Written Answers Nos. 509-523
512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from a person (details supplied); if he will review the responses that issued in order to be satisfied the information provided was accurate; and if he will engage with the person. [21565/23]
View answerI advise the Deputy that this matter relates to issues surrounding a former employee of this Department. While I cannot share personal details relating to an individual, I can state that the matters, including the correspondence have been dealt with appropriately and correctly.
As this relates to a former employee of this Department, it is not appropriate for me, as Minister, to comment further on this situation.
513. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry received a reduced organics payment; if this payment will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21576/23]
View answerThe Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) contract for the person named, commenced on 1st May 2021. The participant declared 110.06 hectares in their 2021 BPS application, which was then used to calculate their Organic Farming Scheme payment.
As per the OFS 2021 terms and conditions, payment was computed based on a minimum stocking level of 0.5 livestock units per hectare of the forage area declared on an applicant’s BPS application. Farmers not reaching this level will receive payment on a pro-rata basis to their level of production.
Based on the stocking declaration submitted by the participant in respect of 2021, it was determined that the minimum stocking level was not reached and the participant received a reduced pro-rata payment.
After review, it has been determined that there was an error in the form submitted by the OFS participant, which resulted in the reduced payment. A correcting balance payment will issue in the coming days and the participant has been contacted regarding this matter.
514. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the contribution of the Irish greyhound industry to GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/23]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
According to the 2021 Power Report, commissioned by RCÉ, 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 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are 6,211 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector is estimated at 10,361.
515. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person is permitted to burn off scrub land during the summer months if the purpose of the burn is to reclaim land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21587/23]
View answerThe burning of scrub during the summer months is not allowed. Under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976, as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000, growing vegetation cannot be burnt between 1st March and 31st August of any given year.
Where land has been burned between 1st March and 31st August, it is not in a state suitable for grazing or cultivation and therefore is not eligible for payment for the remainder of the year.
Please note that under the new land eligibility rules for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability scheme (BISS) and other CAP area-based schemes, up to 50% of the area of a parcel can contain Beneficial Features like scrub, rock, trees, woodland, habitats with no loss of payments to the farmer.
516. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a support package for the sheep sector can be established through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund, given the extreme financial pressures faced by sheep farmers in Ireland; if he will direct officials in his Department to develop a case study for the provision of financial support through the fund, given that the sheep sector is one of the most affected sectors as a result of the UK's withdrawal from the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21598/23]
View answerA vibrant sheep sector is as an integral element of a balanced regional economy and I know that sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product.
Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 compared to recent years. The Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. However, it is heartening to see markets are now returning consistently better prices for farmers than at the start of the year. According to my Department’s weekly Meat Market Report, the national average price for Irish sheepmeat at the end of April (week 17) was over €7.31/kg and wassimilar to the levels prevailing during the corresponding periods in 2021 and 2022.
It should be noted that, to bolster the sustainability of sheep farming, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme, which aims to improve sheep health and welfare - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
My Department has received over 19,000 applications for the new Sheep Improvement Scheme, which has a 20% increase in the payment rate per ewe - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports over the period to 2027 for farm families. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other CSP schemes, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and which are likely to provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers this year.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers in ACRES which I am certain will also benefit many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
Additionally, over the last year I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs by introducing:
- a €56 million fodder incentive scheme;
- an innovative €8 million national liming programme; and
- a €2.5m package for multi-species swards and red clover to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.
While market returns have reduced for sheep farmers, mainly because of increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that family farm income for specialised sheep farms in 2023 will be €19,500, a reduction of 2% on 2022. This reflects the important role which direct payments play in supporting sheep farm incomes.
With regard to the current challenges facing the sector, I have requested my officials to closely monitor the sheep market situation over the coming months and the Government will continue to make every effort to support the sector.
517. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that there is no digital exclusion in the delivery of public services by his Department; if he can confirm that all grant schemes and payment schemes under the auspices of his Department are accessible not just to online applicants, but can also be accessed and processed by people who are digitally excluded; if he will list all schemes that are only available to online applicants; how this sits with the Citizen Information Board report on digital exclusion and eGovernment in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21616/23]
View answerThe online administration of schemes by my Department has a range of benefits especially for applicants by allowing for more efficient processing of scheme applications and payments. It is undertaken as part of wider Government policy for provision of digital services to citizens.
Whilst the vast majority of EU and Exchequer based schemes administered by the Department are subject to online application, more often on a statutory basis, the Department does take steps to ensure that for those for whom this avenue of application represents a challenge, options are certainly available.
DAFM facilitate annual outreach events around the country where applicants can enrol and have their application completed and queries responded to. For example, in 2022 over 800 farmers were assisted at the Basic Payment Scheme clinics and at the Public Office in Portlaoise to submit their application. My Department made hundreds of calls to farmers in the run up to the deadline, for example if a draft application had not been submitted online.
Furthermore over 15,000 calls were answered by the Direct Payments Helpdesk during the application window. An extensive campaign is also currently ongoing for the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme and the Basis Income Support for Sustainability Scheme, with over 30 clinics ongoing around the country.
