Written Answers Nos. 1446-1466
1446. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will act on the call by an organisation (details supplied) for a top-up payment on the sheep welfare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22073/20]
View answerThe details of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, including the payment rates for participants, were approved by the European Commission in 2016. The payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the scheme would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process.
While there is no doubt that the overall environment facing sheep farmers this year is challenging, it should be noted that sheep prices and slaughter volumes for 2020 are ahead of 2019 levels.
1447. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the research his Department, State agencies or other researchers have carried out in relation to the potential for wool to be used for alternative purposes other than clothing production, such as insulation, fertiliser and so on; if his Department will engage with wool producers to discuss alternative markets and diversification in the context of current difficulties with the Chinese market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22086/20]
View answerWool production is an important component of agri-industry and Ireland produces excellent quality wool. In an industry such as the wool industry where prices tend to move in cycles, it is imperative that the players ensure and promote a diversity of options for the product in the market place. The current market uncertainties should provide an impetus for the industry players to come together to see what business opportunities are out there and try to promote the excellent product in as many markets as possible.
While I am not considering the establishment of any research on wool in relation to new or alternative uses for raw wool, I will of course consider any proposal that the industry wishes to submit to me in this regard.
1448. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reintroduce an early retirement scheme for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22088/20]
View answerIn recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place, including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. These agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax for certain young trained farmers and stamp duty exemption on transfers of land to young trained farmers.
Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, there is also an enhanced capital investment scheme for young trained farmers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes. This Scheme provides them with grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and I believe it is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time.
Generational renewal continues to be a priority for my Department and will form an important part of the CAP post-2020. My Department and I are actively engaging with other Member States and the EU on these issues during the current negotiations on new CAP proposals. We can then consider in more detail when we have the final EU Regulations as part of the wider consideration of all proposals for the next CAP.
1449. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds by location exported to other jurisdictions in the past five years to date; the procedures and protocols in place in relation to the exportation of greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22129/20]
View answerBord na gCon 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. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
It is not possible to establish exact figures for greyhound exports, as TRACES, the European Commission's online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, does not distinguish between breeds of dogs moved commercially. I can confirm that the vast majority of dogs that are moved from Ireland go to the UK.
BnG tendered for a traceability system in early 2020 and a contract is at present underway to deliver the system during Q4 2020. The system will enable the traceability of racing greyhounds and will be supported by statutory regulation under the Greyhound Racing Act, 2019.
The Welfare of Greyhounds Act, 2011 obliges Bord na gCon to publish a code of practice for the welfare of greyhounds. The primary objective of the code is to set standards and clearly define what is expected of all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds. Currently, the code gives guidance on a range of areas including general welfare principles, animal husbandry, animal health and use of animal remedies.
The Board proposes to expand the existing code to clearly indicate its position regarding exports to countries that do not meet Ireland’s welfare standards. This will include information and guidance on preparation for export, transportation arrangements and advising the exporter on the need to research the proposed export destination to establish the prevailing animal welfare code and legislation. Bord na gCon encourages and promotes the export of greyhounds only to countries that have established a positive animal welfare code and practices which is a view that I fully endorse.
1450. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason proposals for the introduction of tuberculosis herd history and statements have been recommended by his Department prior to the publication of the report of the tuberculosis forum; if he will consider suspending the introduction of same pending further consultation with farmer representative bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/20]
View answerThe Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (published July 2019) identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. In line with, and in view of implementing those recommendations, the Department has developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB.
Farmers are already provided with information in relation to their TB risk, but this new report presents this in a very much more user-friendly, detailed and practical form. The Department is providing farmers with their own information in a format that helps them to mitigate risk in their herds. An alternative approach would be to deny farmers access to their own information. The statements and reports have already issued to every bovine herd in the country. The published Bovine TB Forum Interim Report and the minutes of the Forum meetings where these matters were discussed can be found at
https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animalhealthwelfare/diseasecontrol/bovinetb/tbforum/
While bTB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor (bovines identified as infected with TB) numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence at 4.2% is now at its highest level since 2012 while reactor numbers at 21,000 are back at 2009 rates.
