Written Answers Nos. 977-993
977. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next industry briefing from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe question asked by the Deputy concerns operational matters that are the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), accordingly I have forwarded the Deputy's question to SFPA for direct response.
978. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the recently agreed European Union Control Plan for fish landings in piers and harbours across the State is published in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8254/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 all operational issues of this mature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. I am expressly excluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this.
The EU Commission has approved a revised Control Plan in late December which will be applicable until end April 2022. The Plan will be formally adopted by way of a Commission Implementing Decision, the publication of which is expected in the short term. I am advised by the SFPA that the Plan be published following the publication of such a Commission Implementing Decision.
I therefore suggest that the Deputy contact the SFPA directly following the publication of this Decision.
979. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider opening a public consultation on the distribution and allocation of the mackerel and herring quota in this State. [8255/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel and Herring, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy and the introduction of quotas.
In order to consider any review of mackerel or herring policy, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of the mackerel or herring policy, it will require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation. At this time, I am not of the view that there is a sufficiently strong case for a review of these policies.
980. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consultation that he has undertaken with inshore and island fishermen around the coast on the sustainability of the crab species; and if this includes a ban on the use of crab meat for whelk bait. [8256/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, I continue to consider the views and concerns of Irish fishers on an ongoing basis. Throughout 2021 I met with fishers, fishing organisations and other stakeholders when I undertook a series of visits to many of Ireland’s main fishing ports, including Killybegs, Inver, Leenan, Rathmullan, Greencastle, Howth, Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East, Union Hall, Castletownbere, Dingle, Fenit and Cromane.
I also meet regularly with Irish fishing representatives, such as the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). At my meeting with the NIFF and the marine agencies in November 2021, we discussed issues important to the inshore sector, including the sustainability of the brown crab fishery. The Marine Institute presented the findings from its recent assessment of the brown crab stock and I discussed this with the NIFF members.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the Marine Institute is the statutory body whose function is, inter alia, to undertake sea-fisheries research, assess and advise on the sustainable management of marine fisheries resources in the waters around Ireland and on the impacts of fisheries on the ecosystem.
At our meeting, the NIFF advised me that it did not have proposals for any new brown crab management measures. There was no proposal for a ban on the use of crab meat for whelk bait. The NIFF members agreed to bring the findings of the Marine Institute’s assessment to the six Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums (RIFFs) for further consideration and to discuss ideas for possible management options for the brown crab fishery.
I have asked my Department and the Marine Institute to continue to work with the fishing sector on this issue. I would encourage fishers to bring suggestions for the management of brown crab to the attention of their local RIFF. Information regarding the Forums, including contact details, is available at the dedicated website, inshoreforums.ie/.
981. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding is available to make improvements to pedestrian safety in public areas in harbours under the ownership of his Department such as a harbour (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8280/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHowth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs) which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute.
Funding is made available on an annual basis by the Department to the FHCs, including Howth, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. A phased programme for the infrastructural development of Howth FHC has been progressed over the last number of years, which has seen a significant investment. In total, approximately €20m has been invested in capital developments at Howth FHC between 2012 and 2021.
Furthermore, a total of €6.025m has been allocated for capital works in the harbour this year. Further information on this year's Programme is available online at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/3030f-minister-mcconalogue-to-invest-35-million-during-2022-in-irelands-six-fishery-harbour-centres/
Funding is allocated annually to carry out safety & maintenance works throughout the harbour to benefit all harbour users including pedestrians, fishers, commercial and recreational users. Funding is also allocated annually for disability access. Recent work completed include the installation and maintenance of defined walkways and pedestrian footpaths, repaving and surfacing of the West Pier, signage and line marking, resurfacing of the lower deck of the East Pier along with the ongoing maintenance.
As is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres, any future decision with regard to development works in Howth FHC will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities and must follow the necessary public procurement guidelines.
982. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8353/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that an appeal was received in relation to the person named in September 2020.
The Appeals Office requested the file and a statement on the grounds of appeal from my Department and all relevant documentation have been forwarded to the Appeals Office.
I am advised that the Appeals Office has been in contact with the person named and their representative with regard to the holding of an Oral Hearing and the appeal has been assigned by the Director to an Appeals Officer for examination and determination. I understand that an Oral Hearing in relation to the appeal will be organised as soon as possible as the person named has confirmed that they wish to have a hearing.
983. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department and agencies under his remit are taking to ensure the survival of the pure bred Irish draught horse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland ( HSI) is approved by my Department to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Studbook and it operates a comprehensive breed improvement programme and undertakes promotional and marketing initiatives in that regard.
My Department is fully committed to maximising the potential of the Draught Horse breed and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives, particularly in relation to breeding.
Regarding financial supports I have demonstrated my commitment to the sport horse industry by increasing the budget allocated to Horse Sport Ireland from €4.0m in 2020 to €5m in 2021 and I have approved a further increase of €200,000 to €5.2m in 2022. Alongside the grant allocation to HSI my Department also operates an Equine Infrastructure grant scheme with a grant fund of €850,000 which supports initiatives by HSI in areas such as breeding, education and training.
984. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Irish draught horse will be given a protected designation such as those that are recognised by UNESCO, as they relate, for instance to cultural practices, sports and specific locations given its unique status.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst it is not a UNESCO designation the Irish Draught horse has been designated with rare breed status and has therefore received special funding from my Department under the various agri-environmental schemes in the past such as GLAS. The breed, because of this status has also availed of funding under the Rare Breed Preservation Scheme and the Conservation of Genetic Resources grant scheme. Rare Breeds are part of Ireland's biodiversity and an important genetic resource and should be part of any future agri-schemes.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is approved by my Department to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Studbook and it operates a comprehensive breed improvement programme and undertakes promotional, marketing and other initiatives to conserve the breed.
My Department is fully committed to maintaining this native Irish breed and continues to provide support to it both financially and with policy initiatives.
985. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way funding to Horse Sport Ireland relating to the management, administration and protection of the purity of the Irish draught horse breed is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8359/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland ( HSI) is approved by my Department to maintain the Irish Draught Horse Studbook and maintaining the purity of the Irish Draught Breed is an objective of the operation of the studbook for the breed. Breeding decisions involving the mating of males and females leading to purebred foals is facilitated by the breeding programme.
The scheme operated by my Department, that is, Equine Technical Support funds stallion and mare inspections in this regard. The Irish Draught Breed Studbook is required to compete with other studbooks for funding under the scheme.
All projects which give prominence to the breed are given prior written approval by my department before implementation.
986. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide data of improvements in terms of safety, well-being and care of dogs, excluding greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to promoting responsible pet ownership. Last month, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD and I launched a new awareness campaign highlighting the responsibilities of dog owners in relation to dog control and sheep worrying.
The Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 includes a commitment to establish an Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare (ACCAW). The ACCAW convened in November 2021 a number and has diverse range of skill sets to advise me on matters relating to companion animals including canines. I look forward to working closely with Council on matters relating to the care and welfare of dogs.
My Department has primary responsibility for the Microchipping of Dogs Act 2015 and data received on compliance is encouraging. According to the latest figures available 124,408 dog microchips were registered during 2020. This represents a 24% increase on the total number of dog microchip registrations in 2019.
In relation to the safe sale and supply of dogs my Department has introduced SI 681 of 2019 which requires anyone selling or supplying pets to keep records, including a record of from whom the pet was obtained and to whom the pet was sold or supplied. These Regulations also prohibit the advertisement of a dog for sale or supply without providing minimum information about the seller, origin and age of the dog and microchip number. This applies to all forms of advertising.
My Department operates an animal welfare helpline and data from animal welfare complaints received related to dogs and investigated by my Department show a decrease in numver from 28 in 2016 to 6 in 2021.
I am also committed to providing additional funding in support of animal welfare in the coming years. Last December, I awarded record funding of over €3.7 million to 98 animal welfare organisations countrywide, many of which are engaged in canine welfare activities.
The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) is responsible for the Control of Dogs Act and dog licensing and that Department will be able to provide the Deputy with data relating to these functions.
987. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals on hand with the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board in six month intervals by the length of time they are lodged; if he plans to provide further resources to the board to clear the backlog of appeals, some of which are taking years to complete, in order to facilitate the growth of this important sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8406/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB) is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of Ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications.
The matters referred to by the Deputy are operational matters for ALAB and my Department has no function in that regard. The Deputy’s question will therefore be referred to ALAB for attention and response directly to the Deputy by ALAB.
988. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when applications for aquaculture licences (details supplied) which has been years being processed in his Department and now with the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board will be decided; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8407/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board (ALAB) is an independent body established by statute for the purpose of considering appeals of Ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications.
