Written Answers Nos. 326-347
326. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of waiting lists in Galway for children for second, third and fourth occupational therapy appointments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
327. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the crisis in regard to staff shortages in the home support sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving community-based services, shifting care to the home, and offering greater choice for older people.
During the lifetime of this Government, I have secured additional funding of €150 million for home support, to progress the development of a reformed model of service delivery to underpin the statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services, and to provide for up to 5 million additional hours of home support last year. Funding for these additional hours has been maintained into 2022.
Preliminary data shows that about 2.9 million more home support hours were delivered by the end of December 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
I am aware that delays can arise between funding approval and the delivery of home support hours. Certain regions are experiencing increased pressures due to staff availability.
I am committed to establishing a cross-Departmental Strategic Workforce Advisory Group to examine strategic workforce challenges in front-line carer roles in home support and nursing homes.
The work of this Group will centre on engagement with the relevant stakeholders in the sector. To this end, a 'Call for Submissions' was issued by my Department to relevant stakeholders in December 2021. Following receipt of these completed submissions in January, my Department undertook a short-life scoping exercise to gather initial data and evidence on the nature and extent of the challenges in the sector to inform the structure and membership of this cross-departmental Group.
This scoping exercise is now complete and invitations to join the Group, along with its draft Terms of Reference, have been issued to all relevant Government Departments and agencies. The inaugural meeting of the Group will be held in the week beginning 28th February 2022.
At this meeting, the Terms of Reference for the Group and action timelines will be agreed. These Terms of Reference will be published once finalised by the Group.
This Group will then progress a structured programme of ongoing consultative engagements with key sectoral stakeholders to further explore and define the issues, listen to stakeholder views, and identify approaches to respond to the strategic workforce challenges.
The Group will provide a forum for agreement on strategic approaches to address the workforce challenges in the sector and develop a report for my consideration outlining the Group’s key findings, recommendations, and a proposed action plan to support implementation of these recommendations to include periodic monitoring of progress.
Potential areas to be considered by the Group include recruitment, retention, training, and the career development of front-line carers in home support and nursing homes into the future.
328. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health when home help hours will be fully reinstated for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8975/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health his plans ensure that a BreastCheck service is available in Bantry Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8984/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
330. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under GLÁS 2020 will be made to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8831/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved to GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2016.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Processing of the 2021 Advance Payment for the person named are at an advanced stage and I expect the payment in this case to be finalised shortly.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
331. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if abattoirs that are located on farmlands could be assessed for a solar panel grant. [8891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS.
The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
While Tams grant-aid is provided to farmers in respect of the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology, abattoirs are not considered typical farming activity and accordingly are not eligible for Tams grant aid.
Abattoirs may be eligible for aid for solar under the Microgeneration Support Scheme which was launched in December 2021 and provides a range of supports to assist homes and businesses to develop renewable generation for self-consumption and also provides a micro-generation enabling framework to introduce payments to micro-generators for exported electricity. See www.gov.ie/en/press-release/bfe21-homes-farms-businesses-and-communities-to-benefit-as-minister-ryan-announces-the-micro-generation-support-scheme/ for further detail.
332. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a scheme or schemes will become operational to allow for access to the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to help counter the adverse economic and social consequences of Brexit in the European Union member states, specifically in relation to the fish processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8896/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established a Seafood Sector Task Force in March 2021 to examine the impacts on our fishing sector and coastal communities of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom and to make recommendations to me on initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing.
I received the Report of the Seafood Task Force – Navigating Change on 11th October 2021 and it recommends a suite of 16 support schemes at a total cost of €423 million. The report includes a recommendation for a capital investment scheme for seafood processing to mitigate the significant loss of raw material supply because of the TCA quota cuts and Brexit impacts on traditional imports of raw material from the UK.
