Written Answers Nos. 318-337
318. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will immediately engage with the producer organisations representing the Irish fishing industry to discuss their concerns about the recent agreement on north-east Atlantic mackerel fishing between the UK, Norway and the Faroe Islands; and if he will then act on those concerns at European level. [26998/24]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector and I regularly meet with the recognised industry representative groups to discuss concerns and priorities, as well as developments at national and EU level.
I will be meeting with industry representatives, including Producers Organisations, National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the Co-Ops on Tuesday 25th June to discuss the ongoing consultations on new sharing arrangements for Coastal State stocks as well as potential negotiations between the EU and Third Countries.
I am cognisant of the concerns of industry regarding recent developments at Coastal State level and look forward to hearing their views on this matter.
I will continue to ensure that Ireland's best interests are pursued in the forthcoming negotiations on fishing opportunities for 2025.
319. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 282 of 18 June 2024, to list the 31 PV installers referenced in his response and the total number of the 129 applications for PV solar PV panels which were submitted by each of these respective installers, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27129/24]
View answerI wish to confirm that 73 PV applications, rather than 129, were submitted on forms other than my Department’s official S198 form. Overall, these 73 forms were submitted by the following 14 PV installers:
|
Activ8 Engeries |
51 |
|
Alternative Energy Ireland |
2 |
|
Tadgh O'Keeffe & Sons |
1 |
|
Ecowest Electrical & Energy Services Ltd |
1 |
|
KM Electrical |
1 |
|
Laois Electrical |
1 |
|
Local Power Ltd |
8 |
|
Nationwide Energy Solutions Ltd |
1 |
|
NRG Panel |
2 |
|
Solar Evolution Ltd |
1 |
|
Sun Arc Solar Systems Ltd |
1 |
|
Wizer Energy Ltd |
1 |
|
Woodco Renewable Energy Ltd |
1 |
|
Wyse Solar Solutions |
1 |
|
Total |
73 |
The technical forms which were submitted are produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and are essentially the same as my Department's prescribed form, except for references to SEAI instead of TAMS. Both forms contain the same detail to allow my Department to make an informed decision on the application. All forms submitted are assessed by my Department's technical staff.
320. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an operating licence was granted to the current operator of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27194/24]
View answerA Conditional Certificate of Approval dated 22nd July 2015 issued to business referred to, granting approval to operate as a Food Business Operator in respect of Slaughtering - Equine in accordance with Regulation 4 of the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.L No. 432 of 2009). Full Approval was granted on 25th February 2016.
321. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 272 of 18 June 2024, if he will remove the time criterion of the declaration for operators of slaughter plants “the legislation requires that applicants provide a written declaration that they have had no serious infringement under EU and/or national law in the preceding three years”, particularly in the matter of animal welfare, where any infringement must automatically be considered serious; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27195/24]
View answerRegulation EU 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing requires that killing and related operations shall only be carried out by persons with the appropriate level of competence to do so without causing animals avoidable pain, distress or suffering. It also places responsibility on business operators to ensure that specific aspects relating to the slaughter of animals (handling before restraint, restraint for the purposes of stunning, the stunning of animals, the assessment of the effectiveness of stunning, shackling or hoisting, bleeding and slaughtering without stunning where practiced) are only carried out by persons holding a certificate of competence.
Furthermore, business operators (with a throughput of 1,000 livestock units or 150,000 birds or rabbits) are required to appoint an animal welfare officer, who must also hold a certificate of competence, to assist the business operator in ensuring compliance with the the Regulation.
All applicants for certificates of competence must, in addition to passing the relevant tests, provide a written declaration that he/she has committed no serious infringement of Community law or national law on the protection of animals in the three years preceding the date of application.
As this provision is set out in EU Regulation, it is directly applicable in all Member States and it is not open to unilateral change.
323. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can guarantee that Departmental vets, either by employment or contract, attended every slaughter day and for the whole slaughter day at a company (details supplied) since the start of its operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27197/24]
View answerOn day of slaughter at the food business mentioned, a DAFM Veterinary Inspector and at least 2 technical agricultural officers are present for the duration of slaughter. DAFM staff are present prior to slaughter and for the completion of official control checks throughout the day. Temporary Veterinary Inspectors also assist the Veterinary Inspector on occasions
324. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal welfare checks that were made at a company (details supplied) since the start of its operations; to provide the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27198/24]
View answerSince its approval as a slaughter plant in 2015, my Department's officials have had a permanent presence at the slaughter plant mentioned on days where animals were slaughtered. This generally occurred once a week but not necessarily every week. In addition to ongoing welfare checks, all slaughter plants approved by my Department are subject to a full Animal Welfare Audit at least twice a year carried out by the Official Veterinarian which examines all aspects of welfare at the plant. In addition, the plant is audited annually by the Regional Superintending Veterinary Inspector who reviews plant activities (including animal welfare) and official controls by DAFM staff.
