Written Answers Nos. 722-737
722. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a specific import licence is required in cases in which a person or body wishes to import fertiliser from a third country, that is, Russia for resale in Ireland; the regulations that must be followed; if other criteria must be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54522/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no licence requirements for the import of fertiliser from third countries save for ammonium nitrate and certain fertilisers which contain ammonium nitrate in excess of 79% by weight.
These are deemed to be explosives under the Explosives Act and are, therefore, subject to the same security controls for licensing, importation and storage as conventional explosives.
All other fertiliser imports are subject to Fertiliser Regulations that relate to marketing standards for fertiliser products, that is labelling. Any fertiliser product placed on the market in Ireland must comply with the requirements that are set out in National legislation (S.I. 248/1978) and EU legislation (EC Fertiliser Regulation 2003/2003). Fertiliser products can also be placed on the market here through Mutual Recognition if they are sold or registered in another EU Member State.
In relation to ammonium nitrate and mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate, there is an EU anti-dumping levy specifically on these products originating in Russia, based on a fixed amount of duty per tonne.
However, ammonium nitrate or mixtures of urea and ammonium nitrate (UAN) are fertilisers that are not widely used in Ireland or imported here from Russia.
Nevertheless, Russia is an important global player with regard to production and export of nitrogen and phosphate fertiliser and is a key supplier of fertiliser to Ireland. According to CSO data, Russian fertiliser imports accounted for 22% of total imports in 2020.
723. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 660 of 12 October 2021, the number of cattle slaughtered from controlled finishing units in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54636/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraControlled Finishing Units as part of the bovine TB Eradication Programme are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures and can only sell direct to slaughter. The following table shows the number of cattle slaughtered at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units in September 2021.
|
Month |
2021 |
|
September |
25,500 |
The figures are published on my Department's section of the gov.ie website on a monthly basis. The figures for a previous month only become available midway through the following month. See the link below for the current figures available to date in 2021.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/f55f2-bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports/#kill-numbers-at-eu-approved-slaughter-plants-originating-in-controlled-finishing-units
724. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can engage with the representative farming organisations to discuss the unsustainable price increase in fertiliser costs facing the sector; if his Department has any proposals to ensure that this unprecedented surge in price is rectified in discussion with the European Commission and that farmers in Ireland will have access to fertilisers at sustainable costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54693/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the significant increase in fertiliser prices over the last year, particularly in recent months and its impact at farm level.
The fertiliser market is largely driven by global supply and demand, and while there are a number of factors influencing fertiliser price, the major driving factors for the increase in prices are increased global demand, rising production and energy costs and issues with supply for certain fertiliser products.
The European Commission is following the market situation closely and fertiliser price is likely to be discussed at next weeks Agri Fish Council. I will ensure the topic is raised.
In line with the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Climate Action Plan commits to more targeted and reduced use of chemical nitrogen fertiliser while maintaining the same level of grass production through a number of measures including improved soil fertility and greater use of clover and multi-species swards.
I engage regularly with the farming organisations and have introduced a number of initiatives to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser including a new €1 million initiative to support the planting of multi-species swards and a pilot Soil Sampling Programme. Additionally, I have tasked Teagasc with developing a roadmap for farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers on farms.
My Department will continue to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser and my officials will closely monitor the fertiliser market and how it develops in the weeks and months ahead.
725. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any lands sold by Coillte, any lands currently for sale and any lands being considered for sale over the past five years, including the size of lands, sale price or asking price and location of these lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54694/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is operationally independent of the Department and the management of their forest estate is a matter for the company.
I have, therefore, forwarded this issue to Coillte for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
726. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will apply the maximum timelines on each application in a functioning licensing system for forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54706/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra727. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a refined timeframe will be provided for the implementation of the MacKinnon Report on the review of the approval process for forestation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54707/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra728. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a single licence application system to deal with planting, thinning and harvesting to give certainty to the forestry industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54708/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra729. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set up a forestry development agency to promote and represent the forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54709/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 726 to 729, inclusive, together.
As you will be aware Project Woodland is a framework for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the licensing system and for the creation of a new vision for woodland creation in Ireland.
I am pleased to report that substantial work has been undertaken by all Working Groups and the Project Board of Project Woodland, with regular meetings held resulting in a high level of output in both terms of quality and quantity. The Project Board, published its second interim report on the 29th October, which is available at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/642e6-forestry/#project-woodland
The Board have advanced some immediate priorities and agreed to advance two Working Group recommendations immediately: an external regulatory review and the conducting of a public consultation process on the new Forest Strategy.
The Department has placed a contract for the regulatory review with report due by end February, 2022. It will review the existing statutory framework for the licensing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework.
This will include consideration of a single consent system for licensing.
In addition, an independent Systems Analyst is conducting an end-to-end process review with a view to licensing process improvement and an interim report on this work has recently been submitted to the Project Board.
There has also been significant work carried out on all other aspects of Project Woodland to and some of these, along with the process and regulatory review, will inform the setting of definitive timelines for the delivery of forestry licences. These include:
- A pilot project for pre-application discussions.