The recommendations of the Task Force are being urgently examined across Government with regard to available funds, eligibility of the recommended measures for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and with regard to State Aid rules and the Public Spending Code. This is a complex process and is being undertaken with all due haste and on a phased and prioritised basis as recommended by the Task Force. I am very conscious of the tight timeframe for supports under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
333. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the exit from the horticultural industry of many vegetables growers; the extent to which this trend is being monitored; his plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8927/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the challenges being currently faced across the horticulture industry. A rise in input costs has affected all of the various horticulture sectors with energy and fertiliser experiencing the biggest rise in costs. The increase in input costs coupled with stagnant prices has resulted in a situation where a small number of field vegetable growers have recently made the decision to leave this sector as they feel it has become economically unsustainable to continue. My Department is monitoring the current situation.
Through the Horticulture Industry Forum, my Department continues to work with the horticulture sector on some of the key issues that face this industry, including labour availability, increase in input costs and achieving sustainable prices for Irish produce. Minister of State for Horticulture Pippa Hackett, has recently commissioned a report on the horticulture industry. This report is due to be published at the end of March and aims to address the key issues currently being experienced by growers and to identify opportunities that exist to improve the outlook for this industry as a whole. It will provide a benchmark and a basis from which we can develop a new strategy for the sector.
I want to reassure the Deputy of my continued support for horticulture growers through the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector (current budget of €9 million), and also via the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
334. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that eligible areas within the new agri-environmental climate measure are predominantly in counties outside the midlands including counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027, which lists the range of interventions currently being proposed, was submitted to the EU Commission on 31 December 2021. One of the intervention proposed therein is an agri-environment climate measure (AECM). €1.5 billion has been allocated to this flagship agri-environment scheme which will be the successor to the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
It is proposed that, similar to GLAS, all farmers throughout the country will have the possibility of applying to the new AECM Scheme. There are two approaches proposed in the new AECM:
- AECM General, available nationally (outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the AECM Co-operation Project approach below), which offers a range of measures (both targeted and general); and
- AECM Co-operation Project, available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas. Eight areas in the country have been defined as having particular environmental characteristics and farmers in those areas may engage in the new AECM through the cooperation project teams. These eight areas comprise of land dominated by semi-natural vegetation (both privately owned and in commonage), Natura 2000 lands and in which priority water catchments, etc are located. These areas are of high nature value, hold significant carbon stores and are home to some of the most pristine waters in the country. Further refinement was undertaken on the basis of certain nature and water priorities.
My Department is currently developing the scheme with further details to be made available as soon as possible. It should also be noted that the proposed scheme, along with the other proposals in Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan, still has to be approved by the EU Commission so may be subject to change. As the new CAP is due to commence on 1 January 2023, as much information as possible will be made available, on a provisional basis, in the meantime to inform farmers of the proposed approaches.
335. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licenses issued by his Department in 2021 which were for native woodland establishment; the number of afforestation licences issued in 2021 which were for GPC3 planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department issued 4,050 forestry licences in 2021, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020. In terms of afforestation, the number of licences issued remained static. This resulted in 526 afforestation licences being issued for 4,606 hectares. Ireland must improve on this, and the Department has published licence projections for 2022 which prioritises increasing the number of afforestation licences being issued. I intend to double the number to 1,040 afforestation licences.
Last year, my Department issued 278 afforestation licences for GPC3 covering 2,423ha and 280 afforestation licences for native woodland establishment 1,461ha. A forestry licence can of course have more than one GPC included in the application.
336. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps the quota management advisory committee is taking to avoid early closure of the line caught mackerel fishery in 2022. [8981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller ‘inshore’ vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line was set down in Policy in 2010. The Minister is endeavouring, with the assistance of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC), to put new management arrangements in place for the management of the 2022 Mackerel Hook & Line fishery, in line with Policy, to help avoid an early closure of this fishery. However, this is very challenging due to divergent industry views. The matter is next due for discussion at the QMAC’s Annual Quota Planning meeting on 22nd February.
337. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on prioritising vessels under 12 m in the allocation of the mackerel quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line, which is largely prosecuted by the inshore fleet including under 12 metre vessels, was set down in Policy in 2010. The then Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation, however this particular amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery.
In order to amend Mackerel 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 policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. The Deputy should be aware that the 400 tonne limit for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced and has remained the same as in previous years.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, such as for the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.
338. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding that will be allocated in 2022 for works on Achill island; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8781/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's allocation in 2022 for rural and community development is €378 million.
It is too early, as yet, to give a breakdown figure as regards the allocations for works on Achill Island in 2022, as no allocations have been awarded for this year.
However in 2021 I provided funding to the following projects for works on Achill Island:
- Dooagh Loop Walk was awarded €20,000 under the 2020 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).
- Under CEP 2021 Neart Acla Centre, Keel Achill Island received funding of €2,633.93 for the development of a Community Facility.
- Keel Community Playground was approved €50,000 under the CLÁR programme for 2021.
Details on my Department's programmes and schemes and application timelines, is available on the Department's website, www.gov.ie/drcd.
339. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of funding that will be allocated in 2022 for community centres in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8782/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a number of funding streams for the improvement and development of Community Centres throughout the country. Funding per county generally depends on the level of applications, however, details of all funding allocated will be announced once available and can be viewed on the Departments page on www.gov.ie.
An example of supports is the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) which provides funding for the development and construction of large scale capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. I announced the fourth call for Category 1 applications in December 2021, with a closing date for applications of 29th April.
Funding for projects may also be available through the LEADER Transitional programme administered by 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.
A new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres was referenced in the National Development Plan and an indicative budget of €5m has been secured for this under Budget 2022. The fund will support the upgrade and refurbishment of existing community buildings in urban and rural areas. The details of this capital scheme are currently being developed within my Department. It will be launched shortly and further details will be announced in due course.
340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has taken a decision to reduce ferry and air fares to the offshore islands from 1 April 2022 to the end of 2022 as part of the measures to reduce the impact of inflation and to mirror what has happened in other transport sectors in Ireland; if not, if she plans to take such a decision in the coming week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced schemes designed to lessen the impact of the rise in the cost of living currently being experienced by all sections of our society.
One such announcement, made by the Department of Transport, includes a €54 million package that will see an average fare discount of 20% for those availing of PSO public transport services from April 1st until the end of the year. The National Transport Authority (NTA) are the lead body in administering the scheme.
The subsidised transport services to the off-shore islands, however, do not fall under the remit of this scheme. My Department officials are currently assessing the feasibility, cost and practicalities of providing a discounted fare scheme for those who avail of subsidised transport services to the off shore islands. They are also consulting with other Government Departments and I will await their report before making any further comment on the matter.
341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the present position in relation to the next Leader programme; the total funding in place for this programme; the funding that will be allocated for the Leader programme in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER Programme is one of the key interventions of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched last year.
An indicative budget of €180 million is allocated for the LEADER programme for the period 2023-2027. With the €70 million already provided for 2021 and 2022 under the Transitional LEADER Programme, a total of €250 million will be made available for the 2021 - 2027 period, thus maintaining the level of funding provided for the 2014-2020 programming period.
The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which includes LEADER, was submitted to the EU Commission by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the end of December 2021. This is in line with the timelines set by the EU Commission.
The process of negotiating and agreeing the plan with the EU Commission has thus commenced. The timeline for implementation of the new LEADER Programme is closely linked to this process.
Accordingly, my officials will continue to work closely with colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the EU Commission over the coming months with a view to obtaining approval for the CAP Strategic Plan as a matter of priority.
Preparations for the design and delivery of the next LEADER programme from 2023-2027 are underway and my officials are also engaging with stakeholders in this regard. Decisions relating to all aspects of the programme including the distribution of funding, will form part of the new programme design phase.
The ongoing engagement and consultation combined with the funding allocation ensures that the LEADER programme from 2023 will continue to support and further develop our rural communities and businesses.
342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she and her Department can further enhance the extent to which persons living in isolation in either urban or rural communities can be supported by various means such as electronic devices to assist them in the event of attack with particular reference to the possible extension of the existing alarm system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8988/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
Following a review, an updated version of the scheme came into effect in November 2017. A number of changes were introduced at this time, including the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements. Eligibility for the scheme remains confined to those aged 65 or older.
The current version of the scheme came into effect in September 2021 and continues to incorporate these provisions, as well as introducing a new key feature which is the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web based connections.
