Written Answers Nos. 323-334
323. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what are the standard regulations relating to quarantine for pets brought into Ireland; the basis on which they were returned to normal having been eased previously; if the matter is being kept under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3813/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll animals entering Ireland are subject to EU sanitary requirements. These requirements are in place to reduce the risk of importation and spread of disease. The requirements for animals generally to enter Ireland are outlined in the EU Animal Health Law, Regulation (EU) 429/2016. This relates to both intra-community trade and imports into the Union. The specific requirements for a pet (dog, cat ferret) to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Any animal which does not meet the health requirements set out in these regulation are quarantined or returned to the country of origin.
In accordance with Article 32 of Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and, by way of derogation from the conditions provided for non-commercial movements of pet animals, Member States may, in exceptional situations, authorise the non-commercial movement into their territory of pet animals which do not comply with the conditions in Regulation (EU) 756/2013.
Temporary exceptional humanitarian arrangements were therefore put in place last year for refugees from Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees were allowed to enter Ireland with their accompanying pets under specific conditions. Where these pets were not fully compliant with EU regulations, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine veterinary services took steps to bring these animals into compliance with the legislative travel requirements, to protect our domestic population and protect public health. These measures included, as determined to be necessary in each case, microchipping animals, providing tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination.
On 21st November 2022, these temporary arrangements for Ukrainian pets ended, Pets from Ukraine travelling to Ireland are subject to the same conditions as any pet entering from any country outside the EU. All pets entering Ireland must be fully compliant with legal requirements for entry into the EU .
Any animal or product of animal origin entering Ireland from outside the EU requires health certification and undergoes checks at the Border Control Post (BCP) upon entry. Their health status and health documentation are checked. Whilst all pets entering from third countries are checked, pets entering from the EU undergo spot checks.
If a pet is non-compliant, then the pet will be placed in official isolation until the pet is compliant with entry requirements.
324. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will urgently meet with representatives of the Irish fishing industry to discuss their serious concerns about the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme, more commonly known as the Decommissioning Scheme, and make changes to the scheme to address their concerns. [3851/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme was developed based on a recommendation by the Seafood Task Force Report, which was made up of representatives of the fishing industry, wider seafood sector and other stakeholders. The final scheme followed the Task Force specification in terms of rates and conditions, the latter of which was based on EU guidelines on using BAR funding for Decommissioning and from relevant regulations.
Following an EU State Aid decision on the scheme as specified, I announced its launch in July 2022 and the approved scheme, with all its terms and conditions, was published by BIM shortly after. Appreciating the significance of the decision any individual fisher would make should they chose to participate in the scheme, the deadline for applications was extended to 18 November 2022. This was to allow time for fishers to evaluate their own circumstances and the terms of the scheme should they voluntarily choose to apply and accept.
A significant amount of time has now elapsed, during which all potential applicants and stakeholders have had full visibility of the terms and conditions of the scheme. Given the terms of Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding, as established by the BAR Regulation, all applicants who wish to participate in the scheme, must be fully decommissioned and paid during 2023. Accordingly, the Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme as published, the transparent details as published to all stakeholders by BIM and the scheme as considered and applied for by applicants is the finalised scheme.
As the Implementing body, BIM received applications, assessed them and issued detailed offers to the value of €75 million to 57 individual persons/entities. The individual offers are formal contractual offers from the State, through BIM, to each individual and it is solely for each individual to consider their specific offer. Currently, those vessel owners have four weeks from the date of offer to assess the offer with their professional advisors and decide whether or not to accept it. It is the nature of the scheme that all offers are different and are based on the specifics of each vessel and their fishing activity. I must emphasise that the scheme is wholly voluntary and those receiving the offers are totally free to accept or reject them.
I have met with fishing representatives frequently since their participation in the Task Force, to provide them with updates on implementing the Task Force recommendations as well as discussing other significant issues within the fishing industry. Most recently, I met with them on 10 January and informed them that I had secured an increase in the budget of the scheme, from its original €60m, in order to ensure that all those who applied for the scheme could participate if they chose to do so.
BIM must treat all applicants, and indeed those who chose not to apply under the scheme as advertised, in a fair and transparent way. BIM, which has the formal contractual relationship with each of the 57 individuals, deals with information queries as required. I would encourage any applicant who has queries on their own application to engage directly with BIM.
325. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the 7,343 hectares referred to by his Department as ready for planting is based on a 100% conversion rate, with the assumption that every licence issued gets planted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3854/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 1,005 afforestation contracts described by his Department as ready for planting were approved within the timelines set out in the farmer's charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3855/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time each of the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were with his Department awaiting a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3868/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates each of the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentages by year for when the 1,005 unused afforestation licences were issued in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3871/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 325, 326, 329, 330 and 332 together.
