Written Answers Nos. 520-540
520. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have applied to join the beef data and genomics scheme; the number who have subsequently withdrawn from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31369/15]
View answerThe closing date for the Beef Data & Genomics Programme was 5 June 2015. My Department received 29,531 valid applications. Of these, 724 have subsequently withdrawn from the Programme.
521. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in preparing commonage plans for the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme; the latest date for the completion of these plans; if farmers with commonage can expect a payment in 2015 under the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31370/15]
View answerI am pleased to say that GLAS Commonage Advisors have already been appointed to 1,800 Commonages, while appointments to the remainder will be made very shortly. Where Commonage Advisors have been appointed, preparation of commonage management plans can commence and I am aware that fieldwork has already been carried out in many cases. In addition, some 200 applications were in respect of commonages under 10 hectares in area, and these do not require the appointment of a single Commonage Advisor; in all such cases, applicants are free to draw up individual plans. The over-riding objective here is to ensure that the best quality plans are prepared and with that in mind I continue to monitor the situation carefully, particularly with regard to the setting of realistic deadlines for the completion of Commonage Management Plans. Where it is clear that real progress is being made, it is my intention to ensure that payments are made to the commonage farmers concerned this year.
522. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Teagasc educational officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31421/15]
View answerTeagasc is the main provider of further education in agriculture, food, horticulture, forestry and equine studies. Its policy is to accommodate all students that require places. Interest in part-time and distance education courses (Green Cert) is exceptionally high, at present, due to the education requirements of the Young Farmers Scheme and the National Reserve. My Department approved the appointment of 20 temporary teachers in 2014 to cope with the demand. It enabled Teagasc to substantially increase Green Cert intake from a normal level of 500 annually to 1,500 enrolees, a threefold increase. A further 20 temporary teachers were approved in July 2015 facilitating an additional 1,000 places for the Green Cert this autumn. It brings the overall allocation of temporary teaching posts to date to 40. My Department continues to work closely with Teagasc to explore available options to manage the demand for Green Cert places. The provision of courses and allocation of resources in particular locations remains an operational matter for Teagasc.
523. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment under the dairy equipment scheme, which was submitted and inspected in January 2015, will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31445/15]
View answerThe persons named were approved for grant-aid towards the installation of milk-cooling equipment under the terms of the Dairy Equipment Scheme, which was part of the TAMS 1 package of on-farm investment measures introduced under the last Rural Development Programme. In line with the procedures laid down, all TAMS 1 grant applications are subject to a pre-payment inspection to ensure that the work approved has been carried out in full accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. In this case a number of issues emerged following the inspection. These are now being examined and the Department will be in touch again with the applicants very shortly.
524. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments to farmers under the new green low carbon agri-environmental scheme will be disregarded for the purposes of calculating taxable income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31453/15]
View answerThe calculation of tax liabilities is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners in the first instance. However, for the purpose of means-assessments, the Department of Social Protection disregard the first €2,540 received under either REPS or AEOS and 50% of the balance. I do not anticipate any change to the existing situation for GLAS payments.
525. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is considering for budget 2016 that would make veterinary care more affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31539/15]
View answer526. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place and planned to combat instances of animal cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31540/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
Ownership of animals whether kept as pets or for farming purposes imposes on the owner a legal responsibility to protect the health and welfare of every animal in their care including making provisions for necessary costs that may be incurred for veterinary fees. In this context, the cost of veterinary care is primarily a commercial matter between owners of animals and service providers. It is important that people acquiring animals ensure that they have the capacity to take appropriate care of them. While the cost of veterinary care would be factored into animal ownership, I am aware that, occasionally, persons owning pet animals do not have the means to ensure their animals’ health and welfare. Accordingly, my Department has provided funding since 1995 to animal welfare bodies to assist with their work in caring for animals. These organisations provide much needed assistance to animals (and by extension the owners of animals) in their local communities, including providing appropriate and necessary veterinary care to animals at subsidised rates. Funding amounting to €1.867m was allocated in December 2015 to 142 animal welfare charities. Applications for 2015 are currently being processed by my officials and a decision on funding levels will be made in December.
