Written Answers Nos. 216-232
217. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if Owenacurra Centre residents who have been offered new placements in Garnish House have been informed that this is a temporary placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
218. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the way in which unit 3, St. Stephen's Hospital, Glanmire is acceptable as an alternative placement for Owenacurra Centre residents given the scale of concerns raised by the Mental Health Commission concerning this facility in recent inspection reports, along with its remote location, poor transport links and shared rooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
219. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has had any engagement with Cork County Council regarding its proposal to build a ten-bed 24-hour staffed service in Midleton; if so, if he will provide details of this engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
220. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason that a response has not issued to date to a query in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the urgency of the case. [50699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
221. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the continued shortage of wood pellets for use in wood pellet stoves and the impact this will have this winter on householders who have removed solid fuel heating systems and rely on wood pellet stoves to heat their homes. [50697/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of the significant impact on energy prices due to external factors, including the war in Ukraine. Prices for oil, gas, including wood pellets and firewood has seen increases, resulting from increased demand and restricted supply.
Using wood for energy and wood pellets to heat homes is an excellent alternative to using fossil fuels. On the Island of Ireland, we have a number of suppliers manufacturing wood pellets and material is available in a number of outlets. I would also point out that Irelands forests are currently producing over 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply will increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030. An increasing supply of biomass provides the raw material for the production of pellets and biomass for energy.
222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named applied under the 2022 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme on 1st May 2022. I can confirm that he has satisfied the eligibility criteria under the scheme and payment will issue to him shortly.
223. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise with and provide support to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50444/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the beginning of the crisis, staff of my Department have been assisting in Ireland’s response to the invasion of Ukraine. Recognising the exceptional circumstances, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in compliance with EU Travel Regulations. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine maintains a presence at Border Controls Posts in our ports and airports. At these sites, Veterinary Inspectors and administrative staff facilitate the movement of individuals and families arriving in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive at Border Controls Posts by taking steps to bring accompanying pets into compliance with the legislative travel requirements. This work protects our domestic animal population and general public health. As well as helping to address the immediate humanitarian crisis, staff in my Department are actively engaged in taking the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.
In addition to the Department’s contribution within its own areas of responsibility in response to this crisis, one member of staff, at Executive Officer level has been seconded on a full-time basis to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to assist the operation of the Ukraine and International Protection Division.
224. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has carried out a full investigation following the instances of swan mortalities at Castle Lake Forest, Bailieborough, County Cavan in August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50573/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department carries out year-round avian influenza (AI) surveillance sampling to inform its risk assessment of the threat posed to poultry and captive birds. While my Department is responsible for the protection of the health of Irish poultry, wildlife comes under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
The Department works very closely with NPWS to ensure effective implementation of the AI surveillance programme, including the submission of dead wild birds for sampling and testing in our laboratory service. The goal of this testing is to confirm or negate the presence of Highly Pathogenic AI (HPAI). HPAI positive results in wild birds that are sampled following notification from NPWS are communicated between the two departments at a local level and the HPSC/HSE follow up as necessary in relation to any human contacts. Although the strain of avian influenza currently in circulation in wild birds in Ireland (HPAI H5N1) is considered by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)/HSE to be of low risk to humans, current advice from the HPSC/HSE and DAFM to the public is from a general health perspective is not to approach or handle sick or dead wild birds at this time. Dogs should be kept on a lead and not allowed to approach sick, injured or dead birds.
In locations where HPAI has been confirmed further sampling may not be required from that location. For example, a large number of dead wild birds from coastal areas have been confirmed HPAI positive recently by my Department. As such further sampling from coastal areas is not required at this time. However, wild bird sampling continues in inland counties, including Co. Cavan.
It is not within my Department’s scope nor available resources to conduct full post-mortem examinations to investigate the ultimate cause of death of all dead wild birds submitted through the AI Surveillance Programme.
225. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 4 October 2022, if the referenced programme for Government commitment which commits the Government to the allocation of €1.5 billion in projected carbon receipts over the next ten years is inclusive or exclusive of schemes which fall under the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50580/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Common Agriculture Policy Strategic Plan (CSP), for the period 2023 to 2027, is the primary vehicle for disbursing the expected carbon tax to farmers and rural communities.
The projected carbon receipts for the period 2022-2027 are, in the main, included in the indicative budget of €9.8bn for the CSP. The budget includes EU funding of €5.97bn for Pillar I and €1.56bn for Pillar 2 with indicative national funding of €2.3bn including projected carbon receipts. This significant increase in national co-financing for Pillar II.
