Paul Donnelly
Question:784. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of each bonus payment to employees of Greyhound Racing Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland in 2021 and 2022. [40404/23]
View answerGreyhound Industry
Questions (784)
Written answers
Rásaíocht 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.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and HRI and, therefore, the question has been referred to the bodies for direct reply.
State Properties
Questions (785)
Emer Higgins
Question:785. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the policy in relation to occupancy of States assets at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40415/23]
View answerWritten answers
The lands and buildings at Longtown Farm were purchased by the OPW as a Veterinary Research Farm for my Department following the transfer of Abbotstown Farm to the National Sports Campus Authority pursuant to a Government decision. While my Department is not the registered owner of Longtown Farm lands and buildings, it does control and manage the farm. There are three residential properties on Longtown Farm - two are currently occupied, while the other property is not habitable and is therefore currently unoccupied. As Longtown Farm is a veterinary research facility, in operation 24/7, some staff are required to reside on site for operational reasons.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (786)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:786. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the farm restructuring guidelines to qualify for farm consolidation relief (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40424/23]
View answerWritten answers
While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I work closely with him to ensure that it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agri-food sector.
One of the measures designed to support farmers is relief from Capital Gains Tax (CGT), where farmland is sold for farm restructuring purposes. Farm Restructuring Relief applies to the sale and purchase of land leading to reduced fragmentation of the overall farm holding. The sale and purchase must result in an overall reduction in the distance between farm parcels, thereby making the farm more efficient and improving the operation and viability of the farm.
Section 604B Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 (TCA) provides for this Relief and specifies that a Farm Restructuring Certificate must be issued by Teagasc to the farmer restructuring his or her holding. It identifies the lands and certifies that Teagasc is satisfied that the sale and purchase of lands complies with the conditions of restructuring as set out in the Farm Restructuring Guidelines, which are attached as requested, and are also available online.
Transactions eligible for Farm Restructuring Relief may also be eligible for Stamp Duty Relief for farm consolidation at a reduced rate of 1%.
Animal Welfare
Questions (787)
Willie O'Dea
Question:787. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will appoint an animal welfare inspector for Limerick; what efforts the Government is making to deal with the increase in cases of animal cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40472/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013, my Department has primary policy responsibility for the welfare of all animals.Since the introduction of the Act, over 1,000 Department officials have been designated as authorised officers under the Act and their responsibilities include the enforcement of animal welfare legislation provided for under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department's network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, including the Regional Veterinary Office in Limerick.Members of An Garda Síochána and officers of the Customs and Excise Service are directly authorised under the Act. The CEO of a local authority may also appoint officers of that local authority as authorised officers under the Act.The Minister may also enter into service agreements under which authorised officers may be appointed. Inspectors of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rásaíocht Con Eireann, and the Irish Horse Racing Board have been appointed as authorised officers in this way. It is the responsibility of these organisations to then allocate these staff resources as appropriate to their particular roles.
In December 2022, I announced the record allocation of over €5.8 million in funding to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. This achieved and exceeded the commitment in the Programme for Government to double the funding allocated within two years and marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.
The importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare, was an important criteria of this funding. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally and can raise awareness on responsible animal ownership.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.
The dedicated e-mail address and Helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
Forestry Sector
Questions (788)
Robert Troy
Question:788. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new forestry grant scheme for native Irish trees will be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40624/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027, which opened for applications on the 6th of September, offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options, including native trees through Forest Types 1, 2 and 3. The annual broadleaf target has increased from 30% to 50% of total annual planting. This is reflected in a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of a native forest.
My Department also intends to launch the Native Tree Area (NTA) Scheme in the coming weeks. An amendment to the Forestry Act removed the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare, and the NTA Scheme will, through its eligibility criteria, ensure that all tree planting works are undertaken in a legally compliant and sustainable manner. It is my objective to encourage and increase interest in small-scale planting, and I am confident that this change to the Act and the launch of the NTA Scheme will remove a barrier to such planting.
I would encourage all landowners, particularly farmers, to consider the diverse and well-funded forestry options on offer, as there is something to suit all land types and size of holding.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (789)
Johnny Guirke
Question:789. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a progress update on the plan to provide supports to the forgotten farmers; if he can now provide a definite schedule for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40635/23]
View answerWritten answers
I have long supported the cohort of farmers known as the forgotten farmers and I have committed to supporting them who find themselves, in many cases, in this situation through no fault of their own.
My Department developed a preliminary outline of a proposal to provide support to the forgotten farmer group. Work is ongoing on addressing a number of issues, such as the funding required and consistency with the public expenditure, 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.
