Thursday, 4 Feb 2021

Written Answers Nos. 256-269

Meat Processing Plants

Ceisteanna (256)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

256. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a specific meat processing plant (details supplied) has provided for workers who have recently arrived here to quarantine in line with public health advice before commencing work at the plant; if inspectors from his Department at the plant have oversight knowledge or any regulatory role in relation to workers who have recently arrived in order to ensure public health advice is being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6186/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department’s statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the DAFM approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards. My Department does not comment on COVID-19 within specific meat production facilities. 

While responsibility for essential workers coming into Ireland does not lie within my Department, COVID-19 Passenger Locator Forms are provided for in Irish law under S.I. 181 of 2020 of the Health Act 1947 and apply to all passengers arriving into Ireland via airports and seaports. These forms must be completed in advance of travel or before arrival at the airport or seaport. Once completed, an email confirmation will be sent to the passenger who must then present this to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control. For public health advice, passengers are referred to the HSE.

From 16th January 2021, all passengers arriving into Ireland must have a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival into Ireland and, likewise, must present this to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control. Passengers are required to restrict their movements for 14 days after arrival. This requirement can be waived for passengers who have a negative PCR result, taken no less than five days after arrival into Ireland.    

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, primary responsibility for public health policy and implementation rests with the Department of Health and the HSE.  Statutory responsibility for health and safety in the workplace rests with the Health and Safety Authority (under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment). Responsibility for the Health and Safety of employees lies with the management of each establishment.

My Department has been assured by meat industry representatives that where any such workers are engaged, they comply with all regulatory requirements.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (257)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

257. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if puppy training facilities come under animal welfare and related services as per the list of essential services under level 5 restrictions. [6194/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under level 5 COVID-19 restrictions, the Government has advised that people should stay at home except where absolutely necessary, for example, where travelling to and from work where the work is considered an essential service.

Animal health or welfare concerns in this context would include those provided for in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, and do not extend to routine puppy training classes.

The list of essential services is available at:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/.

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Ceisteanna (258)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

258. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a bheidh an chéad chlár caipitil d’fhorbairtí ar na calafoirt iascaigh eile á réiteach agus á fhoilsiú; agus cé mhéad bliain a chlúdófar leis an gclár seo; cén uair a tháinig deireadh leis an gclár deiridh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6198/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Tá sé Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh ainmnithe faoi úinéireacht an Stáit, suite i mBaile Chaisleáin Bhéarra, Daingean Uí Chúis, an Dún Mór Thoir, Binn Éadair, na Cealla Beaga agus Ros an Mhíl, faoi úinéireacht ag mo Roinnse agus déanann an Roinn iad a chothabháil agus a chur i bhfeidhm, faoi reacht. Ina theannta sin, tá mo Roinnse freagrach as cúram agus cothabháil Chuan Trá Chiaráin ar Chléire, chomh maith le cothabháil líon beag céanna, soilse agus rabhchán ar leith ar fud na hÉireann, i gcomhréir leis an acht Muiroibreacha (Éire) 1902 chomh maith le céanna, soilse agus rabhcháin a thógtar faoi choimirce Bhord na gCeantar Cúng.

Cuireann an Roinn maoiniú ar fáil ar bhonn bliantúil do na Lárionaid Chuain Iascaigh faoin gClár Forbartha Infreastruchtúir Cuanta Iascaigh agus Cósta. Tá €140 milliún infheistithe sa bhonneagar faoi úinéireacht na Roinne seo ón mbliain 2010.

Is ar gach Údarás Áitiúil, ar an gcéad ásc, atá an fhreagracht maidir le céanna, cuanta agus fánáin, atá faoi úinéireacht an Údaráis Áitiúil, a fhorbairt agus a chothabháil, agus ar a Máthair-Roinn, an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, atá sé ina dhiaidh sin.

Mar chuid den Chlár Bliantúil Forbartha Infreastruchtúir Cuanta Iascaigh agus Cósta áfach, tá maoiniú teoranta curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinnse chun tacú le hÚdaráis Áitiúla le cósta tionscadail ar scála beag a chur i gcrích maidir le céanna, cuanta agus fánáin faoina n-úinéireacht a fhorbairt agus a dheisiú. Tá breis is €31 milliún i maoiniú curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinnse ón mbliain 2010 faoin scéim seo.

