Written Answers Nos. 1177-1201
1177. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Exchequer funding allocated to Horse Racing Ireland covers the salaries of persons (details supplied); and if not if their salaries are met by non-Exchequer funding. [30716/21]
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.
Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Department provides funding to HRI on an annual basis.
The Department has allocated €76.8 million to HRI to assist the horse racing and wider thoroughbred industry in 2021. The allocation from the Horse and Greyhound Fund is subject to certain conditions including compliance with the Code of Governance, submission of financial returns and capital requirements. Of the current allocation of the fund not more than 80% must be applied to prizemoney and a minimum of 20% applied to Integrity.
HRI also generates commercial income from tote and wagering activities, sale of media rights, gate admissions and food and beverage operations.
Having regard to the parameters applying to the allocation from the Horse and Greyhound Fund, HRI's income in its entirety is used to fund all of its activities, encompassing the salaries of all staff, including the three roles identified.
1178. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Exchequer funding allocated to Greyhound Racing Ireland covers the salaries of persons (details supplied); and if not if their salaries are met by non-Exchequer funding. [30717/21]
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. Under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, the Department provides funding to RCÉ on an annual basis.
The Department allocated €19.2 million from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) for 2021 for the greyhound sector.
The allocation from the Horse and Greyhound Fund is subject to certain conditions including compliance with the Code of Governance, submission of financial returns and capital requirements. Of the current allocation of the Fund, a minimum of 10% is to be spent on welfare, not more than 60% must be applied to prizemoney, not more than 3% on operational grants to private tracks and not more than 27% on regulatory and administrative costs and other statutory functions of RCÉ .
In addition to income from the Fund, RCÉ generates commercial income from tote and wagering activities, sale of media rights, gate admissions and food and beverage operations.
Having regard to the parameters outlined above, RCÉ's income in its entirety is used to fund all of its activities, encompassing the salaries of all staff, including the three roles identified.
1179. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact an association (details supplied) has taken a complaint to the EU against his Department alleging non-enforcement of regulation (EU) 2019/787 with regard to a lack of enforcement of spirits provenance regulations resulting in multiple incidences of false provenance information being provided on products that fall under a protected geographical indication designation; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30739/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is aware of the allegations referred to.
The Department is the competent authority responsible for policy on Geographical Indications (GIs) at National and EU level including Irish Whiskey and works to ensure that GIs are protected as required by the terms of the new Spirit Drinks Regulation (EU) 2019/787. The Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners share responsibility for verifying compliance with the legal requirements related to GI spirit drinks, including labelling.
The Spirit Drinks Regulation requires that a GI spirit drink must be verified as compliant with the product specific Technical File, before it is placed on the market. These verification checks apply to any person or business who (a) is involved in any of the five Irish whiskey production processes (i.e. fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending, bottling and labelling/labelling only), or (b) who receives Irish whiskey in bulk or who markets or intends to market their product as Irish whiskey.
Eligibility to use the registered Geographical Indication for the spirit drink 'Irish Whiskey' is governed by Regulation (EU) No. 2019/787 and the Irish Whiskey Technical File (IWTF). The IWTF requires that the stages of production 'Brewing', 'Fermentation', 'Distillation' and 'Maturation' take place on the island of Ireland, while ‘Blending’, ‘Bottling and Labelling’ may take place off the island. Such is the complexity of the Irish Whiskey supply chain, that some producers choose to carry out all production stages, while others opt to specialise in specific stages. Additionally, many Irish Whiskies are brought to the market by Brand Owners, who are not involved in any of the stages of production.
Since January of this year, the Department has assumed responsibility from the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the assessment and approval of labels for Irish Whiskey and Irish Poitín. When assessing Irish whiskey labels, the Department assesses 'provenance' under Article 7(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, which states "1. Food information shall not be misleading, particularly: (a) as to the characteristics of the food and, in particular, as to its nature, identity, properties, composition, quantity, durability, country of origin or place of provenance, method of manufacture or production".
Where uncertainty arises regarding who or where the product is produced, the Department seeks clarifications from the FBO. Furthermore, where FBOs are not directly involved in any of the stages of production, the Department does not approve the label unless it states that the product has been 'produced for them', as opposed to 'produced by them'. Additionally, the Department does not permit references to Distilleries that do not exist.