The Deputy may be aware that those who receive afforestation licences have three years within which to proceed to planting.
Afforestation is demand-led and there may be various reasons why landowners may choose not to plant trees, such as competing uses for the land.
Some 1,007 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,000 ha are ready for planting. We have written to applicants with unused licences to remind them that their licence is still valid and that they now have the opportunity to plant under the Interim Afforestation Scheme ( via De Minimis) or to transition into the new Forestry Programme 2023- 2027 when it launches.
The Department is also extending valid unused Afforestation licences until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant.
Based on previous experience, we know there is not 100% conversion rate for every unused licence, however I would be hopeful that the increased premium rates of between 46% and 66% now offered along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers will encourage strong uptake.
It is important that positive messages around planting are communicated and this is the responsibility of all in the sector, especially those in direct contact with farmers and landowners.
The Deputy may be aware the Farmer's Charter refers to approvals of valid afforestation and roads applications within 10 weeks, except where consultation is required under law; 14 to 18 weeks in these cases where practicable. We are therefore providing figures against a 120-day timeline (four months) as all licences require consultation.
The table below outlines the years these licences were received, approved, the percentage approved and the number approved within and outside of the time-frame of 120-days. As outlined below, 57% of the 1,007 valid licences were approved in 2022.
|
Year |
Received |
Approved |
% of total 1007 Approved per year |
<120 days |
>120 days |
|
2018 |
41 |
0 |
41 |
||
|
2019 |
243 |
0 |
11 |
232 |
|
|
2020 |
337 |
186 |
18.5% |
41 |
296 |
|
2021 |
269 |
247 |
24.5% |
37 |
232 |
|
2022 |
117 |
574 |
57% |
35 |
82 |
|
Total |
1007 |
1,007 |
100% |
124 |
883 |
Since the introduction of increased public consultation requirements in 2021 forestry licence applications are subject to an initial 30-days public consultation, during which submissions are accepted from interested parties, and a further 30 day public consultation is undertaken if further environmental assessments are required. This has unavoidably impacted processing times.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade.
327. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of licences approved by his Department each year of the past forestry programme which were in breach of the 90-day timeline set out in the farmer's charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3856/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to improved output in forestry licencing this year, we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences and a year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. Project Woodland Working Group 1 recommended that the backlog is defined as the number of forestry licence applications awaiting a decision over four months. This has reduced from 6,000 applications in August 2021, to 3,700 applications on hand at the start of 2022 to 1,983 on hand by the end of 2022.
As the Deputy may be aware the Farmer's Charter refers to approvals of valid afforestation and roads applications within 10 weeks, except where consultation is required under law; 14 to 18 weeks in these cases where practicable.
I am taking it that the Deputy is therefore referring to afforestation and road licences.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine's Forestry Programme, including the extension applied, ran from 2014 until 2022. Using a 90 day time period, I have set out the figures for afforestation and roads applications below, excluding applications withdrawn or refused.
Percentage of licences approved beyond 90 days.
|
Afforestation |
Roads |
|
|
2014 |
37% |
24% |
|
2015 |
38% |
37% |
|
2016 |
33% |
22% |
|
2017 |
39% |
41% |
|
2018 |
56% |
51% |
|
2019 |
60% |
51% |
|
2020 |
76% |
48% |
|
2021 |
85% |
91% |
|
2022 |
91% |
62% |
While the percentages have risen over time, this is a result of the backlog caused by decisions of the courts which greatly expanded the need for ecological reports. The Department has responded to these court decisions by expanding the resources and these are now bearing fruit with the number of afforestation and roads decisions made by the Department increasing steadily since 2020.
In 2022, the Department approved 4,713 forestry licences, including 702 afforestation and 718 roads licences. This is up on 2021 when we approved 4,018 forestry licences, including 502 afforestation and 671 roads licences.
Furthermore increased public consultation requirements impact on processing times and a timeline of around three to four months can no longer be considered reasonable in most cases. As for other planning authorities, there is public consultation process. Forestry licence applications are subject to an initial 30-days public consultation, during which submissions are accepted from interested parties. A further 30-day public consultation is undertaken if further environmental assessments are required.
We are committed to working through licences on hand and delivering for the forestry sector.
328. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail in tabular form the conversation rate from approval to actual planting for licences approved within 90-days by his Department; the conversation rate from approval to planting of licences approved beyond 90-days in each year of the past forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3867/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn considering conversion rates from Licence approval to Planting, the table below shows the percentage conversion rate of approvals granted in each year (1) where the approval decision was made in less than ninety days (2) where approval was issued in excess of 90 days and (3) the percentage conversion rate of all approvals that were subsequently planted in the three-year lifetime of the approval.
