Written Answers Nos. 491-510
491. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice to outline the full range of functions and responsibilities of the Gambling Regulator; who will issue licences; if local authorities will continue to have an input or role in the licence issuing process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31355/23]
View answerThe Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was published on 2 December 2022 and is publicly available on the Oireachtas website. The Bill sets out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – and for a robust regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online, and for the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.
The Bill completed Second Stage in the Dáil on 6 December 2022. My Department is currently preparing amendments to the Bill for Committee Stage, which is expected to take place on 11 July 2023.
The proposed functions of the Authority are provided at section 14 of the Bill, including that the Authority will be the licensing authority for gambling services and activities in the State. Section 97 of the Bill provides that, with regard to assessment of suitability of premises where it is proposed to provide a gambling activity, the Authority shall consult with the local authority in the local authority area in which the premises concerned are located; this is separate to the powers held by local authorities with regard to planning permission.
492. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the workforce plan for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority; how many bailiffs are currently employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31229/23]
View answerThe Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is a state agency under the aegis of my Department. The SFPA is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. All operational issues are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
493. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the deadline attached to the funding of €1.2 million provided by his Department for Bunbeg pier in County Donegal can be extended by a year to account for the current delays in awarding foreshore licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31230/23]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an application made under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023. This Scheme flows from the Seafood Taskforce report and is aimed exclusively at the rejuvenation of local authority owned public piers and harbours with the objective of offsetting the impact of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement. The Scheme is funded from the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/1755).
The current requirement is to have funding spent by the end of 2023, however, my Department is liaising with Donegal County Council regarding progression of the project and with the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Foreign Affairs regarding pathways to ensuring delivery of this project.
494. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to including combine harvesters in the eligible equipment list for the tillage capital investment scheme under TAMS II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30580/23]
View answerThe TAMS II scheme closed in December 2022. The TAMS 3 scheme opened on the 22nd February 2023 and provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for 5 years with a budget of €370m.
There is currently a wide range of machinery for tillage farmers in the TAMS 3 suite of schemes, including cultivation equipment, seed drills, GPS controlled fertiliser spreaders and GPS controlled sprayers in addition to crop storage and handling facilities.
Ireland’s SWOT Analysis and Needs Assessment for the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) identified the need to increase environmental efficiency in the agricultural sector through on farm investment and the adoption of new technologies; the need to support young farmers in accessing finance so they are in a better position to invest in and develop their farm enterprise; and the need to improve animal health and welfare, and farm safety on farms. Additionally, it is a requirement that all eligible investments are directly linked to climate and environment/animal related indicators with a clear and direct benefit for the environment and climate or animal welfare. Further, it is a requirement that funded investments go beyond normal practices and mandatory requirements. The inclusion of combine harvesters in the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme was not seen as meeting the scheme objectives.
495. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given increasing the maximum funding ceiling for the tillage capital investment scheme under TAMS II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30581/23]
View answerThe TAMS II scheme closed in December 2022. The TAMS 3 scheme opened on the 22nd February 2023 and provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for five years. Under TAMS 3, the ceiling for investment for the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme (TCIS) was reset and increased to €90,000 per holding for the duration of the scheme. This means every farmer who benefited under TAMS II can reapply in full under TAMS 3.
There are no plans to increase the investment ceiling available for TCIS under TAMS 3 in 2023.
496. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the tillage capital investment scheme under TAMS II in 2022 and 2023; the number of applications submitted under each category; the number of applications approved, and the total spend under each category; the average payment made under each category; if this information will be provided in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30582/23]
View answerThe Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS II closed to applications on 16th December 2022. The breakdown for the years 2022 and 2023 is provided below in tabular form for TAMS II.
It should be noted that approvals issued in 2023 below are for applications received in the last tranche of TAMs II. The first tranche of TAMS 3 opened in February 2023 and will close Friday 30 June. The number of applications received in 2023 will only be known after this date.
TAMS II - Tillage Capital Investment Scheme
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Applications Received |
915 |
0 |
|
Applications Approved |
687 |
253 |
|
Applications Paid |
507 |
118 |
|
Amount Paid |
€3,846,307.96 |
€981,482.06 |
|
Average Payment |
€7,586.41 |
€8,317.64 |
497. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the protein aid scheme to date in 2023; the level of funding allocated to date in 2023; if he intends to increase the overall funding for the scheme in 2024 in order to allow more farmers to partake in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30591/23]
View answerThe Protein Aid Scheme is a Voluntary Coupled Income Support under article 33 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115.
