Written Answers Nos. 797-811
797. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of hectares and percentage of utilisable agricultural area under use for or in conversion to organic production; the targets for 2025, 2027 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4703/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are approximately 200,000 hectares under organic production, which represents 4% of the utilisable agricultural area. This includes farmers who commenced farming organically this year and whose applications are still being processed under the most recent intake to the scheme.
The target set out in the Programme for Government is to achieve a target of 7.5% of the total land area farmed organically by 2027 while the revised target set in the Climate Action plan is to achieve 10% organic land area by 2030.
I am very encouraged by the strong uptake in the Organic Farming Scheme over the last two years especially in the most recent tranche which saw 3,423 eligible applications received. Of these, 2,131 are new to the Organic Farming Scheme and the remaining 1,292 applications representing those whose contracts finished on 31st December 2022.
Under the new CSP, for the years 2023-2027, I have secured a budget of €256m for the organic sector with the aim of building upon this growth and developing the sector further. This allocation has facilitated enhanced payment rates, including the introduction of a participation payment for farmers, to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming.
I am confident the support measures we have put in place will assist in achieving our targets and encourage many more farmers to make the transition to organic farming.
798. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is planned to publish the forestry licensing plan for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department published the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 in February last year. The plan informed stakeholders of our targets for the delivery of afforestation, felling and forest road licences, and of our commitment to reducing the backlog.
By the end of 2022, we issued 4,713 licences which was 90% of our expected output for the year. The backlog in licences overall was reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January 2022 to 1,983 at the end of 2022. We are issuing more licences than applications received, and this means that the backlog continues to drop over time, with faster turnaround times for new applicants.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 requires EU State Aid approval to implement and my Department is engaging intensively with the Commission so that approval is granted as soon as possible. Once approval has been given the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will commence in earnest.
I see great merit in signalling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions as regards licensing which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan once the new Forestry Programme has been approved at national and EU levels.
799. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons that in 2022 Coillte secured 110% of the target number of felling licences that was specified in the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra800. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the private felling category of the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 only achieved 88% of its target number of felling licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra801. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the afforestation licence category of the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 only achieved 68% of its target number of licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 799, 800 and 801 together.
In 2022, the Department approved 4,713 forestry licences which was 90% of our expected output for the year. This licensing output was made up of 1,607 Private felling licences, 1,686 Coillte felling licences, additionally, 702 afforestation and 718 roads licences. This is up on 2021, when we approved 4,018 forestry licences, including 1,294 Private felling licences, 1,529 Coillte felling licences 502 afforestation and 671 roads licences.
Furthermore, we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences, reductions in the time taken to process newer files, and a year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. The backlog in licences overall was reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January 2022 to 1,983 at the end of 2022. I would expect this progress to continue in 2023.
We are committed to delivering a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual who wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop, or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed and the Department strives to maintain a healthy balance between Coillte and private applications. Last year, Coillte received 51% of felling licences and the other 49% going to the private sector. Coillte currently supply around 75% of sawlog to sawmills and will, for the foreseeable future, remain an important part of our forestry mix.
With reference to afforestation licenses, 702 licences issued or 68% of the target, however output was significantly up on 2021. Furthermore, there are now 1,007 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,371 ha ready for planting. These applicants have all been written to explain 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.
I am acutely aware of the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year set out in the Climate Action Plan and the fact that afforestation rates have been declining in recent years. We hope that the new increased premiums rates and extended period of 20 year payments to farmers will re-engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.
802. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is not accepting any forest grant applications as of 1 January 2023, if it is also not issuing any grant approvals from the same date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4750/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 was created in alignment with Ireland’s new draft Forest Strategy and as such, is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas including as climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
Currently, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. Within this process, the draft Forest Strategy Implementation plan, containing the Forestry Programme was published on the 18 October 2022 for a six-week period of public consultation. My Department is currently collating and integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 also requires State Aid to implement and the SEA/AA process is a critical step in the process of securing State Aid approval.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is also being assessed at this time by the European Commission under the State Aid Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas. These State Aid Guidelines expired on 31 December 2022 and were replaced with a revised version as of 1st of January 2023. The revision of these guidelines meant that a formal application for State Aid could not have been submitted to the European Commission until these revised guidelines were in place, i.e. before January 2023. Cognisant of the importance of implementing the new Forestry Programme as early as possible in 2023, and of the constraint that we could not submit a formal application for State Aid in 2022, my Department secured the agreement of the European Commission to facilitate a pre-notification in November 2022.