As part of its on-going commitment towards TB eradication, the Department has also sanctioned an additional 16 posts across policy, operations, wildlife and the laboratory services, at an estimated additional annual cost of €1m per annum.
My Department is eager to support eradication efforts through investment in disease-reducing initiatives. It is imperative that stakeholders work together in reducing TB rates to support and protect farm families.
1451. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a study has been carried out into the introduction of non-native honey bees here and the affect they are having on the native honey bee apis mellifera mellifera; his plans to introduce a control on the import and spread of bees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22166/20]
View answerI fully recognise the important role bees play within agriculture and for biodiversity, both as pollinators and honey producers. My Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include, but are not limited to, funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.
Regarding research into Apis mellifera mellifera, my Department has funded a number of studies under the Genetic Research Grant Aid Scheme looking at various aspects of this honeybee species, opportunities for funding further research on this topic still exist via this mechanism and potentially through any future calls through the Research Stimulus Fund (RSF) and other national funding opportunities. My Department also supports the work of the Native Irish Honey Bee Society
The importation of honeybees into Ireland is provided for under intra-Community trade with other EU Member States. The specific health requirements for trading in bees is laid out in Council Directive 92/65/EEC. All imports of bees must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the country of export. This aims to ensure the bees that are imported are healthy and do not harbour pathogens or parasites that may be harmful to our native bee stocks.
1452. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will provide the €3 million to BIM that will be required to upgrade ice plants at various harbours nationally. [22216/20]
View answerMy Department is currently awaiting submission, by BIM, of a comprehensive updated review of their existing ice plant network operations. The review will provide an opportunity for analysis of current and projected future demand for the existing service and the rationale for BIM to continue to operate the service, given the existing provision of ice by a range of external operators in many ports and harbours across the State.
In the event that proposals are brought forward in the review for further significant public investment in the existing BIM network, this will be examined by my Department. It is important to note that the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform would also be required in relation to any proposed future public investment in the existing network.
1453. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the number of harbours that his Department are responsible for to include Greencastle Harbour, County Donegal. [22217/20]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres as provided for under statute, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
The six Fishery Harbour Centres are strategically positioned in the six locations to further develop a modern offshore Irish fishing fleet and attract the large offshore fishing vessels of other Member States to maximise landings and drive the development of a modern onshore processing industry.
Greencastle Harbour is an important fishery harbour which is owned by Donegal County Council . Under the existing statutory arrangements responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. However, my Department has and currently provides funding to Greencastle under the Local Authority Harbours infrastructure programme and requests submitted by Donegal County Council under the terms of that Programme in relation to Greencastle will be considered for funding.
1454. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for funding from his Department submitted by local authorities for piers and harbours; the locations of the piers and harbours that funding has been sought for; and the amount of funding sought in each case in tabular form. [22218/20]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.
The responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.
However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department provides limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between 2010 and 2019, €28.2 million in funding has been provided by my Department under this scheme.
In February of this year, coastal Local Authorities were invited to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration to be included in the annual capital programme. In total, 164 preliminary applications for funding were received, seeking a funding contribution of €9.6m. (see attached table for details).
All applications for funding made by Local Authorities in respect of qualifying projects were then assessed, taking into account compliance with the criteria of the scheme, the priority attached to each project by the relevant Local Authority, the funding available, and the need to ensure a broad geographical spread of projects.
Under this year’s programme, funding of €3.1m has been approved to assist 10 coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 58 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. The package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour facilities, including some marine leisure developments.
1455. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter regarding tuberculosis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/20]
View answerThe Bovine TB Forum Interim Report (published July 2019) identified the need to provide more effective information to farmers to help them reduce the risk of TB in their herd and advocated for the development of herd risk categories that are “simple, clear, and convey sufficient information to enable farmers to make the decisions appropriate to their situation”. In line with this the Department has developed individualised reports that provide a simplified TB herd risk category for farmers, with herd-specific advice on how to reduce risk of TB.
