Written Answers Nos. 791-810
791. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update in respect of his Department’s investigation into the death of approximately 400 bull calves in County Limerick; if he and or his officials have been updated in respect of the Garda investigation into same; and if he will provide a schedule of all agencies currently investigating the incident. [57861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter in question is the subject of an ongoing investigation by my Department assisted by An Garda Síochána. As the investigation is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this point.
792. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider changing the criterial for the ACRES scheme to allow flock keepers to make applications as many farms throughout the country are going through probate following the death of a herd owner and these families risk losing out on the ACRES scheme as they are herd keepers as opposed to herd owners while legal matters are being dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn preparation for the launch of ACRES, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) undertook a review of operational and contractual issues that could potentially impact on scheme delivery and farmer participation. This review concluded that, while it is important to support the broadest possible spectrum of farmer participation, there were difficulties with cases going through probate.
Under EU regulations, DAFM is obliged to ensure that contracts offered remain active and fully managed for a minimum contract term of five years.
ACRES is a five-year commitment which requires the identification of land parcels, actions and the person responsible for contract delivery at the application stage.
Where succession questions are outstanding, it is clear at application or approval stage with whom DAFM would be contracting in the longer term, and who will have final control of the land entering the scheme.
Where cases enter probate after contract approval, a contract transfer option will be available under which the next of kin can apply to take on the ACRES contract.
793. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will change the current regime to ensure that scans are accepted as proof of a cow being in-calf in cases of TB outbreaks as farmers risk losing significant sums of money if a post-mortem examination fails to pick up on the fact that a cow was in the early stages of being in-calf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57894/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraScans are not accepted by the Department as a means of verifying the pregnancy. The post-mortem result carried out at the factory of slaughter is final in this regard as it is the most accurate means of verification. The post-mortem is conducted by a Veterinary Inspector and includes a visual examination of the uterus.
It is worth noting that the pregnancy status of cattle may change between when a scan is carried out and when the animal is slaughtered and examined post-mortem. Unfortunately, rates of bovine foetal loss can be high, particularly in early pregnancy.
The TB compensation scheme is designed to ensure that all affected herdowners receive suitable compensation for each animal in question, the above method for determining pregnancy in a reactor animals ensures fairness across all herd-owners.
794. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can clarify if Coillte plans to sell land for a development (details supplied) in east Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
795. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department carried out an investigation into the discovery of greyhound remains in a bog in Newbridge in August 2022; if post-mortems were conducted; if the cause and date of death and identity of the greyhounds was established; if a search for further remains took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficers from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and from Rásaíocht Con Eireann (RCE), and accompanied by an ISPCA officer, were involved in the initial stages an investigation of the remains. Post-mortem examinations were then carried out on seven canine skeletons recovered from the bog in DAFM's Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Backweston Laboratory Campus, Co. Kildare. RCE is continuing the investigation, including testing of the remains discovered.
796. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured at races and trials to date in 2022. [57992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
797. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of the recorded injuries to greyhounds at track events; and the date that they occurred. [57993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
798. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the rate of animal deaths recorded at greyhound track events; and if post-mortems were conducted on animals following any animal deaths. [57994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
799. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide records for the treatment of animals injured and treated by track vets. [57995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
800. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved to GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2017.
The contract of the person named was selected for an Inspection by means of remote sensing in 2022. The person named was advised of the outcome of this inspection in writing with a “Control Report Findings of a Remote Sensing Inspection 2022 – Area Based Schemes” letter dated 18th October 2022.
Following contact from the applicant with the remote sensing section, the issue is currently being examined by the Department and we will be in direct contact with the applicant in due course.
801. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the energy-costs supports that are available to churches; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58041/22]
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 allocated €10m to my Department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities. I am pleased to advise that applications for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) will open on 21st November.
The scheme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. Further scheme details are now available on the Pobal website. I would encourage intending applicants to check the scheme details and to familiarise themselves with the process.
In addition, a new €10m Community Support Fund was launched on 18th November to support community and voluntary organisations, with their running costs and enhancement of community facilities. This scheme will be administered by local authorities and will support unincorporated community organisations, that are not registered charities, with their energy costs.