The scheme is designed to provide a direct financial support for farmers who grow eligible protein crops which fix nitrogen in the soil from the atmosphere, thereby resulting in reduced chemical nitrogen fertiliser dependency.
A budget of €35 million over the lifetime of Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) has been allocated to Protein Aid. This equates to €7 million annually, a significant increase over previous years budgets of €3 million per annum.
Applications for the scheme were made via the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) online application system. The closing date for applications was 29 May. However late applications could be submitted up to midnight on 23 June and the final total number of protein applications is not yet available.
498. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline how his Department intends to incentivise farmers to reach the target of 20,000 hectares of beans planted by 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30592/23]
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 including beans, 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 per annum in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023 - 2027. The overall rate of payment per hectare is dependent on the area of eligible crops sown.
The importance of the tillage sector is recognised in the Food Vision 2030 strategy and in the Climate Action Plan 2023 where a target is set out to increase the area in tillage to 400,000 hectares. This is well founded given that the sector is one of the most carbon efficient sectors of Irish agriculture.
To help achieve this target, I recently established the Food Vision 2030 Tillage Group which had its first meeting on 11 May 2023. This group brings together all relevant stakeholders to set out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 2030.
I have tasked the group with providing a detailed plan and recommendations by the final quarter of this year.
499. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to address situations where individuals have begun a fishing vessel decommissioning process, but due to delays in the process, they have not received any payments and cannot fish as a livelihood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30764/23]
View answer500. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with individuals who are currently applicants to the fishing vessel decommissioning scheme to address deficiencies in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30765/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 499 and 500 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme was developed based on a recommendation of the Seafood Task Force. In making the recommendation, the Task Force recognised and cited conditions which were required to be included in the scheme in order to satisfy EU regulations and guidelines. The scheme, necessarily, has a robust process to ensure successful implementation and fairness for all stakeholders in each participating vessel. It is on the basis of the suitability of the scheme design that it was successful in its application for State Aid at EU level.
In recognising the length of the decommissioning process, vessels which opt to take part in the scheme can receive 50% of the scheme payment upon acceptance of the offer under the scheme, which includes the deregistration of the vessel and surrendering of the sea fishing boat licence. Scheme participants can continue to engage in fishing activity up until the point of surrendering the licence.
As part of the deregistration process the participant must also either clear any outstanding mortgages or charges on the vessel, or provide written approval from the mortgage provider to proceed with the deregistration and decommissioning. On this latter condition, BIM have engaged with financial institutions to facilitate participation in the scheme.
Upon the scrapping of the vessel and the meeting of all necessary terms and conditions of the scheme, the applicant can receive the second and final payment.
Each application is managed on a case by case basis and any applicant with concerns should engage with BIM to ensure their application is progressed. Beyond this, I am continuing to engage with industry and ensure support for the development of sustainable fisheries and the wider seafood sector.
501. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals for a voluntary dairy reduction scheme that are being explored as part of the food vision dairy group; the consideration that is being given to including an entry scheme for young farmers as part of, or alongside the proposed exit scheme; the different proposals being considered as part of a voluntary scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30786/23]
View answerI established the Food Vision Dairy Group last year to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process. The first priority for the Group was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent. The Dairy Group submitted its final report in October 2022, which has been published on my Department’s website. The report identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022. A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd. My officials are currently working to explore this proposal further and there will be significant engagement with stakeholders over the coming months on the parameters of the scheme. Our dairy farmers and the entire sector is already very sustainable but I want to make us even more sustainable. I want to build a strong and sustainable future for our dairy farmers and the subsequent generations of dairy farmers. I will work collectively and collaboratively with dairy farmers and their representatives in charting a pathway forward.
502. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in granting approval to persons who wish to plant forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30790/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and our overall climate and environment.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
My Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission in order to secure approval. Once it is received, we will be in a position to launch new forestry schemes, subject to finalisation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
While we await State Aid approval, my Department is continuing to process applications that are in the system in the normal manner, progressing to the point just before certification and approval. The aim is to have processed as many grant aid applications as possible so that approvals will be ready to issue as soon as allowable.
In recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department also engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme under De Minimis rules. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. To date we have 1,718 hectares in the Interim Afforestation Scheme.
The launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for everyone in my Department and all efforts are directed towards its early introduction.
