Thursday, 30 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 392-404

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (392)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

392. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the situation for a person or persons without a recognised forestry qualification to level 7 or 8, as required by his Department to become a registered forester, to advise and direct landowners on silvicultural issues such as species selection, establishment practices, ongoing management and any other specific operations particular to the forestry profession, in schemes or other projects run or administered or funded by his Department, regardless of the individual or plot size of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47384/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

It is a requirement of the Department that those wishing to act as Registered Foresters must have the appropriate qualification and have Professional Indemnity Insurance (PPI).  This is to ensure that landowners receive the correct advice on potential forestry operations and the ongoing management of their forestry sites. 

Registered Foresters therefore must have the required training and skills to assess proposed operations, regarding the current environmental considerations that must be taken, when preparing an application on behalf of a landowner.  Any member of the public who feels that a registered forester falls below this standard should contact the Department.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (393)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

393. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the staff from the Forest Service of his Department that have been involved in the preparation of the current draft of the CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47385/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy might be aware, Member States are requested to lodge their CAP Strategic Plan with the European Commission no later than 1st January 2022. The CAP Consultative Committee has been meeting for over two years to prepare this plan, together with officials from my Department. A Public Consultation on the draft interventions for the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan took place from 30th July to 3rd September 2021. 

I would like to re-iterate my commitment to achieving a better integration between the next CAP Strategic Plan and the new National Forestry Programme, ensuring the measures in both will complement each other. It is the intention of the Government that a new national Forestry Programme, will be put in place for the benefit of farmers, the industry and the overall environment. This new Forestry Programme will be the enabler of the short term goals of the new Forest Strategy which is currently being developed by Working Group 4 of Project Woodland.

Due to the long-term nature of forestry, it is considered the best option to continue to deliver the forestry programme entirely separately from the CAP Strategic Plan, subject to new State Aid rules rather than the requirements of the CSP regulations. The interlinkages between the CAP Strategic Plan and the new Forestry Programme are well understood. These two significant programmes will provide the mechanisms to deliver for farmers, rural communities and for society as a whole. 

The planting of trees has the potential to play a significant part in our environmental priorities especially water quality, biodiversity and climate.  Tree planting measures included in the new Agri-Environment Schemes will lead to better integration with our afforestation goals, such as the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme, while the Forestry Programme can provide for the planting of trees in different configurations, including agro forestry. Tree planting of an area greater than 0.1 ha comes under the definition of a forest and is therefore subject to measures in the Forestry Programme. The Department draws in the necessary expertise from across the relevant Divisions, including forestry, in the design of our schemes. 

Throughout the process, there has also been regular engagement between my Department and the various stakeholders in the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors through the CAP Consultative Committee, Project Woodland, the various COFORD working groups and individual sectoral bilateral meetings.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (394)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

394. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide support to the forest industry to ensure its survival through the ongoing forestry licensing crisis in order for it to deliver on the vision which is being created for Irish forestry for the next 100 years of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47386/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Through the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, the Department provides generous establishment grants and annual premiums to those who wish to afforest their land.  The Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme forms part of the national Forestry Programme 2014 -2020 (extended to end 2022), is 100% exchequer funded and represents State investment in the forestry sector of some €482m over its lifetime.  

Applications for the Afforestation Scheme must be submitted by a Registered Forester, who is a suitably qualified industry professional.  Establishment grants paid under the Scheme cover 100% of the cost of establishing a forest. The scheme also pays an annual premium to the landowner of up to €680 per hectare payable each year for 15 years.  I am advised that at present, there is 5,700ha with approval to plant forestry, and I would encourage anyone with a valid approval to contact their Registered Forester to arrange planting.

In respect of forestry licensing in general, the Department has significantly increased resources with  ecologist numbers gone from one in 2018 to 27 currently and 21 additional forestry inspectors have been deployed. 

Licensing outputs have increased again in September, with over 500 licences issued (to 24th), the highest in any month this year.  We have now issued more licences year to date than the whole of 2020. We are not there yet but we are making significant progress.  The Department is currently examining every afforestation application in the system and has deployed 10 ecologists to deal specifically with afforestation.

The Department will shortly announce the successful bidder for the recent tendering process to engage external expertise to carry out an end-to-end regulatory and process review, which has been sought by the Project Woodland working groups.  This is in addition to the systems analyst already in place.  In the meantime, the Department is working with forestry companies to improve the quality of information provided with licence applications.  This has already yielded results for felling licences.  The same exercise has been completed for forest roads and will shortly be carried out on afforestation licence applications.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (395)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

395. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the EU climate action strategies the new CAP must be aligned with and enable in a forestry context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47387/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Work on the development of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) has intensified. The development of Ireland's CSP involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting and governance systems. The draft CSP will also be subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report.

Member States are required to demonstrate in their CSP where their intervention strategy contributes to National and European Union priorities, including those arising from the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, as well as from the legislative instruments outlined in Annex XIII of the draft legislation, which includes a significant list of EU environmental and climate legislation.  A copy of the legislation is attached for ease of reference. 