There are now 1,005 approved afforestation contracts with 7,343 ha ready for planting, of which 4,672 hectares or 57% were approved in 2022. there were 366 applications in 2022 of which 135 were approved, Four of these progressed to planting in 2022.The reduction in conversion rates seen in 2022, in the final year of the programme, reflects anticipation of the new programme as well as the fact that there is a three-year window for planting to take place. Afforestation is a demand-led, voluntary land use choice for landowners and there are numerous reasons why landowners may choose not to plant trees.
The new Interim Afforestation Scheme (via General De Minimis) offers increases in premium rates of between 46% and 66%- and 20-year premiums for farmers and already we can see that this has encouraged uptake. In this regard I am pleased to inform the Deputies that under the Interim Afforestation Scheme (Via General De Minimis) to date, we have already in January issued 84 Financial Approval applications for 559 ha of planting as well as 20 commencement notices under the Interim Roads Scheme.
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Year |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Percentage of those approvals decided in less than 90 days which were planted |
60% |
64% |
68% |
64% |
69% |
64% |
53% |
4% |
|
Percentage of those approvals decided outside of 90 days which were planted. |
59% |
61% |
62% |
54% |
47% |
37% |
19% |
3% |
|
Percentage of total approvals issued in year that were planted |
59.5% |
62.5% |
65% |
59% |
58% |
50.5% |
36% |
3.5% |
331. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of afforestation applied for each year of the past forestry programme and the actual area planted in each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3870/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the hectares applied for in each of the years of the forestry programme 2015-2020 as prolongated to 2022, the hectares approved in these years and the area planted in hectares. The deputy should be aware that there are many instances where the full area approved is not planted.
There are now 1,007 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,000ha are ready for planting, with 57% of these approvals issued in 2022.
I am confident that the €1.3 billion funding for the new forestry programme will incentivise farmers and other landowners to embrace forestry as a attractive land use option over the next five years.
|
Year |
HECTARES APPLIED FOR |
HECTARES APPROVED |
ACTUAL AREA PLANTED |
|
Year |
HECTARES APPLIED FOR |
HECTARES APPROVED |
ACTUAL AREA PLANTED |
|
2015 |
15,855 |
13,295 |
6,293 |
|
2016 |
13,280 |
11,344 |
6,500 |
|
2017 |
11,483 |
9,980 |
5,536 |
|
2018 |
8,623 |
6,964 |
4,025 |
|
2019 |
7,756 |
4,346 |
3,550 |
|
2020 |
7,070 |
4,365 |
2,434 |
|
2021 |
4,606 |
4,218 |
2,016 |
|
2022 |
4,302 |
4,672 |
2,273 |
333. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the supports that are available for community halls and clubs from her Department, especially in relation to energy costs and the current high energy costs incurred by many clubs and halls in keeping their facilities heated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3753/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to launch the Community Support Fund with funding of €10 million on 18th November last year. This fund, under the Community Enhancement Programme, is designed to assist community groups across the country. Support is available to Parish Halls, Community Centres, Local Development Associations, Social Clubs, Senior Citizen Groups, Men’s and Women’s Sheds and other community groups who provide vital services to communities around the country.
The fund will provide grants to help groups with rising energy and operational costs such as electricity bills, insurance costs etc. Groups can also use the funding to carry out small upgrade or refurbishment works and for the purchase of equipment which supports their activities such as laptops and printers, training equipment, tables, chairs etc.
The Community Support Fund is being administered on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. Groups should contact their local LCDC for further details on the application process.
Separately, the Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS), administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, provides once-off energy supports to organisations within the community and voluntary sector which fall outside the parameters of other energy support schemes being delivered by Government. A further round of the scheme is now open for applications.
Further details on all of my Department schemes and funds can be found at www.gov.ie/drcd .
334. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development what assistance is available to an organisation (details supplied) with set-up costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3769/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast November, I was delighted to announce funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds throughout the country.
The initiative will see grants of up to €2,000 provided to over 400 Men’s Sheds nationwide to assist them with running costs such as electricity or insurance bills.
The individual grants will be distributed to the over 400 Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA). Sheds should contact the IMSA for further details.
Separately, Men's Sheds can also apply for funding under the recently announced Community Support Fund (CSF) . This €10m fund was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but will also provide funding for small capital works projects. The fund is being administered by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) on behalf of my Department and interested groups should contact their local LCDC directly for further information.