Tillage Sector
Questions (790)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:790. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing the grant ceiling for the tillage capital investment scheme to €150,000; and the current annual cost of the scheme with existing ceiling levels. [40645/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
There is a wide range of tillage investments available under the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, with a €90,000 ceiling for individuals and €160,000 for registered farm partnerships. Currently, these ceilings are spread across all TAMS schemes, with the exception of the Solar Capital Investment Scheme and the Low Emission Slurry Scheme, where individual ring-fenced ceilings apply. Eligible applicants can also avail of grant aid for these tillage investments in the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and Organic Capital Investment Scheme, at a rate of 60%.
The last full year of the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme resulted in 493 payment claims, totaling €3,873,245. Based on the number of applications in 2022, an increase in any potential ring-fenced ceiling for the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme to €150,000 would cost an additional €21.7 million.
TAMS 3 is a demand-led scheme, with significant budgetary constraints. As a result, it is not possible to consider increasing ceiling levels in any of the schemes under TAMS at this time.
Customs and Excise
Questions (791)
Catherine Murphy
Question:791. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of counterfeit veterinary prescription drugs and animal growth hormones seized by customs officials at privately owned and State airports and ports of entry and exit that were passed to his Department for examination; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [40693/23]
View answerWritten answers
Further time is sought to establish if the specified items listed have been passed to DAFM from Customs for the time period referenced.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
There is no record of any counterfeit veterinary prescription drugs or animal growth hormones being seized by Customs officials at privately owned and State airports and ports of entry and exit being passed to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) for examination during the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. Revenue conducts risk analysis on all goods entering Ireland from outside the EU. Where Revenue identifies a risk in relation to veterinary medicines, they refer the matter to DAFM officials who seize the products as appropriate.
The Department retains records of veterinary medicines seized at airports and ports of entry and exit for examination during the period. The attached tables, one per year (or part thereof), include details of the items seized and the location; their value is not recorded.
Not included in these tables are details of veterinary medicines seized by DAFM officials at mail centres which would occur on a much more frequent basis compared to airport/port locations.
2019
|
Location of airport/ port |
Product seized |
Quantity |
|
Received from Dublin Port Customs officials |
Prilactone Next x 180 tabs; Vetmedin Vet 10mg x 50 tabs; Benefortin x 140 tabs; Upcard 3mg x 200 tabs. |
570 tablets |
|
Dublin airport |
This list was handwritten so there may be some typographical errors: 1 box Gpabekto “Braveco”, 100ml aluminium spray, 1 x 3 x 1ml ampoule Interlentrin 2, 2 x 10ml tubes Mastitis tub vet, 2 x 10ml tubes procaine benzylpenicillin, 2 x 8.5 gm intramammary, 100ml oxytocin, 100 ml Enrofloxacin 10%, 100ml Cyanocobalamin, 100ml Novocaine 2%, 100ml Spaz Farm Calcium Boroglucanute, 100ml Novocaine 0.5%, |
2020
|
Location of airport/ port |
Product seized |
Quantity |
|
Dublin airport |
Cloprostenol Sodium Injection |
10 boxes containing 10x 2ml vials |
|
Shannon Airport |
10 Vetflurane 250ml |
10 |
|
Shannon Airport |
Sedalin Gel 10ml |
48 |
|
Shannon Airport |
Domosedan 20ml |
4 |
|
Shannon Airport |
Nerfasin 100mg/ml 25ml |
13 |
|
Shannon Airport |
Torbugesic 50ml |
5 |
2021
|
Location of airport/ port |
Product seized |
Quantity |
|
Dublin airport |
Regumate |
1000ml |
|
Dublin airport |
Vetmedin 5mg |
2 boxes of 50 |
|
Dublin airport |
Vetmedin 1.25mg |
100 tablets |
|
Dublin airport |
Frusemide 20mg |
60 tablets |
|
Dublin airport |
Sarcoid cream- 3 containers - different concentrations- |
60g in total |
|
Dublin airport |
Frontline Plus spot on dog L, Frontline Plus Spot on Cat, Drontal cat XL, Drontal Cat, and Drontal Dog tasty bone XL |
1 box of each, 2 tabs Drontal Cat |
|
Dublin airport |
Bimectin Horse Oral Paste 1.87% |
8 packs |
|
Dublin airport |
Pancur Equine Guard 225ml |
2 packs |
|
Dublin Airport |
10ml vials Trenbolone Acetate |
6 |
|
Dublin Airport |
Ivermectin Single Dose Paste Wormer |
4 |
|
Dublin Airport |
Tri-Heart Plus (6 tabs); Credilio flea treatment (6 tabs); Spironolactone (90 tabs); Vetprofen (75g). |
1 pack of each |
|
Dublin Airport |
Bleedershield equine paste |
40 |
2022
|
Location of airport/ port |
Product seized |
Quantity |
|
Shannon Airport |
10ml bots Detomovet Injection |
10 |
|
Shannon Airport |
100ml bottles Caco-Iron Copper |
30 |
|
Shannon Airport |
100ml bottles Haemo-Plus 150 |
24 |
|
Shannon Airport |
100 ml bottles B12 Plus Folic |
24 |
|
Shannon Airport |
12 ml bottles Pentosan Gold |
6 |
|
Shannon Airport |
6.15 gm syringes G-Gard Oral Paste |
30 |
|
Dublin Airport |
Pulmon Pro; Equine Exceed Gastro; Airways Support and UVE pro |
3 pack |
2023 to end September
|
Location of airport/ port |
Product seized |
Quantity |
|
Dublin Airport |
4 x Fido's Closasole 10kg wormer for dogs & cats |
4 pack |
|
Dublin Airport |
Colostrum 38 EQ; Ligatend EQ |
2 pack |
|
Dublin Airport |
AMINOMAX; VAM Injection |
2 pack |
Disability Services
Questions (792)
Verona Murphy
Question:792. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons across all services awaiting respite service in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39469/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (793)
Jackie Cahill
