Written Answers Nos. 241-260
241. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the €99.1million in taxpayers' money announced in the Budget that the horse and greyhound fund will now receive would be better spent on public housing, public health and public education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40754/24]
View answerThe horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
An important pillar of Government policy is to ensure that the horse and greyhound racing industries achieve their maximum potential, and in so doing, contribute to economic and social development over a wide geographic distribution. The future of both industries is dependent on a strong governance platform and on the respective industries having the highest standards of integrity and welfare founded on a strong regulatory system, and continued Government support is contingent on both HRI and RCE meeting these requirements.
According to the Deloitte report of May 2023, it is estimated that the thoroughbred industry has an annual economic impact of €2.46 billion with direct and indirect employment of over 30,000 people. The thoroughbred industry, in particular, brings a high level of international investment into Ireland.
According to the 2021 Power Report, the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000. The particular importance of the funding of this industry to rural Ireland is well recognised.
242. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations review in relation to hedgerows; its planned timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40755/24]
View answerAs part of the review process for the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations, a public consultation was conducted in 2023. A total of 64 submissions was received and reviewed in response to that public consultation. Submissions were from statutory agencies, NGOs, farming organisations, farmers, and members of the public.
My department is at present examining these submissions to inform the next steps.
243. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of the public consultation on retention of landscape features and the Environmental Impact Assessment (Agriculture) Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40756/24]
View answerA review of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations was outlined in the Programme for Government .
As part of that review process, a public consultation was conducted in 2023 by my Department. A total of 64 submissions were received and reviewed in response to the public consultation. Submissions were from statutory agencies, NGOs, farming organisations, farmers, and members of the public.
The outcome of this consultation will inform the next steps in due course.
244. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to reduce the delays in the processing of equine passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40775/24]
View answerMy Department is aware of delays in the processing of equine passport applications at Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). This is an operational matter for HSI. My Department has however met with HSI to stress the importance of prompt identification of equines and the need for swift turnaround times in the issuing of identification documents.
My Department has emphasised the need for this situation to improve and for HSI to keep their customers up to date on the status of their passport applications. I am continuing to monitor this matter closely.
245. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the non-coursing greyhound births registered in the Irish Coursing Club’s stud book between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, that related to dogs born in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40785/24]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
The ICC has informed my Department that the number of non-coursing greyhound births registered in the ICC’s stud book between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, that related to dogs born in 2023 is 8,069.
The ICC has also informed my Department that it is important to note some litters may compete under both coursing and racing codes.
246. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the non-coursing greyhound births registered in the Irish Coursing Club’s stud book between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024, that related to dogs born in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40786/24]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the organisation charged with the role of Keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book (IGSB) since 1923. The Stud Book records pedigrees, ownerships, breeding data and transfers of ownership of all greyhounds. The ICC is subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann.
The ICC has informed my Department that the number of the non-coursing greyhound births registered in the ICC’s Stud Book between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024, that related to dogs born in 2023 is 689.
The ICC has also informed my Department that some litters may compete under both coursing and racing codes.
247. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide further information on the allocation made in Budget 2025 of €5 million for a forgotten farmers scheme; the details of the scheme; when these details will be published; when the scheme will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40790/24]
View answerI was pleased to be able to confirm that as part of Budget 2025 my Department secured an allocation of €5 million for 2025 to support the group of farmers commonly referred to as forgotten farmers. Work continues on addressing a number of remaining issues, including state aid considerations, before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants under the scheme can be finalised. Details of the scheme will be made available as soon as this process has been completed.
I am committed to delivering for these farmers, many of whom find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own, at the earliest opportunity in 2025.
Question No. 248, by leave, withdrawn.
249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when part of a building (details supplied) became vacant; the reason for the delay in offering it for tenancy under lease agreement by means of an open competitive process when it could be earning money for the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40818/24]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains the six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl, under statute.
Properties and the units within such properties which are located at the six Fishery Harbour Centres including Ros an Mhíl are, when appropriate, offered for tenancy under lease agreement by means of an open competitive tendering process, in accordance with good practice and public procurement guidelines. My Department is considering the vacant portions of the TCA building at present, with a view to tendering these areas. A previous tender, in 2012, was unsuccessful.