1180. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the State agencies under the remit of his Department that have provided copies of their 2020 annual report and 2020 financial statements to his Department in tabular form. [30760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form. However, please note that the non-commercial State Body Annual Reports and Financial statements are not due until six months after the end of the Body’s financial year end.
|
State Body |
Type of State Body |
Annual Report 2020 Received |
2020 Financial Statements Received |
Note |
|
Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board |
Non-Commercial |
No |
No |
Drafts in preparation |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
Non-Commercial |
No |
Yes |
Draft Financial Statements received |
|
Marine Institute |
Non-Commercial |
No |
Yes |
Draft Financial Statements received |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
Non-Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Draft Annual Report received |
|
Rásaíocht Con Éireann |
Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Final versions received |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
Commercial |
No |
No |
Derogation until 30th June 2021 due to audit in progress by the Comptroller and Auditor General |
|
Irish National Stud |
Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Final versions received |
|
Bord Bia |
Non-Commercial |
No |
No |
Drafts in preparation |
|
Coillte |
Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Final versions received |
|
National Milk Agency |
Non-Commercial |
No |
No |
Documents currently being finalised |
|
Teagasc |
Non-Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Draft copies received |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
Non-Commercial |
Yes |
Yes |
Final versions received |
Additionally, Horse Racing Ireland, whose Annual Report and Financial Statements were due four months after the end of their financial year, have received a derogation until the end of this month as they have also been simultaneously engaged in an audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
1181. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the dog control unit should move to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30781/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Control of Dogs Act 1986, Local Authorities have statutory responsibility for all operational activities relating to the control of dogs. Under this legislation, they have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings.
The Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, establishes regulations for anyone keeping six or more female dogs which are more than six months old and are capable of breeding. Local authorities enforce the standards legislated for in the Act and can order inspections of a dog breeding establishment at all reasonable times. Premises that fail to match the standards set out under law can be issued with a Fixed Payment Notice, an Improvement Notice or a closure notice in extreme cases.
The Department of Rural and Community Development is responsible for policy and legislation regarding both the Control of Dogs Act 1996 and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. As the parent Department in relation to dog control and dog breeding establishments that Department has a dedicated Dog Control Unit. These arrangements have and continue to work effectively.
Department officials work closely to support the Gardaí, local authority and other colleagues at policy and operational level, as appropriate, where matters relevant to the Department, such as animal welfare, are encountered.
1182. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the costs of the proposed joint venture between Coillte and ESB, that is, action 50 of the interim climate actions. [30813/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988, under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Coillte is the lead in relation to the delivery of Action 50 of the Interim Climate Actions 2021. The Department's role is that of Corporate Governance oversight in relation to the undertaking of this Action by Coillte, for which the consent of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, given with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, must be obtained. This process is ongoing.
I have also referred this query to Coillte for direct reply to the Deputy.
1183. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30836/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a tree felling licence was received in August 2019 for the person named. The preliminary appropriate assessment screening indicated the application site is near six designated sites including Poulaphouca Reservoir SPA.
The impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application. The application has been referred to the Department’s Ecology Unit and it has been determined that further information is required in order to complete the process and the Department will be writing to the applicant shortly to advise of these requirements.
1184. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualifying criteria for a farm, company or other entity to receive CAP related payments; the maximum limit a person or entity can receive in such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30837/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Direct Payments in Pillar 1 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), there are four payment schemes:
Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Greening, Young Farmer Scheme (YFS) & the Protein Aid Scheme
Ireland has implemented the maximum allowable level of capping of payments in the current CAP, which means the maximum payment under BPS (excluding greening) is €150,000. The maximum support under YFS is just over €3,400 and the Protein Aid Scheme currently has a maximum allocation of €3m for the whole country which is divided among the successful applicants based on area. Greening is not capped, and is distributed as a percentage of entitlement value held (roughly 44% of the entitlement value before capping).
In order to draw down payment under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Greening scheme, an applicant must meet the eligibility criteria as laid down in the Terms & Conditions, which include the following
- hold a registered Herd number with the Department;
- apply online within the time limits specified;
- have entitlements, one entitlement per eligible hectare claimed;
- satisfy the active farmer requirement;
- maintain the land in accordance with rules on land eligibility.
The Protein Aid scheme is open to all farmers who meet the above criteria and grow specific Protein crops. Crops eligible for the Protein Aid Scheme in 2021 are monoculture crops of Peas, Beans and Lupins.
1185. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the expenditure incurred by staff in his Department under the heading of travel and subsistence from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30859/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn common with all Government Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine pays relevant expenses under the broad headings of Travel & Subsistence including travel, accommodation and subsistence expenses attributable to activities and expenses whilst engaged in official Department duties in Ireland and abroad.
Expenses are submitted and approved via the National Shared Services online Portal and in line with the provisions of relevant Civil Service circulars, all available on www.gov.ie/en/circulars.
