Written Answers Nos. 701-713
701. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is proposed to revise costings for farm improvement works to be grant-aided under targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3415/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRevised costings were introduced for investments from 24th July 2021 in Tranche 23 of TAMS II.
The reference costs under TAMS II are currently being reviewed again by my Department. Any changes identified will be considered once this review is completed.
703. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years, in tabular form. [3493/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have an allocation in 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
704. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine , further to Parliamentary Question No. 1172 of 2 November 2021, the location in the terms and conditions of the basic payment scheme in which reference is made to force majeure being accepted as a reason for compliance not being achieved as opposed to an application not being submitted on time or an on-farm inspection not having been facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3605/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Terms and Conditions of the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) inform all applicants of their right to apply for Force Majeure. These BPS Terms and Conditions are available on my Department's website.
The legal basis for the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme is set out on page 90 of the terms and conditions as follows: "The Basic Payment Scheme is implemented pursuant to EU Regulation 1306/2013 and is operated by my Department. Other related schemes have their own legal basis, as outlined under their own Terms and Conditions."
Regulation 1306/2013 sets out the cases that may be recognised as force majeure and exceptional circumstances and also states that no administrative penalties shall be imposed where the non-compliance is due to force majeure.
705. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of civilian and Garda ministerial drivers in his current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs, including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3964/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn common with many Government Departments, my Department has a number of civilian drivers appointed to support my work and that of the two Ministers of State. There are no Garda drivers assigned.
In 2020, there were four drivers assigned until after the creation of the position of Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity when two additional drivers were engaged. There are currently six drivers in total.
The costs requested are set out in the table below. Please note that the Department does not pay for fuel, maintenance, insurance etc. Such costs are factored into the prevailing Civil Service mileage rates.
|
Number of Civilian Drivers |
Salary |
Travel & Subsistence |
Severance & Redundancy payments |
Mileage Claimed |
Road Tolls |
|
|
2020 |
4 |
€164,259.25 |
€12,619.99 |
€68,754.69 |
€20,432.51 |
€411.04 |
|
2021 |
6 |
€193,398.04 |
€30,582.17 |
0 |
€20,001.51 |
0 |
706. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the new ferry, which will service Tory Island, will be put into operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently working with Donegal County Council in relation to scoping developments that could be undertaken at Machaire Rabhartaigh Pier, the mainland pier that services Tory Island. These works will affect the type of boat that will be able to operate effectively to the island.
The Department will assess the situation regarding the provision of the new ferry when there is more clarity in relation to the development works.
707. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to develop and-or introduce gender-focused sexual education in the community organisation sector. [2958/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government's five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector ‘Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities’ commits my Department to support education, training and capacity building for the sector. In this regard, a training needs assessment is currently being conducted for the community and voluntary sector and the outcomes of this will be implemented in collaboration with the sector, commencing in Q3 2022.
708. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of successful, and unsuccessful, prosecutions that were made on behalf of the State in 2019 and 2020 in terms of dog owners who were found not to hold a proper and up-to-date dog licence for their animal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3041/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra709. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of successful and unsuccessful prosecutions that were made on behalf of the State in terms of dog owners whose animal was involved in the killing or injuring of sheep and-or other livestock in 2019 and 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3042/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 708 and 709 together.
Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities are responsible for all operational matters relating to the control of dogs. They have the power to appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.
The primary intention of dog control legislation is to place the onus on dog owners and those in control of dogs to act responsibly by keeping their dogs under effectual control. Such responsible dog ownership is the key to reducing incidences of sheep worrying and other problem behaviours.
The Control of Dogs Acts, as amended, set out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. In particular, section 2 outlines the requirement to hold a dog licence, while section 9 of the 1986 Act outlines requirements regarding keeping dogs under effectual control. Section 9(2) states that the owner or any other person in charge of a dog that worries livestock is guilty of an offence, while Section 21 of the 1986 Act provides that the owner of a dog shall be liable in damages for an attack on livestock.
My Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities, including detail regarding the number of prosecutions. Information up to and including 2020, by county and in tabular form, is available at
www.gov.ie/en/collection/879d4c-dog-contr ol-statistics/ on gov.ie. The 2021 dog control statistics will be published later this year.
A more detailed breakdown of the enforcement provisions of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, by local authorities, is attached and outlines the number of prosecutions and convictions under the relevant sections of the Act in 2019 and 2020. The offence of ‘Livestock Worrying’ is generally prosecuted under Section 9 of the Act. It is accepted that the impact of Covid-19 and Level 5 lockdowns affected the enforcement of all provisions of the Act in 2020.
