Written Answers Nos. 203-222
203. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the details of the tendering process used by his Department for State contracts granted in relation to Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic; the name of each company, the services involved; the amount paid to each company in each of the relevant years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4232/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll procurement within my Department is carried out in compliance with relevant National and EU policy and legislation, and is operated on a devolved basis whereby individual units carry out their own procurement exercises. My Department advertises, where feasible, all contracts valued in excess of €25,000 (excl. VAT) on the eTenders website.
The exercise to collate this data in relation to the contracts entered into by my Department is still ongoing and is not yet complete. I am advised that the information should be available shortly and will be provided to the Deputy.
I have referred this PQ to the HSE to provide information directly to you in relation to HSE contracts.
Details for other bodies under the aegis of my Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
204. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to have a higher rate of payment under the young farmers scheme 2023-2027 for farmers living on offshore islands to encourage them to engage in farming in some of the most challenging environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI deeply value the role of our island farmers. They play a key role in supporting our agri-food sector as well as playing a very important role in ensuring a vibrant island life.
The current Young Farmers Scheme commenced in 2015 and is scheduled to operate until the end of 2022. The scheme provides an additional payment to eligible young farmers based on the number of payment entitlements activated in a scheme year, subject to a maximum of 50 entitlements. The rate per activated entitlement is approximately €68 and eligible young farmers can receive payment for a maximum of five years.
In Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan submitted to the EU Commission at the end of December 2021, Ireland has proposed utilising the option to implement the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) under the next CAP from 2023.
The CISYF is the successor scheme to the Young Farmers Scheme and would see a proposed additional payment per hectare made to eligible young farmers, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, for a period of five years. The CISYF envisages 3% of the Direct Payments ceiling allocated in each of the years 2023-2027.
This level of funding would see a significant increase in the level of support to eligible young farmers, moving from the current spend of approximately €11m per year to some €35m annually.
This increase in the level of funding will be of significant benefit to all eligible young farmers throughout Ireland, including those on offshore islands, by providing vital support in the early years immediately following the establishment of the holding to encourage young farmers into the sector.
The proposed support through the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers under the next CAP will be subject to Ireland receiving EU Commission approval for the CAP Strategic Plan.
205. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stocking rates of farms and the stocking rates for derogation farms, respectively, that are in receipt of areas of natural constraints payments under pillar 2 of the current Common Agricultural Policy by percentages and value of payments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is being retrieved and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
206. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reduce the use of inorganic nitrogen on farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reductions in the use of inorganic nitrogen that will take place as a result of measures within the Common Agriculture Policy, within the nitrates action plan and within other named regulations or initiatives in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
Food Vision 2030 sets out the 2030 vision for Ireland’s Agri-Food Sector. It includes targets in relation to inorganic fertiliser including ‘emissions associated with chemical fertiliser use to reduce by more than 50% by 2030.’
Table 1: Measures that will contribute to reducing the use of inorganic nitrogen
|
Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) – increased requirements/requirements becoming applicable to more farmers – the following list is some of the measures proposed in the new NAP |
Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) to improve nutrient use efficiency as well as reducing emissions |
|
Incorporation of Clover for derogation farmers to reduce reliance on inorganic nitrogen |
|
|
Soil Sampling and liming to improve nutrient use efficiency |
|
|
Slurry storage and timing of application to optimise the value of nutrients |
|
|
10% reduction in chemical fertiliser allowances in 2022 |
|
|
Interim review of new NAP in 2023 with further measures then applicable if necessary |
|
|
CAP Strategic Plan |
Enhanced Conditionality requirements including requirements stemming from NAP Review. |
|
Eco Scheme – optional practices include: - Increased space for nature - Limiting chemical nitrogen usage - Use of a GPS-controlled fertiliser spreader - Soil Sampling and soil pH correction - Planting of break crops - Sowing of a multi-species sward |
|
|
AECM – optional practices include: - Low input grassland - Minimum/no tillage - Catch crops - Environmental management of fallow land |
|
|
Organic Farming Scheme – target to increase area under organic farming from 2% to 7.5% by 2027 |
|
|
Protein Aid Scheme - to support production of 14,000 ha protein crops in 2023 rising to 20,000 ha by 2027 |
|
|
Capital Investment Scheme – to reduce nutrient losses and improve nutrient use efficiency by supporting capital investments in nutrient storage, LESS equipment and precision farming equipment |
|
|
Other Initiatives |
Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) – working with farmers in a free and confidential advisory service to improve water quality in priority areas |
|
National Soil Sampling Programme under the Rural Development Plan to provide a national soil fertility baseline and improve nutrient use efficiency |
The strategy also commits “to reduce nutrient losses from agriculture to water by 50% by 2030’. In addition, it includes implementing the Ag Climatise Roadmap target of reducing chemical nitrogen fertiliser use to 325,000 tonnes by 2030.