The issue of crime prevention and security is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
343. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department has assisted with addressing the issue of isolation throughout the country in the past two years with particular reference to the need to address the concerns now affecting rural dwellers or urban dwellers either of whom may be vulnerable to isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8989/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing the issue of rural isolation cuts across Government Departments, with ongoing actions being progressed including those aimed at enhancing community policing, rural transport links and tackling social inclusion.
A vital part of my Department’s mission is to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country. Addressing the issue of individual isolation in communities has become more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In delivering on its mission my Department delivers a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities, including helping to address the issue of isolation in communities.
Key interventions include funding the Seniors Alert Scheme, which enables older people to live securely, with peace of mind, in their homes through the provision of personal monitored alarms, ensuring contact is maintained with those who are vulnerable.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) is Ireland’s primary social inclusion funding intervention, delivered locally by Local Development Companies (LDCs) to help those in the greatest need access supports to enable participation in communities.
The National Social Enterprise Policy aims to enable social enterprises increase their social, environmental and economic impact. Many social enterprises are based in rural or isolated areas and provide services to communities that may not otherwise be available.
My Department is responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country including Our Rural Future, which seeks to strengthen and build resilience in our rural communities and deliver a range of policy measures in order to achieve these objectives.
The issue of isolation is one which concerns us all and I am committed to continuing my Department’s response to this issue through continued delivery of relevant programmes and policies.
347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she proposes to offer support to rural and community-based support services throughout the country in 2022 with a view to ensuring a quality of life and maximisation of job satisfaction regardless of job location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which her Department can continue to transform the living and working circumstances of various communities throughout the country notwithstanding their rural isolation by replicating in such areas the highest standards of workplace technology and support in order to ensure a more even spread of the population throughout the entire country thereby making a major contribution to the quality of life and the availability of jobs in such rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which she has allocated funding over the past three years under the various headings available to her Department to assist rural communities or town centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications she has received for assistance under the various headings in her Department aimed at improving the quality of life in all areas throughout the country, urban and rural; the extent to which she expects to respond to these requests in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 349, inclusive, and 351 together.
A vital part my Department's mission is to support vibrant and sustainable communities across this country, and in doing so to deliver on a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support urban and rural communities.
In the 2022 Revised Estimates, my Department was allocated €378 million. This funding ensures that we are in a position to further assist communities seeking funding and other supports for important local activities and projects. The amount allocated by my Department for urban and rural development and renewal purposes in the past years to-date was €314 million in 2020, and €329 million in 2021.
Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by my Department are available online at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/.
The Programme for Government places a strong emphasis on balanced regional development through a range of measures. My own Department supports this commitment through targeted investment that supports rural regeneration, facilitates new working opportunities and fosters regional enterprise growth.
My Department will continue to invest in and support Rural Ireland and communities across the country - supported through the various schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, Local Improvement Scheme, CLÁR Programme, Islands Capital Programme, Community Enhancement Programme, Connected Hubs initiative, Libraries Investment Capital funding, PEACE IV Programme and the PEACE PLUS Programme.
My Department is also responsible for a number of national policies containing measures to improve the lives of people throughout the country. These include the National Policy on Social Enterprise, and Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: 5 Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector 2019-2024.
In March 2021 I launched Our Rural Future, a new whole-of-Government rural development policy. The policy is an ambitious blueprint for the social and economic development of rural Ireland over the next five years. It has the potential to have a transformative effect on rural communities and positive impacts on the lives of people living and working in rural areas. The policy is supported by 150 commitments across Government, which will address the challenges facing communities and deliver new opportunities for people living in rural areas.
All my Department’s policies are underpinned by extensive consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including rural and urban stakeholder groups, community groups, young people, Government Departments and State Agencies.
This engagement process provides important insights into issues impacting on rural and urban communities and in identifying areas for response which are relevant to the work of my Department. Ongoing dialogue is maintained by my Department with rural and urban stakeholders in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on individuals and communities.
I will also continue to collaborate with my Government colleagues and will monitor the issues which impact our urban and rural communities in order to respond to emerging needs.
