Written Answers Nos. 257-276
257. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist family farms and ensuring the continued viability of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 14th April, I published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector. The Action Plan will build on significant work already underway by the Department, including:
1. Continuing to provide vital supports to the farmers, fishers and foresters which are the lifeblood of a balanced rural and coastal economy and community.
2. Finalising and publishing a new 10-year Strategy for the agri-food sector - delivering on a key commitment of the Programme for Government, which called for an ambitious blueprint for the sector for the years ahead, taking into account our climate action and environmental obligations.
3. Developing Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan.
4. Designing, developing and commencing new transitional schemes for 2021 including an Agri-Environment results-based Pilot Project which rewards farmers for committed environmental effort by linking payments to the quality of environmental outcomes delivered.
5. Implementing Ireland’s first over-arching Animal Welfare Strategy.
6. Working to develop initiatives and policies to underpin and support farm and fisher incomes. The Department makes direct payments to Irish farmers of almost €1.9 billion annually, under CAP and national schemes. In addition, it funds research, advisory and training supports which directly benefit Irish farmers, and, along with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, co-funds a number of preferential loan schemes to the benefit of primary producers. Farmers also benefit significantly from a range of agri-taxation measures, which are particularly focused to support land mobility and generational renewal.
258. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the awarding of felling licences; the current backlog and waiting times; if he will introduce measures to reduce the waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23451/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has deployed significant additional resources to address delays in forestry licencing.
To 30th April, 1,047 new forestry licences have issued this year, which is 11% up on the total number issued to end April, 2020. Across all licence types, improvements in delivery of decisions can be seen compared to the same time last year. Felling licences are up 3% in number issued and 31% for the volume of timber. To date in 2021, my Department has issued felling licences for 2 million cubic metres, which is 40% of the total volume issued last year. To date 93km of forest roads have been licensed, which is 75% of the commitment given to license 125km of forest roads this year. Finally, the area of afforestation licensed is up by 12% to date at 1,862ha.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, has established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licencing backlog.
I remain hopeful that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners and new applicants.
259. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase inspections being carried out for TB in the west County Wicklow area; the average number of inspections in other counties; his plans to increase the inspections in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23452/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a requirement of the annual bovine TB Eradication programme that a farmer carry out an Annual TB herd test in conjunction with their private veterinary practitioner (PVP). Depending on the overall result of a farmer's annual herd test, the overall result of neighbouring farmers' annual herd test along with possible other causes of TB within an area, further TB testing may be required. The causes for the outbreaks of TB cases across the country are various and require a range of actions to address the problem - there is no one-size fits all approach.
Within each county, the TB programme focuses on wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and frequency, and isolation of reactors. Each TB outbreak is investigated by a Veterinary Inspector (VI) to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a VI visit to advise the herd owner on how to eliminate infection and necessary measures to assist in reducing the risk of recurrence. This occurs in all relevant cases in Wicklow.
It has been a challenging year in terms of TB in Wicklow West. As of 2nd May 2021, herd incidence there is 15.79% compared to 4.26% nationally. As increased number of herds are identified as being infected, additional testing follows in a systematic way. The Department continues to implement a badger removal programme in West Wicklow as it does in other relevant areas where an epidemiological link has been established between badgers and serious cattle TB breakdowns. In order to eradicate TB in West Wicklow, the Department has engaged with farmers via a Newsletter issued in January 2021 to provide advice on steps farmers can take to reduce TB risk.
The Department is engaged with all stakeholders through the TB Forum to ensure all aspects of recently launched new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 are addressed to move forward towards eradication of the disease. This new TB Strategy and further information is available on www.bovinetb.
260. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of his review of the decision not to proceed with the sea survival centre at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23542/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have just received from Bord Iascaigh Mhara a strategic assessment and business case for sea survival and training infrastructure in the National Fisheries Training College, Greencastle.
I will examine this report and the recommendations over the coming period and I hope to make a decision on investment in the near future.
261. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 261 of 25 March 2021, if there have been recent discussions with the European Commission in relation to the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23565/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a range of meetings and discussions ongoing between the European Union and the United Kingdom in terms of implementing the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, in addition to technical meetings between DG SANTE, the EU Commission department responsible for EU policy on food safety and health and for monitoring the implementation of related laws, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the co-Chairs of the Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland are conducting joint outreach programmes with businesses and civic society more broadly in Northern Ireland.
These discussions are in the context of implementing the Protocol. The Protocol must be implemented, fully and sensitively. Full implementation of the Protocol is the agreed way to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement, to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland and to protect the Single Market and Ireland’s place in it. Intensive engagement between the EU and the UK on implementation, and joint outreach to NI stakeholders will assist with that and is something to be welcomed.
However, it is important to be clear that none of these discussions involve re-negotiating or amending the Protocol. The situation with respect to market support measures for products originating in Northern Ireland remains as previously set out.
262. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for the completion of a natura impact statement in respect of a forestry application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23583/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for an afforestation licence and the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received in October 2019 for the person named and has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near eight designated sites including the Killarney National Park SPA. Therefore, the impact of any afforestation operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.
If the applicant wishes, they may provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The NIS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person. An NIS can considerably reduce the time taken to assess the application, as once received, the NIS will be examined by an ecologist within two to three months and a decision will issue once the assessment of the application is complete.
It is difficult to predict a timeframe for progessing this file in the absence of an NIS being submitted by the applicant.
263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he will implement to reduce the delays in processing and approving tree felling and tree planting licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23590/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has deployed significant additional resources to address delays in forestry licencing.
To 30th April, 1,047 new forestry licences have issued this year, which is 11% up on the total number issued to end April, 2020. Across all licence types, improvements in delivery of decisions can be seen compared to the same time last year. Felling licences are up 3% in number issued and 31% for the volume of timber. To date in 2021, my Department has issued felling licences for 2 million cubic metres, which is 40% of the total volume issued last year. To date, 93km of forest roads have been licensed, which is 75% of the commitment given to license 125km of forest roads this year. Finally, the area of afforestation licensed is up by 12% to date at 1,862ha.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, has established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including a review of processes with a view to reducing the licencing backlog.
I remain hopeful that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners and new applicants.
264. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to put measures in place to support the refurbishment of vacant property in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe refurbishment of vacant properties is being tackled by a number of funding streams delivered by my Department, including through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
In April, I announced funding for 25 projects which were successful under a Category 1 call for applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. In total, the 25 successful projects under this call will receive funding of €81 million from the Fund and provide total investment in rural areas of just under €100 million. The main focus of the funding was on the regeneration of rural areas, including the redevelopment of vacant buildings in key locations. I will be announcing a call for Category 2 applications under the RRDF – relating to project development - in the coming weeks and a further call for Category 1 applications will be announced later in 2021.
On Monday 3rd May 2021 I announced funding of €15 million that will be available under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme. This funding aims to make our towns and villages more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family. In line with Our Rural Future, the Government's rural policy, a key focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres by re-purposing buildings for remote working or as cultural and community spaces.
The maximum grant available under the 2021 Scheme has been increased to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded.
There are a range of other initiatives outlined in Our Rural Future which will contribute to addressing vacancy in our towns and villages. These will be delivered in partnership with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and include a commitment to develop and deliver a Town Centre First approach to addressing the future development of our towns and villages. Addressing vacancy and dereliction will be a central focus of the Town Centre First approach.
Also, as part of Budget 2022, we will examine the scope to introduce new supports and incentives for the refurbishment of vacant properties to increase town centre living.
265. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the Athy food hub; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the application for the Athy Food Hub made by Kildare County Council as part of the third call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which closed on 1st December 2020.