- Payment of an Environmental Planning Grant.
- A new Customer Charter for forestry.
- A Communication Plan that assists in conveying the multi-functional benefits of forestry.
- A review of the organisational structure of forestry within my Department.
- Commission of a Training Needs analysis.
- Definition of the backlog and associated dashboards.
- Actions relating to reduction of the backlog.
Alongside Project Woodland, my Department continues to address the licensing issue, and we have invested significant resources in order to deal with the backlog, which I know is impacting the sector. We now have 27 ecologists, and additional forestry inspectors and administrative staff have been put in place.
Furthermore, improved processes have been introduced to allow ecologists focus on the ecological aspects of files referred to them. This has had a positive effect on licence delivery and in the last 8 weeks we have issued on average 117 licences per week. I am hopeful that we will meet our target of 4,000 licences this year as compared to 2,593 last year.
While we still have a way to go, we are moving in the right direction.
Regarding the establishment of a forestry development agency, I would like to advise the Deputy the COFORD Council is a body appointed by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to advise me and my Department on issues related to the development of the forest sector in Ireland.
The membership comprises stakeholders from across the forest sector, including government departments, its agencies, NGOs and the private sector.
Under Project Woodland it is planned to review the roles of COFORD, Teagasc and Coillte.
In conclusion, I would like to recognise the momentum and progress made under Project Woodland and I acknowledge the hard work and commitment shown by all involved, in particular the representatives from the Forestry Policy Group.
I would also like to reiterate my commitment and that of Minister Hackett to ensuring that Project Woodland is fully implemented for the benefit of landowners, forest owners, producers, and all those working in the forestry sector, as well as society as a whole.
730. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current status of the Bill aimed at indemnifying farmers against liability for walkers on their property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54087/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra731. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current status of the Bill aimed at indemnifying farmers against liability for walkers on their property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54088/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 730 and 731 together.
My Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners in upland areas who allow access to their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and my Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed would require legislative provision and that a number of separate pieces of legislation might need to be amended.
In light of the complexities involved, my officials have been considering alternative pilot approaches, including an insurance solution, to address the matter on an interim basis. Through this process, a public liability insurance policy was secured by my Department for the two existing Mountain Access Project areas, the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Kerry and Binn Sléibhe in Galway, and came in to effect from 13th August 2021.
This pilot solution was developed in consultation with Comhairle na Tuaithe and is being implemented on a two year trial basis. The policy represents a substantial step forward on this matter for landowners in the two Mountain Access Project areas involved.
Other options around indemnity and potential amendments to the Occupiers Liability Act will continue to be explored and progressed as appropriate over the coming months. My Department is also engaging further with the Attorney General on this matter.
732. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current number of remote working hubs by county; the level of funding allocated to the building of these remote working hubs; and the status of plans to increase the number of remote working hubs. [54104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTable 1 - National Hubs Mapping Exercise - Digital Hubs Identified by County
|
Dublin |
63 |
|
Galway |
42 |
|
Mayo |
32 |
|
Cork |
31 |
|
Kerry |
26 |
|
Tipperary |
25 |
|
Donegal |
22 |
|
Leitrim |
21 |
|
Limerick |
18 |
|
Roscommon |
18 |
|
Clare |
17 |
|
Wexford |
14 |
|
Offaly |
14 |
|
Sligo |
12 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
|
Meath |
12 |
|
Kildare |
10 |
|
Louth |
10 |
|
Laois |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
9 |
|
Cavan |
9 |
|
Westmeath |
8 |
|
Carlow |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
6 |
|
Wicklow |
6 |
|
Longford |
5 |
|
Total |
458 |
Our Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and also the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages.
In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. This platform will offer a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network. The Network will also facilitate the sharing of innovation, experience and best practices across the community. These supports will serve to maximise benefit to member hubs, hub clients, employers, local communities and the wider economy.
The National Hub Network Working Group led by my Department has so far identified and mapped over 450 remote working hubs across the country. The attached file, which is also available as a map on connectedhubs.ie, includes details of verified hubs by county; all of which will be invited to join the Connected Hubs Network to create shared infrastructure that will deliver real benefits across the country. To date, approximately 150 hubs have joined the Connected Hubs Network, with this number rising on an ongoing basis.
My Department operates a number of funding schemes that focus on projects supporting remote working through the development of hubs, including the development of BCPs as long-term, digitally-enabled community assets.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme both support the establishment of new digital hubs. To date, RRDF funding of €67 million has been approved for 44 projects that will develop or deliver Hubs that will provide remote working facilities in rural towns and villages and their outlying areas.
Support for new remote working hubs is also one of the areas being prioritised under my Department's 2021 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The focus is on establishing new remote working facilities in town and village centres where properties are currently vacant or where existing community/ publicly owned buildings can be repurposed. This call closed to applications on 16 July 2021 and the assessment process is currently underway, with successful projects set to be announced by the end of the year.
In July this year, through the Connected Hubs funding stream, I awarded close to €9 million in funding to over 100 successful applicants. This funding will allow for the expansion of existing hub facilities and remote working infrastructure in digital hubs, including Broadband Connection Points, throughout the country.