Tá €30 milliún leithdháilte ar Chlár Forbartha Infreastruchtúir Cuanta Iascaigh agus Cósta 2021 mo Roinne. Níl aon chinneadh deiridh déanta i dtaobh chomhdhéanamh Chlár 2021, ach tá súil agam fógra a dhéanamh ina leith go luath.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (259)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

259. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the work underway by his Department to facilitate the return of point-to-point racing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6199/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

Government has requested that Point to Point racing be discontinued under current regulations relating to COVID-19.  HRI has informed this Department that this request is being complied with.   

The pre-eminence of the protection of public health in the current pandemic situation is at the fore of such considerations.

The situation will continue to be actively monitored.

Calafoirt agus Céanna

Ceisteanna (260)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

260. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair atá sé i gceist ag a Roinn comharthaí a chur suas agus an ché a mharcáil le péint bhuí ag treorú paisinéirí maidir leis na coinníollacha sláinte poiblí a bhaineann le scaradh sóisialta ag an gcalafort paisinéirí i Ros a Mhíl; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [6203/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Tá Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl ar cheann de shé Lárionad Cuain Iascaigh atá faoi úinéireacht na Roinne Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara faoi reacht agus atá á oibriú agus á chothabháil ag an Roinn.

Cé gur cuan iascaigh gníomhach atá i Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl sa chéad dul síos is é an príomhbhealach chuig Oileáin Árann é chomh maith.  Tá pointe bordála breá ann do mhuintir Árann agus do lucht turasóireachta na n-oileán a chuireann leis na seirbhísí a chuirtear ar fáil agus le sábháilteacht na ndaoine a bhaineann úsáid as Lárionad Chuan Iascaigh Ros an Mhíl.

Táim sásta go bhfuil na socruithe atá i bhfeidhm ag an teirminéal farantóireachta láidir agus eolach go huile agus go hiomlán ar threoirlínte Sláinte Poiblí agus an gá atá ann an pobal a choinneáil slán agus feasach araon maidir leis na riachtanais. Ar na socruithe sin tá, comharthaí móra ag an trí phontún, córas aontreo a fhágann go bhfuil paisinéirí in ann imeacht den bhád i dtosach, go bhfuil na paisinéirí atá ag fanacht le dul ar bord á dhéanamh sin i scuaine atá ag cloí leis an scaradh sóisialta, scuaine atá leagtha amach le cóin a bhfuil 2.5m eatarthu agus tá díghalrán lámh ar fáil chomh maith.

Tá a bprótacail agus comharthaíocht féin ag an gcuideachta farantóireachta chomh maith anuas ar na bearta seo.

Sustainable Development Goals

Ceisteanna (261)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

261. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department’s new statement of strategy will support the implementation of the sustainable development goals; if specific goals and sub-targets have been identified as being particularly relevant to his Department's work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6217/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There is a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 assigned my Department as the lead or joint lead Department on a number of Goals. The targets associated with these Goals are published in the SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020.  

These targets will be reflected in my Department’s new Statement of Strategy and will therefore support the implementation of the SDGs.

Sustainable Development Goals

Ceisteanna (262)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

262. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policies and plans through which his Department will be working towards the achievement of the specific sustainable development goals targets that fall under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6222/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There is a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   A list of the policies and strategies that underpin my Department's engagement with specific SDGs, either as lead Department or as a stakeholder, is appended to the SDG National Implementation Plan 2018-2020. 

Work on the preparation of the next National Implementation Plan will be coordinated through the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group, which is attended by officials from my Department. This work will include a full review and appropriateness of the specific SDG targets that fall under the aegis of my Department. 

Beef Industry

Ceisteanna (263)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

263. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the condition of the beef finisher payment that animals had to be slaughtered in the State if a farmer can provide evidence that while exported the live animals were in fact slaughtered outside the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6228/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme was launched on 10th August 2020.   The aim of the scheme was to provide income support for farmers finishing beef who have been impacted by the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Payments are made based on the data contained on the Department’s Animal Identification and Movements (AIM) system. 

The Terms and Conditions of the BFP scheme defines eligible animals as follows;  “Eligible Animal” shall mean those bovine animals identified on AIM on 15th  July 2020 as aged 8 months or over when presented for slaughter to a slaughtering establishment approved under the European Communities (Food & Feed Hygiene) Regulations (S.I. 22 of 2020) in the period of 1st February 2020 to 12th June inclusive”.

Only those animals slaughtered during the reference period in approved slaughter establishments located in the State can be considered for payment under the BFP scheme.

All live bovine animals that are moved out of Ireland are recorded as ‘Live Exports’ irrespective of the purpose for which they are exported. 

Question No. 264 answered with Question No. 253.