Farmers are already provided with information in relation to their TB risk, but this new report presents this in a very much more user-friendly, detailed and practical form. The TB herd history risk status will not be compulsorily displayed anywhere but individual farmers may wish to advertise their own herds' status. The published Bovine TB Forum Interim Report, a sample of the TB Herd History risk statement and report and frequently asked questions can be found at www.bovinetb.ie
While bTB disease is low relative to historical levels, TB herd incidence and reactor (bovines identified as infected with TB) numbers have been gradually increasing since 2016. The pace of deterioration has accelerated in 2020. Herd incidence at 4.2% is now at its highest level since 2012 while reactor numbers at 21,000 are back at 2009 rates.
As part of its on-going commitment towards TB eradication, the Department has also sanctioned an additional 16 posts across policy, operations, wildlife and the laboratory services, at an estimated additional annual cost of €1m per annum.
My Department is eager to support eradication efforts through investment in disease-reducing initiatives. It is imperative that stakeholders work together in reducing TB rates to support and protect farm families.
1456. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if outstanding payments are due to a person (details supplied) under the tuberculosis eradication scheme. [22256/20]
View answerI can confirm that there are no outstanding payments due to the herdowner in question. .
TB compensation payments were made to this herd as a result of a breakdown up to April 2009 (i.e. Reactor, Income Supplement and Hardship payments). All further payments including reactor compensation as well as four instalments of monthly Income Supplement (May to August 2009) were withheld and marked for non-payment.
This was after the herdowner was made ineligible for compensation following prosecution by my Department. The case concluded on 1st July 2011, with the herdowner pleading guilty to breaches of the Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order 1989 including of article 7(1) requiring that a herdowner not introduce into the body of an animal any substance for the purposes of affecting the accuracy of the TB test.
This herd was subsequently destocked by order of the court and made dormant on 02/04/2015.
1457. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce a payment to compensate sheep farmers in view of the market disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22303/20]
View answerMy officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agri-food sector since the start of the pandemic. My Department and I are working to ensure that business and services to farmers can continue, keeping food and other processing facilities operational, ensuring that payments and commercial activities that are necessary to protect farm incomes can continue.
It should be noted that, for the sheep sector, national average price and slaughter volumes this year are above 2019 levels.
1458. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase payments under the sheep welfare scheme due to the market disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficulties that will arise due to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22304/20]
View answerThe details of the Sheep Welfare Scheme, including the payment rates for participants, were approved by the European Commission in 2016. The payment rates are based on the agreed costings underlying the actions to be undertaken in the scheme, and an increase in payments would thus require changes to the actions currently being undertaken by farmers. Any such changes to the details of the scheme would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process. My Department is currently exploring options for the development of schemes for the transition period in advance of the introduction of the new CAP programming period.
While there is no doubt that the overall environment facing sheep farmers this year is challenging, it should be noted that sheep prices and slaughter volumes in 2020 are ahead of 2019 levels.
1459. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish a sheep taskforce in relation to the long-term issues facing the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22305/20]
View answerThe sheep sector is an important element of the Irish economy and I am conscious of the important role that this sector plays in rural Ireland.
My officials and I have ongoing contact with all the key stakeholders across the agri-food sector, it is envisaged that a sheep sector working group will be established in the context of the development of proposals for the next CAP, in addition to existing stakeholder fora.
1460. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce legislation which will require a prescription to obtain common veterinary medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/20]
View answerEU Regulation 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal products comes into effect in January 2022. This Regulation is binding in full and has direct effect on all Member States. There is limited national discretion available to Member States in relation to a number of the Regulation's articles.
In 2004, European legislation established a requirement that all veterinary medicinal products that are intended for use in food-producing animals should be subject to a veterinary prescription. However, a 2006 EU Directive allowed for the maintenance of non-prescription status for certain veterinary medicinal products which did not present a risk to human or animal health or to the environment, and which met the specified criteria for exemption from veterinary prescription. Ireland availed of the exemption in Directive 2006/130/EC at the time and antiparasitics were allowed to continue to be available without prescription.
There is a similar exemption available under the new EU Regulation 2019/6. However, since that time, our knowledge regarding the impact of extensive use of antiparasitics has changed. For example, antiparasitic resistance has been widely reported in parasites of livestock species in Ireland and globally, resistance is developing year-on-year and is now a significant animal health issue.