Such tenders are open to all interested parties and are advertised in the press and in the Harbour Master’s office and online at gov.ie - Tenders and Notices (www.gov.ie)
250. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the rules for inshore fishermen with vessels less than 20 metres, accessing Ireland's north-west herring quota (6A South) have been changed from an open fishery to one where they are now required to book in; and the reason the representative organisation for inshore fishermen was not consulted about these changes. [40829/24]
View answerDue to the vulnerable state of the North West Herring stock, for the period 2016 to 2022 monitoring Total Allowable Catches (TACs) were set for a scientific fishery. During this time, the 2012 Herring Policy in relation to the North West Herring Fishery was set aside and under 12m vessels that were not part of the Ring-fenced group were given opportunities to collect data samples to assess the state of the stock. This was managed by issuing authorisations for these vessels in three categories (driftnet, trawler and ringnet). This system required a booking-in process and where the number of applications was greater than the number of vessels assigned to a category, the vessels were selected by lottery.
For 2023, and again in 2024, ICES advised that this stock could be managed as a commercial fishery.
The 2023 North West Herring Fishery opened on 15th November 2023. For the autumn 2023 period, the Non ring-fenced fishery operated as an open fishery (i.e. no booking in required) with a monthly catch limit of 0.5 tonnes per vessel (for vessels greater than or equal to 15m and less than 20m) and 10 tonnes per vessel (for vessels less than 15m). The available quota for the Non ring-fenced fishery was set at 300 tonnes.
On 7th December 2023, the SFPA advised my Department that the uptake of this fishery had reached approximately 310 tonnes. In light of this, I signed Fisheries Management Notice 78 of 2023 which closed the fishery with effect from 13:00 hours on 7th December 2023. The final uptake of quota for this fishery as at 31st December 2023 was 428 tonnes.
Last year, I established the North West Herring Advisory Committee (NWHAC), comprising representatives from relevant industry groups, to advise me within the policy framework, in relation to the management arrangements of the Herring 6a South quota and fishery. However, in late 2023 the National Inshore Fishermen's Association (NIFA) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) informed my Department of their withdrawal from membership of the NWHAC. My Department has engaged with the relevant parties to seek solutions to facilitate the continued involvement of NIFA and NIFF with the NWHAC.
In order to put in place management arrangements for the Autumn 2024 fishery, and to prepare for the Spring 2025 fishery, I requested that my Department review recommendations received both from the remaining members of the NWHAC and NIFA and NIFF, and to provide options to allow the 2024 Autumn fishery to open in a timely manner.
The management arrangements which I approved last week (which are available on my Department's website from the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/4703a-policy-quota-management/#north-west-herring-fishery , are intended to facilitate the sustainable operation of the fishery while offering as many opportunities as possible to the sectors to avail of the limited quota available.
I have also asked that the industry groups make every effort to re-engage with the NWHAC in order to address issues such as optimum times for opening and closing the fishery, contingencies and minimising unwanted bycatch of herring outside of the fishery periods in order to support the sustainable operation of the fishery for future years. It would be preferable if the relevant representative groups could provide focussed advice on the fishery. However, if that does not prove possible, the provision of advice/recommendations on this fishery will have to revert to the Quota Management Advisory Committee.
251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has conducted a capacity review of his Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under his Department’s aegis; if he published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under his aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40831/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my department has in the past ten years externally reviewed our operations. Details of these reviews are set out in the table below.
|
Title of report |
Publication Status |
Implementation |
Outsourced to |
Cost |
|
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine review of the current management systems, structure, staffing and skill set of the three forestry divisions with recommendations for future state |
Intention is to publish as soon as internal consultation on implementation is complete |
Internal consultation underway |
Grant Thornton |
€134,805.02 |
|
Review of Operational Business Areas within One Health, One Welfare Under the Remit of the Chief Veterinary Officer (December 2022) |
Internal |
Project Team in place and implementation underway |
Crowe Ireland |
€139,000 Ex VAT |
|
Review of One Health, One Welfare Divisional Structures (Policy Divisions) (May 2024) |
Internal |
Project Team in place and implementation underway |
Crowe Ireland |
€50,000 Ex VAT |
|
Review of the Import Controls Operations Division (ICOPS) in One Health, One Welfare (2024) |
Not yet finalised |
Not yet finalised |
Crowe Ireland |
Cost paid to date €45,060 Ex VAT |
|
Implementation and embedding a reform programme for the better regulation of food in Ireland |
Internal |
Project Team in place and implementation underway |
AARC and Indecon in association with Farrelly and Mitchell and IT Executive Focus |
This project is carried out with funding by the European Union via the Technical Support Instrument, and in cooperation with the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support of the European Commission (DG REFORM). Funding paid directly by the Commission to the external providers. |
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.
252. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions that will be taken to ensure value for money in the rapid build programme of modular housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40693/24]
View answerAs part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government developed a rapid build housing programme to provide temporary accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland.
As recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General, assessments of the delivery mechanism and of the long-term future use of the units will be carried out in a timely manner. Preparatory work on these assessments is underway.
While the cost increases experienced by the programme have been significant, the cost comparison of rapid build homes to house over 2,600 BOTPs versus other forms of State provided temporary accommodation shows that it will only take five years to deliver significant savings to the State.
In addition, the State has gained valuable experience in the delivery of residential units using modern methods of construction which can be applied elsewhere and could achieve time and budgetary savings at better sites.
This project – the first of its kind – is an important one as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges will provide important future learnings.
The emphasis in this programme is on delivery of quality homes, which will enhance local environments, and this has been a priority. Each site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The rapid build units will be energy efficient and durable, and the sites will be developed in a way that enhances the local area.
While rapid build units will initially be used to temporarily house people fleeing Ukraine, they have the potential to be utilised to address other accommodation challenges, including social housing and student accommodation.
253. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures in place to protect parents when crèches who are registered for the national childcare scheme and the early childhood care and education scheme make payment for a five-day week mandatory, which leads to increased fees for parents who do not avail of the five days per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40716/24]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family.
The NCS is designed to fit around the needs of families. The family agrees the number of hours to be used with provider and (within overall scheme limits) these hours are registered with the scheme administrator. Those hours can be used over any number of days within the week. There are no restrictions on the attendance pattern of families or the number of days they use. The family only needs to agree with the provider the number of hours
It is however a matter for the provider to decide their service offer and their fee structure. They may choose to offer a 5 day only service. They are private businesses and they are free to run their model as they see fit within the parameters of the scheme. Decisions to charge parents on this basis are matters independent of the NCS and actions of the Department.
The NCS subsidies form part of a wider suite of funding supports and those supports should facilitate greater flexibility among providers.
In 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together the ECCE programme, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the NCS, Equal Start and Core Funding.
A key principle of the funding model is that it is family orientated and that, in so far as possible, it should be cognisant of the reasonable needs and choices of parents.
Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is worth €331 million in full year costs for the third year of the scheme to build the partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers. Unlike the NCS, it is not a subsidy mechanism for fees rather the payment is made on the capacity of the services (whether places are filled or not).
Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs, without additional costs being passed on to parents. Core Funding also introduced fee management.
My Department is actively monitoring any issues reported by parents and will adjust policy as required and where the evidence compels such interventions to support accessible and high quality early learning and childcare provision.
254. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update with regard to long-term residential care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40723/24]
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.
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the father of a person (details supplied) has been denied access to try and obtain said assistance for his daughter; if this case can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40739/24]
View answerI must inform the Deputy that I do not become involved in individual cases. In some cases, information can be passed on to Tusla with the express permission of the individuals involved. However, in the particular case highlighted by the Deputy, it is not clear whether all persons involved have given permission for their data to be shared in this manner. As a result, this matter would be best handled through Tusla’s formal comments and complaints process, Tell Us.
The persons involved may do this by directly emailing tellus@tusla.ie, by phoning their local Tusla office, or by post to their local Tusla office. A step-by-step guide to this process, including what information should be included with the comment or complaint, can be found at www.tusla.ie/about/feedback-and-complaints/new-main-tell-us-page/.
Should the persons concerned make a complaint to Tusla but are not happy with the outcome, the next step open to them is to contact the Office of the Ombudsman for Children to review the case. Their details are: Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Millennium House, 52-56 Great Strand Street, D01 F5P8, Dublin 1, Telephone 01-8656800, Freephone 1800 202040 or by email at oco@oco.ie.
256. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1358 of 9 September 2024, in which he states 'Tusla has confirmed that it ceased using the services of this organisation in February 2024', if he is aware that employees (details supplied) have reported that this organisation is still working with Tusla; if he will investigate these claims; to confirm if they are true; and if they are, what actions his Department will take in relation to this. [40753/24]
View answerAs previously indicated to the Deputy, Tusla ceased using the services of this company in February, 2024
The Department was informed by Tusla on 10 September 2024, that one Tusla local area inadvertently re engaged this service for supervised access where another funded agency was not in a position to provide the service required. Tusla has advised that this arrangement ceased on 8th October last.