Details of Official Controls carried out under animal welfare during transport and animal welfare at the time of killing are reported to the European Commission and published as appropriate on an annual basis in the Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP).
325. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animal-welfare checks that are made on slaughterhouses and any properties involved with them in holding animals each year; to publish the results of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27199/24]
View answerIn addition on ongoing welfare checks that take place on days of operation, all slaughter plants approved by my department are subject to a full animal welfare audit at least twice a year. This audit is carried out by an Official Veterinarian and examines all aspects of welfare at the slaughter plant. In addition, each slaughter plant is audited annually by the Regional Veterinary Manager (Superintending Veterinary Inspector) who reviews plant activities (including animal welfare) and official controls by Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine staff.
Details of Official Controls carried out under animal welfare during transport and animal welfare at the time of killing are reported to the European Commission and published as appropriate on an annual basis in the Multi Annual National Control Plan (MANCP).
All other holdings on which animals are kept may be inspected on a random and/or targeted basis by officers of my Department.
326. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will establish, immediately, a register of those convicted of animal cruelty or neglect, in order to preclude them from keeping animals and particularly from working with animals, and-or being licensed to do so by his Department or any arm of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27200/24]
View answerThe 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act provides an effective framework to protect the welfare of animals in Ireland, including through prosecutions for breaches of the Act. Upon conviction, the courts may among the range of penalties available to it, make an order banning an offender from keeping animals.
Court proceedings are carried out publicly and animal welfare proceedings are frequently reported in the local and national press. There are no plans to set up a national register of those convicted of animal cruelty in court.
327. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department neither sought nor took an official or unofficial welfare interest in the lands adjacent to a company (details supplied) where horses were kept before slaughter and which have been the subject of welfare complaints by members of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27201/24]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
Five complaints were received by my Department's animal welfare helpline in relation to animals at lands adjacent to the site in question between 2018 and 2023. These were one in 2018, one in 2019, two in 2021and one in 2023. In response to these reports, on each occasion a Veterinary Inspector went to the site, carried out an investigation, and engaged with the keeper of the horses to resolve the specific issues raised.
328. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times veterinarians and-or other Departmental staff raised concerns either orally or in writing about the conditions at or around a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27202/24]
View answerThere are records of 6 non-compliance reports issued relating to the business operator mentioned in 2023, and none to date in 2024. In each case, the issues identified were followed up and closed out in a timely manner. None of the non-compliance issues raised in 2023 related to animal welfare matters.
329. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will now undertake a complete animal welfare audit of all slaughter facilities; if he will publish the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27203/24]
View answerAll slaughter plants approved by my department are subject to a full Animal Welfare Audit at least twice a year carried out by the Official Veterinarian which examines all aspects of welfare at the plant, including the work of the Animal Welfare Officer. In addition, the plant is audited annually by the Regional Superintending Veterinary Inspector (RSVI) who reviews plant activities (including animal welfare) and official controls by DAFM staff.
Details of Official Controls carried out under Animal welfare during transport (Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005[1]), SI 675 f 2006 and Animal welfare at the time of killing (Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009[2] ), SI 292 of 2023 are reported to the European Commission and published as appropriate on an annual basis in the Multi Annual National Control Plan.
[1] Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 (OJ L 3, 5.1.2005, p. 1)
[2] Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing (OJ L 303, 18.11.2009, p. 1)
330. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that Irish grown wool scarves given by the Irish Grown Wool Council to Ministers attending St. Patricks Day parades abroad to showcase were 100% Irish grown wool products, and not 60%, as stated in a response in Dáil Éireann to a Parliamentary Question on 13 June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27225/24]
View answerThe Irish Grown Wool Council celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by commissioning bespoke knitted white woollen throws and emerald green scarves, using Irish grown wool sourced from farms on the Island of Ireland.
The company that produced the items noted on the Irish Grown Wool Council's website, "We knitted the throws and scarves using ‘Irish Heather Yarn’ from Donegal Yarns, which has 60% fine Irish wool, sourced from farms across the island of Ireland, blended with 40% New Zealand wool."
The Irish Grown Wool Council issued the following clarification statement: "This percentage is important to emphasise because one of the key challenges for the Irish wool sector is that the majority of Irish-grown wool from our sheep breeds is greater than 30 microns in fibre diameter, making it a coarser fibre and largely unsuitable for 100% use in apparel (except for select breeds). However, the majority of the 4m sheep in Ireland are a mix of breeds and mixed breeds. Therefore we wanted to highlight that the market opportunity for the majority of Irish-grown wool when being used in wearable textiles will be blending Irish-grown wool with other lower micron count wool. This has the potential to create a viable new channel for using more Irish-grown wool in this market."
The Deputy can find further information the Irish Grown Wool Council's St Patrick's day campaign on their website.
Irish Grown Wool Council launch international campaign for St.Patrick’s Day 2024 - Irish Grown Wool Council
331. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by his Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by his Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27226/24]
View answerMy Department's Freedom of Information Unit has a team dedicated to effectively meeting our statutory obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. All the team works full time except for one person who works a 60% week. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the tables below.