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Ceisteanna (265, 267)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

265. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter regarding a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6135/21]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

267. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6136/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 267 together.

The third call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 1st December. My Department received 66 applications to this call and I understand that an application was received relating to the Knocknagree Community Hub, submitted by IRD Duhallow CLG.

The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts.  Once the assessment process is complete, my Department will prepare a report setting out recommended projects and my role as Minister will be to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.

In light of the foregoing, it will therefore be a number of weeks before an announcement of successful projects can take place.

Broadband Infrastructure

Ceisteanna (266)

Pat Buckley

Ceist:

266. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will upgrade the WiFi in the town centre of Cobh, County Cork through the EU for WiFi scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6132/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

WiFi4EU is a European initiative, funded by the European Commission and co-funded in Ireland by my Department.  The initiative aims to support the development of wireless broadband by providing a high-quality internet service, free of charge, in public spaces such as main streets, public parks, libraries, museums and other public areas of high footfall.

Under the WiFi4EU scheme, Local Authorities applied through a competitive process to secure vouchers worth €15,000 each to install Wi-Fi hotspots within their municipalities. Ireland’s Local Authorities could apply for up to 4 vouchers each throughout the lifetime of the initiative. Local Authorities must install a minimum of 10 access points per voucher. Depending on the location chosen, one or more access point may be required in that location. 

Our Local Authorities have secured 114 vouchers out of a maximum of 124 vouchers available, which makes Ireland one of the most successful countries to take part in the scheme. 30 of the 31 Local Authorities secured vouchers under the scheme.

My Department is providing co-funding of up to €15,000 for each voucher secured by the Local Authorities, effectively doubling the value of the investment.  It is estimated that over 2,200 WiFi hotspots could be installed at locations across the country under the WiFi4EU initiative when completed. To date, over 170 hotspots are ‘live’ across 8 Local Authority areas.

Cork County Council secured 4 vouchers under the WiFI4EU initiative, which will allow them to deploy a minimum of 40 WiFi access points.  If the Council chooses to avail of my Department's co-funding, this number could potentially be doubled.

Decisions regarding the location of individual WiFi4EU hotspots lies with each Local Authority.

Question No. 267 answered with Question No. 265.

National Broadband Plan

Ceisteanna (268)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

268. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has met with the National Broadband Ireland team in January 2021 regarding the challenges facing rural broadband. [6176/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) will bring reliable high-speed broadband to approximately 540,000 premises across the State, primarily in rural and isolated areas.  These premises include homes, farms, community and health facilities, schools, and businesses.  

The impact of the NBP rollout will be transformational for rural Ireland in terms of supporting both local economies and sustainable communities.  

Responsibility for the rollout of broadband to rural areas under the NBP is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan T.D. National Broadband Ireland has been contracted by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to deliver the Plan in the State intervention area.

I did not meet with National Broadband Ireland in January 2021.  However, as Minister for Rural and Community Development I closely follow developments on the rollout of the NBP and I am hoping to meet with representatives of NBI before the end of this month to get an update on the progress of the project.  

There have been positive developments even in the last week, with the first high-speed broadband connections taking place in counties Cork and Cavan.  I also welcome the fact that NBI are investigating options for accelerating the rollout of the NBP.

These developments demonstrate the Government's commitment to providing access to high-speed broadband to all premises across Ireland as quickly as possible, opening up a new range of opportunities and possibilities for rural businesses and communities.

Walks Scheme

Ceisteanna (269)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

269. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if walkways approved for entry into the way marked way walkways scheme in 2020 will receive their first payment for maintenance in 2021; if so, the month it is projected they will receive payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6208/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

On 4 December 2019 my Department announced the first phase of the Walks Scheme expansion, with the addition of 10 new trails.  The intention at that time was for these trails to come onto the scheme over the course of 2020,

Payments to landholders for the maintenance of walks under the Walks Scheme are based on a programme of works agreed with each landholder.  These work programmes are developed with the landowners and a proportion of these must be audited before all of the work plans on a particular trail can be approved.

This process for the 10 new trails which were approved for inclusion in the Walks Scheme at the end of 2019 has been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions since early 2020.  However, a new on-line auditing system to allow for the approval of work plans on the new trails has been developed and piloted.  Based on the success of the pilot, I am confident that this new on-line system will expedite the process.

I anticipate that the first of the walks to have been audited will be fully approved to join the Walk Scheme in the coming weeks, with the remainder following thereafter.  Payments will issue to participants as these walks are approved.