Category 1 relates to ambitious, large-scale projects capital projects which have all the necessary planning and other development consents in place on the closing date for applications. However, as part of this call for applications the date for the confirmation of planning and other consents was extended to 26th February 2021, in order to take account of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications that did not have planning and consents in place by this date were deemed ineligible. The Athy Food Hub was one such application.
Arising from this Category 1 call, in April I announced funding for 25 successful projects which will receive funding of €81 million from the Fund and provide total investment in rural areas of just under €100 million. To date, the Fund has provided €249 million for 164 projects across the country, worth a total of €338 million.
In terms of future plans, I will be announcing a call for Category 2 applications – relating to project development funding - in the coming weeks and a further call for Category 1 applications will be announced later in 2021.
266. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocations for housing grants and maintenance, regeneration and sustainability schemes for the islands; the schemes available specifically to persons living on the islands for this purpose; the grants available to improve and make existing traditional island houses and cottages habitable, sustainable and energy efficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out a review of the cost of living and affordability on living on the islands; the way in which social protection payments have been adjusted to meet these costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23471/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if research or reviews have been carried out regarding population trends on the islands including analysis of trends to identify islands at risk of depopulation; the action taken to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23472/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategy in place to address employment issues on island communities; the targets and plans in place regarding employment and economic recovery following the impact of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23473/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra271. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current funding allocations and financial supports that are available for professional development and training for island communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategies that are in place to advance research on industries linked to the islands; the research and investment that is in place regarding maritime research and the development of jobs in ocean research; the funding specific to island communities that is available for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23480/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra273. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the investment that is in place regarding maritime research and the development of jobs in ocean research; the funding specific to island communities that is available for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23481/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra274. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the review of infrastructural and service needs of islands and island communities that has taken place; the funding that is available specifically for this purpose; if emergency and access services are incorporated into infrastructure and service plans for islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23486/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 266, 267, 268, 269, 271, 272, 273 and 274 together.
I am working to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the islands, and I have made this one of the key elements of Our Rural Future, the Government’s new Rural Development Policy. Furthermore, my Department is currently developing a new National Islands Policy, a central objective of which is to ensure that sustainable vibrant communities continue to live on the offshore islands.
In order to inform the policy, a consultation process has taken place with the island communities and is ongoing with other relevant stakeholders. This work has assisted in identifying the main challenges faced by communities living on the offshore islands. Many of the issues raised by the Deputy have featured in the responses to the consultation process. Figures from the Central Statistics Office show a decline in population on many of the offshore Islands, with an older than average population, and a higher proportion of retired people living on islands compared to national figures. There are challenges in terms of employment, education and access to services.
These and other issues have been, or will be, the subject of bilateral meetings with the relevant Departments and Agencies in the context of the policy development, and they in turn will be providing their own input and expertise on elements of the policy.
My Department provides funding for island supports such as transport services, capital and infrastructural work and local development support. My Department works with the relevant Local Authorities to address infrastructural projects identified by them. These works, which are jointly funded by the Department and the Local Authorities, include road improvements, works to combat coastal erosion, works on piers and slipways to improve access, and the provision of public facilities. In the coming days, I will be announcing funding allocations under this programme, which will see funding being provided to Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cork County Councils. Additional projects have been submitted for consideration, and I look forward to being able to announce additional funding very shortly.
As the Deputy will appreciate, many of the supports available to island communities are delivered through the relevant Departments or State Agencies. Islands are free to avail of national schemes – such as economic and employment supports, funding for research, education, training and other such schemes run by agencies, local authorities etc.
The Department of Social Protection does provide an island specific allowance (Island Increase) to recipients on specific islands. The objective of the scheme is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these specified islands when compared to people resident on the mainland. This payment is an increase to the weekly payment of certain social welfare payments, to recipients who are aged 66 or over and are ordinarily resident on an island off the coast of Ireland. It is also paid to people who are aged under 66 and in receipt of Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension. I announced an increase in this payment as part of the 2021 budget.