Annex XIII

In relation to the EU approval process, Member States are required to demonstrate in their CSP where their intervention strategy contributes to National and European Union priorities on the environment and climate. The draft CSP will be subject to an approval process with the Commission over a six- to eight-month period in 2022. All elements of the plan will be subject to scrutiny by the European Commission in line with the relevant regulatory framework, around the three general objectives of economic, environmental and social sustainability.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (396)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

396. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current draft CAP strategic plan satisfies all of the EU climate action strategies in a forestry context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47388/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Work on the development of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP)  is well underway.  The development of Ireland's CSP involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting and governance systems.  

A public consultation on the proposed interventions was held in August. Over 1,000 submissions were received and these are being considered.  The draft plan is expected to address the economic, environmental and social objectives outlined in the draft CAP Strategic Plan Regulation.  There is a strong focus on the environment, and a number of interventions are proposed which will contribute to the achievement of our climate and environmental objectives. 

The draft CAP Strategic plan as currently outlined proposes tree planting in the eco-schemes and agri-environment climate measures.  It is not intended that the CAP will address all forestry requirements, as the national forestry programme is delivered outside - but in coherence with - the CAP structure.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (397)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

397. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a forestry felling licence application by a person (details supplied); the date the application was received; the reason for the delay in making a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47399/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application for a tree felling licence on behalf of the person named, was received in April this year.  The responses to the initial referrals sent to the NPWS, Irish Fisheries and An Taisce have been received.  A Harvest Plan has been submitted by the applicant and the application will now be assessed by the Forestry District Inspector.  I would expect a decision to issue shortly.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (398)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

398. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 6 July 2021, if his Department will continue to pay the annual forest premium to forest owners affected by frost damage regardless of having passed the second instalment stage by year six or not; if his Department release the second instalment grants in circumstances in which frost damage has occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47440/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The policy of the Department is to pay the 2nd instalment of the grant at year four following application for payment by the landowner and his agent, where the plantation has been successfully established.

Where the plantation has not been successfully established an application should not be made for year four payment. 

Regardless of the reason why a plantation has not been successfully established the premium will continue to be paid up to and including year six to give the applicant and his agent the opportunity to carry out any remedial works.

In cases where the plantation is not yet established after year six the 7th premium will not be paid until such a time that the forest is satisfactorily established, regardless of whether there has been frost damage or other reasons why the plantation is not established.

While 90% of the trees must be successfully established for a 2nd instalment payment, in the case of frost damaged trees some tolerance is allowed so that 2nd instalment grants can be made where up to 30% frost damage has occurred.  This additional tolerance in the case of frost damage has been communicated to the sector by way of ‘Circular 9 of 2020 -Inspection Standards for Grant-Aided Plantations Affected by Frost’.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (399)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

399. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 567 of 6 July 2021, the reason the areas of natural constraint payment cannot be paid to farmers that plant land in designated areas of natural constraint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47441/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the terms and conditions of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme and the Areas of Specific Constraints (ASC) Scheme, land parcels must be maintained in such a condition as to ensure the land is suitable for grazing or cultivation.  Parcels, where it has been identified that the condition of the land is such that it would not be suitable for grazing or cultivation, will not be eligible to receive grant aid under the ANC/ASC schemes.

As parcels such as forestry would not be suitable for grazing or cultivation, they are therefore not eligible to receive grant aid under the ANC/ASC Schemes.

The 2021 ANC terms and conditions (page 13) gives a  list of types of land considered ineligible for payment under the scheme as follows;

- Areas under roads, paths, buildings, farmyards, woods, scrub, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes, sand, areas of bare rock etc.

- Any land, irrespective of eligibility status on which no farming activity is carried out is not eligible for payment.

Rural Schemes

Ceisteanna (400)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

400. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some local development companies will run out of Leader funding under the transitional programme by January 2022; if additional funding will be made available for Leader; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47296/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

In line with a commitment in the government’s new rural development policy, Our Rural Future, I announced details of a €70 million Transitional LEADER programme which came into effect last April and will cover the period 2021 – 2022, with a successor programme to commence in 2023.

This funding will support locally-led projects which focus on many of the key themes of Our Rural Future such as building capacity and empowering local communities, embracing opportunities in the green economy, supporting remote working and the digital transformation, developing our outdoor amenities and creating jobs in rural areas

As outlined in Our Rural Future, The LEADER programme will play a key role over the lifetime of the policy in enhancing the participation of local communities in shaping their future and building leadership and resilience.

€65 million of this budget is available to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level.  This allocation covers both core project expenditure as well as the administration and animation costs of the LAGs. The division of the administration and animation funding between the LAGs and its Local Development Companies is a matter for each individual LAG.

A further €3 million of the funding is being allocated to support cooperation projects and innovation between LAGs, while the remaining €2 million is being provided to provide preparatory support for the next LEADER programme. Further funding opportunities under the LEADER Food Initiative remain in place until the entirety of funds are exhausted.

In the event that a LAG fully utilises their allocation of administration funding, they can avail of a maximum monthly contribution that will be Exchequer funded and will be available to them to the end of 2022.

All LEADER project funding must be allocated by the LAGs before the end of December 2022, with final claims for payment submitted to my Department by June 2024.