Travel and subsistence expenditure paid in line with the categories above totalled approximately €9.5M for the period 1 January 2020 to 3rd June 2021.
1186. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30876/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine participates in the Spending Review Programme, which is an annual process to evaluate programmes and support evidence-based policy making, led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Since January 2019, four papers have been published:
1. Animal Health – TB Eradication (2019)
2. Beef Data Genomics Programme (2019)
3. Teagasc AGRIP Research Programme (2020)
4. DAFM Competitive Research Programme (2020).
The 2019 papers are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/5915ad-spending-review/#agriculture
The 2020 papers are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/daf0c-spending-review-papers-2020/#agriculture
These Reviews are carried out by Department staff, so no external costs were incurred.
1187. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is making to ensure a sensible design and pragmatic implementation of good agricultural environmental conditions and cross-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30896/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new CAP regulations are still being negotiated between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council. A number of technical details concerning the Good Agriculture and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards have still to be finalised.
I recognise the challenges of implementing the requirements with regard to conditionality of the new CAP while ensuring that measures are compatable with the reality and needs of Irish farming and the farming community. I have established a CAP Consulatative Committee, made up of various stakeholders, including the farm bodies, who will inform the process of establishing the best fit of conditionality requirements to meet the needs of Irish Agriculture.
1188. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether CAP reforms must not adversely impact production capability of Irish farms and that Irish farms must not be restricted by enhanced conditionality or additional cross-compliance measures. [30897/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new CAP regulations are still being negotiated between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council. A number of technical details concerning the Good Agriculture and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards have still to be finalised.
I recognise the challenges of implementing the requirements with regard to conditionality of the new CAP while ensuring that measures are compatable with the reality and needs of Irish farming and the farming community. I have established a CAP Consulatative Committee, made up of various stakeholders, including the farm bodies, who will inform the process of establishing the best fit of conditionality requirements to meet the needs of Irish Agriculture.
Ireland's 2030 Agri-Food Strategy has been developed using a ‘food systems approach’, which takes account of the links between policies for food, climate and environment, and health, as well as the role of all players in the food value chain in realising this ambition. My aim is to optimise economic productivity while ensuring that Agriculture contributes to our overall environmental ambitions.
1189. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the proposal for a minimum economic output metric to be used in defining a genuine farmer in circumstances in which this metric will be based on sales or output per hectare with a differentiated rate depending on ANC designation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30898/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNegotiations between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council on the new regulatory framework for the new CAP are ongoing and include negotiations around specific definitions such as that of a genuine farmer.
The definition of what constitutes a genuine farmer is a complex issue with many views being expressed on the matter. It is worth noting that the neither the European Parliament, the European Commission nor the Council have provided written proposals around the specifics of the consideration of "sales or output per hectare" when considering the definition of a genuine farmer.
The Department has and continues to consults widely with a variety of stakeholders including the farming organisations and takes account of all views expressed in presenting Ireland’s position in the negotiations. Some farming organisations have suggested a geninue farmer should be someone who is selling farm produce on a consistent basis and who has farm output of a least a certain percentage relative to their Pillar 1 payment from the previous year.
Discussions around the draft regulations are ongoing and I continue to engage intensively to ensure the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.
1190. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the proposal for funds generated from redefining genuine farmers to be earmarked for young farmers to encourage generational renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30899/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level. We all agree that supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is critical to ensure a bright future for the agri-food sector. The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has cited generational renewal as one of the nine key objectives, which reflects the need to ensure a vibrant agricultural sector equipped with skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods.
Under the current CAP, the National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme provide financial support to young farmers during the crucial early years when setting up a farm enterprise. Additionally, under the TAMS II Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, young farmers can avail of a 60% grant rate as compared to the standard rate of 40%.
While the CAP negotiations are still ongoing and the Department is actively engaging on these issues, there is no facility in the regulations to earmark funds generated from a definition of a genuine farmer for young farmers. As negotiations are at an advanced stage, the introduction of a new facility such as this is extremely unlikely. However, the Department would be happy to explore all options that arise.
It should be noted that there are additional supports at national level, with strong taxation measures assisting land mobility and facilitating succession, access to finance measures and a range of educational, training and advisory services. Supporting young farmers and generational renewal continues to be a priority and I will continue to actively engage on this issue.
1191. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts he is taking to minimise the impact of eco-schemes on each farmer’s basic payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30901/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe various provisions under the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are still under negotiation and, at this time, there is no certainty with regard to the proportion of the direct payments ceiling allocated to eco-schemes.