The Department stand at the National Ploughing Champions is a working office and last year in the region of 15,000 farmers engaged with farm scheme administrators around queries across a wide range of schemes.
In many instances farmers also choose to make use of Teagasc or independent Agricultural Consultancy services in completing their applications. It is also open to farmers to contact and engage or directly call into Department Offices in seeking assistance with scheme application issues.
For the seafood sector, applications for grant schemes as implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), are solely carried out on its online Grants Electronic Management System (GEMS). Assistance with online applications and more general scheme queries is provided as required by BIMs network of area and regional officers.
Initiatives are being developed by BIM to provide digital literacy supports to the seafood sector and provision exists within the Department’s European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027 to fund such initiatives.
I am satisfied that the efficiencies garnered from a predominantly online application environment for farmers with respect to DAFM administered schemes is not in any sense at the expense or to the exclusion of any applicant or applicants for whom this modus operandi may continue to represent a challenge.
A full list of DAFM Schemes, information on their terms and conditions and their modus operandi with respect to applications processes is available via the following link on the Gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/73aea-schemes-and-services-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/.
518. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on banning or restricting the use of glyphosate. [21674/23]
View answerThe current approval for glyphosate will expire in December 2023 and the EU process considering whether or not to renew the approval is ongoing. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant scientific data and a rigorous peer review process led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Following this process, the European Commission will draft a regulatory proposal for consideration at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticides legislation.
The Department will finalise its position on glyphosate taking into account EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions, as it does for all pesticide substances.
519. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can retrieve the herd number, now dormant, held by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21745/23]
View answerThe ER1 application form to reactivate a herd number was posted to the named applicant today. When this form is completed by the applicant, returned to Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) and processed the applicant will be informed of the outcome by the RVO. If the applicant has further queries on the matter, they can contact the RVO by calling the office on (061) 500900 or by email Clare_DVO@agriculture.gov.ie.
520. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing the funding for the Protein Aid and Protein/Cereal Mix (50/50) Crop Scheme by 50%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21868/23]
View answerThe Protein Aid Scheme is one of a series of measures I have introduced to support the tillage sector in improving our self-sufficiency in the production of grain and protein crops.
Protein crops serve as a valuable break crop in tillage rotations and play an important role in fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere, helping to reduce nitrogen fertiliser usage. The Protein Aid Scheme provides support for the eligible protein crops of beans, peas, lupins and soya and for protein/cereal mix crops.
I more than doubled the budget for the Protein Aid Scheme from €3 million to €7 million in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023 - 2027. The overall rate of payment per hectare is dependent on the area of eligible crops sown.
In the 2022 Protein Aid Scheme, just over €3.2 million was paid out to 946 farmers on an area of approximately 11,000 hectares.
Whilst the final area of protein crops planted will not be known until after the closing date for the Basic Income Support Scheme deadline, the latest estimates from industry is that the area planted to protein crops in 2023 will be in the region of 15,000 hectares. Based on these estimates the rates of payment will be significantly higher when compared with rates of payment per hectare in 2022.
521. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of people receiving Specialist Community-Based Disability Services from organisations funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 and as a percentage of the total number of people receiving Specialist Community-Based Disability Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21048/23]
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.
522. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of whole-time equivalent staff working in Specialist Community-Based Disability Services funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 and as a percentage of the total number of whole-time equivalent staff working in Specialist Community-Based Disability Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21049/23]
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.
523. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional cost of increasing the universal national childcare scheme subsidy by €1 and €2, in tabular form. [21050/23]
View answerThere are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
• Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
At Budget time I allocated a total of €358 million under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for 2023. This figure is based on an additional €121 million being made available as a result of the estimated full year costs of a number of amendments to the Scheme:
• The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in school pre-school or school from overall NCS hours reward as of May 2022.
• The increase in the upper age eligibility for the NCS universal subsidy from 3 years to all children under 15 years as of August 2022.
• An increase in the NCS minimum subsidy from €0.50 to €1.40 as of 2nd January 2023.
Given the recent nature of these changes, full year data is not available on claimants under the Scheme on which to provide an exact cost for the Deputy's proposed change.
Using the ESRI SWITCH model, my officials have been able to simulate these increases in the NCS Universal Subsidy to generate a percentage increase in the full year costs of NCS for each change. These changes are then applied to the current expenditure estimates for 2023. The results are given in the below table.
Increasing the Universal Subsidy
|
Universal Subsidy per hour |
Percentage increase derived from SWITCH |
Cost of increase based on application to cost estimate at time of Budget 2023 (€358m) |
|
€2.40 (€1 increase) |
37.6% |
€134.6m |
|
€3.40 (€2 increase) |
75.2% |
€269.2m |
These estimates come with a number of caveats. Firstly, It should be noted that the minimum rate of the NCS income assessed subsidy also increases when increasing the universal subsidy. The ultimate impact of the changes from Budget 23 are yet to fully realised and as such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates. In addition, these costing are on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible early learning and childcare remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviours in families, for example, women returning to workforce and using formal early and childcare for the first time.