I should also mention that, in the context of recently introduced dog microchipping legislation which makes it compulsory as of 1st September 2015 to microchip all dogs born after 1 June 2015 and which will apply to all dogs post 31 March 2016, I have made funding available to animal welfare charities to subsidise the cost of microchipping for any dog owner who finds it difficult to afford the full cost of complying with the legislation i.e. social welfare recipients, those on state pensions etc. Details of how to make an application for funding is available on my Department's website at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/dogmicrochipping/Microchippingfunding040915.pdf.
The financial assistance provided by my Department to animal welfare bodies assists in reducing incidences of animal cruelty. Such incidents of animal cruelty are totally unacceptable in a civilised society and my Department devotes considerable resources to protecting animal welfare and for dealing with breaches of animal welfare legislation. The new Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides for increased levels of penalties for offences of animal cruelty. The Act sends a clear message to all that cruelty and maliciousness to animals is unacceptable and I believe that the increased penalties provided for under the Act will act as a deterrent to perpetrators of such actions. For major cases taken on indictment, the maximum penalty on conviction is up but not exceeding €250,000 with a maximum custodial sentence of five years' imprisonment.
My Department continues to work very closely with animal welfare and farming organisations, local authorities and An Garda Síochána in order to minimise incidences of animal cruelty and to provide for early intervention in cases of suspected animal neglect or cruelty. To enable the reporting of incidences of animal cruelty, my Department continues to operate a network of regional offices throughout the country together with an Animal Welfare Helpline (lo call 076 1064408). Members of the public can report any instance where animal welfare may be compromised to the lo-call number or by email to animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
527. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a land parcel information system review on an application for a single farm payment appeal by persons (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31556/15]
View answerThe person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment Scheme application on 14 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on farm inspections be completed to confirm eligibility under the schemes. The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection.
The inspection identified discrepancies between the areas declared and the area found resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Under the Terms and Conditions of this scheme, this resulted in the 2014 payment being based on the found area having been reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area declared. The person named was notified of this decision on 8 September 2014.
The person named appealed this decision and the outcome of this review was to reduce the over-declaration in area to under 3% and under 2ha. A letter detailing the outcome of this review will issue to the person named shortly. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with this outcome, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months of the date of the review letter.
Payment due under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme, as a result of the reduction in the over-declaration, has been processed and will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
528. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a chuirfear eolas ar fáil don Chomhchoiste Oireachtais um Thalmhaíocht, Bia agus Muir a d’iarr mé air ag an gCoiste ar an 30 Meitheamh 2015 maidir le cás a tharla in 2011 (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31578/15]
View answerAg cruinniú an Chomhchoiste Oireachtais Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara ar 30 Meitheamh, ghlac mé de chúram an Coiste a sholáthar le soiléiriú ar an mbreithiúnas Ard-Chúirte ar an gcás atá i gceist. Scríobh mé chuig Cathaoirleach an Choiste ar 16ú Iúil chun an t-eolas seo a sholáthar, tuigim gur scaipeadh an t-eolas chuig comhaltaí ar fad idir an dá linn.
529. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made in reducing a fine or penalty being imposed on Ireland for issues arising out of the land parcel identification scheme review 2008-2013; when it is hoped this matter will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31581/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that t he EU Commission in its letter dated 14 May 2014, proposed a 2% flat rate financial correction for Ireland of €181.5 million arising from its Conformity Clearance audits in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The payments audited covered the period from 2008 to 2012 during which over €9 billion was paid to farmers in Ireland under the Direct Payment Schemes. I have always been opposed to the imposition of flat-rate penalties and particularly so in this case. I strongly refuted the application of this proposed correction as disproportionate to the true level of risk involved and my Department accordingly sought a hearing with the Conciliation Body. Further to the Conciliation hearing in December 2014 the report of the Conciliation Body concluded that conciliation seemed within reach and that the Commission and my Department should continue discussing the matter with a view to an agreed settlement. On foot of this advice my Department maintained regular contact with the Commission, and carried out additional requested verification work, with a view to bringing the matter to a conclusion.
The Commission Audit services carried out a verification visit to Ireland in May 2015 and further to same advised my Department in July of their intention to exclude a total of approximately €67.6 million from EU funding of various agricultural Direct Payment schemes for the seven year period from 2008 to 2014. This represents 0.7% of the €12 billion in EU funding for these schemes in this seven year period. This proposal means that the complete period of the Single Payment Scheme will have the Clearance of Accounts procedure concluded.