Enforcement of Control of Dogs Act 1986 by local authorities in 2019
|
Section of Act |
No. of Fines Issued |
No. Paid |
No. of Prosecutions |
No. of Convictions |
|
Licensing (Section 2) |
831 |
291 |
52 |
30 |
|
Control (Section 9) |
539 |
366 |
66 |
23 |
|
Miscellaneous (Section 16) |
231 |
50 |
29 |
11 |
Enforcement of Control of Dogs Act 1986 by local authorities in 2020
|
Section of Act |
No. of Fines Issued |
No. Paid |
No. of Prosecutions |
No. of Convictions |
|
Licensing (Section 2) |
360 |
121 |
26 |
3 |
|
Control (Section 9) |
310 |
199 |
31 |
5 |
|
Miscellaneous (Section 16) |
209 |
105 |
8 |
4 |
A public consultation process on a review of measures relating to the control of dogs in Ireland is nearing completion and I expect the findings of this review to be submitted to me shortly. Some of the comments received through the consultation process would require a change to primary or secondary legislation. My Department is considering these and other points, such as additional penalties for livestock worrying, 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.
My Department will continue to work with all responsible stakeholders towards the shared aim of promoting responsible dog ownership and consistently reinforcing the message that dogs should never be allowed to roam alone.
710. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided for the LEADER food initiative in County Kerry to fund a number of projects at locations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Food Initiative is administered at local level by Local Action Groups (LAGs) with overall funding allocated at a national level by my Department. Project applications are in the first instance considered at local level, with subsequent final project approval signed off by my Department on a first come first served basis. As with all funding programmes, there is a finite budget available for allocation under this measure.
The LAGs are aware of all relevant scheme conditions and have been kept up to date at regular intervals by my Department with regard to the availability of funding.
With regard to the projects referred to by the Deputy, my Department understands that a number of applications were being considered by the LAG but no project applications were awaiting the final approval of the Department at the time the LEADER Food Initiative funding budget was exhausted in December 2021.
During 2022, my Department will keep the delivery and drawdown of funding awarded under the LEADER Food Initiative under review and should any unutilised funding become available as a result of this review consideration will be given to running a new national funding call later in the year.
711. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her Department's total capital and current expenditure budget for 2021 and 2022 for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence with a breakdown for each related allocation for both years, in tabular form. [3506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that, in the main, domestic violence issues and the associated funding streams are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, and are legislated for in the Domestic Violence Act 2018.
My Department's mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. A key objective of all my Department's programmes is that they are targeted at those sectors, areas and individuals most in need and at providing effective responses to ongoing and future economic and social challenges.
While my Department has no direct role in domestic violence matters, it does provide some funding to organisations that offer support to victims of domestic violence.
Scheme to Support National Organisations
The Department, through the current iteration of the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO) 2019 to 2022, provides multi-annual core funding to four national, community and voluntary organisations that have a specified focus on addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The current iteration runs for a three year period, and concludes on 30 June 2022.
The following table sets out the total funding allocated to each of these four organisations for the programme period.
Table 1: Organisations funded under SSNO 2019-2022 with a direct focus on addressing domestic, sexual and gender-based violence
|
Organisation |
Total Allocation |
|
M.O.V.E. Ireland |
€269,610 |
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland Company Limited By Guarantee |
€270,000 |
|
SAFE Ireland National Social Change Agency Company Limited by Guarantee |
€269,577 |
|
Womens Aid Company Limited By Guarantee |
€269,926 |
In addition there are other organisations funded under the current SSNO programme, while not having a specific focus on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, provide related supports and advocacy. Such examples include the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Free Legal Advice Centres, Barnardos and Children’s Rights Alliance.
Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme
My Department also administers the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), our country’s primary social inclusion intervention. Its aim is to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion and equality by supporting communities and individuals using community development approaches, engagement and collaboration.
My Department is providing SICAP funding in excess of €220 million to Local Development Companies (LDCs) over six years from 2018 to 2023. In 2021 over €39 million was allocated to the programme, supporting front line workers in Local Development Companies to deliver SICAP on the ground. I am delighted to have secured an extra €4m for SICAP for 2022 which will provide for the creation of a significant number of job places for new community work on the ground in communities across Ireland.
SICAP & Domestic Abuse Services
Each LDC agrees an action plan with their Local Community Development Committee every year. There are 43 actions in the 2021/2022 plans which mention domestic abuse/violence in their action descriptions. They cover areas such as support to victims of domestic abuse/violence, support to vulnerable young people who are at greater risk of domestic violence, working with domestic violence groups to deliver supports and workshops. Some examples are outlined below.
In Cavan they have included an action in the 2022 plan that aims to support and resource disadvantaged communities and marginalised target groups to engage with relevant local and national service providers and relevant stakeholders in identifying and addressing social exclusion and equality issues. One specific element of this action aims to focus on planning around the provision of supports to victims of domestic violence.