The trilogue negotiations have proposed varying minimum percentages from the direct payments ceiling for allocation to eco-schemes in the range from 20% to 30%. At this point, the exact nature of the application of the eco-schemes is not yet available.
Throughout these negotiations, I have been fighting for maximum flexibility for the Member States when it comes to how the new CAP Strategic Plan is implemented. In order to obtain the best outcome for farmers and for the environment, eco-schemes are being designed so that they are accessible for all farmers.
1192. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department is making to realise the commitment to maximise national co-financing of CAP pillar 2 schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30902/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s execution of the EAFRD 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme (RDP) to date is one of the highest in Europe with 92% of the approved €2.1bn existing EAFRD financial plan having been executed to date in comparison to the EU average to date of 69%.
The Department has executed 95% of the existing EAFRD funding allocation of €2.033bn (excl Leader) with the remaining existing funds fully committed.
EU approval has recently been received for an amendment to the RDP, which will incorporate additional funding of €880m provided under transitional arrangements, bringing the overall EAFRD 2014-2022 envelope to €3.07bn.
With regard to the next programming period, the Department is actively engaging with both the European Commission and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order to optimise the use of available EU funds going forward.
1193. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of current contracts pertaining to non-EEA migrant fishers working under the terms of the atypical work permit scheme for non-EEA migrants that are currently held in its central depository unit; the number of renewed contracts that have been submitted to his Department in the past year; the number of fishing vessel owners that are represented among the current contracts; the number of vessels that have non-EEA migrants working upon them as can be discerned from the current contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Scheme for the employment of non-EEA fishers in parts of the Irish commercial sea-fishing fleet was launched on 15th February 2016.
The Scheme is an extension of the Atypical Working Scheme, administered by the Department of Justice & Equality (Immigration Delivery Service).
My Department’s role in this scheme is limited to hosting the Central Depository, which facilitates applications for Pre-Approvals to the Scheme, and chairing the Oversight Committee established to monitor the Scheme and ensure that it is operating as intended.
The granting of permissions to work in the State, under the Atypical Working Scheme, is a matter for decision exclusively by the Immigration Delivery Service.
The Department has checked the Central Depository to retrieve the following data, which only reflects pre-approval applications submitted to the Department and not final permissions issued by the Immigration Delivery Service of the Department of Justice & Equality.
- 237 active pre-approval applications have been received under the Scheme, of which 70 are original pre-approval applications received within the last 12 months.
- There have been 167 pre-approval renewal applications submitted within the last 12 months.
- The number of fishing vessel licence holders that are represented among the current contracts is 64.
Finally, according to the Licencing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats there are approximately 103 vessels associated with the 64 licence holders referenced above.
1194. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 2 June 2021, the membership of the inter-agency gorse fire group; the number of times the group has met in tabular form; if any reports were produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31206/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1195. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 106 of 2 June 2021 (details supplied), if he will outline the basis for the inter-agency gorse fire group being disbanded; if he proposes a similar group to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31208/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1194 and 1195 together.
Control and enforcement under the Wildlife Act in relation to wildfires is a matter for DCHG/NPWS and the Garda Siochána. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) under which the Terms & Conditions clearly communicate that lands burnt outside of the legal period are not eligible for the purpose of payment under the BPS. The Department also regularly issue fire warnings depending on the weather and other parameters.
There is no national inter-agency gorse fire group to my knowledge and therefore no such group was disbanded. I am aware of a small number of local fire management groups located in Counties Cork, Kerry and Laois with representatives from different Government Departments, bodies and other stakeholders. These groups share information and coordinate activities related to wildfire awareness and preparedness.
In each of 2017 and 2018, a Lessons-Learned Review meeting was chaired by the Department following a particularly high number and significant wildfires in those years. The reports of the 2017 and 2018 meetings were presented to the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.
There are no plans that I am aware of to establish a national wildfire group. In any case, such a group would in the first instance be a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government who is responsible at national level for emergency planning.
1196. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 212 of 2 June 2021, if he plans to conduct an up-to-date report on deer management in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31217/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in 2015, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, together with the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht, which at the time was the parent Department of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), published "Deer Management in Ireland – A Framework for Action" which recommends a series of actions on deer management and conservation in a number of areas, including addressing the impact of deer in places where they are abundant.
The Irish Deer Management Forum was established to implement the various actions listed in the Report. The report can be downloaded from the Irish Deer Management Forum website (http://idmf.ie/). An update of this report is currently not envisaged.