The proposal consists of two elements - €64 million exclusion for the period 2008 – 2012 and €3.6 million for the period 2013 – 2014. It must be noted that there is a decrease of almost 86% in the average annual level of correction for the 2013 – 2014 period relative to the correction for the 2008 – 2014 period. This clearly illustrates the very positive impact of the 2013 LPIS review carried out by my Department.
As can be seen, these outcomes have come further to a prolonged process of intensive communication and effort by my Department and the significant reduction from the original proposal of €181 million reflects on same and the very detailed case presented to the Commission in strong opposition to the original proposal, including the examination of over 900,000 land parcels throughout the country.
It is noted that the proposed correction of €67.6 million relates mainly to Commission findings in relation to the exclusion of ineligible lands from payments to farmers under EU funded schemes. I would, therefore, highlight that there is an onus on all farmers to ensure that the area of land declared by them as eligible for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes is accurate. I would urge them to ensure that all ineligible areas and land that they are no longer farming is excluded from the areas claimed for payment under the Direct Payment Schemes.
530. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals that are at hand in his Department; if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the schemes that are been appealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31593/15]
View answerThe Agriculture Appeals Office has indicated that 406 appeals have been received by that office to date in 2015. The table below provides a breakdown of all appeals currently at hand that are yet to be determined.
|
Scheme |
Total |
|
Single Payment Scheme |
99 |
|
Rural Environment Protections Scheme |
56 |
|
Agri-Environment Options Scheme |
37 |
|
Nitrates |
29 |
|
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme |
14 |
|
Farm Waste Management |
1 |
|
Forestry |
3 |
|
Beef Data Genomics |
8 |
|
Beef Data |
2 |
|
Bio-Energy |
3 |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
2 |
|
Basic Payment Scheme |
1 |
|
Grassland Sheep Scheme |
2 |
|
Non Valuation Reactor |
1 |
|
Organic Farming |
5 |
|
Sheep Fencing |
3 |
531. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the income prices in the dairy sector and the apparent oversupply of dairy products on the world market, if he will urgently re-examine the industry's marketing strategies here with a view to sharpening future projections for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31609/15]
View answerIrish dairy co-operatives and PLCs export their produce to some 130 countries and of course, some 60% of Irish dairy output is marketed through a joint co-operative venture “The Irish Dairy Board” which was rebranded as “Ornua” earlier this year. These companies have already proven their capability on international markets and I am confident they will continue to do so. Planning in terms of marketing activities for the post quota period has been ongoing for a number of years. Developing a unique selling point for Irish dairy produce is a critically important element of the national strategy. It remains clearly evident, from engagement with potential customers for Irish dairy products, that the sustainability message associated with the sector in Ireland has a strong resonance. This is borne out in trade statistics that show substantial year on year increases in Ireland’s dairy sector exports from the turn of the decade. Data for the first six months of 2015 indicate that the overall level for dairy exports, at €1.9 billion approx, remains consistent with the same period for 2014, a record year.
As a support to this effort, in 2012 I announced a proposal for a new national sustainability programme for the dairy sector. This programme, the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) was launched in December 2013 and is a key element in Ireland’s strategy for marketing and promotion of dairy products on international markets, particularly in the context of expanded milk output following the abolition of milk quotas in April of this year.
The Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme was developed in cooperation with milk producers, processors and regulatory authorities. It has been designed to provide a platform for measuring quality and sustainability on Irish dairy farms and to assist in securing new and existing markets for Irish dairy produce as farmers look to increase milk production in a post quota era.
To promote the SDAS to customers of Irish dairy, the industry provides a promotional fund to Bord Bia and this will be focused across 3 primary target regions, namely Europe, China and the Middle East at a business to business level. It is worth noting that exports to China in the dairy sector were up 25% approx compared to the first 6 months of 2014, which was a record year. Exports to Saudi Arabia, the predominant market in the Gulf, was up 48% in the same period.
Bord Bia also has a central budget from Government which is used, inter alia, for the promotional activities in relation to dairy through attendance at trade fairs, market research in developing markets and consumer research. This funding has increased by 14% in 2015, and includes funding for Bord Bia to assist in the marketing of Irish food and drink including dairy at this year’s Expo in Milan. I have also led Trade Missions to a variety of destinations in recent years, including China, the United States, Algeria, Japan and the Gulf States, in order to promote Irish Food and Beverages and dairy promotion has been a significant feature of such missions. I intend to lead missions to China, Vietnam and Africa in the coming months.