Rural Schemes

Ceisteanna (401)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

401. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the national rural outdoor recreation scheme will be a multi-annual scheme. [47281/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland. New funding is provided each year and I launched the 2021 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on 23rd April 2021. The closing date for the submission of applications under the 2021 scheme has now passed and my officials are currently assessing them. I hope to be in a position to make announcements in relation to successful projects in Quarter 4 of this year.

Projects approved under ORIS are given approximately 12 months to 20 months to complete, depending on the size of the project. My Department has also shown considerable flexibility in respect of contract timelines where additional time is required to complete the project and there is a valid reason for the extension request. I will continue to keep the timeframe for project delivery under review.

Forbairt Calaí agus Céanna

Ceisteanna (402)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

402. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil i gceist aici maoiniú a chur ar fáil d’Údaráis Áitiúla le feabhas a chur ar chéibheanna agus sleamhnáin ar locha agus sa bhfarraige chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar thurasóireacht uisce ar nós bádóireacht, seoltóireacht, tumadóireacht, snámh agus rl. go mór mhór i gceantair tuaithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47366/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Cuireann an Scéim um Bonneagar Caithimh Aimsire Lasmuigh (ORIS) maoiniú ar fáil d'fhonn bonneagar caithimh aimsire lasmuigh nua a fhorbairt agus d'fhonn bonneagar caithimh aimsire lasmuigh atá ann cheana féin a chothabháil, a fheabhsú nó a chur chun cinn i gceantair thuaithe na tíre. Timpeall is €14 milliún an buiséad atá i gceist sa bhliain 2021 do na tionscadail atá ceadaithe.

Sheol mé an Scéim um Bonneagar Caithimh Aimsire Lasmuigh 2021 a bhfuil buiséad €14 milliún ag gabháil léi ar an 23 Aibreán 2021. Faoin scéim seo, cuirtear infheistíocht ar fáil do thionscadail agus is idir €20,000 agus €500,000 an maoiniú a bhíonn i gceist.  Tá an dáta deiridh le hiarratas a chur isteach faoi scéim 2021 caite anois agus tá na hiarratais á meas ag mo chuid oifigeach.  Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann na tionscadail ar éirigh leo a fhógairt i Ráithe 4 i mbliana.

Bhí béim níos mó i scéim 2021 ar dheiseanna chun taitneamhachtaí atá suite in aice le haibhneacha, lochanna agus tránna a fhorbairt.  Rinneadh sin le súil is obair a thacaíonn le gníomhaíochtaí caithimh aimsire lasmuigh amhail cadhcáil, snámh agus clárchéaslóireacht a mhaoiniú. Mar sin féin, ní shamhlaítear go mbeadh obair bonneagair ar scála mór ar chéanna ná ar fhánaí le maoiniú tríd an scéim seo.

Seirbhísí Farantóireachta

Ceisteanna (403)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

403. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil i gceist aici seirbhís farrantóireacta le deontas a chur ar fáil le cinntiú go mbeidh bád ó Dhúlainn, Contae an Chláir le freastal ar Inis Meáin sa samhradh le cinntiu go mbeidh leas eacnamaíochta ag an oileán seo ó thurasóireacht o Chontae an Chláir; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47382/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

Faoi láthair tá seirbhís chuimsitheach farantóireachta ó thrí oileáin Árainn go Ros a’ Mhíl á fhóir dheonú ag mo Roinn. Is ar mhaithe lena chinntiú go bhfuil fáil ag pobail iomlán na n-oileáin ar rochtain taistil atá sábháilte agus ar féidir brath orthu ó cheann ceann na bliana atá an fóirdheontas dhá íoc. Tá ag éirí go maith leis an t-seirbhís, rud a thacaíonn go mór leis na pobail atá cur fuatha ar na h-oileáin.

Níl sé i gceist agam aon deontas breise a chuir ar fáil le seirbhísí nua farantóireachta chuig aon cheann d’oileáin Árainn a mhaoiniú. Tá na seirbhísí fóir-dheonaithe atá ann faoi láthair dóthanach agus ag freastal go maith ar mhianta na n-oileánaigh.

Departmental Investigations

Ceisteanna (404)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

404. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the outcome of an investigation by her Department (details supplied); the findings of the investigation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47458/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme, or LIS, is a programme for improvement works on small private or non-public roads in rural areas which are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The scheme is funded by my Department and is administered through the Local Authorities. 

The inspection referred to by the Deputy related to work undertaken on a road that was funded through the LIS. The inspection found that the road surface applied by the Local Authority was different from what the applicant understood would be provided. The finish provided by the Local Authority was that outlined in the Local Authority Engineer Inspection Report produced in advance of the works. My Department's inspection also noted that the length of the works undertaken was less than that originally envisaged in the Engineer Inspection Report.

It is a matter for the local authority to determine the appropriate finish on an LIS road, subject to the requirements set out in the LIS scheme outline. Nonetheless, I have asked my officials to contact the Local Authority to highlight the issues raised in the inspection report and to request that they engage directly with the applicant to explore solutions to the concerns raised.