Written Answers Nos. 247-270
247. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will list the people or organisations that are members of the working group on the control of dogs review; and if there is a qualified canine behaviourist within the working group. [8939/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe working group on the control of dogs is comprised of officials from my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and representatives of the County and City Managers Association (CCMA), including representatives of local authority dog wardens and local authority veterinary inspectors, and representatives of An Garda Síochána. The group includes three qualified veterinarians.
It is within the remit of this working group to engage with subject matter experts as appropriate.
248. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reply to the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding TB testing laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8955/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has communicated directly with all herd owners in recent months in relation to the new EU Animal Health Law testing requirements in relation to TB.
In addition it has contributed to several media articles in recent months and has met with all the representative groups of mart managers to discuss the implementation of these new requirements.
The Communications subgroup of the TB forum, which farming organisations are members of, has been central to communicating to all stakeholders these new requirements.
The financing of all elements of the TB programme is a matter being considered by the Financial Working Group of the TB forum. The extension of these new TB testing requirements will be considered by stakeholders through the TB forum.
249. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an ACRES application can be awarded to a person (details supplied). [8964/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously outlined to the Deputy in my response of 18th January, I can confirm that an ACRES application was submitted on behalf of the person named.
The scheme has proven to be hugely successful with farmers very keen to join. There were over 46,000 applications made before the deadline in December. I am delighted to see such a strong response to ACRES. This shows clearly how engaged and ambitious our farm families are for embracing the climate and biodiversity challenge.
All applications are currently being validated against the eligibility criteria outlined in the scheme specifications and terms and conditions. I am reviewing the matter regarding the number of applications to be approved. All applicants will be notified if their applications have been successful or unsuccessful. It is expected these notifications will issue to applicants in the near future.
250. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason road planting, thinning and felling licences are not active since the start of 2023; the measures that are to be taken by those who are in limbo since December 2022 when their licences expired (details supplied); when they can expect all licences to be renewed and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8992/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continues to issue and accept felling licence applications and has to date this year issued 404 felling licences. Furthermore last year we issued record levels of felling licences at 3,293 for 9.6 million cubic metres of wood. These licences have up to 10 year timelines and are being used by forest owners providing work for forestry contractors and supplying sawmills.
As regards afforestation and roads, we are accepting applications and issuing licences for non-grant aided roads and planting. We have also has put in place an Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) and an Interim Forest Road Scheme (via De Minimis) which provides the option of immediate planting and/or roading from January 2023 for those with valid grant aided approvals to end December 2022.To date we have granted 164 afforestation applications representing 1,050 hectares and 32 Road road applications under the De Minimis Scheme.
For those that wish to wait for the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, unused valid Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers.
In terms of afforestation and road applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not issued, we are continuing to process these so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
The new Forestry Programme is currently being assessed by the European Commission for State Aid approval. We are in regular and active contact with the Commission so that this process may be progressed. It is a matter of the highest priority for my Department that this €1.3 billion programme commence.
251. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is of the view that his Department should take on the responsibility of submitting form 1 forestry applications for grant-aided schemes, in light of the amount of work it is taking for foresters to do, to allow foresters instead complete ground work (details supplied). [8997/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister of State Hackett and I secured funding of over €1.3 billion for the next Forestry programme 2023-2027, which will support the best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland.
I am acutely aware of the issues currently facing forestry companies in terms of their financial situation pending the securing of State Aid approval from the Commission. Securing that State Aid approval is top priority and my officials are engaging intensively with the Commission in order to advance the approval.
I would also draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that at the end of 2022 there were over 1,000 approved afforestation licences with a total of 7,500 hectares unutilised and in advance of the new Programme being approved I have facilitated those farmers and other landowners with valid afforestation licences by allowing them to immediately opt into an Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis), which offers the same increases in grant aid and premiums. There is currently over 1,000 hectares of land where the applicant has opted in for the interim scheme.
In respect of the costs incurred by farmers and other landowners granted an afforestation licence where the Department has required or requires a report from an external ecologist or external archaeologist to be commissioned.
In July of last year, the Department launched a supplemental grant scheme for such afforestation projects: the Environmental Report Grant. This scheme provides for a payment of up to €2,050 at Form 2 stage where a landowner and their agent submits an environment report their payment application.
The Environmental Report Grant has been retained for farmers and other landowners with valid afforestation licences who opt into the Interim Afforestation Scheme (via De Minimis) and it is also intended to operate the scheme as part of the new Forestry Programme.
There are many reasons why it would be wholly inappropriate for my Department staff to be responsible for formulating and submitting an applications on behalf of a landowner and then to be also the assessor of those applications.
