Written Answers Nos. 625-645
625. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to proposals to prohibit the practice of providing halal meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am not aware of any proposals to prohibit the practice of providing halal meat.
626. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that all aspects and clauses in relation to governance, oversight, compliance and due diligence have been met in respect of Horse Sport Ireland’s interests in a site (details supplied); if he has ever sought this information or information pertaining to other serious corporate governance responsibilities such as those covered by clause 10 of the service level agreement that exists between Horse Sport Ireland and his Department; and if he is satisfied that the service level agreement that has been agreed on has been and is functioning as intended. [37548/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee. It is not a State Body established by legislation and it is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The governance and financial controls carried out by the Department are governed by DPER Circular 13/2014.
HSI is under the control of a Board which comprises a mix of representational industry-elected members, a Chairman and three Government appointees selected along PAS lines.
The Ministerial nominees are appointed for five years with eligibility for reappointment by the Minister for a successive term. The industry appointed nominees are appointed for three years, with eligibility for a successive term following an election process, as set out in the Horse Sport Ireland Constitution.
In 2017, the Indecon Report, as commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine was published. This was an external Corporate Governance review of the organisation. There were a sizeable number of recommendations, all of which have been implemented. I am advised that the organisation is also complaint with the Sport Ireland Code of Governance.
Accounts are professionally audited externally and an annual report published. There is a clear divide between Board of Directors and Executive. A recruitment campaign for the post of CEO is currently on-going.
There is a Service Level Agreement in place with the Department in respect of an annual block grant the organisation receives. There is an appropriate risk management framework in place, including a Risk Register and asset inventory is held. A financial control check is applied by the Department to monies provided on an annual basis.
Horse Sport Ireland have an appointed external firm as their Internal Auditors, who undertake annual internal audits of the organisation. HSI publish annual accounts though it is not legally obliged to do so.
At all times, Horse Sport Ireland must adhere to the conditions laid down in DEPR Circular 13/2014. HSI is defined as 'Grantee' under that Circular. Clause 10 in the Service Level Agreement makes provision for checks to be carried out on HSI, regarding legal, tax registration, employment regulations and any other statutory requirements, regulations and byelaws, if those checks are deemed necessary.
The Deputy will appreciate that the decision to choose a site and venue for its Headquarters and Centre of Excellence is clearly one for the Board of HSI. The Department is examining the matter at present to ensure that HSI has satisfied itself that the transaction proposed is consistent with public procurement rules.
627. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the request from some inshore fishermen in Ireland that they would cooperate with the Marine Institute and other relevant authorities in conducting surveys on the abundance of spurdog or piked dogfish squalus acanthias around the coast (details supplied). [37637/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra628. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts his Department and the relevant authorities are making to minimise either the illegal catch or bycatch of spurdog or piked dogfish squalus acanthias in Irish waters and the EEZ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37639/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 628 together.
Under EU Regulation, it is prohibited to target, retain on board, tranship or land picked dogfish, also known as spurdog, in North Western Waters. The stock was subject to high harvest rates for more than four decades, and fisheries were not managed during this time.
The species is a long-lived, slow growing and late maturing species and is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to over-fishing. Conservation measures in recent years have reduced mortality significantly and stabilised the decline. The biomass (a measures of the quantity of the stock) of the species has started to increase slowly, however, the biomass remains extremely low and is below the biomass limit reference point established by ICES.
The latest scientific advice issued by ICES on 2nd October 2020 is that there should be no targeted fisheries for dogfish in 2021 and 2022. On the basis of this advice, and as the EU manages fish stocks having regard for this advice, there appears currently no liklihood of re-introducing a targeted fishery in the period covered by this advice.
While there is a very limited quota available for use only in pilot schemes designed to reduce by-catches, any such schemes are subject to European Commission approval and must relate to reducing by-catches of dogfish in other fisheries, i.e. the targeting of dogfish would remain prohibited. A scheme for dogfish avoidance was explored by the Marine Institute but, following consultation with the Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF), it was decided not to proceed further with a scheme taking into account how such a scheme would operate.
