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Wednesday, 16 Jun 2021

Written Answers Nos. 232-248

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (232)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

232. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Justice the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by her Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32857/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not purchased any vehicles in 2020 or 2021. Currently my Department has two diesel vehicles, a 2007 van and a 2019 van.

The Deputy may wish to note that the policy going forward will be to replace these vehicles with electric vehicles. To this end, it is planned to replace the 2007 van with an electric vehicle within the next two years. To support this move to EVs, a number of electric charging points will be installed.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (233)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

233. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the €3 million allocated in Budget 2020 for pilot new agri-environmental schemes was utilised; if it was carried over into the 2021 financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32379/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As part of the budget announcement in October 2019, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced an allocation of €3 million to fund additional pilot projects aimed specifically at climate measures in agriculture. These pilot projects are intended to focus on increasing carbon sequestration and contributing to meeting our commitments as part of the Government Climate Action Plan. They will also enhance the protection of bio-diversity and water quality and provide a template for action in advance of Ireland's next Common Agriculture Policy.

An open call for a new pilot European Innovation Partnership (EIP) scheme on reduced management of farmed peat-land was announced in August 2020 and closed for applications in October 2020. The Department received four proposals under the Call, of which two were approved for funding.

As these two pilot projects did not begin operating until 2021, there was no expenditure in relation to them in 2020. Almost €300,000 has been paid to date in respect of these projects.

Fishing Industry

Ceisteanna (234)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

234. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown by port of the location of the fishers currently employed under the atypical scheme as can be discerned from their contracts of employment copies of which reside with his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32148/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 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 and Equality (Immigration Delivery Service).

The 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 information requested is not available. It should be noted that there is no link between individual vessels and specific fishing ports.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (235, 236)

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

235. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forest road grant applications have been received to date since the introduction of the forest road single consent system on 7 February 2020; the number of same that are single consent applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32163/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Richard O'Donoghue

Ceist:

236. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average time from receipt of an application to the issuing of an approved forest road grant licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32164/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine receives applications for forestry licences and issues decisions on a daily basis.

On 7th February 2020, the Department became the sole consenting authority for forest road works licences, where a forest road entrance opens onto a public road (excluding National roads) or there is material widening of an existing entrance. Since that date, 946 forest road licence applications have been received, of which 308 are under single consent.

To date this year, the Department has issued 319 forest road licences for 134km of roads. This is 107% of the annual target of 125km of forest roads to be licensed in 2021. Forest roads are intrinsic to the haulage of timber and ensures the flow of felled timber to the sawmills. Since the beginning of the year, the average time to issue a forest road licence from date advertised is nine months.

Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 235.

Fishing Industry

Ceisteanna (237)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

237. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider changes to the rules on the removal of capacity from individuals if they have been unable to reinstate it on the fishing register within 24 months of being deregistered considering the difficulties imposed by Covid-19 on contacting Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Authority; his views on the request from fishermen that those that have lost capacity during the pandemic would have it reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32180/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing were transferred from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives.

As Minister, I have responsibility for policy in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing under Section 3(3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, as amended by Section 99 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. In this context, and as referred to above, Section 3 of the Act makes provision for Ministerial Policy Directives to issue to the independent Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats.

I am, however, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to individual cases, or a group of cases, with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned under Section 3(5) of the 2003 Act.

Under Policy Directive 2/2003, capacity taken off the Fishing Boat Register must be re-introduced on to the Register within two years of its removal, otherwise the entitlement is lost to its owner. This element of the Policy Directive is known informally as the "Two Year Rule" and has applied to off-Register capacity since 1st April 2004.

One of the main objectives of Policy Directive 2/2003 was to provide the tools for the effective management of capacity in order to comply with fleet capacity targets set down in EU fleet policy.

I am currently examining a recommendation from the Licensing Authority to remove the "Two Year Rule". Any proposal for a Policy Directive involves a formal procedure including a public consultation on the matter.

Fishing Industry

Ceisteanna (238, 239)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

238. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any foreign fishing vessels landing a catch at Irish ports are being facilitated to avoid the weighting of fish at the pier requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32291/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Collins

Ceist:

239. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the foreign fishing vessels that have landed fish at Irish piers and have been allowed to bypass the weighting of fish at the pier requirement since the requirement was introduced; the volume and species of fish involved; the name of the pier in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32292/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 239 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 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.

I should advise the Deputy that the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement 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. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have made enquiries of the SFPA and am advised that all vessels regardless of their nationality are required to weigh on landing prior to transport away from the landing site. There are two common control plans in place with other Member States; France and Belgium. These common control plans allow for fish to be transported to registered establishments prior to weighing in either France or Belgium. This applies to vessels from all Member States landing into Irish ports.