In terms of repairs to housing stock, I am informed that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage supports local authorities for a range of stock improvement programmes, such as, the Voids programme, the Energy Efficiency programme, Disabled Person Grants, and also programmes of Regeneration. Funding is also provided for housing adaptation grants on privately owned dwellings for Older People and People with a Disability to allow them stay in their own home and within their own communities as long as possible. These programmes are not island specific and it is a matter for each local authority to submit a work programme in this regard.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage does however provide funding towards the necessary work to renew or repair thatched roofs of applicable properties. €3,810 or two thirds of the approved cost (whichever lesser) is payable towards necessary works under this programme. A higher grant (up to €5,714) may be payable for houses on specified Islands. For Medical Card holders, the maximum grant is €6,350, or up to 80% of the approved cost (€8,252 for Islands). This grant scheme is administered directly to the public by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Once completed, the National Islands Policy will provide a series of actions, across Government, to support, promote and empower our island communities. The policy will provide a basis for the development of an action plan to address the challenges identified, and to foster the future development and sustainability of communities on the offshore islands.
270. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid for LEADER programmes available to private individual projects based on islands; her plans to increase funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23474/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a rural development programme co-funded by the EU which operates a locally led, bottom-up, approach to meeting the needs of local communities and businesses. The programme supports private enterprises and community groups in rural areas including the islands.
The programme is delivered to the off-shore islands by the Donegal, Mayo and West Cork LAGs through its Implementing Partner, Comhar na nOileán CTR, while the Galway West LAG, Forum Connemara CLG, covers the Islands off the coast of County Galway.
In December 2020, I launched the Transitional LEADER Programme which came into effect from 1 April 2021 and will run to the end of 2022. A total of €70 million is being made available over this programming period. €65 million of this budget is available to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAGs.
The funding distributed between the LAGs is on a pro-rata basis, commensurate with the allocations made at the start of the 2014-2020 LEADER programme.
A further €3 million of the funding is being allocated to support Co-operation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million is being provided to support strategy development for the next LEADER programme. Further funding opportunities under the LEADER Food Initiative remain in place until the entirety of funds are exhausted.
In December 2020, I also approved an increase in the rate of aid for private enterprises, including those on the islands, and commercial community projects, from a maximum of 50% to a maximum of 75% for projects approved on or after the 1 April 2021.
This increased rate of aid will help stimulate the rural economy and sustain jobs within rural and Island communities, particularly in a post-COVID recovery scenario.
275. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the strategies and funding in place to provide access for persons with disabilities on the islands including transport and infrastructure to support disability access on each island. [23487/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is mindful of those with disabilities or reduced mobility availing of subsidised island transport services. Ferry and air service operators are required to ensure that the service they provide caters for passengers of reduced mobility, and that their staff are fully trained in assisting passengers.
Ferry operators are required to make the necessary arrangements to cater for persons of reduced mobility to and from any vessel during a sailing. In doing so they must abide by the ‘Guidelines for Accessible Maritime Passenger Transport’ which have been issued by the Department of Transport and the National Disability Authority and must be complied with.
Operators providing air services must ensure that the adequate provisions are made for the safe and comfortable handling of passengers with reduced mobility. Staff will assist passengers with reduced mobility when embarking / disembarking from the aircraft, during the flight itself and, if required, during the road transport element of the service. The road transport portion of this service is fully wheelchair accessible and all staff are fully trained in assisting with patrons with reduced mobility.
These measures form part of the transport contracts that are funded by the Department and are in place to ensure reliable year round access routes to and from the islands for all patrons.
276. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when decisions will be made on the 2021 community development pilot programme applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23593/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe closing date for receipt of applications was Wednesday 31st March and due to the large number of high quality applications received, my Department is undertaking a two stage assessment process to examine the applications against the criteria set out. It is expected that successful applicants will be notified at the end of May.
All applicants have been informed of the timeline.