503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the Ireland-New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism pilot research initiative; the progress that has been made to date on the four projects funded under the initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30803/23]
View answerInternational research collaboration is important in developing solutions to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions from agriculture and is a critical element of my Departments research funding programme.
The establishment of the Joint Research Mechanism in May 2022, governing the collaboration between my Department and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) New Zealand, facilitates research partnerships to address both countries shared climate challenges and contribute to evidence-based solutions to mitigate the impact of pasture-based, ruminant livestock systems on climate change.
In this spirit, the first competitive research call under the Joint Research Mechanism was launched last year, and this resulted in four successful projects being awarded funding of €3.6million from my Department, with a total of €7.1million awarded when the contribution of the New Zealand MPI is included.
The projects are in key areas including rumen microbiology for reducing GHG emissions, monitoring and emission reduction technologies, and inventory improvement. Currently, the projects are at an early stage of progress with the focus on laying the foundations for the upcoming experimental work and analysis, with further information to be submitted to my Department by the end of September as part of the required six month progress report.
Building further on the 2022 Call, a new Joint Research Call between my Department and the MPI was announced in May this year, which will see an additional investment of over €3million by my Department for research that includes breeding and feed additives, as well as new areas related to organic agricultural soils and agri-digitalisation in support of climate action.
Taken together, the progress under the Joint Research Mechanism over the last 14-months demonstrates significant cooperation and commitment between both countries to develop new insights and technologies to mitigate agriculture's impact on climate change.
504. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update in relation to the Control of Dogs Act 1986 working group; if he will provide details of the number of additional dog wardens to be recruited; if there are any plans for a recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30854/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, In January this year I convened a Working Group on the Control of Dogs.
The Group is composed of officials at my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, representatives of the County and City Managers Association, including representatives of local authority dog wardens and veterinary inspectors, and representatives of An Garda Síochána.
Among 15 recommendations, the report contains a recommendation to increase the number of dog wardens, noting the increased resource allocation which will be necessary to achieve this. The report identifies the local authorities as the lead agency on this recommendation. My Department does not have a role in the recruitment of dog wardens, whose function is under the Control of Dogs Act and whose services are engaged by local authorities.
505. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that will be taken to reduce the deer population following the consultation process carried out by his Department where 86% of the persons who took part in the survey said a culling of deer is required; if he will outline the plans in place to manage the increasing deer population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30876/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, policy responsibility for deer and other wildlife resides with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I am aware of the importance of the sustainable management of our national deer population for agriculture, forestry as well as overall biodiversity within nature ecosystems. In order to address this the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I convened the Deer Management Strategy group last Autumn, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Teddy Cashman. On foot of a recommendation of the strategy group an open public consultation on the management of deer was launched late last year by myself and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
This was the first major public consultation into the impact of deer and it received over 1,500 submissions from all over the country and all walks of life.
The role of the Deer Management strategy group is to develop a strategy for sustainable management of the national deer population. It does not include a research mandate and is not conducting research on specific population control methods.
The next phase in the process is the development of a series of recommendations by five sub-committees under the following headings.
• Legislation,
• Venison,
• Collaboration / Groups,
• Training / Education,
• Solutions for land management.
Stakeholders participating in these subcommittees include representatives of deer hunting and conservation groups, venison processing and marketing representative groups, farm representative organisations, forestry organisations, Coillte, the Wicklow Uplands Council, the NPWS and my department.
506. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has conducted any analysis of the percentage increase in the cost of farm fertiliser in each of the past 24 months; and if so, if he can provide the figures to this Deputy. [30888/23]
View answerMy Department has no function in terms of fertiliser prices, beyond the regulatory function of ensuring fertiliser products placed on the market are in keeping with the regulatory framework. However I have continued to monitor the market situation given the negative impact that high fertiliser prices have had on farmers’ expenditure and profitability.
Figures from Eurostat suggest that fertiliser, energy and feed accounted for 55% of farm input costs in 2022, up from 43% in 2020. In addition, fertiliser prices peaked in April 2022, up 178% in the year. This is corroborated by the CSO Agricultural Price Index. However, the CSO index shows that overall fertiliser prices have reduced 28.1% for the year April 2022 to April 2023 (the latest index available) with a 14.1% reduction occurring in March 2023.
Accordingly, the rise in fertiliser prices over the past 18 months has been significant. Whilst prices have moderated somewhat from their peak of last year, they still remain elevated.