In 2019, the Health Product Regulatory Authority’s (HPRA) Advisory Committee for Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) established a Task Force to review the method of supply of antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products that are intended for food-producing animals against the criteria set out in Regulation 2019/6. A copy of the Report is available on the HPRA’s website www.hpra.ie.
The Report states that the available scientific evidence shows that antiparasitic veterinary medicines that are intended for use in food-producing species do not comply with the criteria for derogation from veterinary prescription specified in EU Regulation 2019/6. It also states that a consequence of this determination is that any such products that are supplied without veterinary prescription will need to be upregulated to supply under veterinary prescription. Therefore, Ireland and all other Member States must now comply with this regulation from January 2022.
In accordance with existing national legislation, from January 2022 antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products for use in food-producing species that are supplied under prescription may be dispensed by veterinary practitioners, pharmacists and licensed merchants. This means that all current stakeholders that are already permitted to supply such products will be entitled to continue to supply them in the future but from January 2022 onwards, a veterinary prescription will be needed to dispense them.
Increasing resistance to veterinary medicinal products is not in the interests of any stakeholder in the agri-sector. My Department is focused on the acknowledged need to protect these products, recognising their importance in modern agriculture, and to ensure that they remain effective into the future. It is imperative to protect the efficacy of the drugs we have available currently as it is not envisaged that any new drugs are imminent.
In recognition of the challenges posed to numerous stakeholders by changing the route of supply to ‘Prescription Only Medicine’ for antiparasitic products, my Department has established an Antiparasitic Resistance Stakeholder Group chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO). Its first meeting was held in mid-June and its second meeting takes place in September. This group will examine all the issues related to the changed route of supply with the primary objective of protecting the efficacy of antiparasitics which are critical to the Irish pasture-based production model.
My Department is fully committed to working with all stakeholders in considering how best to implement the new EU Regulations on veterinary medicinal products.
1461. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the reasons one third of approved TAMS applications do not progress to a claim will be addressed; the effect of same on approving new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22413/20]
View answerThe indicative allocation for the TAMS II scheme over the course of the Rural Development Programme is €395 million. To date, €237 million has been paid across all the available schemes and a further €73m in approvals have yet to be claimed by applicants. Expenditure is being monitored closely on a weekly basis.
Applicants with an existing approval have either a 6 month, 12 month or, in some cases, a 36 month window to complete their investment. It is entirely a matter for the applicant whether they wish to proceed.
Given the tight budgetary situation, I would certainly prefer that applicants with existing approvals who do not intend to proceed with the investment to contact my Department so that we can use that financial commitment for other applicants. My Department has raised this with farm organisations and with the advisory bodies who have a key role to play in communicating this message to farmers.
Tranche 18 of TAMS II closed on 21 August 2020. Under this tranche, 3,448 new applications were received. These applications, together with those rolled over from tranche 17, bring the total number to be considered to 4,914.
1462. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details regarding letters issued to farmers in relation to the beef data and genomics programme demanding repayment from farmers; the number of farmers that have received repayment demands; the average amount sought by county; the rationale for issuing the demands at this time; the details of correspondence, reports, briefings and materials relating to the matter [22416/20]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) forms part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. It provides funding of €300 million over the six year programme and addresses widely acknowledged weaknesses in the maternal genetics of the Irish suckler herd, makes a positive contribution to farmer profitability and reduces the greenhouse gas intensity of Ireland’s beef production.
BDGP I & II provide for annual payments to participating farmers for completion of defined actions as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme. Overall payments have amounted to €215m. To date in 2019, 22,957 particpants have completed the required actions to generate €41.47m in payments.
These schemes are co-funded by the EU. They represent a significant commitment for participating farmers over the duration of the programmes, and it is inevitable that some participants will seek to withdraw at some stage for a variety of reasons. A significant proportion of withdrawals each year are due to reasons such as ill health, and in such cases Force Majeure, as provided for by EU Regulations and in the Terms and Conditions of the Programmes, may be applied with no recoupment of monies paid.