The matters referred to by the Deputy are operational matters for ALAB and my Department has no function in that regard. The Deputy’s question will therefore be referred to ALAB for attention and response directly to the Deputy by ALAB.
989. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Blackpool, County Cork will be allocated a town centres first officer. [7447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recently published Town Centre First - A Policy Approach for Irish Towns. This publication represents a major new policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It contains 33 actions which will give our towns the tools and resources they need to become more viable and attractive places in which to live, work, socialise and run a business.
The policy is underpinned by significant levels of public investment spread across major Government schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF), Croí Conaithe (Towns) Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
Action 3 of the new policy refers to the provision of Town Regeneration Officers (TROs). The TROs will be appointed in local authority areas to drive the implementation of Town Centre First. Town Regeneration Officers will be crucial to supporting the development of Town Centre First plans and ensuring their delivery thereafter. I was delighted to secure new funding for these posts in Budget 2022.
It is envisaged that Town Regeneration Officers will be appointed in the majority of local authority areas to drive town regeneration and implement the Town Centre First policy. The Officers will be responsible for delivery of the Town Centre First policy across the local authority area rather than being assigned solely to an individual town. In addition, and given the focus of the policy on the regeneration of our towns, it is not envisaged at this time that such officers will be appointed in respect of the 5 city metropolitan areas, which would include Blackpool in Cork City. These areas will, of course, continue to be supported through funding under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund delivered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
990. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of whole-time equivalent posts that are currently vacant in the Charities Regulator; the estimated full-year cost of filling each of these vacancies; and when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [7635/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) currently has 4 vacancies, details of which are set out in the following table.
|
Grade |
Number |
FTE Salary Costs* |
Est Recruitment Costs** |
Total Costs |
When vacancy is expected to be filled |
|
EO |
1 |
€31,698 |
€2,323 |
€34,021 |
Q2 2022 |
|
AP |
1 |
€70,399 |
€4,548 |
€74,947 |
Q2 2022 |
|
Professional Accountant Grade I |
1 |
€74,126 |
€4,762 |
€78,888 |
Q2 2022 |
|
HEO |
1 |
€50,848 |
€3,424 |
€54,272 |
Q2 2022 |
|
Total |
4 |
€227,071 |
€15,057 |
€242,128 |
|
* FTE Salaries based on annual salary at point 1 of scale.
** Recruitment agency fee plus advertising costs
991. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the announcement will be made of the successful applications under the town and village renewal scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme aims to assist with the rejuvenation of rural towns and villages throughout Ireland, making them more attractive places to live, work, and visit.
In line with the commitment in Our Rural Future, the current scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use. I was delighted with the interest shown in the most recent tranche of the scheme, with 191 project applications submitted from around the country.
The assessment of the applications made under the most recent tranche of the scheme has now been completed and I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects shortly.
992. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way her Department ensures that the buildings her Department has responsibility for are built using blocks that are free from MICA and deleterious materials in construction projects in County Donegal; if her Department has checked existing buildings for the presence of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7654/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a capital budget of €192 million in 2022, with the National Development Plan providing for total funding of €962 million for the period 2021 to 2025. This funding supports a wide range of schemes including, for example, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal, the Local Improvement Scheme, public libraries and the CLÁR Programme.
The vast majority of projects funded under these schemes are delivered by the relevant local authority, or other implementing body, with the terms and conditions of schemes placing responsibility for appropriate delivery and compliance with required standards on the organisation which received the grant funding.
In terms of monitoring and audit compliance in relation to grant funding, my Department maintains oversight of approved projects through comprehensive monitoring and approval processes as the projects progress. Follow up audits also take place in a percentage of cases, involving a review of the project on the ground and examination of all financial documentation associated with the delivery of the project.
993. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grant funding is available through her Department that would assist in the purchase of replica uniforms for a community-based historical re-enactment society; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7802/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of supports to communities and groups nationwide in both urban and rural areas, helping citizens to participate in the development of their communities and providing funding to improve facilities.
Administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) in each area, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. It provides small capital grants to community groups to enhance facilities. Typical projects funded include the renovation of community centres, community amenities, disability access projects and purchase of equipment.
Funding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy. LEADER is a multi-annual programme which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
Prospective applicants should, in the first instance, contact their relevant LAG, through its Implementing Partner, to discuss the eligibility of the project and the funding that may be available. The list of all Local Action Groups, their Implementing Partners and their contact details, is available on the gov.ie website at: //www.gov.ie/en/publication/c45498-local-action-groups
