Written Answers Nos. 957-976
957. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding will be provided for pony racing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23868/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse 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.
The question raised by the Deputy regarding this form of pony racing is an operational matter for HRI and I have requested my officials to refer the question to them for direct reply.
958. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1107 of 28 April 2021, if feedback has been sought from industry stakeholders as to the reason the 4,300 hectares have not been converted into planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23872/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra959. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of afforestation applied for in each of the past five years; the actual area planted in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 959 together.
Approved afforestation licence applications are valid for three years. From the date the licence issues, the applicant has three years in which to commence planting.
There are several reasons why an applicant might postpone planting or even decide not to plant. These could include changes in personal circumstances, change of land ownership or simply a change of mind in how an applicant’s land will be farmed. Other applications are speculative with a view to increasing property values with an approved site. Some other landowners may decide to lease their land. Of course, delays in receiving a licence may also be a factor. Department officials are in regular contact with industry stakeholders and this issue is raised with them.
Whatever the reasons, it is very clear that unused afforestation licences of this scale are not sustainable. It is in everybody's interest that planting is substantially increased. The resources required to process such licences are significant. There is an onus on all applicants and foresters to ensure that all applications will definitely proceed when applying. Similarly, of course, there is an onus on the Department to process them as quickly as possible.
Working with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for forestry, 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. I encourage those that have approval to go ahead to plant and to unlock the generous annual premiums available to forest owners.
My Department provides various forestry statistics, in its pages on the Government of Ireland website, including the areas of afforestation for which applications were received and planted in each of the last five years. These figures are given in the table below.
|
Hectares |
Applications Received |
Planted |
|
2016 |
13,280 |
6,498 |
|
2017 |
11,483 |
5,511 |
|
2018 |
8,623 |
4,054 |
|
2019 |
7,756 |
3,541 |
|
2020 |
7,070 |
2,433 |
960. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports his Department provides to a club (details supplied); and if multi-annual funding will be provided for this community service. [23878/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with the Programme for Government, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is committed to working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders in supporting urban horse welfare programmes, in particular in the context of facilities and education programmes.
The Department committed to capital funding of €503,000 in 2016 to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) for the development of this club in the context of the Department’s commitment to develop urban horse projects.
This funding was committed on the understanding that SDCC satisfied itself with the rules and governance of the club and that the project, when up and running, would be self sustaining and assisted with reducing reliance on ‘control of horses’ activities. This project also committed to the education of horse owners, particularly young horse owners in the care and welfare of horses, as well as presenting educational and development opportunities for young people.
Following this commitment and to ensure sustainability, my Department worked with SDCC towards the hiring of a part time project manager, responsible for the further development of this horse project. The Department provided funding towards this employment for a time.
The Department provided further funding in 2019 of €20,000 to SDCC towards the salary of a full time manager following a commitment from the club to pursuing alternative streams of revenue going forward.
Earlier this year, following representations and meetings with the club board and management, the Department agreed to provide a final tranche of short term funding to the project through SDCC. This agreement was in the context of limitations imposed by COVID-19, agreeing further efforts to secure alternative funding and the proposed formulation of a strategy for the organisation going forward.
To date, the Department has provided funding of €559,659 to this project. A final payment of €26,250.00 has been agreed, funded through SDCC, and subject to a review of progress on commitments entered into by the club.
961. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 2021 of 24 March 2021, the reason forestry was deemed as industrial and not as a land use activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State has had a licensing regime to control the felling of trees since 1928. It was first introduced to stop the indiscriminate felling of trees and to enable the Minister attach replanting conditions to any licence.
The EU Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive came into force in 1985, classifying initial afforestation, deforestation and the construction of private roads (including forestry roads) as projects with a potential to have significant effects on the environment and thus requiring an initial sub-threshold screening and/or a full EIA before any consent can be given.
The EU Habitats Directive came into force in 1992 requiring that where the mandatory initial screening of a project requiring consent determined it likely to have a significant impact on the conservation objectives of a Natura 2000 site, or the possibility could not be ruled out, before any consent is given a full Appropriate Assessment is undertaken.
Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) list afforestation, thinning, felling and replanting of trees and forest road construction as exempted developments. A recent SI (SI 45 of 2020) stated that this is because such development is subject to the consent of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Forestry Act 2014.
962. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1108 of 28 April 2021, the way in which 2,448ha of forestry were planted in 2020 when his Department only issued financial approvals for 2,355ha on receipt of forms 1A and from this only 1,889ha has been planted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23905/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department issues financial approvals (Form 1A) for afforestation and accepts applications for payment of the first instalment establishment grant and first premium (Form 2), throughout the year. Therefore, there are always approved sites in the system that have financial approval and are about to commence planting, are being actively planted, or those whereby planting has been completed.
When planting is completed, the Registered Forester will submit the Form 2 application to the Department with the supporting documentation. Some sites are selected for inspection to ensure planting has taken place according to the afforestation licence conditions. The application for payment is then processed.
Therefore, the site is only accepted as planted when the Form 2 payment is made. These sites may have been planted in 2019 but only processed for payment in 2020. Furthermore, there will be sites planted this year, that will not be paid until next year.
963. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1112 of 28 April 2021, if a particular case (details supplied) was set aside and remitted back to him due to the fact that the screening process was not done correctly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23906/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe case in question was remitted back to the Department because the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) believed there was insufficient evidence before it regarding other plans or projects that should be considered during the screening process.
When screening for Appropriate Assessment, it is necessary to take into account other plans and projects and to properly record these on the file. As there was no record of this before the FAC, the application was set aside and remitted to the Department to be re assessed taking account of other plans or projects.
964. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1113 of 28 April 2021, the grades of the remaining 12 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23907/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 12 other full time equivalent ecologist staff in question are contract staff and are not assigned civil service grades.
965. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an average of around 45 licences has been issued in each week for 2021 going by the quarter 1 dashboard figures between all of the approximate 60 forestry inspectors and ecologists of all grades dealing with forestry licence applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23908/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 1,080 licences have issued year to date which is an average of around 60 licences per week. The licensing situation continues to be our main priority. While the current licensing situation is still not as we wish, there is an improvement on the same period last year, with an increase of 11% on the number of licences issued.
A detailed breakdown is outlined below.:
- Felling licences are up by 1% but in volume terms are 29% higher than the same period last year.
- Afforestation licences are down by 3% but in hectares licensed are up by 16%
- Roads licences are 84% higher than last year and 11% higher in km's licensed.
We have set a target of 4,500 licences this year which is a 75% increase on last year. Every effort is being made to achieve this target and I expect May's output of licences to be significantly up on the previous month and for this to continue into subsequent months.
966. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1116 of 28 April 2021, if his Department and the Forest Service were aware of the requirements before receiving the document from the NPWS in August 2012; if so, the reason the correct policies and procedures were not put in place to comply with EU law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23909/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department was fully aware of its legal requirements in 2012. How these legal requirements have been met and the various procedures and practices carried out to comply with the various EU Directives have evolved over time, in line with a number of factors including changes that are necessary as a result of legal cases clarifying the case law and, in particular, with respect to the Habitats Directive.
967. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1117 of 28 April 2021, the name of the person selected to be the project manager for Project Woodland and not any experts hired to assist with the implementation of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23910/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Woodland is being delivered under four different Working Groups reporting to Minister of State Hackett, through a Project Board.
The Jo O'Hara report recommended the recruitment of project management expertise to assist in the implementation of the project. The Department responded immediately to this recommendation by recruiting an external project management specialist, Mr. Eamon O'Doherty, to this role and he started with the Department on 4th May 2021.
This is a full-time role dedicated entirely to the implementation of Project Woodland and he is based in my Department. We will be recruiting a specialist systems analyst to also fulfil one of the recommendations of the Jo O'Hara report. These are essential additions to my Department team to achieve the goals set out in Project Woodland.
Along with Minister Hackett, I am committed to the success of Project Woodland and all appropriate resources across the Department will be in place to ensure that it can be delivered for the benefit of the forestry sector and society .
968. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being put in place to accommodate farmers still affected by the mudslide in 2020 near Drumkeeran, County Leitrim when it comes to applying for BPS; if their land which remains covered in mud from the event will be ruled out for payments; the communication his Department had with the farmers on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23911/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you are aware, the Department administers the various schemes on behalf of the European Union. Both the Department and scheme participants are bound by the governing rules in the relevant EU Regulations. Force majeure is a recognised feature in the EU regulations and this matter will be dealt with in line with the regulations.