In relation to the proposal for cooperation between the Marine Institute and industry in conducting surveys on the abundance of spurdog around the coast, I will refer this request to the Marine Institute for consideration within its Irish Fisheries Science Research Partnership, involving industry representatives, Marine Institute and BIM, where research projects assessments and priorities are actively discussed.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels, including illegal catches of spurdog, within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service.
629. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all EU states are subject to the same food safety regime when it comes to exporting brown crab to the Chinese market. [37641/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraChina, as a third country, outside of the European Union, sets its own health standards for incoming food products and notifies the WTO of the standards in place. I understand that the Chinese authorities have recently held a consultation on the health standards that will apply for crab as a food product and I hope that the outcome of this will bring some benefits for trade in Irish crab products. Ireland works closely with the EU Commission on the development of European positions on market access and food safety matters and the recent Chinese consultation was no exception.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent statutory body which has responsibility for seafood safety controls and the enforcement of seafood safety law. The SFPA is the competent authority for the export certification of Irish seafood and I am precluded by Statute from interfering in the performance by the SFPA of a function assigned to it or exercising any power or control in relation to individual or groups of cases with which the Authority may be concerned.
630. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans that are in place for Killybegs harbour to facilitate future demand in the offshore wind sector against a backdrop of tried and tested experience in this sector in facilitating onshore wind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraKillybegs Fishery Harbour Centre (FHC) is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by the Department under Statute.
The FHCs were established to act as dedicated centres and focal points for the promotion and development of the Irish seafood industry which comes under the remit of this Department.
Overall policies and strategies for delivering on climate change and renewable energies are not primarily a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, these primarily fall under the remit of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
I would like to advise the Deputy, however, that Killybegs FHC is already facilitating the importation of wind turbine components for distribution in the North West.
Funding for Capital works in the six FHCs is made available on an annual basis by the Department, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. A phased programme for the infrastructural development and maintenance of the six FHCs has been progressed over the last number of years. Between 2010 and 2020, over €139m has been invested in these developments.
In recognition of increasing levels of fishing, commercial cargo (incl wind turbine parts) and cruise liner activity in Killybegs, a project to provide an additional 120m of quay space at Smooth Point was initiated. Phase 1 of the project, which entailed the dredging and removal of the contaminated material, commenced in 2017 and was completed in 2018.
Phase 2 of the project involves the dredging of the remaining uncontaminated material and construction of the 120 metres of berthing space. Work is progressing on the project which has been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. It is still expected to be substantially completed by the Spring of 2022 with a total project cost (phase 1 and phase 2) of approximately €20m.
Should any proposals be brought forward either centrally or from private enterprises to develop the infrastructure in any of the FHCs to support the marine renewable industry, they will be considered as appropriate. As is the case with all developments in the six FHCs generally, any future decision regarding formally initiating capital projects will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding, competing national priorities and compatability with existing activities.
631. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding given to Cork City Council in respect of equine welfare management in the past five years in tabular form. [37775/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Control of Horses Act, 1996 designates responsibility to local authorities for issues relating to stray and neglected horses in both urban and rural areas.
The Department provides funding to the local authorities to assist them in implementation of the Act. From 2015 to date, an amount of €63,166 was paid to Cork City Council to assist in dealing with the issue of stray horses (table attached shows the breakdown by year). Separately, the Department also provided funding in 2016 of €19,370 to Cork City Council for the provision of an education and training programme for horse owners for the urban horse population with the aim of reducing the number of straying animals and encouraging young people in the care and welfare of horses. The Department continues to initiate and support measures to help to improve the equine welfare situation, particularly with a view to developing longer term, sustainable solutions to problems.
Animal welfare is high on the agenda of the Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to address the issue. In December 2020, I announced the provision of record funding of €3.2 million to 101 animal welfare organisations throughout the country, some of which work with equines and are located in the Cork City area. The Programme for Government contains an undertaking to make additional funding available to animal welfare charities and urban horse welfare programmes over the coming years, to which I am fully committed.
632. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of legal cases brought against his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021; and if he will provide details on the nature of these cases. [37804/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe numbers of cases brought against the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine since 1st January 2016, sorted by year and cause of action, are included in the table attached. The attached breakdown does not include District Court Appeals from Notices issued by officials, nor does it include cases being managed by the State Claims Agency. Details of such cases have been requested directly from the State Claims Agency who advised that as of 8th July 2021, their lead time on such requests is 12 – 15 business days.
When the requested information has been received, details will be provided to the Deputy.
633. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle that were in the three townlands (details supplied) in County Clare during the years 2018, 2019 and 2020; if he will provide for each year the number of cattle on 1 January each year for each parish; the number of births registered each year for each parish; the number of cattle on 31 December of each year for each parish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37854/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below details the number of cattle and the number of births registered for the period concerned in the townlands requested.
There are a small number of herds who have land in more than one of these townlands.
634. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a voluntary agreement was brought forward by a section or sections of the private sector using woodland carbon code as the basis for calculating sequestration rates; if that would preclude afforestation grant and premium support payment by his Department whilst accepting there is a distinct separation between the rights and value of carbon and the said grant support and also accepting the carbon accounting and reporting must be clear to avoid double counting for reporting purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37971/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does see potential opportunities to attract private finance from voluntary carbon markets. Forest owners and organisations can avail and develop these opportunities as long as they don't impact on Ireland's international accounting and reporting requirements.
The level of grant aid, premiums and tax incentives currently provided by the Department does take into account the level of income foregone, as required under state aid rules. However, the aim of the Department is to encourage land owners to plant more woodlands. The current Woodland Environment Fund includes a mix of private finance and state aid to part fund the establishment of forests and this model has worked well. The main focus on any future and existing programme will be to examine funding models with purpose of encouraging woodland creation. Voluntary carbon markets have the potential to provide additional incentives and this can only benefit woodland expansion.
635. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 597 of 29 June 2021, his views on whether it is appropriate that a person who admitted significant animal neglect would continue in a role in which they have responsibilities in relation to overseeing animal welfare. [37975/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department expects all its staff to fully comply with the law, particularly in areas where it bears responsibility for that law.
Where an allegation that a member of staff has failed to do so is upheld, the Department acts robustly, and in accordance with the provision of fair procedures, to address the matter within the scope of the appropriate Civil Service policy.
636. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra637. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if information (details supplied) will be provided in relation to forestry applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38000/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 636 and 637 together.
The Department is making a change to the public consultation phase for certain forestry licences.
As a result of recent legislative changes made by the European Union (Birds and Natural Habitats) (Amendment) Regulations, 2021, (S.I. No. 293 of 2021), the Department is required to provide additional opportunities for public consultation in relation to forestry licencing applications.
In response to requirements of this legislation, the Department has initiated a revised public consultation to ensure that there is full public participation in decision-making around projects that may have affect European sites. There will now be a second 30-day consultation period which will take place after receipt of a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) or after an Appropriate Assessment Report is produced by the Department, and relevant documentation will be published in the Forestry Licence Viewer. If an NIS is submitted with the initial application, only one public consultation period is required.
This is the new consultataion process, and it is one which makes for extensive public consultation on forestry licence applications. It applies to files which are screened-in for Appropriate Assessment. Any such files in the system that have not yet been decided, and future applications will be covered by this new consultation process with immediate effect.
It is critical to note that the Department has not suspended the issuing of forestry licence decisions. I assure the Deputy that my officials are assessing forestry licence applications on hand that are affected by this change and have already started to publish lists of forestry licences that are now open for this second public consultation phase. In addition, they have put in place new procedures to deal with this consultation.