As the prior Forestry Programme has expired, grant aided applications can not be accepted or issued under this framework. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently undergoing State Aid assessment, as well as an ongoing SEA/AA process. Therefore to accept any applications for Grant Aid at this time would be in breach of State Aid Rules. A key principle of State Aid approval is that such aid must have an "incentive effect" for the applicant.
An incentive effect is present when the aid changes the behaviour of an undertaking, such as additional activity contributing to the development of the sector, where it would not have taken place without such aid or where in its absence the activity would have transpired in a restricted or different manner. My Department as the Granting Authority in this instance, must ensure that any State Aid provided does not subsidise the costs of an activity or undertaking that would have incurred in any instance and must not compensate for the normal business risk of an economic activity. State Aid shall only be deemed allowable once an application has been made before the activity or undertaking has commenced, with clear knowledge of the Stated aided Programme.
However, I am acutely aware of the urgency with which planting and roading activity must take place, given both our ambitious targets and the need to ensure an active pipeline of work for the sector. In this light, my Department has worked intensively with the European Commission to pursue transitional arrangements for the use of valid Forestry Scheme approvals from January 2023.
My Department has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme and an Interim Forest Road Scheme to provide an option of immediate planting and/or roading from January 2023 for those with existing valid approvals. A circular on these arrangements issued to the sector on 22 December 2022. To date we have granted 102 afforestation applications representing 672 hectares and 23 road applications under the De Minimis Schemes.
In terms of afforestation and road applications which were applied for before31st December, 2022 we are continuing to process these so that they may be transitioned into the new Programme when it opens and approval may be granted at that stage.
I assure you that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority. My Department is actively engaging with the Commission, and our officials are working extensively to secure full State Aid Approval as soon as possible.
803. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the call by a fishing representative organisation (details supplied) for an equitable allocation of fishing opportunities to small-scale low impact fishers, using Article 17 to reallocate fishing rights to smaller scale, environmentally compatible, economically viable and socially responsible fishery activities, rewarding a positive history of compliance and ending the sole use of track records as the tool for allocating fishing opportunities by member states, and putting an end to the privatisation of fishery resource access. [4798/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quotas are a public resource and are managed to ensure that property rights are not granted to individual operators. This is seen as a critical policy to ensure that quotas are not concentrated into the hands of large fishing companies whose owners have the financial resources to buy up such rights. It is worth noting that within the EU, a significant number of quota systems have been privatised for their main commercial stocks. In Ireland, allocations are not owned and when an allocation is not fished it is returned to the State for re-distribution to the fleet. This policy helps to support a fishing fleet with operations based in the adjacent coastal communities. In Ireland, any movement towards privatisation and concentration of rights into the hands of large companies would seriously risk fishing vessels losing an economic link with Ireland’s coastal communities and undermining the socio-economic importance of the fishing industry in the coastal communities dependent on fishing. The result of this long-standing policy is that the Irish fishing fleet involves a balanced spread of sizes and types of fishing vessels who have retained a strong economic link with our coastal communities and have delivered economic activity including vital employment in these communities, where there are very limited alternative economic activities
Consultation on the management of quotas within National Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching (Producer Organisations, National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and co-operatives) and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The QMAC examines in detail the operation of each fishery, available quota and uptake patterns for the different metiers of fishing vessels. Detailed discussions are held taking account of the situation of the fleet and the market. The recommendations of the QMAC are brought to my attention to inform my decision on the management arrangements within National Policy.
I have recently launched a public consultation on a review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy, in relation to the quantity of herring set aside from the southern North-West herring stock (Herring 6A South) for smaller/ inshore fishing vessels.
In relation to private ownership of Ireland's fishing resources, I will continue to ensure that Ireland’s fishing quotas are maintained as a public resource.
804. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding stream for a new community centre (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4307/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is aware of the challenges facing community and voluntary organisations and I was delighted to secure €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 to continue the Community Centres Investment Fund.
This builds on the €15 million which was announced under the fund in 2022. The huge interest in this fund shows how important community centres are for communities throughout Ireland. This Government is committed to provide funding to improve and upgrade these centres which will allow them to continue to provide services for communities to come together.
It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted primarily at new build community centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and I hope to announce further details in quarter 1 of 2023.
805. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason a community centre (details supplied) did not receive capital investment. [3969/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the €15 million Community Centres Investment Fund in April this year to support community groups, particularly in disadvantaged areas, with the upgrade of their community centre facilities. Funding was on the basis of a competitive assessment process. The fund was oversubscribed and it was not possible to fund all proposals within the budget available.