In Bray, Co Wicklow, the Local Development Company is focused on supporting the local community centre where an emerging issue arising from COVID-19 has been increased incidence of people presenting to the centres as a result of domestic violence. A need has been identified in collaboration with Bray Women’s Refuge to provide outreach services in the centre. The Domestic Violence Programme will provide monthly outreach clinics in the Resource Centres in partnership with Bray Women’s Refuge.
In Cork, Kanturk, Newmarket & Millstreet an action has been included in the 2022 annual plan that focuses on the wider issue of the gender gap and includes a focus on domestic violence as part of the action. Although society has come a long way, there is still an extensive gender gap in relation to pay, pensions and equality. Because of this, women continue to be at a risk of suffering from disadvantage and poverty. The Duhallow Women’s Forum is comprised of representatives from the ICA, Duhallow Carers, Women’s Access Group, Domestic Violence, Community Childcare Facilities and Parent and Toddler Groups. These stakeholders identify issues on the ground and work on collective actions to improve the quality of life for women in the area. The Women’s Forum will hold a quarterly meeting and host a seminar relating to women’s issues. Duhallow Women’s Forum will actively collaborate with the National Women’s Council of Ireland on issues affecting women in rural Duhallow.
In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown in 2022 they have included an action to support the work of the Southside Addressing Violence Effectively Forum in DLR and, in 2022 will organise a workshop on issues of Power and Inclusion during the 16 Days against Gender Based Violence.
In Donegal, Inishowen, has 1 action in 2022 where domestic violence is highlighted “Tusla referrals in Donegal saw a 25% increase in domestic violence”. The action is targeted at parents, young people and children. This action will create the space and place for families/people to come together to interact with others who are facing the same challenges/barriers. It will encourage participants to engage in healthy lifestyle activities in their area including a focus on: Nutrition; Cookery; Physical Activity; Well-being; personal development; personal interest courses; etc. It will also focus on providing training in skills in stress control and how to manage stress control within the work place/home.
712. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has made recent introductions between local authority broadband officers and satellite broadband companies regarding broadband connectivity at a location (details supplied); the options available in this area regarding alternative broadband services; the steps she has taken in terms of rural broadband for this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3523/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadband Officer role was established in 2016 on foot of a recommendation of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The role is intended to act as a single point of contact between telecoms operators and local authorities, between the local authority and members of the public and internally, between local authority business units. My department co-funds the employment costs of Broadband Officers. Broadband Officers have made a significant impact on the provision of telecoms services in the state, particularly in rural and under-served areas.
As a national network, the Broadband Officers' Telecommunications Action Group (TAG) meets 10 times a year to discuss national, regional and sectoral developments, and to exchange information, experiences and ideas. TAG meetings are arranged by my department and are attended by Broadband Officers and their local authority colleagues, officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and representatives of telecoms companies involved in current projects - for example, NBI (National Broadband Plan) and Vodafone Ireland (Broadband Connection Point initiative) are regular attendees.
Guest speakers are invited to present to Broadband Officers, including telecoms providers. These have, over the years, included satellite services providers, including at the most recent TAG meeting on 20 January 2022.
The department has not made an introduction between the local authority broadband officer and a satellite provider in respect to the address provided.
It should be noted that the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for telecoms policy, regulation and implementation. Notwithstanding this, officials at my department work closely with the Tipperary Broadband Officer on a number of innovative solutions to connectivity issues, including the Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative and the National Hub Network (connectedhubs.ie). Tipperary currently has 16 live BCPs and 4 more planned for completion soon.
I am aware that there are two Broadband Connection Points within 11km of the address provided, both of which are live and operational and ready to use. These are publicly accessible sites for onsite community use. Locations of all live and planned BCPs may be found at www.myconnectedcommunity.ie
With regard to the options available to those living in areas with poor connectivity, I would advise in the first instance that contact is made with the local authority Broadband Officer. The Broadband Officers in each of the local authority areas have excellent knowledge of the infrastructure and services available and can, if necessary, escalate issues to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
713. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of civilian and Garda ministerial drivers in her current corps of drivers; the breakdown of the civilian versus Garda drivers; and the total costs, including salaries, maintenance, fuel and so on incurred by the driver corps in 2020 and 2021. [3972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of civilian drivers in my Department is made in line with the “Instructions to HR Managers on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil” and the “Guidelines on the Staffing of Ministerial Offices for the 33rd Dáil’’.
Ministers and Ministers of State may appoint 2 civilian drivers. I currently have 1 civilian driver in my Department, in my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development. In addition, Joe O'Brien, Minister of State with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities at my Department, currently has 1 civilian driver. Neither Minister in my Department has a Garda driver.
Salary and Employer's PRSI costs for civilian drivers in my Department was € 27,174 in 2020 and €91,110 in 2021.