However, in a number of cases annually, withdrawals are due to other reasons that will require any monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the regulations. In some of these cases, the participant will have requested to withdraw and will have been made aware of the implications of withdrawal from the programme at this stage. In the remaining cases, participants will have been removed from the programme as they have repeatedly failed to meet key requirements of the programme. In such cases, the participant will have received correspondence enquiring as to whether they wished to continue in the programme and if so, advising them of the actions they needed to take in order to avoid being removed. Where no reply was forthcoming or where the non-compliance continued, the participant was removed and my Department have made arrangements for monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the regulations.
Please see table below with the requested information.
|
COUNTY |
NUMBER OF HERDS |
AVERAGE OVERPAYMENT AMOUNT - € |
|
CARLOW |
16 |
1700.42 |
|
CAVAN |
18 |
1258.04 |
|
CLARE |
26 |
1323.12 |
|
CORK |
43 |
1307.41 |
|
DONEGAL |
23 |
970.72 |
|
DUBLIN |
2 |
1567.37 |
|
GALWAY |
52 |
1296.18 |
|
KERRY |
34 |
1320.16 |
|
KILDARE |
10 |
1570.32 |
|
KILKENNY |
7 |
1094.58 |
|
LAOIS |
7 |
2972.4 |
|
LEITRIM |
11 |
512.34 |
|
LIMERICK |
30 |
1352.19 |
|
LONGFORD |
12 |
1538.27 |
|
LOUTH |
10 |
1355.61 |
|
MAYO |
36 |
984.32 |
|
MEATH |
20 |
2315.6 |
|
MONAGHAN |
21 |
1002.59 |
|
OFFALY |
11 |
2421.84 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
26 |
1190.84 |
|
SLIGO |
19 |
943.14 |
|
TIPPERARY |
13 |
1402.75 |
|
WATERFORD |
6 |
1265.6 |
|
WESTMEATH |
17 |
2130.1 |
|
WEXFORD |
12 |
1525.83 |
|
WICKLOW |
6 |
1502.12 |
|
TOTAL |
488 |
1463. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers were removed from the beef data and genomics programme without prior indication that they wished to withdraw from the programme; the numbers of farmers removed from the scheme by year and county; the details of correspondence, reports, briefings and materials relating to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22417/20]
View answerBDGP I and BDGP II commenced in 2015 and 2017 respectively, and both will run for six years. The programmes provide for six years of payments to farmers for completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and improvement of its environmental sustainability. Overall payments have amounted to €215m. To date for 2019, 22,957 particpants have completed the required actions to generate €41.47m in payments.
The programmes represent a significant commitment for participating farmers over the duration of the programmes, and it is inevitable that some participants will seek to withdraw at some stage for a variety of reasons. A significant proportion of withdrawals each year are due to reasons such as ill health, and in such cases, Force Majeure as provided for by EU Regulations and in the Terms and Conditions of the Programmes may be applied with no recoupment of monies paid.
However, in a number of cases annually, withdrawals are due to other reasons that will require any monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the relevant EU regulations. In some of these cases, the participant will have requested to withdraw and will have been made aware of the implications of withdrawal from the programme at this stage. In the remaining cases, participants will have been removed from the programme as they have repeatedly failed to meet key requirements of the programme. In such cases, the participant will have received correspondence enquiring as to whether they wished to continue in the programme and, if so, advising them what actions they needed to take in order to avoid being removed. Where no reply was forthcoming or where the non-compliance continued the participant was removed and my Department has made arrangements for monies paid over the course of the programme to be repaid in accordance with the relevant EU regulations
Please see tables below with the requested information for BDGP I and BDGP II.