Regarding applications that have been approved to date this year, the Department publishes the forestry dashboard weekly. All forestry licences that are approved have conditions attached. Therefore, I cannot give a breakdown of approved/approved with conditions. The number of applications approved and refused are given below, with the percentage of those screened in where an Appropriate Assessment Determination/Natura Impact Assessment is involved to date this year.
|
Licence Type |
Approved |
Refused |
% AAD/NIS |
|
Afforestation |
303 |
15 |
62% |
|
Forest Roads |
358 |
2 |
54% |
|
Private Tree Felling |
568 |
1 |
63% |
|
Coillte Felling |
537 |
0 |
77% |
|
Total |
1,814 |
18 |
- |
638. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the upgrading of Dinish Pier, Castletownbere, County Cork; and when the upgrade is expected to be completed [38033/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEssential Works Contract (Phase 1 of Completion) for the upgrading of Dinish Pier was awarded on 10th March 2021 to Sorensen Civil Engineering Ltd. This is ongoing and on programme and is scheduled to be completed in August 2021.
The Completion Works Tender (Phase 2) documents were issued to tender on 28th April 2021 and tenders were returned on 11th June 2021. A Tender Report is currently being prepared. It is expected that the Completion Works will commence in August 2021 and be substantially completed in March 2022.
639. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a review of measures relating to the control of dogs in Ireland will be published; and if this consultation document will also include questions on the restricted breeds of dogs. [37827/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public consultation on a review of measures relating to the control of dogs in Ireland covered questions regarding all breeds of dogs, and also restricted breeds that have some additional controls on them when in a public place. The responses generally related to both matters as they are closely linked.
The issues raised in the approximately 1,000 submissions to the public consultation are wide ranging, complex and require analysis, further consultation with stakeholders and an exploration of approaches in other jurisdictions.
This process is nearing completion and I expect the findings of this review to be submitted to me shortly.
Concerns have been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. There is also the view that some additional breeds may warrant inclusion on the list of restricted breeds. My Department is considering these and other points as part of a review of the legislation in this area and is now identifying any necessary legislative amendments that may be required with a view to inclusion in the Government’s legislative programme.
640. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the social impact assessments carried out by her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit since 1 January 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37299/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of social impact assessments carried out by my Department and agencies under its remit are set out below:
- The Western Development Commission has not undertaken any social impact assessments to date, however, the WDC is in the process of commencing an analysis of the Socio-Economic Impact of the Western Investment Fund - 20 years of Innovative Regional Investment.
- The Charities Regulator commissioned and published a report in 2018 on the Social and Economic Impact of charities in Ireland carried out by Indecon. The report is available at the following link: Social and economic impact report 2018 An accompanying infographic is available at the following link: Social and economic impact of charities in Ireland infographic
The COVID pandemic has had significant economic and social impacts on communities throughout the country. As a response to the crisis my Department introduced specific supports, interventions and funding packages, having assessed the emerging needs of urban and rural communities impacted by COVID-19.
A range of COVID-19 related supports were introduced to support in 2020 the response and recovery from the pandemic including; COVID-19 Stability Fund; Broadened Community Enhancement Programme; Town & Village Renewal – Accelerated Measure; Philanthropy Fund ‘Innovate Together’; Broadened CLÁR Programme; Comic Relief match funding; Libraries Development- Small Scale Capital Works Programme ; Community Services Programme (CSP) Support Fund; Social Enterprise Funding; Volunteer Support Programme and the COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Information on all funding available, through my Department, can be found on gov.ie
I will continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and will monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.
641. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking to fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to support the development of broadband connection points across the country and the development of digital hubs which can support remote working in as many of the connection points as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37418/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative is a key element of the National Broadband Plan and of Our Rural Future. It is now in the latter stages of delivery. As of 6 July, 203 Broadband Connection Points are live and in use, with the remaining sites in the process of being surveyed, installed or tested. The map of live BCPs can be found on: nbi.ie/bcp-map/.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has proven its value in maintaining economic activity and many of the BCP sites are either currently offering facilities for remote workers or have plans to so in the near future. Remote working can help to retain talented people in rural communities, encourage mobile workers to move to the regions, provide increased trade for local businesses, and revitalise our rural towns.
I launched the National Hub Network, connectedhubs.ie, on 31 May in the Swinford Digiwest Hub in Co. Mayo. Since the launch, 113 hubs have signed on and are now using the platform, with an additional 49 hubs in the process of being onboarded. Furthermore, the number of hubs identified through the Western Development Commission's hub discovery process has increased to 505. These are in the process of being verified before they are mapped on https://connectedhubs.ie/nationalhubsmap.html. This interactive map provides useful information in relation to each of the hubs and the services that are available at each site.