With regard to farm payments in 2021, officials of the Department have contacted the farmers affected by the mudslide (or their agents) to advise them that Force Majeure will apply in respect of the 2021 scheme year. If farmers are unsure as to what to include on their application, they should consult their agricultural advisor. Farmers should ensure that their applications for the various farm schemes in 2021 are submitted before the closing date. The closing date for the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme is 17th May 2021.
969. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of forestry licences in his Department by year of submission that are still awaiting a decision in each of the years 2017 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23998/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra986. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the wait time for felling licence and thinning out licence applications; the number of applications outstanding; his plans to address the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24409/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 969 and 986 together.
I am aware of the issues facing the forestry sector and the timber industry and considerable efforts have been made to address them. Significant additional resources have been recruited and training, information and guidance has been provided to both Department staff and registered foresters and, as a result, we have seen gains in terms of output.
To date, 1,085 new forestry licences have issued this year, which is 11% up on the total number issued in the same period in 2020. Across all licence types, improvements in delivery of decisions can be seen compared to the same time last year. Felling licences are up 1% in number issued and 29% for the volume of timber. To date, 100km of forest roads have been licensed, which is 80% of the commitment given to license 125km of forest roads this year. Finally, the area of afforestation licensed is up by 16% to date at 1,937ha.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett has established Project Woodland to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including reducing the licensing backlog and a review of processes to make for a more effective and efficient licensing system. I am confident 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.
The table below shows the number of licence applications, by year advertised, still awaiting decision. Note: Data for tree felling licence applications are given from 24th May 2017 to 30th April 2021; data for afforestation and forest road licence applications are given from 26th April, 2016 to 30th April 2021, which is the best information available.
In the last 12 months, the average time from date advertised to date of decision for tree felling licences issued is 10 months.
|
Year |
Afforestation |
Forest Roads |
Felling |
|
2016 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
2017 |
9 |
6 |
13 |
|
2018 |
57 |
34 |
146 |
|
2019 |
225 |
118 |
1,186 |
|
2020 |
440 |
266 |
1,032 |
|
2021 |
178 |
162 |
2,331 |
|
Total |
915 |
590 |
4,708 |
970. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacancies that exist at the office of his Department in Castlebar, County Mayo; if an overview of vacancies by grade will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24027/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these needs for all our locations. Recruitment is currently under way in the Department, and posts continue to be advertised by either the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by my Department's Human Resources Division. I am acutely conscious of the need for farmers to avail of prompt and efficient services and all critical staffing vacancies are filled as soon as possible when suitable candidates become available.
The Department’s office in Castlebar currently has a total of four vacancies (one District Superintendent, two Technical Agricultural Officers and one Clerical Officer), and work is ongoing to actively address these, taking into account the balance of needs and resources across the Department.
971. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fisheries regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24078/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra972. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24039/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra973. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24080/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 971 to 974, inclusive, together.
Ireland has received a Commission Implementing Decision revoking the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
It should also be noted that the 2012 Control Plan, prior to its revocation, provided that the Irish authorities may have permitted fisheries products to be weighed by relevant operators after transport from the place of landing provided that they were transported to a destination on the territory of Ireland, as the Member State concerned.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) will set out new procedures in relation to this changed position. The Authority has, I understand, already written to industry representatives to make them aware of the situation and also met with a sub group of the Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee, Industry Representatives and operators on the matter. A further meeting with the full Sea Fisheries Protection Consultative Committee has also been scheduled.
The Deputy’s queries as to the implications of the Commission’s revocation of the control plan on operational matters such as safety, costs etc are matters for the operators who have responsibility to weigh fish before transport and the SFPA as the control authority.
975. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way Greyhound Racing Ireland defines rehome in the context of its rehoming statistics; if greyhounds must be spayed or neutered before rehoming to prevent breeding; the checks that are carried out on potential new owners and homes; and if there is a requirement that those accepting greyhounds for rehoming must agree not to give or sell them on to third parties in Ireland or abroad. [24167/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
976. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland is continuing to present as rehomed or rehomed as pet greyhounds that have in fact been sold abroad for racing or breeding (details supplied); if there are penalties in place for those that accept a greyhound for rehoming but sell the dog on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
