Written Answers Nos. 545-562
545. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to extending the closing date for the spreading of lime under the liming scheme beyond June 2024, given challenging weather and ground conditions due to the incessant rainfall and the need to close up lands for winter forage as soon as weather conditions improve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16125/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware in October last year I announced important flexibility to the spreading date under the National Liming Programme. This extension was permitted due to the challenging weather conditions in 2023.
However, with the high levels of rainfall recorded since last July and little improvement in ground conditions and soil trafficability since the beginning of the year I recognise the challenges farmers have faced trying to spread lime.
In order to address this, in March I announced a further extension to the date by which lime must be spread under this Programme. Lime, purchased under the scheme, can now be spread by Friday 28th June 2024. This flexibility gives farmers an opportunity to apply lime when ground conditions improve. I do not envisage any further extension to the spreading date.
546. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, with regard to the environmental considerations map layers available via the iNET mapping system which demonstrate the different layers of consideration for afforestation under criteria for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027, he will provide those maps as one combined map with all relevant layers to show a holistic overview of area available for afforestation under the new programme, as previously confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16133/24]
View answerMy Department has made the Environmental Considerations map layers relevant to afforestation applications available to registered foresters via DAFM’s iNET mapping system. These maps help registered foresters to identify opportunities for further forest planting in Ireland, along with indicating areas where new forest planting may be inappropriate, for a variety of reasons.
The environmental consideration layers are well known, available on INET, and in many cases are already in the public domain and can be downloaded for inclusion with registered forester’s mapping systems (e.g. Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation, Natural Heritage Areas, Fresh Water Pearl Mussel Catchments, Hen Harrier Article 12 Areas). For the purposes of determining the eligibility of specific projects for the afforestation scheme, land owners and registered foresters are advised to consult the relevant environmental consideration map layers on iNET and other relevant afforestation scheme eligibility requirements which are detailed in the scheme documentation from my Departments website.
An Indicative Forestry Statement (IFS) was developed and introduced by the Forest Service in 2008 to assist in the planning of future afforestation which my Department is currently updating. This update will incorporate the new afforestation environmental considerations and associated map layers agreed for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. The updated Indicative Forestry Statement map will provide for high-level, national guidance in relation to the suitability of land for afforestation and will facilitate the establishment of forests serving a variety of purposes including timber production, enhancement of the environment, mitigation of climate change, forest industry development, creation of alternative off farm incomes and opportunities for tourism and amenity use.
The IFS is a map-based approach which integrates many different spatial datasets which take account of a wide range of environmental factors and other opportunities and constraints. The IFS identifies areas most suitable for planting primarily on the basis of environmental considerations and soil-productivity. The map-based environmental considerations have been captured from a variety of state organisations, such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Fisheries Boards, the EPA and the Local Authorities.
The updated Indicative Forest Statement map will identify opportunities for further forest planting in Ireland, along with areas where new forest planting would be inappropriate, for a variety of reasons. The Statement aims to guide and promote sustainable forestry in line with the Government’s strategy for the development of the sector and will provide a positive vision for the location and type of woodlands and forests we wish to develop in Ireland.
My Department officials have undertaken to complete the work to update the Indicative Forest Statement by the third quarter of 2024.
547. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of outstanding agriculture payments, by payment scheme, in tabular form [16136/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the number outstanding agriculture payments for BISS, ANC and ACRES is set out in the table below.
|
Scheme |
Number of outstanding payments |
|
BISS |
661 |
|
ANC |
930 |
|
ACRES |
387 |
There are currently 120,463 potentially eligible BISS applicants, of which 119, 802 have received payment. The majority of the 661 unpaid herds for BISS and 930 unpaid herds for ANC are cases where the applicant has not yet provided the required documents to support their claim. In other cases, the applicant has not fulfilled certain obligations, for example stocking rate under Active Farmer provisions.
548. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the 4,822 non-coursing greyhounds who were registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann's RCETS at microchipping stage, but who have never been raced on an RCE-licensed track (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16181/24]
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.