These targets will be achieved through a combination of:
1. Regulation through measures in the proposed Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).
2. Incentivisation through voluntary measures under the proposed CAP Strategic Plan.
3. Industry incentives and supports such as the ASSAP programme and changes to fertiliser type.
The application of fertilisers to land is regulated by the Nitrates Regulations (SI 605 of 2017, as amended). The current NAP has been extended until March 2022. A new draft NAP has been published which includes a measure to reduce inorganic nitrogen allowances by 10%.
A chemical fertiliser register will be introduced from January 2023 to support compliance also. Commencing in 2023 an interim review of the NAP will focus on scientific advice and water quality trends which may lead to further measures to limit inorganic nitrogen use, dependant on progress being made.
The draft CAP Strategic Plan, which was submitted to the European Commission at the end of December 2021, includes several measures to reduce inorganic nitrogen use. These are summarised in table 1 attached.
It should be borne in mind that the measures within the draft NAP and the CAP Strategic Plan are proposed measures. They have not yet been approved by the European Commission.
Ongoing initiatives that will also contribute to a reduction in inorganic nitrogen use include the National Soil Sampling Programme under the Rural Development Plan and the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).
A reduction in the use of chemical nitrogen will arise from a combination of the above actions coupled with industry initiatives.
208. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the absolute and relative emissions reductions from the Beef Data and Genomics Programme since it was introduced in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) formed part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and was extended to the transition period of 2021/22. The objectives of the measure are to lower the intensity of GHG emissions by improving the quality and efficiency of the national beef herd and to improve the genetic merit of the national beef herd through the collection of data and genotypes of selected animals which will allow for the application of genomic selection in the beef herd and to support beef farm incomes.
In the initial years of the scheme (2014-2020), the negative genetic trends that were evident for maternal traits in the past were turned around and 22 KT of reductions have now been realised as result of the actions undertaken by farmers in program. Cumulative gains of 18 KT/year are now being realised as a result of the program, which is then projected to reduce GHG from the suckler herd by 180 KT in 2030 (i.e., some 5.4% of total emissions from the suckler herd at that stage, compared to a 2020 base year). Additional increases in this level of gain are now being sought by ICBF and Teagasc, through incorporation of direct measures of methane into the €uro-Star Indexes. This is expected to deliver an additional 235 KT of gain, which would then equate to some 12.4% of total GHG from the national suckler herd.
It is intended to continue with a breeding programme in the next CAP which will build on the gains of both the BDGP and the BEEP schemes and help realise the additional gains identified by Teagasc and ICBF.
The proposed Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme (SCES) will build on significant investments made to date under the Beef Data Genomics Programme (BDGP).
Breeding programmes like the BDGP and the proposed SCEP will continue to play a crucial role in supporting breeding decisions which can help farmers to produce an animal of the required weight at a younger age, so that the improvements are fully reflected in the inventory.
209. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of kilometres of riparian native woodlands that have been planted under the woodlands for water funding to remove exotic conifers that were planted too close to rivers and streams and replaced with native woodlands. [3723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Woodlands for Water document describes how the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme could be used to protect and enhance streams, rivers and lakes.
The document sets out a number of water-related ecosystem services newly created native woodlands can deliver, such as protection against nutrient and soil runoff from adjoining lands, bank stabilisation and the restoration of the riparian ecosystem, the regulation of instream water temperatures, the creation of natural flood retention features, etc..
The Native Woodland Scheme - Conservation (NWSC) funds the restoration of existing woodlands, to help protect these important areas of native biodiversity. Typical operations include the removal of non-native tree species and exotic invasive shrubs, the installation of stock and deer fencing, and the creation of planting coupes involving appropriate native species, to rejuvenate the woodland. NWSC also funds the replanting of recently clear-felled conifer stands, using native woodland, where reforestation with commercial conifer species would be inappropriate.
Regarding the latter, this approach was used on several demonstration sites under the Freshwater Pearl Mussel KerryLIFE Project. Overall, in order to be potentially eligible for funding, applications under NWSC must meet specific criteria designed to better focus effort on strategic areas, which include sensitive waterways.
In the last five years, 51 applicants have received funding for over 300 hectares of Native Woodland Conservation. It is safe to assume that a very high percentage of the sites involved areas directly adjoining a stream, river or lake.
A proportion of the projects funded involved the replacement of non-native conifers with native woodland in areas close to streams, rivers and lakes.