My Department is currently engaged with Tusla on this matter.
257. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places for disabled persons that were available as of December 2021, December 2022, December 2023 and as of September 2024. [40763/24]
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.
258. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will arrange an immediate assessment with the CDNT in Kilkenny for a child (details supplied); the reason this appointment has taken so long; if they will be given the supports required as a matter of urgency and if he will expedite the matter. [40808/24]
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.
259. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has conducted a capacity review of his Department’s ability to deliver services that they are responsible for in the past ten years to date; the same of State bodies and agencies under his Department’s aegis; if he published those reviews; the number of recommendations implemented arising from the reviews and same for State bodies and agencies under his aegis; if the capacity review was outsourced; and if so, to whom and at what cost. [40832/24]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
260. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health to outline the annual rate of the health levy contribution from 1990 up until it was merged into the universal social charge, any exemptions or exclusions that applied in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40717/24]
View answerThe details requested are set out below.
In 1979, the Health levy was introduced under the Health Contributions Act for private sector employees over the age of 16. Funds raised by the levy were used to by the Department of Health and Children vote to fund the health services.
The levy was charged on all reckonable earnings and was subject to a minimum threshold, under which individuals were not levied. All reckonable pay was gross salaries and wages as reduced by Superannuation and Permanent Health Insurance payments.
Exemptions from paying Health levy, regardless of income:
· Medical Card Holders
· Those aged 70 or older
· Social Welfare Widows/Widowers Allowance recipients
· One Parent Family Payment recipients
· Deserted Wife’s Benefit recipients
Below is an outline of the Health Levy contribution rates from 1990 until 2010, along with key exemptions for each year:
Health Levy Contribution Rates (1990-2010):
|
Year: |
Rate of levy: |
Exemptions: |
|
1990 |
1.25% |
Individuals with incomes below £16,700 |
|
1991 |
1.25% |
As above. |
|
1992 |
1.25% |
As above. |
|
1993 |
1.25% |
As above. |
|
1994 |
1.25% |
Exemptions for incomes below £9,000 |
|
1995 |
1.25% |
Exemptions for incomes below £9,250 |
|
1996 |
1.25% |
Exemptions for incomes below £9,750 |
|
1997 |
1.25% |
Exemptions for incomes below £10,250 |
|
1998 |
1.25% |
Exemptions for incomes below £10,750 |
|
1999 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below £11,250 |
|
2000 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below £14,560 |
|
2001 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below £14,560 |
|
2002 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below €356 per week (€18,512 annually). |
|
2003 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below €356 per week (€18,512 annually). |
|
2004 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below €356 per week (€18,512 annually). |
|
2005 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below €400 per week (€20,800 annually). |
|
2006 |
2.00% |
Exemptions for incomes below €440 per week (€22,880 annually). |
|
2007 |
2.00% (up to €100,100); 2.50% (over €100,100) |
Exemptions for incomes below €480 per week (€24,960 annually). |
|
2008 |
2.00% (up to €100,100); 2.50% (over €100,100) |
Exemptions for incomes below €500 per week (€26,000 annually). |
|
2009 |
Jan-March: 2.00% (up to €100,100); 2.50% (over €100,100), April-Dec: 4.00% (up to €75,036); 5.0% (over €75,036) |
Exemptions for incomes below €500 per week (€26,000 annually). |
|
2010 |
4.00% (up to €75,036); 5.0% (over €75,036) |
Exemptions for incomes below €500 per week (€26,000 annually). |
|
2011 |
N/A (merged into USC)* |
* The Minister for Finance announced that a new Universal Social Contribution (USC) would replace employee PRSI, the health levy and the income levy. It would be paid by everyone at a low rate on a wide base as a collective contribution to public services.
Key Exemptions or Exclusions:
- Exemption for low incomes: The Health Levy was not applicable to individuals whose incomes fell below a certain threshold. This threshold increased gradually over time.
- Social welfare payments: Recipients of certain social welfare payments (such as state pensions) were generally exempt from the Health Levy.
- Medical cardholders: Holders of medical cards were typically exempt from paying the Health Levy.