1197. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any private land owners have been approved afforestation licences on the same land type now being proposed by his Department as suitable for afforestation on decommissioned Bord na Móna bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1198. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will be funding the environmental reports for the pilot scheme on industrial bog lands involving Bord na Móna and Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is experimenting on Bord na Móna decommissioned industrial bog lands to achieve afforestation targets instead of processing licence applications that are submitted to his Department by private land owners who are waiting inordinate lengths of time to obtain a licence to plant their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31230/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1197, 1198 and 1199 together.
Bord na Móna formally ended all peat harvesting on its lands by the end of 2019. As a result of this cessation in peat harvesting, industrial cutover peatlands are becoming increasingly available for other land use options, including opportunities for the restoration of native woodland habitats.
This availability of land occurs at a point in time where there is a greater demand than ever for new woodlands, to counteract existing biodiversity and climate challenges. Native woodlands are an important part of Ireland’s natural heritage, history and culture, and are unique in terms of their biodiversity. They are home to specialised native woodland animals, birds, insects and plants. They provide numerous ecosystem services, including the protection and enhancement of water quality, wider habitat linkage, landscape enhancement, opportunities for outdoor recreation and interpretation, wider rural development linkages, and carbon capture.
Further to a request for support for exploration of possibilities for native woodland creation on former industrial cutaway peatlands by Bord na Móna, the Department has developed a Pilot Scheme that is intended to facilitate the establishment of new native woodlands on state owned former industrial cutover peatlands on a pilot basis. This Pilot Scheme will facilitate native woodland regeneration at landscape scale, aiming at minimum intervention, and is compatible with other forms of peatland restoration measures at this scale.
The overall purpose of the Pilot Scheme is to support biodiversity, help reduce carbon emissions and stabilise soils to minimise soil erosion. These objectives are therefore different to the objectives of the current Afforestation Scheme. The Pilot Scheme aims at mimicking natural vegetation establishment processes in high, dry areas and on slopes that are not suitable for re-wetting.
Bord na Móna intends to complement their rehabilitation plans for end-of-life cutaway bogs by creating a mosaic of wetlands and sparse woodlands that enhances biodiversity value, stabilises the loose peatland soil and reduces carbon losses. No project like this has been undertaken before and the Pilot therefore includes the establishment of trials to explore the most effective silvicultural techniques.
The Pilot Scheme was developed in accordance with provisions of the Forestry Act 2014 and is compliant with national and EU legislation, operational and environmental guidelines.
Following the specific purpose of this Pilot Scheme, the Scheme is confined to State bodies who own former industrial cutaway peatlands.
Grant funding for native woodlands created under this Pilot Scheme is subject to the applicant obtaining a licence for afforestation from the Minister. An Environmental Impact Assessment is to be carried out as part of the licensing process and is at the applicant's own expense. No licence under the Pilot Scheme has been approved to date.
Grants paid under this Pilot Scheme are not following the GPC system which is applied to projects funded under the Department’s Afforestation Scheme, but are on the basis of vouched expenditure and up to a maximum rate per hectare of native woodland established. To be eligible for grant aid, each plot within a plantation must conform to as specifically defined Industrial Cutaway Woodland (ICW) category. I continue to work closely with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for both the horticulture and forestry sectors.
In terms of the processing of licence applications for private landowners to plant land, the Department is focusing all efforts on addressing the current backlog in licences . We have committed to issuing a total of 4,500 licences this year, which is a 75% increase on the number issued last year which I accept was a low year, and I am hopeful that we will deliver on this promise.
1200. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he advised his Department to focus on Coillte felling licences for 2021 which prioritised them over the ten private licences applications awaiting a decision from his Department since 2016 or the 28 applications awaiting a decision since 2017 or the 237 private licence applications awaiting decision from his Department since 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31231/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery application for a forestry licence is assessed on its own merits and in combination with other plans or projects in the area. Decisions on Coillte applications are subject to the same assessment, public consultation and appeals process as decisions on private sector applications.
In 2020, the issuing of tree felling licences was relatively balanced with 52% of felling licences issuing to Coillte and 48% to private applicants (in volume terms). To date this year, the breakdown is 56% to Coillte and 44% to the private sector. In recent weeks, the number of private felling licences issued has increased with the largest number this year issued last week at 39 licences. I expect this output to continue.
The Department has set a target of 4,500 forestry licences to issue this year which is a 75% increase on last year, which I accept was a low year, and is committed to meeting this target. Every licence whether private or Coillte is valuable as they all support jobs in rural Ireland and our aim is to issue as many as possible to all applicants in 2021.
1201. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's website is hosted on www.gov.ie.
Gov.ie – which currently hosts 15 of 19 Departments has a compliance accessibility statement which is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility/.
I understand that all remaining Government Departments will have moved to gov.ie by the end of August.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