For example, in the case of afforestation, this is a form of development subject to the EIA Directive and the provisions of this Directive set out that it is the responsibility of the applicant or their agent to provide the information on the characteristics of the project and its likely significant effects on the environment and which is then taken into account, together with the results of consultations, by the Competent Authority before issuing any consent; and that Competent Authorities are required to perform the duties arising from the Directive in an objective manner and not allow themselves to be in situations giving rise to a conflict of interest.
252. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to remove the exemption which allows for the destruction of up to half a kilometre of hedgerows without assessment or special permissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9031/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EIA (Agriculture) Regulations (S.I. 456 of 2011 as amended) require screening, and if necessary full Appropriate Assessment, prior to the removal of a hedgerow where the length of hedgerow to be removed exceeds 500 metres OR where the field size following removal of the hedgerow will be greater than 5 hectares. If the proposed removal would breach either of these thresholds the farmer is required to submit a screening application to my Department. If the application is not screened as having no significant environmental impact, a full Appropriate Assessment is required before permission can be granted to remove the hedgerow in question.
I have committed to a review of these Regulations and my officials will commence a consultation process on this matter with all relevant stakeholders in the near future.
In the case of hedgerow removals, irrespective of length and including where this is below these thresholds, farmers in receipt of Direct Payment supports are still required to comply with Conditionality requirements under the CAP Strategic Plan. This Conditionality means that removal of hedgerows is only permitted in certain exceptional circumstances for example, road safety or to accommodate a building extension. It is also important to note that where any hedgerow is being removed, as of 1st January 2023 there is a requirement to replace twice the length of hedgerow in advance of removal. Prior to this the requirement was to replace equivalent length of hedgerow.
Under the 'eco-scheme' element of the new CAP strategic plan, from 2023 hedgerows are also now being rewarded through payments for 'space for nature'.
253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9045/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy in relation to the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is outlined in the table attached.
All appointments to the State Bodies falling under my remit, are made both in accordance with the Code of Governance for State Bodies and the relevant parent legislation governing each of the State Bodies. All relevant vacancies are advertised on the State Boards website administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Some positions, such as a workers' representative, are reserved for a representative of a stakeholder group and these would not be advertised or processed through PAS.
Any person who believes they have the relevant skills and experience for a position which is advertised, may apply. PAS then oversees an evaluation process of all applicants and this process involves an independent expert.
Number of retired senior civil servants and public servants on board (retired when serving on the board)
|
State Body under DAFM |
2023 -to date |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board (ALAB)* |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Bord Bia |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Rásaíocht Con Éireann |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Coillte** |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Irish National Stud |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Marine Institute |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
National Milk Agency |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority*** |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Teagasc |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*ALAB is not included as appointments to ALAB are not appointed by PAS competition they are appointed by separate arrangements in accordance with their Act (nominees made by prescribed bodies)
** Coillte 2013-2014 includes 1 county councillor
***SFPA is not included as it is not a state board it is an executive management authority
254. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of senior staff members of his Department or of State bodies under the aegis of his Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9063/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI inform the Deputy that my Department has one senior staff member on the board of the Irish Equine Centre which is registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
255. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rásaíocht Con Éireann supplied all the figures used in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9156/23]
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.
256. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rásaíocht Con Éireann had sight of all the figures used in a report (details supplied) prior to the report being written; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9157/23]
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.
257. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active racing greyhound owners registered with Rásaíocht Con Éireann for each of the years 2018 to 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9158/23]
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.
258. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide specific details in relation to a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9159/23]
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.
259. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide specific details in relation to a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9160/23]
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.
260. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide specific details in relation to a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9161/23]
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.
261. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide specific details in relation to a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9162/23]
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.
262. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide specific details in relation to a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9163/23]
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.
263. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of the turnover of staff in her Department for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and the percentage of total staff this represents in each category. [9277/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the turnover of staff in the Department of Rural and Community Development for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the percentage of total staff which this represents, which includes staff leaving on promotion, mobility, transfers and secondments, is provided below in tabular form.
|
Year |
Staff Exits |
% of Total |
|
2020 |
16 |
10% |
|
2021 |
20 |
12% |
|
2022 |
21 |
12% |
264. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to commence the next round of the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Programme; when it will be open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The Scheme is central to Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 - 2027 which is set to shape the future of outdoor recreation over the next five years. ORIS funds new outdoor recreational infrastructure as well as providing for the necessary repair, enhancement or promotion of existing facilities in countryside areas across Ireland.