Taken together, I am satisfied that the foregoing measures as outlined reflect the strong ongoing commitment to making resources available to ensure developing and exciting markets in the dairy sector can be appropriately pursued.
532. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 10 March 2015, when will a person (details supplied) in County Clare receive his or her payment under the agri-environment options scheme for 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31624/15]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2012 Agri - Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1 st May 2013. Issues arose in relation to the splitting of land parcels, which required an amendment to the applicant’s Single Payment Application, and prevented the file from progressing towards administrative check. These amendments were successfully completed earlier in the year.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks, further issues have arisen in relation to Natura land. These issues have proved to be complex and my officials are actively working towards resolving them. Once these issues are resolved, further administrative checks must take place before payment can issue. Any outstanding payments will then be made as soon as possible thereafter.
533. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments under the agri-environment options scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31628/15]
View answerMy Department is currently examining approximately 400 cases that submitted invoices from one particular company to verify and support claims under the non-productive capital investment action of AEOS. It is known that in some cases the invoices submitted were for greater amounts than actually paid by the participants. Funding provided under the scheme comes partly from the EU and partly from the National Exchequer. There is a requirement and obligation to ensure that the expenditure claimed by scheme participants reflects the reality of what took place. For that reason my Department wrote to participants requesting alternative proof that the amounts claimed were in fact the amounts paid.
The person named was written to on 8 June 2015. This letter requested the submission of alternative verifiable proof to support one of the invoices that was included in the claim. A reply to this letter was received on 24 June enclosing a letter from their accountant.
My Department officials are now examining this and other similar cases, and comparing the costs claimed against similar verified costs. A decision on this case will issue to the person-named shortly.
534. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be given permission to clear fell all of his forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31634/15]
View answerThe person named applied for a General Felling Licence to clear fell 2.92 hectares and to perform a first thinning on 4.36 hectares. On 28th July 2015, he was granted a General Felling Licence authorising him to clear fell the area for which he had he applied. With regard to thinning, the Forestry Inspector recommended that “the applicant should not thin at this location due to high windthrow risk” and, on that basis, authorisation to thin was not included in the felling licence. Any additional clear-felling that the person may wish to undertake would require him to submit a new felling licence application.
535. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on an application for funding (details supplied) submitted by Donegal County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31644/15]
View answerLeenan Pier is owned by Donegal County Council and responsibility for its development, repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority. That said, under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme this Department has in previous years provided funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned harbours piers and slipways subject to exchequer resources. I allocated €2.7m for the 2015 Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure Programme.
My Department did not receive a project proposal from Donegal County Council for an extension and new slipway at Leenan Pier under the 2015 Harbour Development Scheme & Marine Leisure & Marine Tourism Scheme. Donegal County Council submitted a project proposal to repair the access road to the pier, however this does not meet the criteria of the scheme.
Any application submitted by Donegal County Council in respect of capital development works on Leenan Pier under a future Local Authority capital programme, will be given consideration in the context of the criteria set out, available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
536. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén líon iarratas faoi na scéimeanna éagsúla talmhaíochta a bhaineann le hOileáin Árann i nGaillimh a ndearnadh scrúdú ina leith ar an talamh ar na hoileáin le gairid; cén líon acu seo a bhfuil ceisteanna ardaithe fúthu ag éirí as an gcigireacht sin; cén mhoill a chuirfidh sé seo ar phróiseáil na n-iarratas seo; cén fáth gur fágadh chomh déanach sin sa séasúr é chun na scrúduithe seo a dhéanamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [31647/15]
View answerI gcómhthéacs Scéimeanna Íocaíochta Dhíreacha agus Bearta Forbartha Tuaithe a sheachadadh, ní mór do mo Roinn babhta bliantúil iniúchtaí a dhéanamh ag cuimsiú incháilitheacht an talún fógartha chun íocaíochtaí a tharraingt anuas agus critéir incháilitheachta scéim-sonraithe, nuair is cuí.