The application that the Deputy refers to was an application for funding under Category 3 of the Fund. On December 8th last year, I announced €33 million in funding for 278 successful Categories 2 and 3 applicants. All applicants in these Categories were notified of the detailed outcome of the appraisal process and received a decision in writing. This correspondence contained guidance in relation to appealing a decision. The deadline for appeals from Categories 2 and 3 applicants was Tuesday 31st January.
I am delighted to have secured €20 million in funding under Budget 2023 for a 2023 Community Centres Investment Fund. It is intended that the 2023 fund will be targeted for new build community centres, as well as upgrades and improvements to existing centres. The details of this scheme are currently being developed by officials within my Department and further details will be announced in early 2023.
806. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will direct her Department to immediately bring a person (details supplied) to the courts for failing to display a registered number issued by the relevant local authority to the dog breeding establishment under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3992/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
The day to day regulation of dog breeding establishments to ensure compliance with the Act is a matter for local authorities. The Minister for Rural and Community Development has no role in this regard.
807. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the action being taken to provide County Roscommon with additional resources to support animal welfare in the county; the number of dog wardens available in County Roscommon; if there are plans to introduce additional wardens in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4075/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department publishes annual statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities. Information up to and including 2021, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page on gov.ie. The 2022 dog control statistics will be collated in 2023 and when checked and verified will be published on gov.ie.
Page 1 of the 2021 dog control statistics indicates, by county and in tabular form, that there were 50 full-time dog wardens and 21 part-time dog wardens in 2021, equating to 59.55 full-time equivalent posts. As outlined in the 2021 dog control statistics, there is one full time dog warden and one part-time dog warden in County Roscommon.
While Section 15(1) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986 states that every local authority must employ at least one dog warden, it is a matter for each local authority to determine if more than one dog warden is required to carry out the necessary functions of the dog warden service in their local authority area.
808. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names of any advisers who have taken up employment in her Department since the Government rotation in December 2022; the annual salary they are being paid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4130/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management (PSMA) Act 1997 and the Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PSMA Act.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned two Special Advisers to work with me; a Special Adviser on policy and a Press Adviser. One Special Adviser is assigned to work with Minister of State Joe O’Brien. Said persons will be formally appointed by the Government following due process.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
809. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide data associated with her Department’s air travel and air travel associated with agencies under the aegis of her Department (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4254/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data associated with air travel for my Department and the agencies under the aegis of my Department is displayed in the tables below. Data is only available for years 2020 and 2021. The data for 2022 is not yet available as the Charge Rate is due to be issued by Department of Environment, Climate and Communication shortly.
Year: 2020
|
Department/Agencies |
Total Carbon Emissions (Tonne) |
Charge Rate per tonne |
Total cost of Carbon Emissions |
|
Rural & Community Development |
1.5115 |
€26 |
€39.30 |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
0.7032 |
€26 |
€18.28 |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
0.754 |
€26 |
€19.60 |
|
Western Development Commission |
0 |
€0 |
€0.00 |
|
Pobal |
0.549 |
€26 |
€14.27 |
Year: 2021
|
Department/Agencies |
Total Carbon Emissions (Tonne) |
Charge Rate per tonne |
Total cost of Carbon Emissions |
|
Rural & Community Development |
0.27 |
€33.50 |
€9.09 |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
0 |
€0 |
€0.00 |
|
Water Safety Ireland |
0.531 |
€33.50 |
€17.80 |
|
Western Development Commission |
0.4752 |
€33.50 |
€15.92 |
|
Pobal |
0 |
€0 |
€0.00 |
810. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason that tax is required to be paid after the first free year, on top of the yearly payment for the personal safety wrist alarm for older people supplied by Pobal. [4290/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant.
Following a review, an updated version of the scheme came into effect in November 2017. A number of changes were introduced at that time, including the provision of free monitoring for the first year.
Charges for monitoring services from year two onwards are the subject of a private contract between the participant and the company providing the monitoring service. The only tax that would be applicable is Value-Added Tax (VAT), which is charged on monitoring services. The application of VAT on goods and services is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
811. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her attention has been drawn to reports that stand-alone men's sheds, including those not in resource centres, are excluded from the men’s shed sustainability grant if they received funding from a separate grant source in 2022; and the plans she has to address this issue and ensure that all sheds can avail of this fund equally. [4362/23]
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 and with queries around eligibility.
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.