210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been spent to rent or buy warehousing space in the UK and in general to mitigate against the negative effects of Brexit; the status of a partnership with a company (details supplied) in relation to a project; the costs the partnership has incurred; and the breakdown of the chemical composition of tricoya boards. [3725/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has neither rented nor bought any warehousing space in the UK in order to mitigate against the negative effects of Brexit.
I note that the Deputy refers to the Tricoya venture. Coillte, (through Medite, their wholly owned subsidiary), is a member of the consortium developing a facility in the UK to manufacture the raw material for supply to their Medite Tricoya Extreme (MTX) product line in Clonmel.
Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the continued clear-felling and replanting of 90% to 95% sitka spruce on sensitive and vulnerable upland bog sites in contradiction with current science (details supplied); and his views on same. [3726/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForestry in Ireland operates within a legal and regulatory framework. This is necessary in order
to protect forests and to ensure that forestry operations are undertaken sustainably.
When a forest owner seeks to clearfell an area, they must submit a felling licence application detailing the proposed activities, which are considered by my Department. Environmental legislation has led to strengthened controls on forestry operations, to ensure that important environmental considerations are fully considered during the assessment of felling licence applications. This has included a greater focus on consultation with relevant bodies, the application of various procedures and the requirement for applicants on occasion to provide further information.
Felling licence applications detail the owner’s intention for their forest following clearfell. The permanent removal of forests is permitted in certain circumstances where these forests may be incompatible with the conservation of protected habitats and species. However, in other circumstances, the conversion from conifer to a native woodland and open habitat may be more appropriate than forest removal for biodiversity or water protection. The Felling and Reforestation Policy document provides further information on the range of options available to felling licence applicants.
As deforestation is not listed as an ‘exempted development’ in the Planning & Development Acts or Regulations and as there is a mandatory threshold set out in Schedule 5, Part 2, Paragraph 1(d)(iii) of the Regulations, which requires deforestation for the purpose of conversion to another type of land use, where the area to be deforested would be greater than 10 hectares of natural woodlands or 70 hectares of conifer forest to be subject to an EIA (and developments by implication below those thresholds screened for EIA), it is my Department’s understanding that projects involving deforestation (in addition to a felling licence) are subject to a planning permission requirement.
Proponents of a project involving deforestation which believe it might be otherwise exempt of this requirement are entitled to seek a Declaration under section 5 of the Planning & Development Act as to whether the relevant planning authority considers the proposed project does require planning permission or not.
The Department will continue to assess all felling licence applications and the proposals therein on the future management of their forests to ensure that licences issued are in keeping with the principles of sustainable forest management and the protection of the environment.
212. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of land sold by his Department since 1989; the amount of forward selling of future Coillte forest harvests that have been sold; the person or body to which harvests have been sold; and if any of these sales have been subject to public tendering processes. [3727/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the Deputy is referring to land sold by Coillte since 1989.
Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
213. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte farm forestry partnerships that have been and are currently subject to arbitration; and his views on same in relation to seeking to encourage farmers to plant trees on farms. [3729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have, therefore, referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
214. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department last supplied the ESB, Eircom or other companies with utility and transmission poles; the reason the companies are no longer supplied with poles given that the ESB imports wooden poles with an average annual value of approximately €30 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine does not provide poles or products to any utility company. However, I can confirm that, in the past, Coillte did provide poles for utilities and transmission purposes.
As you are aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from my Department. I have therefore referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
215. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of the 27,000 hectares of old woodland sites (details supplied) identified in 2001 that have been transitioned to native woodlands; the amount of hardwood Coillte has harvested since 2001, by firewood, sawn planks and saw logs; the value of each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and, as such, is operationally independent from my Department. I have, therefore, referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
216. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the current forest policy review process, Project Woodland, has no provision to examine reforestation, the main forestry activity conducted by Coillte given that this is a continuation of a failed forestry policy that involves clear-felling and replanting of 90 to 95% sitka spruce impacting on approximately 50% of the total forest area; the reason that the review has no remit or focus on the remaining 0.2% of ancient woodland fragments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3737/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Woodland is currently developing a shared national vision for the next forest strategy for Ireland.
Over the next three months, extensive public consultation will take place where the views of a wide range of stakeholders will be sought.
Any future Forest Strategy will examine the range of forest types found in Ireland and provide a number of strategic actions which will take account of the principles of sustainable forest management as defined by "Forest Europe", including the re-planting policy.
Forests managed for commercial timber and for biodiversity will be a key component of the next forest strategy. The felling and reforestation of trees is regulated by the Forestry Act 2014 and adherence to environmental standards is required.