Question:793. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what facilities are available for independent living in County Tipperary for a young adult with an intellectual disability and more specifically, if there are any services available for a young 18-year-old man whose parents have died and is being cared for by his sister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40261/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Investigations
Questions (794)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:794. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether the full investigation report into the 'Brandon' case will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40608/23]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE commissioned the National Independent Review Panel to carry out a review of a residential service for adults with a disability at Ard Greine Court, Stranorlar, Co Donegal, known as the Brandon Report.
Adult safeguarding is an important matter for all society, agencies and Government Departments. I take all concerns regarding the abuse/mistreatment of vulnerable adults very seriously. Having sought the Attorney General’s advice on the matter, my colleague Minister Donnelly indicated previously that neither he, as Minister for Health, nor I may direct the HSE to publish the Report. No legal basis has been identified that would permit publication of the report.
The Attorney is of the view that it would not be permissible for the Minister to publish the report where the HSE, as the body responsible for publication under the NIRP guidelines, has determined the Report should not be published in full. On the 16th December 2021 the HSE published an executive summary.
Significant work is ongoing in the health and social care sector to further strengthen adult safeguarding policy and legislation, led by the Department of Health, building on the robust structures already in place.
Disability Services
Questions (795)
Robert Troy
Question:795. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that funding is in place to fully staff a community neurorehabilitation team in each of the nine CHOs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40627/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes
Questions (796)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:796. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagements he has had with the HSE CEO regarding the recent testimony by a safeguarding expert that they were instructed by senior HSE managers to halt an investigation into the possible sexual abuse of residents in a nursing-home associated with the 'Emily' case; what actions are being taken on foot of this testimony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39465/23]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
Disability Services
Questions (797)
Verona Murphy
Question:797. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of adult disability respite beds vacant in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39470/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (798)
Verona Murphy
Question:798. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of adult disability respite beds in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39472/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (799)
Verona Murphy
Question:799. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of child disability respite beds vacant in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39473/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (800)
Verona Murphy
Question:800. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adult disability respite beds available in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39474/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (801)
Verona Murphy
Question:801. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the persons with a disability in County Wexford approved for a residential placement awaiting an allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39475/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (802)
Verona Murphy
Question:802. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of high-support disability residential placements available in County Wexford in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39476/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the query refers to services matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Childcare Services
Questions (803)
Alan Dillon
Question:803. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many childcare providers in Mayo were overpaid in their Core funding 2022 allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39487/23]
View answerWritten answers
It is regrettable that a system error within the allocation system on the Early Years Platform, The Hive, has resulted in some Core Funding Partner Services being overpaid. Nine services in Mayo were among those overpaid. I can assure you that the issue has now been identified and fixed, and amendments made to the system such that it will not recur.
While I am sympathetic to the Partner Services affected by this issue, I am sure you appreciate that my responsibility to safeguard exchequer funding means that these overpayments must be recouped. However, my officials have worked with Pobal to ensure this will be done with as much care and support as possible.
Overpayments will be recouped from upcoming Core Funding payments: from the next payment where the overpayment is small relative to the payment due, or spread across payments between now and December if the overpayment is proportionately larger. For most services impacted by this issue, this should cause only a small, manageable temporary drop in Core Funding income. Nevertheless, services with larger relative overpayments advised that they can contact Pobal to discuss recoupment options. If necessary, Sustainability Funding is also available to all Partner Services if there is no way to sustainably manage recoupment. Partner Services can also repay any overpayment by electronic transfer if they wish to do so.
My Department strongly encourages services which are experiencing financial difficulty, and would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route.