Since the launch of the Scheme, funding of in excess of €106 million has been approved to support more than 1,500 projects across Ireland. Last year, I approved projects to the value of almost €20 million under the Scheme.
The Measures to be included under the Scheme are reviewed each year. My Department is currently developing the 2023 Scheme in advance of the launch later this year.
265. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount of the €50 million community recognition fund that has been spent to date; and what it has been spent on. [8993/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 24th January 2023 I launched the Community Recognition Fund which aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.
The funding is specifically targeted at projects that are located in communities, towns and villages that are hosting the beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and/or International Protection Applicants. The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community. It is separate in its objectives and scope to any other public funding streams which aim to support the development of public service needs arising from the significant number of arrivals from Ukraine.
The Fund is being administered at a local level by local authorities who are developing funding proposals, which are to be submitted to my Department by mid March 2023. Each funding proposal is developed based on direct engagement with impacted communities and in consultation with the municipal districts, Local Community Development Committees and the local Community Response Fora. The proposals must also demonstrate that the funding is targeted at and specifically invested in those communities, villages and towns where the highest level of new arrivals are located and where there is a clear need for investment identified.
As the Fund only opened last month and the proposals have yet to be submitted to my Department for approval, no funding has been spent to date.
266. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9058/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of senior staff members of her Department or of State bodies under the aegis of her Department who are also on the boards of bodies registered for lobbying purposes under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015, or on the board of bodies which have had to disclose that they engaged in lobbying State authorities; if it is intended to issue directions as to the appropriateness of such involvement in these bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9076/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
The Deputy will be aware that there are four agencies under the remit of my Department - the Charities Regulator, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland and the Western Development Commission.
Since my Department's establishment in 2017, there has been one retired public servant appointed to the board of the Charities Regulator (2022) and one retired public servant appointed to the board of the Western Development Commission (2020) through the Public Appointments Service process.
There is one senior staff member in Pobal appointed to the board of a body registered for lobbying purposes. The onus is on that individual and the board of that body to ensure that all lobbying activity is in line with the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015.
268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the way in which a centralised funding platform can be built in the absence of the fundamental data infrastructure of a trusted database of all Irish community and voluntary organisations (details supplied), in the context of the Pobal scoping exercise regarding a national funding platform. [9208/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra269. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of developing the proposed national funding platform (details supplied). [9209/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 268 and 269 together.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) had provided funding to the company referred to by the Deputy, Benefacts. In 2020, in line with best practice, that Department undertook an internal review which found that the business case for its continued funding of the company was no longer justified.
The decision by DPER to cease funding Benefacts followed discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, of which my Department was one. Following careful consideration of the Benefacts product, including having regard to the risks identified in the internal analysis by DPER, my Department was not in a position to fund Benefacts.
The grant agreement and funding arrangement for services provided by Benefacts did not rest with my Department and no responsibility for Benefacts or its legacy has transferred to my Department. Any considerations in relation to data retention was a matter between Benefacts and DPER, in line with the conditions set out within their grant agreement.
In 2021, under a separate initiative and unrelated to anything previously developed by Benefacts, my Department began exploring options for the establishment of a 'centralised grantee database' for the community and voluntary sector. This work was in line with the Department’s Statement of Strategy and also the Department’s five year Strategy for the C&V sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities.
Streamlining the compliance and reporting burden faced by the community and voluntary sector across many different agents of the State has been identified by the Department, via engagement with the sector, as a key requirement.
My Department subsequently recognized the term 'centralised database' did not adequately capture the intent of the proposal, and has applied the term 'National Funding Platform' as a more accurate descriptor of the proposal.
In May 2021, my Department entered into an agreement with Pobal to conduct a scoping exercise on the potential for a ‘National Funding Platform’ of community and voluntary organisations which have a funding relationship with the State.
The high level purpose of this scoping exercise was to explore options for a funding platform that would reduce the administrative burden on grantees and funders, as well as providing a single source of truth and source of analysis on state funded community and voluntary grantees, and the investment being made into these organisations.
The scoping exercise for the project has been completed and is under consideration by my Department. No decision has been made in respect of this project and the options contained in the scoping paper are still under consideration.
Against this background, my Department is not in a position at this time to estimate timeframes or costs for delivery of what would be a potentially significant long term project. It should be noted that any decision to move forward with this project would require a whole of Government approach, as well as being subject to Government approval, and would also be subject to the conditions set out in the public spending code.
270. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which she will provide data required by the CSO for the preparation of the national accounts (details supplied). [9210/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe compilation of data for the preparation of national accounts falls under the remit of the Central Statistics Office. It is a matter for that Office to identify sources for that data, and my Department does not have a role in this matter.