549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16251/24]
View answerThe trade and movement of plants and plant products into and within the EU is governed by the EU Plant Health Regulation 2031 of 2016 and the Official Controls Regulations 625 of 2017. These Regulations also harmonise the rules in areas such as, rules on surveillance for pests of plant health and rules on actions to be taken in the event of the confirmation of the presence of specific plant pests, including Fireblight.
My Department conducts annual plant health surveillance checks for plant pests and diseases, including the protected zone pest, Fireblight (Erwinia amylovora (Burrill) Winslow et al. ).
At confirmed outbreak locations a 500m infested zone and a 5km buffer zone are established and further intensive surveys and sampling are carried out to determine the extent of the outbreak. Under EU rules a 24-month period from the official confirmation of the presence of the pest is permitted to complete surveillance and achieve eradication, where possible.
To mitigate risk, hosts plant for the disease Erwinia amylovora (Fireblight) are subject to the following import requirements:
• Imports from another Member State are required to be notified to my Department no more than 48 hours after their arrival and plants must be accompanied by a specific Protected Zone Plant Passport which certifies that the protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
• With the exception of certain third countries where imports are prohibited, imports from third countries are required to be pre-notified to my Department one working day in advance of the expected arrival. Consignments require a phytosanitary certificate for entry into protected zones in accordance with the requirements in Implementing Regulation 2019/2072.
Furthermore, all plants, irrespective of their origin, must be accompanied by a specific protected zone Plant Passport which certifies that the requirements of the additional protected zone requirements have been fulfilled.
Given the current demand for planting in ACRES, there are no plans to change the flexibilities provided in ACRES Circular 27 of 2023 (copy attached).
550. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the last payment run was made for those in receipt of a payment (details supplied); when he expects to make the next payment run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16258/24]
View answerThe Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector and builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS), which has now come to an end.
My Department issued the first advance payments at a rate of 85% under the Sheep Improvement Scheme in November 2023. A further advance payment payrun issued in December 2023.
An additional advance payment payrun was processed last week to include 114 applicants that have recently been processed and cleared for payment and this payment should reach applicants bank accounts this week. Payments will continue to issue as applicants meet the scheme requirements. The number of farmers that have been paid an advance payment for the Sheep Improvement Scheme currently stands at 16,938.
Balancing payments are due to commence in late May 2024.
551. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any discussions have been had regarding the establishment of an animal welfare unit within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16309/24]
View answerNeglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. My Department is committed to a policy of vigorously applying animal welfare standards, in a fair and even-handed manner and continues to enforce the law in this important area, as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. My Department works very closely with these bodies.
Matters related to operational structures within An Garda Síochána, such as establishing a dedicated Garda animal welfare unit, come under the remit of the Garda Commissioner and you may wish to write to his office in this respect.
552. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates in 2024 where he has visited each of the fisheries harbours under the remit of his Department; and the purpose of each visit, in tabular form. [16411/24]
View answerIn February this year I had the privilege of visiting Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre which is one of the six state owned Fishery Harbour Centres to officially open the Dinish Wharf Extension and Breakwater. This major capital project was funded by my Department through the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme with part-funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and is a significant investment which will provide benefits for generations to come. It is an example of the Government’s commitment to supporting a strong Irish seafood processing industry as reflected in the Programme for Government and the Food Vision 2030 policy. This commitment will be further strengthened by the allocation of almost €29.7m for capital projects in our Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth that I have already announced for 2024.
|
Fishery Harbour Centre |
Date of Visit |
Purpose of Visit |
|
Castletownbere Fishery Harbour Centre |
Thursday 1st February 2024 |
Official Opening Ceremony of the Dinish Wharf Extension Development |
I acknowledge and appreciate all the work carried out by the Harbour Masters and Staff within my Department which is often carried out under difficult conditions.
I intend to continue visiting as many harbours as possible throughout the year, however at this early stage as plans may be subject to change I am unable to confirm the dates for my engagements at this time.
553. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE vacancies, by job title, currently at his Department's Laboratory at Backweston; and the estimated timeframe for when each of those vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [16412/24]
View answerMy Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these requirements for all our locations.
I am conscious of the need for a prompt and efficient delivery of services and, to that end, all critical staffing vacancies are considered in line with workforce planning processes with due recognition of budgetary constraints.
Recruitment opportunities for available posts are advertised either by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) or by my Department's Human Resources Division.
The Department’s Laboratories in Backweston currently has a total of 25 vacancies, as detailed in the table below:
|
Grade |
No of Vacancies |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
AAI (Nematologist) |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
8 |
|
Laboratory Attendant |
7 |
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
Serological Assistant |
2 |
|
Supervising Serological Assistant |
1 |
|
Research Officer |
1 |
|
Deputy Head of the Labs |
1 |
|
Total |
25 |
554. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful sheep improvement scheme applicants awaiting payment; the number of payments provided, by county, in tabular form; the number awaiting payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16420/24]
View answerThe Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector, and builds on the progress made by the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS).
My Department issued the first advance payments at a rate of 85% under the Sheep Improvement Scheme in November 2023. A further advance payment payrun issued in December 2023.
An additional advance payment payrun was processed last week to include 114 applicants that have recently been processed and cleared for payment and this payment should reach applicants bank accounts this week. Payments will continue to issue as applicants meet the scheme requirements. The number of farmers that have been paid an advance payment for the Sheep Improvement Scheme currently stands at 16,938.
Balancing payments are due to commence in late May 2024.
There are a total of 1,433 participants who have yet to receive an advance payment. However some of these will never generate a payment for a variety of reasons i.e. no sheep census submitted, no BISS submitted etc. Processing of these files including appeals of same is continuing.
|
County |
Nos |
|
Carlow |
30 |
|
Cavan |
41 |
|
Clare |
30 |
|
Cork |
50 |
|
Kerry |
78 |
|
Donegal |
219 |
|
Dublin |
14 |
|
Galway |
170 |
|
Kildare |
28 |
|
Kilkenny |
33 |
|
Laois |
16 |
|
Offaly |
22 |
|
Leitrim |
49 |
|
Limerick |
14 |
|
Longford |
31 |
|
Louth |
13 |
|
Mayo |
145 |
|
Meath |
59 |
|
Monaghan |
20 |
|
Roscommon |
98 |
|
Tipperary |
41 |
|
Sligo |
71 |
|
Waterford |
15 |
|
Westmeath |
49 |
|
Wexford |
50 |
|
Wicklow |
47 |
|
TOTAL |
1433 |
555. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when proposals to address a longstanding issue for a group of farmers (details supplied) which he has committed to address will be brought forward; the funding required to address this issue; the details regarding eligibility under a proposed scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16502/24]
View answerI have long supported the cohort of farmers known as the forgotten farmers and have committed to supporting them.
My Department developed a preliminary outline of a proposal to provide support to the forgotten farmer group. Work continues on addressing a number of issues, such as the funding required, consistency with public expenditure and 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.
556. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline Ireland's representation and involvement in the 9th Our Ocean Conference 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16520/24]
View answerThe Our Ocean series of conferences is a forum for dialogue on all aspects of marine governance, encompassing not just fisheries but also areas such as climate change, maritime security, Marine Protected Areas, marine pollution and the sustainable Blue Economy.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is co-ordinating Ireland's engagement with this Conference.
557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given allowing farmers to graze their SAC ground in view of the current bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16538/24]
View answerI am extremely conscious of the pressure on farmers currently as a result of continuing and exceptional adverse weather conditions. As an initial response I re-convened the National Fodder and Food Security Committee to establish the most up to date facts regarding the fodder and feed situation on farms and to provide advice to assist farmers through this challenging period. I have also asked Teagasc to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who are struggling.
In addition I have introduced a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions and I have paused all non-essential farm inspections.