As regards the 13 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.
|
- |
Freedom of Information Unit staff |
|
Grade |
Headcount |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
- |
FOI requests processed by the Department |
|
2023 |
392 |
|
2022 |
368 |
|
2021 |
461 |
332. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will allow maternity leave and benefit to commence at the discretion of the mother in cases where the mother has had her baby during cancer treatment to allow her to choose when her maternity leave and benefit begins, allowing her that time with her newborn rather than have that time taken and lost to her due to cancer treatment; if he will bring this change forward in the upcoming Social Welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27187/24]
View answerThe Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children.At the end of last year I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave.It is planned to bring this forward together with a number of amendments arising out of my Department’s review of Ireland’s equality legislation. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks.
333. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the significant challenges relating to the discharge of wards in line with the provisions of the the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, including in relation to legal supports and costs, IT literacy, etc; how he intends to address these barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27260/24]
View answerOn 26 of April 2023, I commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022.Commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Act brought an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect. All existing wards of court will exit wardship on a phased basis over three years starting from 26th April 2023.My Department has engaged with the Decision Support Service (DSS) , Legal Aid Board and Office of Wards of Court regarding the discharge of wards. My Department continues to chair an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Assisted Decision-Making which has also discussed the process of discharge from wardship and is monitoring the transition to the new support model. While the Assisted Decision-Making Act represents a landmark legal reform in this country, it also necessitates change and reform on a significant scale that requires an adjustment and transition process. In order to support persons transitioning from one system to another, and in particular to facilitate the discharge of wards, a number of supports are available, principally via engagement with the Decision Support Service or the Office of the Wards of Court. There have been a number of targeted actions undertaken, detailed below.The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 as amended by the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Amendment Act 2022, provides for legal aid provisions in respect of applications from discharge from wardship. Where the applicant for legal services is a Ward of Court, the Ward has an entitlement to legal aid in the application for discharge from wardship even if they do not satisfy the financial eligibility criteria provided for in the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 – 2021. This is subject to potential recovery of costs where means exceed a certain threshold. Legal aid is also available in certain other circumstances related to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, and more information is available on the Legal Aid Board website.The Decision Support Service has collaborated with colleagues in the Office of Wards of Court and the Office of the General Solicitor to provide information and assistance for the benefit of wards, their families and committees and for professionals. This has been to provide information about post wardship supports and potential future engagement with the DSS post-wardship.As part of its statutory functions to promote awareness and understanding about the 2015 Act generally, the DSS has also published information on its website about what the 2015 Act means for wards of court with links to other resources.My Department will continue to work with all relevant organisations on the timely discharge of wards of court, and to facilitate the transition from wardship to the new rights based models of support.
334. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of a formal policy on respite, including agreed access and prioritisation criteria, as promised in the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26805/24]
View answer335. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the promised respite investment plan; when will the plan be published; if the plan will focus on respite for persons with disabilities; if not, it will also include respite for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26806/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.
The Action Plan for Disability Service 2024-2026 is a plan for increasing capacity in and access to disability services. The plan outlines actions for the period 2024-2026 under three key areas – providing better access to services, maximising impact of service delivery and improved planning and management through better information and systems.
Actions pertaining to respite services are –
A7.1 Build the capacity for overnight and alternative respite; and
A7.2 Prepare a working paper on respite provision.
Already additional capacity for respite will be delivered by way of additional funding provided in Budget 2024. New development funding of €15m (full year €25m) is being allocated to ensure provision continues to expand significantly across the country with proposals sought to address increasing centre-based capacity, providing new centre-based capacity, increase day/alternative respite options, etc. This process is being managed by the HSE.
The Department is preparing a working paper on respite provision.
At national level, a Monitoring Group has been set up to review progress with the Action Plan twice-yearly. The Monitoring Group is chaired at Ministerial level and membership includes representatives from relevant stakeholders such as Disabled Persons’ Organisations, provider umbrella bodies, and the National Disability Authority. The focus of its work will be to review progress and identify emerging risks or difficulties, in particular those affecting major items in the Action Plan, or where delivery is well off course. Where appropriate and relevant, the Group may make recommendations on how risks or difficulties can be addressed.
I intend to make available information on the significant investment in Specialist Community-Based Disability Respite Services, demonstrating the respite provision that is being supported across communities.
336. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update in relation to the 21 actions for CDNT retention and recruitment as part of the HSE’s Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026, Disability Services for Children and Young People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26815/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
337. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Farrelly Commission, investigation into the care home in the south east; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26822/24]
View answerFollowing an application by the Sole Member of the Commission of Investigation for an extension of time and following consultation with my colleague, Minister of State with special responsibility for Disability, the Commission of Investigation has been granted an extension of the timeframe for completion of its final report, for a period of six months up to 12 September 2024. This was noted at a Government Meeting on 5 March 2024.