It brings the national co-financing rate to 60%, which is a significant increase on the previous co-financing rate of 47% for the Rural Development Programme for the period 2014-2020. Even when the carbon tax funding is excluded, the national co-financing rate remains higher than that in the previous Programme, at just above 50%.
The carbon tax funding will be used primarily to support the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), which is included in Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027. However, beyond ACRES, it is proposed that some €3m of the 2023 Carbon Tax funds will support other initiatives, including a demonstration anaerobic digestion project specifically in 2023.
The utilisation of carbon tax funding for the period 2028-2030 and the most appropriate mechanism for doing so will be considered at the appropriate time.
226. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 761 of 4 October 2022, the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Union multiannual financial framework, EUMFF, between 2014 and to date in 2022; the total amount of co-financing provided through the EUMFF; the total spend by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50582/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Multiannual Financial Framework between 2014 and to date in 2022 is set out in the enclosed tables.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Multiannual Financial Framework provided in each year since 2014 is set out in the tables below:
EAGF Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EAGF Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2014 |
1,194,644,000 |
1,194,023,000 |
621,000 |
|
2015 |
1,074,552,000 |
1,074,199,000 |
353,000 |
|
2016 |
1,248,064,000 |
1,247,834000 |
230,000 |
|
2017 |
1,213,329,000 |
1,212,829,000 |
500,000 |
|
2018 |
1,210,638,000 |
1,210,386,000 |
252,000 |
|
2019 |
1,290,366,000 |
1,262,929,000 |
27,437,000 |
|
2020 |
1,190,550,547 |
1,190,517,459 |
33,088 |
|
2021 |
1,176,593,789 |
1,176,553,195 |
40,594 |
|
2022 |
38,112,668 |
38,112,668 |
0.00 |
|
Overall Cost |
9,636,850,004 |
9,607,383,322 |
29,466,682 |
EAFRD Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EAFRD Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2014 |
489,624,000 |
327,797,000 |
161,827,000 |
|
2015 |
395,875,000 |
221,838,000 |
174,037,000 |
|
2016 |
421,725,000 |
228,490,000 |
193,235,000 |
|
2017 |
538,824,000 |
282,009,000 |
256,815,000 |
|
2018 |
636,442,000 |
315,226,000 |
321,216,000 |
|
2019 |
642,582,000 |
312,326,000 |
330,256,000 |
|
2020 |
537,195,453 |
292,291,948 |
244,903,505 |
|
2021 |
575,102,866 |
317,605,075 |
257,497,791 |
|
2022 |
113,603,513 |
67,651,510 |
45,952,003 |
|
Overall Cost |
4,350,973,832 |
2,365,234,533 |
1,985,739,299 |
EMFF Expenditure Summary Table as at 31.08.2022*
|
Year |
Public Spend |
EMFF Spend |
Net Exchequer Cost |
|
2014 |
|||
|
2015** |
12,305,899 |
9,975,793 |
2,330,106 |
|
2016 |
18,109,899 |
12,194,053 |
5,915,846 |
|
2017 |
27,622,646 |
17,856,005 |
9,766,641 |
|
2018 |
43,452,230 |
25,739,427 |
17,712,803 |
|
2019 |
59,529,697 |
36,387,655 |
23,142,042 |
|
2020*** |
32,469,550 |
18,346,378 |
14,123,172 |
|
2021*** |
26,824,310 |
14,888,739 |
11,935,571 |
|
2022*** |
8,962,969 |
4,896,079 |
4,066,890 |
|
Overall Cost |
229,277,200 |
140,284,128 |
88,993,072 |
*Data sourced from the Annual Implementation Report which is the official annual report detailing progress on the implementation of the EMFF fund and is approved by the Commission.
**2015 Figure includes 2014 data
***The differences in the figures reported in PQ 48313/22 arise due to a difference in the timing of the expenditure as a result of a change in the methodology used to compile the figures.
Total of Net Exchequer Cost of Co-Financing from 2020 to 31.08.2022
|
Programme |
Amount |
|
EAGF |
29,466,682 |
|
EAFRD |
1,985,739,299 |
|
EMFF |
88,993,072 |
|
TOTAL AMOUNT |
2,104,199,053 |
227. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will take inflation and the impact of the concrete levy into account when awarding TAMS funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Finance announced in the Budget that a new Defective Concrete Products Levy will be introduced in April 2023. This levy will be self-assessed and administered by the Revenue Commissioners. The list of types and standards of concrete products subject to the Levy were set out on budget day and can be found at gov.ie - Budget 2023: Taxation Measures (www.gov.ie) Further information in respect of this measure will be available on the publication of the Finance Bill.
