Islands Policy was established in late 2019, and met on two occasions prior to a consultation process with island communities being undertaken.
It was intended that the Committee would reconvene on completion of the consultation process, and would then meet on a regular basis to oversee the development of the Islands Policy.
A total of 11 consultation meetings took place with island communities in early 2020. However, the consultation process had to be temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and to avoid health risks both for the island communities and Departmental officials. The consultation process was re-commenced through an on-line format in the final quarter of 2020 and will conclude shortly.
No meetings of the Interdepartmental Committee were held during 2020, but with the consultation process drawing to a close, arrangements are being made to reconvene the Interdepartmental Committee in the coming weeks to review the main messages which have emerged from the consultation process. The scope and structure for the drafting of the new policy will also be agreed at that meeting.
1194. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department or State agencies under the aegis of her Department have awarded contracts to a company (details supplied); if so, the value of such contracts; if the contracts were tendered for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44792/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there have been no contracts awarded to the company referenced by the Deputy, by either my Department, or by the State agencies under the aegis of my Department.
1195. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of puppy farms registered in each of the past five years; the number of dog wardens employed by each local authority; the amount spent by her Department in increasing the level of public knowledge on individual's responsibilities in relation to puppy farm regulations; the number of persons fined who are breeding and selling puppies who have not adhered to the regulations to date; the actions her Department is taking to ensure that the proportion of dog licences in the State is lifted from 20% to 100%; and if her Department has worked on the centralisation of microchip databases. [45130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The day to day regulation of dog breeding establishments to ensure compliance with the Act is a matter for local authorities. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the register.
In July 2018, following a public consultation, my Department published revised guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments. These came into effect on 1 January 2019 following widespread publicity, including using press releases and social media, there was no additional spend. Each local authority is responsible for the monitoring of these standards with regard to the registration of such establishments.
Each year my Department publishes annual statistics on gov.ie in respect of a range of dog control responsibilities of local authorities, including the statistics sought. Information up to and including 2019 is available at the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-control-statistics/
Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities are responsible for licensing services in their areas and my Department is not involved in this operational activity.
It is a legal requirement for all dog owners to have a dog licence. In 2018, to make it easier to purchase a licence, local authorities rolled out a new online system for the purchase of dog licences. Licences can now be purchased online, at Post Offices or at local authority offices. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of local authorities to driving efficiencies and modernising to meet the needs of citizens. Furthermore, I understand that mobile access and reporting facilities, which will assist detection and evasion, will also be enabled for the local authority dog warden service.
I understand from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), which has policy responsibility for the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 63/2015), that it has no plans currently to centralise microchip databases. Under the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, four companies are authorised by DAFM to operate dog identification databases. These companies are legally required to provide certain details regarding the microchips registered with them to Europetnet, a group of national and local associations throughout Europe that register information about pets that have been uniquely identified. A person can enter a chip number into Europetnet to establish whether the chip is a valid number. Certain persons such as dog wardens and those who microchip dogs have access through this portal to the databases to enable the identification of microchipped dogs - including information about their registered owners.
As the Department with responsibility in the area, DAFM has indicated that no fines have been issued in respect of the selling of pets and the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale and Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019.
1196. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the post of director of legal affairs and registration at the Charities Regulator will be filled on a permanent basis. [1191/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulator (CRA) is an independent public body which is under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The CRA have informed my Department that the open recruitment competition, to recruit a new Director of Legal Affairs and Registration was advertised by them on 14th October 2020 with a closing date for applications of 4th November 2020.
The recruitment process is now at an advanced stage and the CRA expect that the role will be filled shortly.
1197. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén uair atá sé i gceist aici go mbeidh deis ag ionadaithe ó Phobal Inis Meáin scrúdu a dhéanamh ar an obair atá déanta ar riachtanais na hoibre ar Ché an Chalaidh Mhóir in Inis Meáin ag comhairleoirí i gCorcaigh, cibé acu go fisiciúil nó go fíorúil, de bharr na práinne a bhaineann le dul ar aghaidh le hobair phleanála ar an gCé seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1368/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá teagmháil rialta idir oifigigh na Roinne agus oifigigh an Chomhairle Contae chun forbairt an Chalaidh Mhóir in Inis Meáin, agus an cheist sonrach seo a phlé.
Tuigtear dom nach raibh rochtain ar an áis NMCI ag an Comhairle Contae ná ag ionadaithe ó phobal Inis Meáin fós de bharr na srianta ag eascairt as COVID-19.
Cé go raibh súil go mbeadh bealach éigin an t-eolas seo a chur i láthair go fíorúil, tá ráite anois nach féidir sin a dhéanamh. Idir an dá linn, tá Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe ag plé go leanúnach leis an NMCI faoi bhealaí chun an obair a bhrú chun cinn agus chun teacht ar réiteach le cinntiú go mbeidh ar a gcumas deis a thabhairt do ionadaithe ón oileán a bheith páirteach, ag cur san áireamh na treorlínnte maidir le sláinte poiblí agus srianta taistil.
1198. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén dul chun cinn atá déanta go dtí seo maidir le forbairt na cé in Inis Oírr; an bhfuil cás gnó maidir leis an gcé curtha chuig an Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe agus, más amhlaidh go bhfuil, cathain a cuireadh ar aghaidh é; cad iad na staidéir a chaithfear a dhéanamh fós sula mbeidh tairiscintí á lorg don togra; cén staid ag a bhfuil na staidéir sin agus cén uair a mheastar go mbeidh siad ar fáil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [1661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá an Roinn agus Comhairle Chontae na Gaillimhe ag obair go leanúnach chun baill chríoch a chur leis an cás gnó i leith Cé Inis Oírr. Tá leagan don chás gnó faighte ag an Roinn, ach tá ábhar forlíontach fós le theacht. Ach é seo a bheith curtha ar fáil ag an Chomhairle Chontae, táthar ag súil go mbeadh an cháipéis chríochnúil réidh chun cur faoi bhráid na Roinne roimh dheireadh na míosa.
Nuair a bheidh an cás gnó faofa agus na ceadúnais chuí faighte is féidir dul i mbun tairiscintí a lorg. Níl aon staidéar breise le déanamh ag an tráth seo chun an togra a bhrú chun cinn.
1199. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the measures from within her Department to enforce and reduce the illicit puppy farms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1758/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
The day to day regulation of dog breeding establishments to ensure compliance with the Act is a matter for local authorities. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the register. Welfare standards regarding dog breeding establishments have been provided for through guidelines.
In July 2018, following a public consultation, my Department published revised guidelines for Dog Breeding Establishments. These came into effect on 1 January 2019. There is a substantial shift in the new guidelines towards a focus on the welfare of dogs and pups. Each local authority is responsible for the monitoring of these standards with regard to the registration of such establishments.
Following a review, my Department is currently developing necessary legislative amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, with a view to inclusion in the 2021 Government legislative programme.
Separately, the enforcement of welfare standards regarding all animals, including dogs, is a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Both Departments work together to ensure a coordinated approach is taken in this area.
1200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details for her Department for outsourcing to consultancies of specifically Covid-19 related work, services or advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not outsourced Covid-19-related work to consultants or sought their services or advice in this regard.