Forordaíonn rialúcháin rialaithe gur ceart seiceanna incháilitheachta a dhéanamh ar íosmhéid de 5% de thairbhíthe faoi gach ceann de na scéimeanna limistéir-bunaithe, ag cuimsiú Scéim na Limistéar faoi Shrian Sonracha (Oileáin). Roghnaítear cásanna iniúchta trí chomhcheangal de roghnú randamach agus ar bhunús riosca. Ceadaíonn na rialúcháin do roghnú cásanna d’iniúchadh faoi níos mó ná scéim amháin, le líon na cuairteanna feirme a íoslaghdú. As na 35 cás roghnaithe d’iniúchadh faoin Scéim Limistéar faoi Shrianta Sonracha (Oileáin) le talamh fógraithe ar an hOileáin Árainn, Gaillimh, bhí 28 de na cáis seo roghnaithe d’iniúchadh faoin Scéim Bhuníocaíochta. Bhí na 7 cás atá fágtha roghnaithe d’iniúchadh faoi na Scéimeanna Bhuníocaíochta agus Limistéar faoi Shrianta Sonracha araon.
Ní féidir le hiniúchtaí incháilitheachta tosú amach go dtí dáta deiridh d’fháil iarratais agus críochnú phróiseáil tosaigh de na hiarratais faighte. Tugtar faoi iniúchtaí chomh tapa agus is féidir ag cur na cineálacha iniúchta éagsúla agus líon na n-iniúchtaí le déanamh laistigh de réigiún iniúchta san áireamh.
Críochnaíodh na hiniúchtaí san allamuigh do na 35 cás seo agus beidh gach cás próiseáilte do bhailchríoch, ag cuimsiú nuashonrú an Chórais Aitheanta Dáileachtaí Talún nuair is gá. Níl sé indéanta toradh deiridh na n-iniúchtaí seo a mheas go dtí go bhfuil na torthaí iniúchta próiseáilte go hiomlán agus go bhfuil an tUaslimistéar Incháilithe i ndiadh iniúchta bunaithe.
Nuair atá laghduithe limistéara le feidhmiú mar thoradh ar an iniúchadh, cuirfear in iúl do thairbhíthe faoi seo nuair atá próiseáil na cáise críochnaithe go hiomlán. Sa chás go bhfuil táirbhí míshásta le toradh an iniúchta beidh an ceart acu athbhreithniú den chinneadh a iarraidh.
537. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged areas scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31724/15]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2015. However, payment has not yet issued as the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements for 2015. Under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year.
While the holding of the person named has been confirmed as having satisfied the seven month retention period, it has not as yet satisfied the annual average requirement. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing to the person named at the earliest possible date thereafter, provided all other Scheme requirements have been satisfied.
538. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has put in place to inform the rescue groups and the general public of the new microchipping legislation in terms of outlining obligations such as in cases where dogs are already microchipped but may not be on the approved databases; and if these dogs are compliant. [31734/15]
View answer539. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to improve the quality of information available to the public and rescue organisations in relation to the new microchipping obligations which have come into effect, including comprehensive information being made available on his Department's website, print and social media as radio advertisements on the new legislation from one of the official database operators is not adequate to ensure maximum compliance. [31735/15]
View answer540. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he has put in place to ensure enforcement of the microchipping legislation. [31736/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 to 540, inclusive, together.
The legal requirements for microchipping of dogs is set out in S.I. No 63 of 2015 - Microchipping of Dogs Regulations. With effect from September 1st 2015, all pups born on or after 1st June 2015 must be microchipped and registered on an approved database. From 31st March 2016 all dogs must be microchipped regardless of birth date. The focus at the moment is to encourage dog owners to comply with the new system. The legislation will be enforced by authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Comprehensive questions and answers are available on my Departments website: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/dogmicrochipping/DogMicrochippingFAQ120815.pdf.
I understand that a number of the approved databases have been assisting animal welfare charities in their efforts to meet the new microchipping requirements and a number of charities are themselves committing substantial funds towards assisting with microchipping.
Officials from my Department recently contacted all recipients of ex-gratia funding informing them of the regulations and how they apply to dogs in their care. In addition, I have made funding available to subsidise microchipping for dog owners who would find it difficult to afford the full cost i.e. social welfare recipients, those on state pensions, etc. Details of how to apply for funding is available at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/dogmicrochipping/Microchippingfunding040915.pdf.