The development of a national hubs network is a key commitment in Our Rural Future and I am committed to continuing my Department's support for the development of remote working hubs in recognition of the vital role that they can play in our post-Covid recovery. I am happy to confirm that I have secured additional funding as part of Budget 2022 across the range of services provided by my Department, including for the further support of remote working hubs. Details of calls for applications to relevant funding streams will be announced by my Department in due course.
733. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount as a percentage and in euro of the National Development Plan which was allocated to development outside of Dublin; and the amount as a percentage and in euro of Budget 2022 which was allocated to projects, schemes and developments outside of Dublin. [54105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that last month the renewed National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 was launched. It is the largest National Development Plan in the history of the State - €165 billion - with a focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead.
While the Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities sets out details that will be delivered and administered by my Department. In March I was delighted to launch Our Rural Future, the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, and the NDP will support the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in that policy.
The budget for my Department in 2021 is €351m, a 50% increase in the gross budget since the first full year of the Department’s existence in 2018. Regarding capital funding, this includes €87m for our Rural Regeneration and Development Programmes, €44m for the LEADER programme and €16m in other rural supports, all of which are vital to the economic and social wellbeing of rural Ireland.
Over the life of the NDP my Department’s Capital allocation will grow from €169m this year to €192m next year, €196m in 2023, €200m in 2024 and €205m in 2025 with subsequent years to be added on a rolling basis.
While the exact allocations for programmes will be decided as part of the annual budgetary process, this level of funding will ensure increased investment levels for all of the Department's schemes, building on the strong success of these schemes in recent years. I can, however, confirm to the Deputy that in 2021 the allocations under programme expenditure to September, 88% or just over €235m was outside Dublin.
734. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a community sports, recreation and youth facility consisting of playing pitches, walkways and recreation areas in proximity to a growing village can be considered partly or in whole under the qualifying criteria for the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54612/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages and make them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family. The initiative is a key part of Our Rural Future – the Government’s five year strategy to revitalise rural Ireland.
This year's scheme closed to applications on 16 July 2021. It placed particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living as outlined in Our Rural Future.
Other eligible TVRS projects included proposals to develop parks, green spaces and recreational amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment, and to increase footfall for local businesses. Only applications for funding for public or community owned or leased properties were considered and projects must have been located in the town or village centre.
The focus of the 2022 scheme will be reviewed in advance of the launch of the scheme next year. I would advise potential applicants to discuss the eligibility of projects with their local authority.
735. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a community sports, recreation and youth facility consisting of playing pitches, walkways and recreation areas in proximity to a growing village can be considered partly or in whole under the qualifying criteria for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54613/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 164 projects have been approved for funding of €252m for projects costing over €343m.
A guidance document detailing the Fund's objectives is issued before each call for applications. Subject to those objectives, applicants can subject proposals for projects which meet the needs of a particular town, village or area. In that regard, projects which have been allocated funding to date range across sectors, including town and village regeneration, enterprise development, tourism development, digital and co-working initiatives, libraries, arts and cultural facilities and sports and recreation facilities. Projects are often a combination of a number of these elements.
It would be open to a local authority or other State-funded body eligible under the rules of the Fund to make an application in relation to a the type of project described by the Deputy, if that were identified as a priority in that area, county or region. However, it should also be noted that the guidance document referred to above will set out clearly the aims and objectives of that particular call for applications under the Fund, as well as the type of projects that will and will not be prioritised for support. When considering making an application to the Fund, potential applicants should review this material carefully and engage with my Department through the information sessions provided as part of each call.
736. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a community sports, recreation and youth facility consisting of playing pitches, walkways and recreation areas in proximity to a growing village can be considered partly or in whole under the qualifying criteria for the CLÁR scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54614/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR Programme provides funding under a number of different Measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. There are designated CLÁR areas in all counties with the exception of Dublin, Kildare and Wexford.
The Outdoor Community Recreation Facilities Measure (Measure 2) of the CLÁR 2021 programme included funding for playgrounds, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and other recreation amenities. The facilities must be located in a CLÁR area and fully accessible to the public. The 2021 Programme is now closed and all successful projects have been announced.
I intend to review the Measures to be supported under the 2022 CLÁR programme in advance of the launch of the programme next year.
737. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a community sports, recreation and youth facility consisting of playing pitches, walkways and recreation areas in proximity to a growing village can be considered partly or in whole under the qualifying criteria for the ORIS scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54615/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation and Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) provides funding for the development and/or enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as trails, walkways, cycleways, blueways and bridleways in rural areas. Applications are received by the Department from Local Authorities and Local Development Companies.
This year's scheme is closed to applications. This year the scheme placed an increased emphasis on the development of outdoor amenities such as those associated with our mountains, rivers, lakes and beaches. Sports grounds, traditional playgrounds, multi-use games areas and walking/running tracks located in a confined space are not supported under the scheme.
The focus of the 2022 scheme will be reviewed in advance of the launch of the scheme next year. I would advise potential applicants to discuss the eligibility of projects with their Local Authority or Local Development Company.