I have referred the Deputy's question requesting further operational details on this matter to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.

Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 238.

Domestic Pets

Ceisteanna (240)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

240. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current requirements for family pets travelling on the island of Ireland, north, south and vice versa; the details of recent guidance notes issued to the general public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32298/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As outlined in EU Regulation 576/2013, since 2014, dogs, cats and ferrets travelling as pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland have needed to be microchipped, to be vaccinated against rabies and to be accompanied by a pet passport. These requirements have not changed as a result of Brexit.

Since 1st January 2021, the movement of pets between Ireland and Northern Ireland has been protected under the Ireland – Northern Protocol, which forms part of the broader EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Under the Protocol, Northern Ireland is subject to EU Regulation 576/2013 and is still treated as if it were a Member State for the purposes of this Regulation. The Commission has issued detailed guidance on this topic, as part of their series of Brexit Readiness Notices.

The Department has also issued a guidance document for pet travel after Brexit and will continue to communicate with pet owners regarding the requirements for entering Ireland.

Fur Farming

Ceisteanna (241, 242)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

241. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to his Department engaging in dialogue with a farmer (details supplied) over concerns regarding the imminent ban on their farming activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32306/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

242. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department is proposing an immediate ban on fur farming rather than the phased-out approach committed to in the current Programme for Government; if his attention has been drawn to the dire financial consequences this will create for such farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32307/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.

The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to prohibit fur farming in Ireland and Department officials have been working on appropriate steps to give effect to this. A series of meetings with the fur farm operators and their representatives have been held in this regard. There has also been ongoing correspondence and dialogue between the two parties.

Draft legislation is currently being prepared by the Department and contains provisions for appropriate compensation under various income loss headings for the small number of operators affected. The Department has taken into account the views expressed by the operators and their advisers with whom it has been engaging in recent months, in preparing the legislation. The details of the legislation, and the proposed compensation scheme will be presented before the Oireachtas in due course.

Whilst COVID-19 brought about a renewed focus on fur farming, the primary reason for its prohibition is animal welfare related. While fur farming was once legal and socially acceptable in most countries, societal understanding of animal welfare has developed significantly and there is now a broad consensus among veterinary and other scientific experts that certain animals should not be farmed solely for their fur or skin.

Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 241.

Veterinary Services

Ceisteanna (243)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

243. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in ensuring that various animal remedies that were available up to now without a prescription from a veterinary surgeon will still be available at competitive prices after the EU regulation requiring them to be prescribed by a veterinary surgeon comes into force here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32319/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In line with findings from a 2019 Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Expert Task Force Report, antiparasitic veterinary medicines no longer meet exemption criteria in EU law which permits them to be supplied without a veterinary prescription. Therefore, from 28th January 2022, antiparastic veterinary medicines will require a veterinary prescriptions before they can be supplied.

All current suppliers of antiparasitic veterinary medicines will continue to be legally permitted to supply these medicines post-January 2022. The Department is actively working with all stakeholders to sustain a competitive market for the supply of these products. The ambition is to ensure Irish farmers are empowered to purchase medicines from their supplier of choice.

Initiatives such as the development of a National Veterinary Prescribing System (NVPS) will help deliver on this ambition. The NVPS will result in a prescription being made available to a farmer by email, text or in paper. Farmers can then engage with Licensed Merchants, veterinary pharmacists or their veterinary practitioner in getting their prescription dispensed.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (244)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

244. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding from the carbon tax fund that was allocated to the new pilot environmental scheme REAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32380/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I secured an additional €79 million, including €23 million carbon tax, in Budget 2021 to support action in the area of biodiversity, climate, environment and health and safety, all the while supporting farm incomes.

It is my intention to fund each of the activities listed below in 2021 which includes the scheme referred to by the Deputy. Final funding allocations, including the use of Carbon Tax funds, will be determined in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

- Re-opening of the organic farming scheme,

- Straw Incorporation measure (SIM),

- Agri-environment training for farmers,

- REAP – Results based environment-agri pilot projects,

- Soil sampling,

- Farm Environmental Study,

- TAMS environment,

- Rewetting EIP,

- Continuous Professional Development for advisors,

- Health and safety initiatives under EIP-AGRI,

- Biodiversity actions for farmers and communities and

- Peatland rejuvenation.

The Results-based Environmental-Agri Pilot (REAP) is an innovative, ambitious and farmer-friendly pilot that will deliver an important income boost to participating farmers. While the project will support our environmental objectives, it will also support farm incomes by providing a maximum payment of €12,600 to participating farms over the term of their REAP contract. It is a targeted measure for farmers not currently participating in other agri-environment schemes.

