Written Answers Nos. 407-426
407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 706 and 707 of 24 May 2022, if he will address a query regarding a television documentary (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28607/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to January 1st 2021, there was a Tripartite Agreement in place between Ireland, France and UK. Under this agreement, equines, except those consigned directly for slaughter, could move between Ireland, the UK and France without veterinary certification. Equines being moved to the UK intended for slaughter required veterinary animal health certification.
No equines were certified for movement for slaughter from Ireland to establishments in UK in 2019 or 2020 or since 1st January, 2021, when all horses being exported to GB require a veterinary certificate.
My Department does not have or hold information on animals once they move outside of Ireland. Once they arrive in the importing country they are subject to relevant rules applying in those countries.
408. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings held by his Departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in relation to the issue of infant nutrition in Ireland from 2021 to date, including the issue of infant formula; the dates, attendees and matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28612/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2021, Ireland exported dairy products to approximately 147 countries with a value exceeding €5.1 billion for the third consecutive year.
Infant Formula was our fifth most valuable dairy export amounting to €652 million in 2021. Ireland, as a producer of high quality sustainable dairy products, is an important source of infant and follow-on formula internationally.
The Department supervises the production of infant and follow-on formula in Ireland through a robust controls system ensuring Infant and follow-on formula is produced to the highest standards in accordance with all relevant governing regulations.
In addition to inspections and audits carried out by Department’s inspectorate, officials from the Department meet periodically with representatives of the dairy industry with regard to infant nutrition including infant formula.
The following table shows details of meetings held by Department officials from Assistant Principal level upwards since 2021, for which details are readily available. I have been advised that it has not been possible in the time available to conduct a comprehensive review of archived email records to check for any additional meetings which may have taken place. If the Deputy wishes, results of a search for any additional records can be provided in due course.
|
Date |
Attendees |
Discussion points |
|
14/01/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
Premises Registration Process |
|
18/01/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
GB certification post Brexit |
|
04/02/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company |
Premises Registration Process |
|
28/04/2021 |
Minister Robert Troy, Minister Damien English, Officials from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and DAFM Officials at AP level as well as representatives of IF company. |
GB certification post Brexit |
|
21/06/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
21/06/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
21/06/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
25/08/2021 |
DAFM Official at AP level and of IF company. |
GB certification post Brexit |
|
27/08/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and IF company. |
GB certification post Brexit |
|
14/12/2021 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and Dairy Industry Ireland along with IF company representatives. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
14/01/2022 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and representatives of IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
20/01/2022 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and representatives of IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
25/01/2022 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and representatives of IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
|
28/01/2022 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and representatives of IF company |
Third country registration requirements |
|
25/05/2022 |
DAFM Officials including AP and AP equivalents upwards and representatives of IF company. |
Third country registration requirements |
The Deputy should note that the table does not include the following:
- Inspections and audits by the Department's inspectorate staff of Food Business Operators who produce Infant Formula, as part of the Department's food safety control system;
- There are also a number of other industry forums which the Department hosts, for example, the Brexit Stakeholder meetings, at which representatives of Infant Formula producers attend, where the subject matter would not specifically relate to infant nutrition and the issue of infant formula. Such meetings have not been included as they fall outside the scope of the Deputy's question.
409. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position regarding licences (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licencing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Statutory and Public Consultation phase in respect of the applications referred to by the Deputy has now concluded. Every effort is being made to expedite determinations in respect of these applications having regard to the complexities involved.
As these licence applications are under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.
410. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of funding that has been set aside out of the Brexit compensation fund for the fishing industry for work on piers and harbours; the amount that has been approved to date; when further funding will be approved under this scheme; the conditions of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28697/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that in April I announced the approval of €31.7m in funding for 110 projects under the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. These projects will be delivered by the local authorities concerned. This scheme is being proposed for funding from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Details of the funding allocated is available online at gov.ie
- McConalogue announces approval of €31.7 million Brexit investment in PublicMarine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie)
The main condition of the scheme is that the projects must demonstrate a direct link to countering the adverse effects of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Also, the local authority cannot be in receipt of, nor have an application pending for, funding from any other source for the project. The focus of the scheme is on capital works and it is a matter for the local authorities to progress preparatory studies, permitting and design reports. Local authorities will need to meet these and other conditions to avail of the funding before the end of 2023.
My Department may issue a further call later this year for additional projects so that the remaining funding under this €35m scheme can be allocated.
I must stress that responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.
411. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application by a person (details supplied) for registration as an Irish fishing master will be decided; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe records held by my Department show that the individual the Deputy is enquiring on behalf of is registered and was issued with a Certificate of Master Registration within 1 working day of confirming the details of their application to the Irish Fishing Master Register.
412. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the expenditure by the forestry division in his Department is in line with budget for the month of May 2022 and ensuring that there is no underspend again in this Department for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra415. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure by the Forestry Service for the month of May 2022 compared to May 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 415 together.