In relation to allowing farmers graze SAC land, there is generally no restriction in grazing SAC land but severe poaching of land is prohibited under Conditionality and farmers need to be mindful of this in the current poor ground conditions. In addition where grazing of livestock is an Action Requiring Consent (ARC) for a specific SAC site, permission should be sought from the NPWS before putting livestock on the SAC.
558. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16578/24]
View answer559. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minimum average tree width acceptable under the native tree area scheme type 2 native forests for water protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16579/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.
My Department has a policy goal of incentivising small-scale tree planting and changes introduced as part of the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, facilitate small scale planting of native tree areas without the need to first obtain an afforestation licence. This exemption allows forests to be created through the Native Tree Area Scheme (NTAS), thereby contributing to Ireland’s targets in relation to a wide range of environmental priorities particularly climate change, biodiversity and water quality.
For the Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection element of the NTAS, the Native Tree Area planted under the scheme must satisfy the statutory requirements with regard to area (i.e. 0.1ha & 1.0 ha) and width (i.e. 20m) thresholds. These measurements must be measured tree-to-tree (i.e. excluding open spaces such as aquatic buffer zones, public road setbacks and archaeological exclusion zones). For the purpose of this Scheme, when open spaces are also included, the maximum width is 25m.
The Creation of Native Forests for Water Protection component of the NTAS aims to create new native forests that will act as undisturbed water setbacks that can be used to deliver meaningful ecosystem services that protect and enhance water quality and aquatic ecosystems. The creation of these permanent narrow forest corridors will also provide wider biodiversity functions by protecting and expanding existing native forests.
560. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a detailed outline of the reasons for the non-payment of the sheep improvement scheme for 2023 to a person (details supplied); if the person is included in the scheme for the future years of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16593/24]
View answerThe Sheep Improvement Scheme complements some of the elements provided for in the Sheep Welfare Scheme, by providing increased support, while also building on other actions beneficial to sheep health and welfare, including the targeted application of genomic technologies in the sheep sector.
The Terms and Conditions of the Sheep Improvement scheme require participants to submit a Sheep Census within the set timelines. The closing date for return of the 2022 Sheep Census was 31st January 2023 for paper census forms while the deadline for online census submission was 14th February 2023. There was provision made for the late submission of Sheep Census returns to be accepted as valid for the Sheep Improvement Scheme for a 25 calendar day period after the 14th February 2023 subject to late penalties.
My Department’s records show that for the herd number provided they submitted their 2022 Sheep Census after the late application period on the 5th April 2023 and therefore was not eligible for payment under Year 1 of the Sheep Improvement Scheme. To be eligible for payment in future years of the scheme, they need to submit the annual sheep census on time and comply with all other commitments of the Sheep Improvement Scheme.
561. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress in promoting the use of cross-laminated timber in construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/24]
View answerThe increased use of timber has an important role to play in decarbonising our built environment. Materials such as cross laminated timber (CLT) are used to construct buildings and demand is growing globally. My Department has provided funding to research the use of engineered wood products such as CLT and there are opportunities to increase the use of such materials in the buildings we construct.
The increased use of timber is important and my Department has recently established a Timber in Construction Steering Group with the main purpose to increase the use of wood in buildings and provide more sustainable homes in the future. The overarching aims of the group is to create the conditions to increase the use of timber in construction whilst ensuring the highest degree of building safety and property protection. There are a number of thematic working groups established which will examine market opportunities and the use of CLT will have a particular focus. I will be happy to provide further updates when the group has progressed its work towards the end of this year.
562. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he agrees that there is a significant difference in the assertion contained in a report commissioned by Greyhound Racing Ireland and published in 2021 (details supplied) and the assertion contained in a reply to a Parliamentary Question provided to the Minister by Greyhound Racing Ireland in relation to the importance of the greyhound industry as a provider of employment in this country; if he agrees that the claim contained in the industry-commissioned report in this respect is one of several examples of inaccurate and misleading information contained in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16678/24]
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 report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned by RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