Ireland's existing Forestry Programme has a suite of measures aimed at protecting and encouraging all sustainable harvesting activities which includes thinning, continuous cover forestry and clearfelling.
The next Forestry Programme, which is currently being prepared, will continue to provide funding to encourage increased take up of alternative harvesting systems, such as continuous cover forestry where appropriate. The species used to replant felled sites will depend on the objectives of the site and forest owner. Where commercial forestry is the objective a range of species can be planted, which includes Sitka spruce.
Although Sitka spruce is an important component of our forest estate, comprising over 51% of the area, there are a wide range of other species found. Broadleaved species account for over 28% of the national forest area. New forests planted in 2021 had over 40% of the area planted with broadleaves.
The important role of native woodlands is well recognised and my Department is acutely aware of their importance for national biodiversity. These forests provide an important store of forest genetic resources that need to be conserved and expanded.
My Department through the native woodland conservation scheme and the Forest Genetic Resources Reproductive Material Scheme facilitates the conservation of indigenous native forests.
The next Forestry Programme and Forest Strategy will continue to highlight the importance of conserving our native forests and the need to encourage a wider range of harvesting systems, including clearfelling, thinning and continuous cover forestry.
217. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the University College of Dublin attitudes to forestry survey focused on counties Wicklow and Kerry conducted by a person (details supplied) will feed into Project Woodland and the current forestry review process; his views on a statement by the person encouraging the public to respond to the survey; the average value of one hectare of sitka spruce across all yield classes and for each yield class; if he will provide the most up-to-date cost benefit analysis for public spending on forestry; if this includes current forestry issues relating to water quality; and if damage to water by current forestry practices is being taken into account in cost benefit analysis for public funding. [3738/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of and appreciate the valuable research conducted by Dr Augustenburg in relation to forestry.
A national, shared vision for the future of Ireland's trees and forests and a new Forestry Strategy are currently being developed as part of the work carried out in Project Woodland. This new Forest Strategy will underpin a new Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. An extensive public consultation process on the new strategy has commenced.
Third level institutions, such as UCD, are of course important stakeholders in this process and I would particularly like to encourage them to participate in the different stages of engagement.
My Department has developed a Felling Decision Tool to provide owners with information on estimated timber revenues at different stages in the forest cycle. This tool may be used to assist in deciding when to clearfell, by providing financial information on the implication of felling earlier or later than when the financial returns are normally at their highest.
Using the Felling Decision Tool, it is possible to assess how clearfell revenue varies according to yield class. The assumptions made for each yield class scenario presented below remained constant across the range. It was assumed that each stand was thinned three times prior to clearfell, the stand was clearfelled when it reached a tree size of 0.7 cubic metres and the timber price used was based on a five year average (i.e. 2015-2019).
|
Yield Class |
Clearfell Age |
Net Clearfell volume (m3/ha) |
Net Clearfell Revenue (€/ha) |
|
12 |
54 |
466 |
€26,305 |
|
14 |
47 |
427 |
€24,006 |
|
16 |
43 |
413 |
€23,361 |
|
18 |
39 |
394 |
€22,150 |
|
20 |
36 |
367 |
€20,673 |
|
22 |
35 |
357 |
€20,206 |
|
24 |
32 |
310 |
€17,391 |
|
26 |
31 |
312 |
€17,523 |
|
28 |
29 |
282 |
€15,893 |
|
Average Net Clear fell (€/ha) |
€20,834 |
The Felling Decision Tool is freely available on the Department’s website for users to explore the impact of management and fell age on clearfell revenue for a range of species.
The most recent cost-benefit analysis is contained in the policy document ‘Forests, products and people, Irelands forest policy – a renewed vision (2014) and can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3bc0-forests-products-and-people-irelands-forest-policy-a-renewed-vision/ (also attached). Section 2.5.4 of the cost benefit analysis provides details regarding forestry and water quality.
It is expected that a Cost Benefit Analysis will be carried out for a range of measures in the context of the development of the next Forestry Programme.
218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that no records exist or cannot be found by his Department in relation to public access to information under the provisions of the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2018 pertaining to stakeholder meetings involving his Department and the Forestry Appeals Committee including recorded meetings on 20 November 2019, 10 January 2020 and 6 October 2020 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3740/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department is not aware of any records of meetings referred to by the Deputy on the dates in question.
The Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) is operationally independent of my Department and, as such, is subject of AIE requests separate from my Department.
219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average time taken for his Department to issue a statement of facts on an appeal of a forestry licence after a request for the same from the Forestry Appeals Committee between the three schemes, that is, felling, forest roads and afforestation and Coillte licences and private licences, respectively. [3741/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe functioning of the appeals system has greatly improved since the introduction of Forestry (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act in October 2020 and there are currently just 11 cases awaiting hearing. As regards the transmission of Statements of Facts, these are sent by my Department to the Forestry Appeals Committee within, on average, 30 days of request.
220. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the processes or procedures followed by the Forest Service Inspectorate when carrying out a post licence monitoring inspection of the felling licence in respect of tree felling licences that have been subject to an appropriate assessment under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive; the criteria or details that are routinely assessed; and the number and proportion of licences that have been subject to an appropriate assessment that involve categories (details supplied). [3742/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department Inspectors carry out harvesting, post harvesting and reforestation inspections. With regard to harvesting and post harvesting inspections the focus is primarily on water quality related issues that may be caused by breaches of the licence resulting mainly by machine traffic when harvesting and extracting timber from the site.
To date most inspections carried out during harvesting have occurred following a report of an alleged pollution incident.
Reforestation inspections are focused on whether replanting had taken place after clearfell and in cases where the site was replanted whether the site was fully stocked with the tree species as specified in the licence.
There are procedures that Inspectors follow in carrying out these activities. Where there are breaches of licences, or alleged illegal fellings DAFM may issue replanting orders or instigate legal proceedings.
Harvesting and reforestation sites are currently being selected by the Department as part of a systematic inspection regime for 2022.
In relation to Coillte sites, harvesting site visits have already started in relation to this 2022 programme of inspections. In support of this work, Coillte now submit to the Department a weekly table of active harvesting sites from which the Department select a sample of forest areas to visit, either during or after harvesting has taken place. In relation to reforestation some 381 sites (private and Coillte) have been selected for inspection.
All sites are subject to appropriate assessment screening and most sites are screened in for appropriate assessment. Part of the Standard Operating Procedures ensures that the conditions attached to the Appropriate Assessment Determination are checked for compliance on the ground.
221. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will adjust the requirements of the Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme for vessels under ten metres to include activity during July, August, and September to reflect the seasonal nature of activities for smaller vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3744/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 January, I was delighted to announce a support scheme for the inshore fisheries sector to assist inshore fishers in adjusting to the impacts of Brexit on their businesses. The Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme delivers on a recommendation of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The scheme is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
As exporters of live shellfish and other highly perishable seafood products, our inshore fishers have been particularly impacted by logistical and route to market difficulties arising from Brexit. These difficulties have added costs to the business model of our inshore fishers and in reducing the shelf life of the product have impacted negatively on prices at the quayside. The new scheme will assist inshore fishers in adjusting their business model to the post Brexit market environment and will take the form of a suite of four online training modules to be made available by BIM, specifically tailored to the inshore fishing sector, with a payment to owners of inshore fishing vessels to assist them with the costs of undertaking the training and subsequently adjusting their business and marketing plans. Payments will be €2,700 for owners of vessels under 8 metres in length and €4,000 for owners of vessels between 8 metres and 17.99 metres in length.
The scheme is based on the detailed scheme proposal to the Task Force made by the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and recommended by the Task Force for implementation. In terms of eligibility criteria, the NIFF recommended that for vessels to be eligible, they should demonstrate that they were active during the first six months of 2021 through sales notes and logbook data and in the absence of such, through verifiable sales invoices. In implementing this recommendation in respect of vessels under 10 metres in length, I was very conscious of the seasonal nature of their fishing activities, and as such I set an achievable threshold of €1,000 in sales over that six-month period as proof of a vessel being active.
222. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of lambs that have been imported into Ireland per week since 1 July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the lambs imported into Ireland by country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3758/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
My Department uses the TRACES system to record sheep movements in terms of both imports and exports for the purposes of slaughter, breeding and fattening.
Traditionally, most live sheep imported into Ireland have come from the UK, including Northern Ireland. In 2021, a total of 367,936 sheep were imported. The below table provides both the country of origin and the quantity of sheep imported each month in 2021. My Department does not collect or collate live sheep imports on a weekly basis.
Sheep Imports 2021
|
Month |
Northern Ireland |
France |
Belgium |
Holland |
Total |
|
January |
35,034 |
||||
|
February |
26,160 |
||||
|
March |
22,469 |
||||
|
April |
19,053 |
||||
|
May |
20,394 |
||||
|
June |
18,919 |
41 |
|||
|
July |
37,816 |
99 |
|||
|
August |
38,842 |
11 |
|||
|
September |
40,947 |
15 |
83 |
||
|
October |
30,462 |
68 |
|||
|
November |
42,995 |
||||
|
December |
34,494 |
24 |
10 |
||
|
Total |
367,585 |
50 |
167 |
134 |
367,936 |