While churches themselves are not eligible, parish halls and other community facilities that are open to the wider community may be eligible to apply under one of these schemes, depending on their incorporation or charitable status.
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.
This Scheme is one of a range of supports introduced through Budget ’23 and everyone is encouraged to visit gov.ie/reduceyouruse to find out how they can make energy savings, where safe and possible to do so.
802. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development where a group (details supplied) can source funding to assist in the running and maintenance of a community hall; if funding will be put in place for increased energy costs; and the way that the group can apply for same. [57296/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the Community Support Fund (CSF) on the 18th November with funding of €10m available to support groups with their energy costs who may not have been deemed eligible under previous Government schemes.
The CSF will provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups to assist with their energy and running costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc.
Funding will be available to support Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and much more.
The funding also includes €100,000 ring-fenced for Women's Sheds throughout the country.
The fund will be administered on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees, details of which can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd.
803. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she or any officials from her Department or from bodies under the aegis of her Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference; the number who travelled; the costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that no Ministers or officials from the Department of Rural and Community Development travelled to the COP 27 Convention on Climate Change held 6-18 November in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
804. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of funding that her Department made available for the provision of sports courts and or all-weather playing surfaces by local authority for the years 2021 and to date in 2022; and the estimated amount for same in 2023. [57328/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the umbrella of Our Rural Future, funding for sports courts and all-weather pitches has been provided through my Department's Community Enhancement Programme, Community Activities Fund, LEADER Programme and the CLÁR Programme.
Funding was available in 2021 under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) and the once off Community Activities Fund (CAF). The CEP 2021 provided funding of €4.5m providing small capital grants to community groups to enhance their facilities and towards the reopening of facilities after the COVID 19 pandemic. Additionally in 2021 the €9m CAF was launched to support community groups impacted by COVID-19. This fund supported groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with their running/operating costs such as utility or insurance bills, as well as with improvements to their facilities. My Department does not have records regarding the specific funding that was invested in sports courts and all-weather pitches under these initiatives.
Funding under my Department’s LEADER programme is not targeted at any particular group or sector. Rather, it is focused on a thematic approach to rural development under the headings of Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation; Social Inclusion; and the Rural Environment. Within this approach, funding has been provided under LEADER for sports courts and all-weather pitches. Decisions on the nature of the projects to be supported and the funding to be awarded are solely a matter for each independent Local Action Group. The Department does not, therefore, capture details of funding approved specifically for sports courts and or all-weather playing surfaces.
Last week, I announced the Community Support Fund (CSF) with €10m to provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups to assist with their running costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities. The fund will be administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) and groups should contact their LCDC for further information.
The CLÁR programme is a targeted investment programme that funds small infrastructural projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since its re-launch in 2016, it has made significant investments at community level, with approved funding of some 2,100 projects in excess of €57 million. A specific measure under CLÁR 2022 supported the development of community facilities and amenities. Funding supported both the provision of new facilities and the upgrading of existing facilities. As the CLÁR measures are reviewed and revised annually, I am not in a position to provide estimates in respect of the specified funding for 2023. I have set out in the table beneath details of sports courts and all-weather playing surfaces supported under the CLÁR programme in 2021 and 2022.
In addition, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media's Sports Capital and Equipment Programme provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities, including sports courts and all-weather pitches.