There are a number of factors at play in the market including energy prices, increased global demand particularly from the big grain-producing countries, controls on fertiliser exports from large fertiliser producing countries, increased transport costs, EU-imposed tariffs and duties on certain Third Country imports and the impact of the sanctions regime arising from the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, all of which have impacted on fertiliser prices for our farmers.
You will be aware that there are no fertilisers manufactured in Ireland. Irish fertiliser companies blend a number of imported fertiliser products into different compositions suitable for agricultural use in Ireland. As a result, indigenous fertiliser companies are price-takers, dependent on global supply and demand and subject to Euro exchange rates against the US dollar and other currencies on the price they pay for fertiliser.
To support farmers in terms of advice, I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee and over the course of the past year, instigated a series of targeted interventions for farmers, including those for the tillage sector and a multi-species sward initiative, as well as Fodder Support Schemes to support farmers dealing with the impacts on the supply chain.
We continue to actively engage with the sector and monitor the situation over the period ahead. I will continue to support our farm families and their businesses in the time ahead.
507. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there are different scoring timeframes for groups participating in ACRES co-operation project teams; if he will allow the same timeframes across all participants in this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30920/23]
View answerAll ACRES participants are subject to the same scoring timelines.
The Deputy will be aware that over 46,000 farmers applied to join the ACRES Scheme and I was pleased to approve entry to the Scheme to all those that qualified earlier this year.
ACRES comprises two streams, Co-operation Project (CP) and General. Participants in the eight CP Zones will receive results-based payments, whereas those in the General stream could have chosen results-based actions on application. All of these lands will be scored over the summer months, by approved ACRES advisors, who have completed the mandatory in-field scorecard training. Scorecards are already being submitted by advisors daily. As part of the specification for Tranche 1 of ACRES, all relevant parcels must be scored and submitted by 31st August 2023.
508. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Rasaíocht Con Éireann's traceability system records the date, specific location and method of disposal of the carcasses of all deceased non-coursing greyhounds registered on the RCETS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31018/23]
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.
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.
509. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can specify the importer and distributor of the 30,000 ash plants infected with ash die back (Chalara fraxinea), imported from continental Europe and planted over 11 sites which he had cut and destroyed by burning in October 2012, as detailed by his predecessor in Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 15 November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31047/23]
View answer510. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can specify the location of the 11 sites where his predecessor identified 30,000 ash plants infected with ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea), which he had destroyed by burning in October 2012 as detailed in Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 15 November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31048/23]
View answer511. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will correct his response to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 May 2022, in which he stated that "the exact origin of ash dieback disease in Ireland or when it was introduced are unknown", given that his predecessor stated in response to a Parliamentary Question on 15 November 2012 that the origin of the disease (Chalara fraxinea) was confirmed as originating in a consignment of 30,000 ash plants imported from continental Europe which were planted on 11 sites which he had cut and destroyed by burning in his "effort to stop the spread of the disease and prevent further infection"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31049/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509 to 511, inclusive, together.
I will not be correcting or making any amendments to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 26 May 2022.
My response on that date stated two things and I quote directly “Ash dieback disease was first found in Ireland in late 2012” and I further stated in that same reply “The exact origin of ash dieback disease in Ireland or when it was introduced are unknown. It is likely that the disease was introduced into Ireland on infected plants for use in either forest, farm or roadside planting.” Both of these statements are correct as a first finding is not considered proof of the origin of the disease in Ireland.
Furthermore, these statements are entirely consistent with my predecessors response of 15 November 2012. In your question you state that my predecessor stated in response to a Parliamentary Question on 15 November 2012 that the origin of the disease was confirmed as originating in a consignment of 30,000 ash plants imported from continental Europe. However, I have checked the record and my predecessor in fact stated in his response that “The first finding of the disease was confirmed on 12 October 2012 in County Leitrim.”
In relation to the first finding and the associated trees, it is not appropriate to share details of the business names, importers and distributors involved. Apart from the fact that these businesses did not do anything illegal in importing and distributing imported trees, my Department relies on information from members of the public and from businesses in its role in tackling the risks of introduction and establishment of harmful pests and diseases. Publishing their names may also be harmful to their reputation among the wider public. Importers of certain plants and tree species are subject to pre-notification requirements.
My Department for many years after the first finding of the disease provided regular updates on its website regarding the location of the ash dieback findings on a 10 kilometre square basis. Right now the disease is widespread in Europe and across Ireland, occurring here in every County.