BDGP I Withdrawals & Removals
|
COUNTY |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
CARLOW |
49 |
13 |
15 |
5 |
10 |
0 |
|
CAVAN |
274 |
27 |
48 |
22 |
19 |
0 |
|
CLARE |
417 |
36 |
45 |
15 |
19 |
2 |
|
CORK |
271 |
34 |
61 |
16 |
35 |
4 |
|
DONEGAL |
213 |
17 |
62 |
14 |
21 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN |
13 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
GALWAY |
602 |
70 |
103 |
36 |
43 |
3 |
|
KERRY |
248 |
40 |
31 |
13 |
31 |
0 |
|
KILDARE |
52 |
3 |
13 |
6 |
10 |
1 |
|
KILKENNY |
83 |
25 |
23 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
|
LAOIS |
114 |
15 |
26 |
9 |
7 |
1 |
|
LEITRIM |
234 |
15 |
28 |
5 |
14 |
2 |
|
LIMERICK |
148 |
30 |
34 |
15 |
26 |
0 |
|
LONGFORD |
150 |
16 |
18 |
5 |
13 |
1 |
|
LOUTH |
38 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
9 |
0 |
|
MAYO |
662 |
58 |
73 |
27 |
33 |
3 |
|
MEATH |
115 |
16 |
29 |
8 |
20 |
4 |
|
MONAGHAN |
215 |
31 |
39 |
12 |
25 |
3 |
|
OFFALY |
111 |
23 |
10 |
14 |
15 |
2 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
346 |
24 |
48 |
16 |
23 |
1 |
|
SLIGO |
201 |
21 |
17 |
8 |
17 |
2 |
|
TIPPERARY |
165 |
32 |
23 |
14 |
16 |
3 |
|
WATERFORD |
61 |
18 |
11 |
5 |
14 |
1 |
|
WESTMEATH |
141 |
20 |
24 |
8 |
16 |
0 |
|
WEXFORD |
95 |
16 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
0 |
|
WICKLOW |
72 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
1 |
BDGP II Withdrawals & Removals
|
COUNTY |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
CARLOW |
5 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
CAVAN |
26 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
CLARE |
22 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
|
CORK |
26 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
|
DONEGAL |
14 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
DUBLIN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
GALWAY |
45 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
|
KERRY |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
KILDARE |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
KILKENNY |
6 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
LAOIS |
9 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
LEITRIM |
10 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
LIMERICK |
11 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
LONGFORD |
11 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
LOUTH |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
MAYO |
38 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
MEATH |
6 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|
MONAGHAN |
18 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
|
OFFALY |
8 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
29 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
SLIGO |
10 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
TIPPERARY |
28 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
|
WATERFORD |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
WESTMEATH |
13 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
WEXFORD |
6 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
WICKLOW |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1464. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to expand the reconstitution and underplanting the ash dieback scheme to include forestry not part of one of the four referenced schemes in section 6.6 of the scheme outline of June 2020; if consideration has been given to expanding the scheme to include forestry over 25 years old and if not, the reason for the 25 year limit; if his Department is limited to only provide funding in relation to existing schemes; if consideration has been given to a similar scheme for forestry that falls outside of the criteria; the reason for prioritisation of more recently planted forestry rather than older forestry and associated biodiversity; if all correspondence, reports, briefings and materials relating to the matter will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22418/20]
View answerIn April 2018, my Department announced a review of the national response to Ash Dieback Disease as it was increasingly evident from experience and the latest scientific advice that eradication of Ash Dieback disease was no longer feasible. The focus of the review was on the policy approach and associated support schemes, considering the move away from Ash Dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management into focus. The review included further consideration of damage level evaluation together with inclusion of a broader range of silvicultural and management options. This new approach was circulated for stakeholder consultation in December 2019 and a total of 18 submissions were received in reply.
All submissions were carefully considered, and a number of meetings held with stakeholders to finalise a new scheme document. It was decided during scheme design to focus resources on plantations under 25 years as most ash plantations beyond this age would have attained some size and therefore would be of some commercial value.
The Department does however provide some options for ash plantations 25 years and over that are affected by Ash Dieback disease. Under the Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS), two thinning interventions are available for these plantations. Where the owner has already received funding for the first intervention (€750/ha), grant aid of €500/ha is available for a second intervention. Another option for plantations 25 years old and over is to consider switching to a continuous cover forestry management regime. Under Element 2 of WIS, forest owners may be eligible for three tranches of €750/ha over 12 years or two if funding for a first thinning under WIS was received.
My Department does not have any plans to amend the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme.
1465. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a group (details supplied) if he will consider providing future support to such an organisation and community lead safety scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22419/20]
View answer1466. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the requirements for an organisation engaged in the promotion of farm safety to apply for and avail of Government funding; the relevant schemes in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1465 and 1466 together.
I am advised that the group has made contact with my colleague, Minister Martin Heydon and that a meeting is being arranged with the group.