Costings of the TAMS schemes will be reviewed by my Department to assess the impact of the levy.
228. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports and funding that are available specifically for women in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGender equality is a key objective of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a priority for the Government. It is also a core principle of the European Union and the new CAP Regulations place particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Improving gender balance, gender equality and increasing the participation of women in farming are, for the first time, part of the objectives for CAP Strategic Plans (CSP). Ireland’s CSP includes innovative proposals to promote gender equality:
- An increased rate of grant aid of 60% for women farmers aged 40-66 years under the Capital Investment Scheme;
- Women-only Knowledge Transfer (KT) Groups; and,
- A call under the European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) initiative for proposals to examine women’s participation in agriculture.
In addition, Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder-led strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, includes a number of actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels. It also recommends the establishment of female farmers’ networks and other supports to better understand and meet the needs of Irish women farmers, fishers and rural female entrepreneurs. It also proposed holding a national event on women in agriculture and I recently announced that former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, will chair such an event next year.
Also, since 2015, my Department has provided support for rural female entrepreneurs under the ACORNS programme. This initiative involves the development and implementation of a tailored programme to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. I recently launched a new call for applications and it is expected that up to 50 participants will be selected for the six-month programme that will run from October 2022 to April 2023.
229. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the role that her Department has played in the integration of Ukrainian refugees into communities; if her Department and any agencies under her remit have had an involvement at local or national level in the response; the further steps that her Department intends taking to ensure that services are provided to assist with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018 – 2023 that provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion at a local level through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. The programme is implemented nationally by 46 Local Development Companies (LDCs).
Since the start of this crisis, flexibility has being offered by my Department in relation to SICAP so that its some 600 community development workers can contribute locally in responding to the needs of the people from Ukraine to help them settle and engage with local communities.
€10.5 million was announced by my Department earlier this year for the community response to support people arriving from Ukraine. €5 million funding was allocated to SICAP in recognition of the ongoing contribution being made by the programme, this additional funding ensures that normal SICAP service delivery can be maintained and the on-the-ground response and services for the people arriving from Ukraine. A further €5 million was allocated for the "Ireland for Ukraine Fund" which is being administered by Community Foundation Ireland. Also funding of €0.5 million was announced for volunteer centres to deal with increased activity and demands on these centres and on the volunteers helping to deal with this crisis.
Some services that are available through SICAP to support Ukrainians include transport services; access to health care; access to school places; services to older people; Ukrainian community engagement; personal skills and wellbeing, lifelong learning and access to the labour market. Some of these supports are delivered on a one-to-one basis and in a group setting.
My Department will continue to monitor the situation and keep it under review, and additional funding will be provided to SICAP in 2023 to deal specifically with new arrivals from Ukraine.
230. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise with and provide support to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if she will provide a schedule of the services that her Department provides to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50456/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working across Government and with stakeholders to support, in particular, the community response to people arriving from Ukraine.
As regards the provision of specific staff, the Department of Rural and Community Development has one staff member, at Assistant Secretary General grade, who is seconded on a full-time, temporary basis to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to support it in fulfilling its responsibilities in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and those persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union.
231. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding that is available for community centres to help them meet their additional energy bills this winter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50476/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector in meeting the high cost of energy currently and is committed to supporting the sector in meeting these costs.
Not-for-profit and voluntary organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector are woven into the fabric of community life across Ireland, but they are vulnerable to the impact of increased energy costs.
The recent budget made €10m available to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector. The framework for delivering this assistance will be developed by my department within the next few weeks to ensure access to support in a timely manner.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector, charities, local authorities and local development companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges. I would encourage all groups to engage with Gov.ie, their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
232. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if additional funding will be provided for a community centre (details supplied) in order that it will be able to afford its energy bills this winter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50477/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector in meeting the high cost of energy currently and is committed to supporting the sector in meeting these costs.
Not-for-profit and voluntary organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector are woven into the fabric of community life across Ireland, but they are vulnerable to the impact of increased energy costs.
The recent budget made €10m available to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and the charities sector. The framework for delivering this assistance will be developed by my department within the next few weeks to ensure access to support in a timely manner.
My Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector, charities, local authorities and local development companies, to support community organisations across the country as they deal with the ongoing and emerging challenges. I would encourage all groups to engage with Gov.ie, their Local Authority and Local Development Company so that they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