CLÁR- Sports courts and all-weather playing surfaces
|
County |
2021 (Approved) |
2021 (No. Projects) |
2022 (Approved) |
2022 (No. projects) |
|
Carlow |
€ 89,963 |
2 |
€ - |
- |
|
Cavan |
€ 49,494 |
1 |
€ 243,547 |
6 |
|
Clare |
€ - |
- |
€ 150,000 |
3 |
|
Cork |
€ - |
- |
€ 276,876 |
6 |
|
Donegal |
€ - |
- |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
|
Galway |
€ 77,000 |
2 |
€ 36,492 |
1 |
|
Kerry |
€ - |
- |
€ - |
- |
|
Kilkenny |
€ - |
- |
€ 136,550 |
3 |
|
Laois |
€ - |
- |
€ 166,225 |
4 |
|
Leitrim |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
€ 45,180 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
€ - |
- |
€ 59,788 |
2 |
|
Longford |
€ - |
- |
€ 136,759 |
3 |
|
Louth |
€ - |
- |
€ 19,926 |
1 |
|
Mayo |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
€ 46,616 |
1 |
|
Meath |
€ - |
- |
€ 50,000 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
€ - |
- |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
|
Offaly |
€ - |
- |
€ 40,860 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
€ - |
- |
€ - |
- |
|
Sligo |
€ - |
- |
€ - |
- |
|
Tipperary |
€ - |
- |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
|
Waterford |
€ - |
- |
€ 45,000 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
€ - |
- |
€ 100,000 |
2 |
|
Wicklow |
€ 22,510 |
1 |
€ - |
- |
|
Total |
€ 438,967 |
10 |
€ 1,853,818 |
42 |
805. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a list of all of the supports that are available to the community and voluntary sector to deal with rising operational costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57395/22]
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 allocated €10m to my Department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities. I am pleased to advise that applications for the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) opened on 21st November.
The scheme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, and will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. Further scheme details are available on the Pobal website now and I would encourage intending applicants to apply as soon as possible, as applications close on 2nd December.
Following the launch of the CVESS, on 18th November Minister Humphreys and Minister Joe O’Brien launched the Community Support Fund (CSF) with additional funding of €10m available to provide support with energy costs to groups, such as unincorporated organisations or non-charities, who may not have been eligible under other analogous Government schemes such as the CVESS.
The CSF will provide small grants to a wide and diverse range of local community groups to assist with their energy and running costs. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade works and to purchase equipment to support their activities such as laptops and printers, lawnmowers, training equipment, etc.
Funding will be available to support Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, ICA Groups, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s Sheds, Women’s Sheds and much more.
The fund will be administered on behalf of the Department by Local Community Development Committees within the local authorities, details of which can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd.
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.
806. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of full-time vacancies by job title in the Charities Regulator as of 15 November 2022; when these vacancies will be filled in tabular form [57577/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
My Department has been assigned responsibility for the Charities Regulator. It is important to note however, that the Regulator is fully independent in the performance of its statutory functions, including recruitment.
The Charities Regulator has 48 sanctioned roles within the 2022 REV. There are currently four full-time vacancies within the organisation. Two of these roles are expected to be filled by the end of November 2022, the third by mid-December 2022, and the fourth in Q2, 2023.
807. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision will issue to a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57988/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process last month. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd .
The group the Deputy refers to applied for Category 3 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. I expect to announce details of successful applicants under both these categories shortly.
808. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when successful applicants will receive funding from her Department under the recently announced community centres fund category one applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58070/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra809. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when an organisation (details supplied) will receive its funding under category one of the community centres fund, as recently announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58071/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 808 and 809 together.
As the Deputy is aware I announced details of almost 600 successful projects to a value of over €12.5m under Category 1 of the Community Centres Investment Fund in October this year.
I can confirm that the group mentioned by the Deputy were successful in their application. All successful applicants should have received correspondence confirming their success under the fund and also advising them of the next steps required in order to drawdown funding.
If they have not received this correspondence or have some further queries, they should contact officials within my Department at CCIF@drcd.gov.ie.
810. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if approved housing bodies are eligible to apply for support under the community and voluntary energy support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58089/22]
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 allocated €10m to my Department to put in place a support scheme for community and voluntary organisations and charities. I am pleased to advise that the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) opened for applications on 21st November.
The scheme will be administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development, and will provide once-off support to organisations within the Community and Voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. Full scheme details are available on the Pobal website, where organisations can also find details of all available Government funding in respect of energy costs.
Organisations should consult each of the scheme details and satisfy themselves that they do not qualify for any of the analogous schemes, such as the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Where they are satisfied in that regard and they meet the eligibility criteria set out for the CVESS (i.e., they are a registered charity, an incorporated not-for profit, or both, and they directly incur energy costs – as evidenced through an MPRN/GPRN) they may be eligible to apply. I would encourage intending applicants to consult the scheme documentation and where appropriate to apply as soon as possible as the scheme will close for applications on Friday 2nd December.
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.