The expenditure under the Forestry Budget for the month of May this year and last year is shown in the table below:
|
Month |
May 2021 |
May 2022 |
|
Month |
May 2021 |
May 2022 |
|
Expenditure |
€3,692,524 |
€4,315,725 |
The spending in May this year exceeds last year and is in line with projected spending at this stage of the year. The expenditure for May 22 of €4,315,725 is only slightly under the profiled amount of €4,695,800. The remainder of the forestry budget has been apportioned to meet anticipated budgetary needs during the year. The budget allocation provides for new planting, the servicing of existing afforestation contracts and payments in relation to forestry support schemes. The Deputy will be aware that the afforestation scheme is demand-led. My Department will continue to closely monitor expenditure versus anticipated spend throughout 2022.
413. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists that were working on afforestation application files for the week commencing 23 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 we intend to issue 5,250 licences, with a particular focus on afforestation at 1,040 licences, over double the number in 2021.
In order to achieve this, we have improved our systems, and given the number of files referred to ecology, we have recruited additional ecologists. There are 35 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry applications, with 21 dealing with afforestation. We expect the impact of this recent recruitment to become evident at end June / beginning of July.
As regards progression towards our overall target, we have at 27th May, 2022 issued 2,019 files which is 95% on target at this stage of the year. To 27th May we issued 249 afforestation licences, with 16 issued in the week commencing 23rd May. We expect this weekly output to increase once the full impact of the new ecologists becomes evident and it remains our commitment to issue 1,040 afforestation licences this year.
414. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of private sector forest road approvals issued for week commencing 23 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28741/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022, we aim to increase the number of licences issued to 5,250 and specifically to increase the number of forest roads licences to 850, an increase of 27% on 2021.
To date we have issued 317 forest road licences, which is broadly in line with our target.
Forest road applications are received and decided daily. For week commencing 23rd May, 16 forest road licences were issued to private applicants and two were issued to Coillte.
416. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average output of files per ecologist for May 2022 for afforestation files, private sector felling licences, Coillte felling licences, private sector forest road applications, Coillte forest road applications and ash dieback RUS applications in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28778/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra417. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ecologists who were working on Ash dieback RUS applications files for the week commencing 23 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.
Under the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 we intend to issue 5,250 licences, and to increase our output across all licence categories, with the exception of Coillte felling which will remain the same as 2021. In addition we intend to deliver on approvals under the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) -Ash Dieback.
In order to achieve these targets, we have improved our systems, and given the number of files referred to ecology, we have recruited additional ecologists. There are now 35 full-time equivalent ecologists working on forestry, with 21 very recently recruited now dealing with afforestation. These ecologists have undertaken initial training in our systems, familiarised themselves with the DAFM afforestation licensing process and the standard operating procedures.
Therefore, as they now begin to examine application files, we expect the impact of this recent recruitment to become evident at end June / beginning of July.
As regards progression towards our target, we have at 27th May, 2022 issued 2,019 files which is 95% on target at this stage of the year. The output for May across the various categories is outlined in the table below:
|
Licence /Approval Type |
Issued 3rd - 27th May 2022 |
|
Afforestation |
51 |
|
Private Roads |
46 |
|
Coillte Roads |
13 |
|
Private felling |
116 |
|
Coillte felling |
138 |
|
RUS (Ash Dieback) |
16 |
The number of RUS approvals issued in the week commencing the 23 May was 4 with a total of 50 RUS approvals issued year-to-date.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, we remain committed to delivering on the ambitions outlined in the Licensing Plan 2022.
418. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding streams that are available for persons who are looking after animals that are victims of animal cruelty; the criteria for eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28810/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that animal welfare is a high priority for my Department and considerable resources and funding are provided to organisations involved in rescuing and rehoming animals. In December 2021, I provided record funding of €3.7million to 98 animal welfare bodies throughout the country.
The Programme for Government includes an undertaking to provide additional funding in support of animal welfare again this year, to which I am fully committed.
Each year my Department invites organisations to submit a funding application. To qualify they must meet criteria specificed in the application process, for example, a successful applicant will be registered with the Charities' Regulator, be in existence for at least two years, and provide supporting accounts. I will announce the opening of this year's application process shortly and details will be available on my Department's website. Grants to successful applicants will be awarded before year end.
419. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when measures will be implemented to assist the mushroom and horticulture sectors due to the difficulties that have arisen in relation to peat harvesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28812/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy knows my Department has no involvement in the regulation of peat extraction but I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the sector at present and we are working to help find a solution in the short and long term.
A working paper which has been put in place by my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sets out a series of actions to support horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium.
The actions include a range of targeted measures which reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem and the subsequent need for short, medium and long-term solutions. These actions were developed to address the short-term issue of peat supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.
The ultimate ambition is to support the horticulture industry, the people employed and the many families that depend on this important sector.
Progress has been made on the implementation of the actions in the Working paper to address challenges related to horticultural peat supply.
My Department has commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers. In addition, my Department has commissioned experts to provide focused regulatory guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This work will build on the expert guidance published by the Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service on engaging with the regulatory systems that apply to the extraction of peat. The work of these experts is ongoing.
My Department continues to support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture. Funding of €1.69m was awarded to Teagasc for research into utilising organic bio-resources and novel technologies to develop specifically designed and sustainable peat replacements. Furthermore, funding is also provided for projects on peat alternatives through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
I assure the Deputy that we are leaving no stone unturned to protect this vital sector in the short, medium and long term.
420. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests for private felling licences issued by his Department for the week commencing 23 May 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28813/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra421. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests for private forest road applications issued by his Department for the week commencing 23 May 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28814/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.
My Department does not routinely keep records of the number of further information requests that issue on forestry licence applications.
However, for the week commencing 23rd May 2022, we issued 26 Further Information Requests concerning private felling licences and 6 Further Information Requests concerning private forest road applications.
Registered Foresters were advised of additional information that is likely to be required to process applications for felling, roads and afforestation in Circular 08/2021, which is also available on my Department’s website. Applicants in consultation with their Registered Forester should review this circular in relation to applications in the system and future applications.
422. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the grant aid available from her Department, if any, for local private digital enterprise hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025.
To date my Department has invested some €100m in the development of remote working facilities across a range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme prioritises the renovation of derelict and vacant buildings in our town centres, with a view to bringing these buildings back into use as multi-purpose community spaces and remote working hubs. The RRDF scheme supports projects that involve the regeneration of historic town centre buildings as Enterprise and Co-Working spaces.
In May I launched the National Connected Hubs network together with the connectedhubs.ie platform. This platform offers a suite of booking, hub management and e-commerce applications to members of the Network. The National Hub Network Working Group initially identified and mapped over 400 remote working hubs. To date, approximately 240 hubs have joined the Connected Hubs Network and been on boarded onto the platform, with this number rising on an ongoing basis.
My department also recently completed the assessments of the 2022 Connected Hubs Call, to which I have allocated €5M in funding to further develop and leverage the capacity of the National Hub Network. This is in addition to the almost €9M in funding allocated last year under the same scheme. All existing remote working facilities, including private enterprise hubs were eligible to apply. The successful applicants under the 2022 Call will be announced shortly.
To date my focus has been on establishing the network and on achieving the initial critical mass. Following strong progress on the establishment phase of the project, my focus has now shifted to the next stage of development. I am interested to hear how the hubs and their users see the future of the sector and have directed my officials to engage directly with the remote working community and relevant stakeholders as they assess the impact of both the National Hubs Network (connectedhubs.ie) and the Connected Hubs Call.
While we have acted quickly and decisively to ensure adequate provision of services to date, it is vital that, as we develop a strategy for the development of the National Hub Network, we take stock of what has been achieved and what still needs to be done.
I am committed to ensuring that the National Hub Network will continue to make a central contribution to the achievement of the Government's vision for rural Ireland, as set out in Our Rural Future.
423. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will give immediate consideration to implementing a derogation to Section 8.3 of LEADER Operating Rules which explicitly prevents Local Action Groups from awarding an increase in funding to project promoters to enable them to deliver their projects (details supplied) given the soaring costs associated with construction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28550/22]
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.
LEADER is administered by 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) which deliver funding in accordance with Local Development Strategies that have been agreed for each LAG area. Each LAG has a defined funding allocation for the duration of the programme. Project applications are made to, and approved by, the relevant LAG in each LEADER area.
In line with the programme operating rules, the LAG may not increase the level of funding in respect of an individual project once that project has been approved. However, with LAG approval, there is scope for flexibility within the LEADER programme that allows the project promotor to modify an element of the project subject to certain limits. The savings achieved by the modification may be used to offset increased costs on another element of the same project.
In addition, my Department will consider requests from Local Action Groups on a case by case basis for a derogation from the pre-set limits outlined in the LEADER Operating Rules where the proposed savings arising from modifications exceeds the limits permitted.
424. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of offices operated by her Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
The location of our offices in Ballina is in an area where radon tests are required for workplaces. The building is in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW) and is occupied by a number of Government Departments. The OPW undertook radon mitigation works at the site in 2018 and the levels observed as part of radon testing indicate that no further action is currently necessary.
Our offices in Trinity Point, which are located on the 4th and 5th floors of the building, are leased on our behalf by the OPW. The building is not located in an area where radon tests are required in workplaces. Notwithstanding this, my Department has been assured by the building's owners that all required provisions were made to mitigate the presence of radon gas at the time of construction. The risk of radon gas in the building is further mitigated as it is sited on top of a naturally ventilated basement car park.
425. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for Clár funding by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28678/22]
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. I launched this year's programme in February with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures and the assessment process has commenced for all applications.
I can confirm that an application has been received from the School referred to by the Deputy under Measure 1 of the programme.
I hope to make an announcement on the successful applicants under Measures 2 and 3 in the coming weeks and Measure 1 will be announced later this year.
426. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for Clár funding by a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28679/22]
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. I launched this year's programme in February with a total budget of €7 million. This represents an increase of €1.5 million on the budget for the 2021 CLÁR programme.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2022 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport
Measure 3: ‘Our Islands’
The 2022 CLÁR programme is now closed for all measures and the assessment process has commenced for all applications.
I can confirm that an application has been received from the group referred to by the Deputy under Measure 1 of the programme.
I hope to make an announcement on the successful applicants under Measures 2 and 3 in the coming weeks and Measure 1 will be announced later this year.