Electric Vehicles

Ceisteanna (245)

Johnny Guirke

Ceist:

245. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of electric or hybrid vehicles purchased by his Department in 2020 and to date in 2021, respectively in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32837/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns a range of vehicles, including specialised agriculture vehicles for which there are no alternative electric or hybrid equivalents available.

The Department did not purchase any electric or hybrid vehicles during the period in question.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (246)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

246. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of developing the 400 remote working hubs and the requisite support services identified in Our Rural Future and for additional remote working hubs in each of the 31 local authority areas. [32288/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The increased shift to remote working as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has given us the opportunity for a greater regional distribution of jobs and to support a better quality of life for many people who previously spent many hours in long commutes. This is a key focus of the Government's new rural development policy Our Rural Future.

Remote working, supported by appropriate infrastructure and facilities, has the potential to encourage more people to live in rural areas while working in good quality jobs, no matter where their employer is based. It can also help revitalise our rural town if remote working hubs are developed in their centres.

The National Hub Network expanded from a €1m scheme that was funded under the 2019 Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan. This project was originally scoped to develop a hub network, supported by a shared online platform for remote working facilities in the Atlantic Economic Corridor. However, in light of the clear demand for such a network across the county, this was expanded to a national project that would support both Our Rural Future and the National Remote Working strategy.

To support this expansion I have provided the Western Development Commission with additional funding to support the project, with €250k being provided to develop connnectedhubs.ie as a national brand, which I launched on May 31 in Swinford, Co. Mayo. This money will also fund a national awareness raising campaign for the hub network.

In addition, I have committed to funding the on-boarding and operational costs of the connectedhubs.ie platform for hubs across the country for the next 3 years. This is expected to cost in the region of €1.3m.

The National Hub Network, supported by connectedhubs.ie will work to increase the impact and benefit of our remote working infrastructure across the country. This will help to guide future funding decisions and to increase the return-on-investment to the exchequer going forward.

My Department also continues to invest significantly in the development of new Hub facilities across the country. Since 2015, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has provided €7.8m in funding to hubs and hub-related projects. Many of the successful projects involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working Hubs.

I recently announced funding of €15 million that is available under the 2021 Town & Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS). In line with Our Rural Future, a key focus of this year’s scheme is to renovate derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, and specifically supports bringing vacant properties in town centres back into use or re-purpose existing community or publicly owned buildings as remote working hubs.

I have increased the maximum grant available under this Scheme to €500,000 to permit projects of significant scale to be funded. The TVRS It is administered by Local Authorities, who are currently seeking expressions of interest for suitable projects from local groups in towns and villages within their respective counties. The closing date set for receipt of completed applications by my Department is 16 July.

In addition to funding through the Town and Village Scheme, €65m has also been invested in hub projects through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund since 2018. A further call for projects under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will issue later this year.

Local Authorities

Ceisteanna (247)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

247. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of reviewing the local authority participation structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32289/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

A Public Participation Network (PPN) is a structure that brings together volunteer-led groups in each local authority area to represent the Community and Voluntary, Environment, and Social Inclusion sectors on Local Authority policymaking structures. PPNs were established following the enactment of the Local Government Reform Act 2014.

My Department has engaged Mazars consultants to carry out an independent review of PPN structures, which is currently underway after a competitive procurement process. The final cost of the review will be published, as appropriate, when the process is completed. The review will consider whether the current structures in place are supporting PPNs in meeting their objectives. Its aim is to ensure that PPNs continue to be fit for purpose and to make recommendations that will support their ongoing development.

Such a review is regarded by my Department as timely given the length of time since PPNs were established. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to “carry out a comprehensive review of PPNs and LECPs to ensure they are fit for purpose for climate action and community development”. The final review report is expected to be complete by end 2021.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (248)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

248. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there will be another call for funding for community centres under the community enhancement programme in 2021. [32181/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was first launched by my Department in 2018. The Programme provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. Funding is provided to each Local Authority area, and the programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) on the basis of local need.

Between 2018 and the end of 2020 the CEP funded over 8,000 projects across the country.

I launched the 2021 CEP on the 10th May with an allocation of €4.5m. The key theme of this year’s programme is supporting groups as they their re-open facilities which were closed due to COVID-19. In order to allow flexibility, each LCDC can set their own closing date to best suit its area, but all closing dates must be no later than 16th July 2021. Groups should check with their LCDC for further details.

There are no plans at present for another call for funding that is specifically for community centres under the CEP in 2021. However, groups involved with community centres, like all other community groups, can apply for funding under the CEP that was recently launched.

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