Since 2016 my Department has invested more than €50 million in the development of remote working facilities through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Investment in new remote working facilities will continue in 2021 through further calls for both schemes.
I have also allocated €5 million to fund a Connected Hubs Call this year. This initiative will provide funding to support small scale capital works in existing hubs and Broadband Connection Points. Applications are currently being evaluated by my officials and I expect to shortly be in a position to announce the results of the evaluation process.
642. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her position on a proposed move of the dog control unit from her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37438/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for dog control policy and legislation. The relevant legislative instruments are the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.
Local Authorities are responsible for all operational matters relating to dog control, including the dog warden service, local authority dog pounds, inspection and regulation of dog breeding establishments and the local authority veterinary service.
While some exploratory discussions regarding the transfer of the dog control functions to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine took place in late 2017, my Department has had no engagement recently with that Department in relation to this matter.
Both Departments work closely together to ensure a coordinated approach is taken in the area of dog control.
643. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a school (details supplied) can expect a decision on the CLÁR funding application in relation to an outdoor classroom and a biodiversity park; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37688/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding for small scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. The Measures being funded under this year's programme are:
Measure1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities
Measure 3: Community Wellbeing Support
(a) Community Gardens and Allotments
(b) Mobility and Cancer Care Transport
CLÁR Innovation Measure: Funding for innovative or pilot projects that address specific challenges faced by communities in CLÁR areas.
I can confirm that an application for funding under Measure 3(a) has been received in respect of the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
The applications received under Measure 3(a) are still under consideration by my Department and I hope to announce successful projects in the coming weeks.
644. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the Charities Regulator first became aware of the alleged misappropriation of funds relating to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37798/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulator, under the aegis of my Department, is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with a mandate to promote good governance practice.
While my Department has responsibility for governance oversight of the Charities Regulator, the Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions under Section 14 (3) of the Charities Act 2009. Neither I nor my Department have any role in the decision making processes or operational matters relating to the work of the Regulator, including investigations into the activities and conduct of charities. These are entirely a matter for the Regulator.
Concerns in relation to charities may be raised with the Regulator and I am assured by the Regulator that that all such concerns are addressed. Where breaches of charity legislation are identified, the charity is contacted with a view to addressing such breaches.
I understand the Charities Regulator had been engaging with Bóthar since early 2020 on foot of concerns which were raised about the charity.
In October 2020, the Regulator determined that a statutory investigation into the charity was warranted, and appointed inspectors to commence this investigation. It is important to note that the commencement of such an investigation is not in itself a finding of any wrongdoing.
A criminal investigation is now underway into activities at Bóthar. At the request of An Garda Síochána, the Charities Regulator’s statutory investigation into the affairs of Bóthar has been temporarily paused until such time as the criminal investigation is complete, at which time the Regulator’s investigation will resume.
It would be inappropriate for me, the Regulator or my Department to comment further on what is an ongoing criminal investigation.
645. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of legal cases brought against her Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021; and if he will provide details on the nature of these cases. [37816/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of legal cases brought against my Department since its establishment in July 2017 are set out below:
- In 2021 the Human Resources unit of my Department was notified of a summons to the High Court. This pertains to an ongoing matter relating to an employee.
- The Attorney General’s Office is currently acting on behalf of the Department being respondents in a Judicial Review case brought by applicants, Liam Ó Dubhgáin trading as WJ Duggan. The Judicial review relates to the tender process involved in awarding a contract for the provision of a rapid passenger service (Bád gasta) to serve Toraigh Island in County Donegal. The applicant contests the manner and decisions taken by the Department in the assessment of tenders submitted. The case came for mention in the High Court on the 20 May 2019 and due to numerous requests for more time to prepare responses to affidavits submitted by both parties is still in progress. Because of the Judicial review award of the contract was halted pending the Court’s decision. The next Court session is due for hearing later this month.
