Written Answers Nos. 455-479
455. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a BEEP scheme payment for 2020 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42582/20]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme – Suckler is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management.
An application to join this scheme was received from the person named on 30th April 2020 where they selected the Faecal Testing option but did not select either the Meal Feeding or Vaccination options.
A Scheme acceptance letter issued to the person named on 16th July of this year that detailed the options that he had selected and explained his obligations under the scheme.
The person named successfully weighed 23 cow/calf pairs under the scheme and submitted faecal samples for testing. Payment of the relevant amount issued under the scheme on 3rd December 2020. It is not possible to amend the application at this stage.
The person named is entitled to seek a review of this decision. This can be done by writing to the Department setting out any exceptional circumstances at the time of application in April and in July, when he got the acceptance letter from the Department.
456. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views or concerns in relation to the decision of Coillte to sell a site at Ballyandrew, Doneraile Mounadowna Wood, County Cork to a private company for the purposes of erecting a mobile phone mast given that the site is a mixed deciduous woodland site and its importance to biodiversity and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42591/20]
View answerCoillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy within 10 days.
457. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42597/20]
View answerAn application for the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was received by my Department from the person named on 15th May 2019. The documentation submitted for this application in relation to the stocking density requirements to underpin payment under the scheme was not sufficient to clear the case for payment. This was set out in correspondence from my Department in February of this year.
An official from my Department has been in further contact with a representative of the person named. On foot of this, additional supporting documentation is due to be submitted to my Department. Once received, a review of this documentation will be carried out with a view to responding at an early date.
458. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has stated that there is a debt outstanding from 2014 for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this person appealed this debt and the appeal was upheld and his Department has since made other payments to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42612/20]
View answerThe person named had a debt recorded on their Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine account in relation to the AEOS, Area Based and Single Farm Payment schemes.
Following a successful appeal, the Department has removed the outstanding debt from that account.
459. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the entire allocation of fishing quota for Irish fishers in each of the past 20 years, in tabular form; the breakdown of the quota by fish species; the way in which it is allocated by producer organisations and other representative groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42613/20]
View answerIn Ireland, fish quotas are a public resource owned by the State. The Minister has responsibility for the management of Ireland's quotas. Allocations are made available to fishing vessels based on an overall policy framework which has been developed over the past 30 years. The key commercial whitefish quotas (cod, haddock, monk, hake etc) are managed, usually on a monthly basis, with maximum catch limits set for vessels. Pelagic stocks such as mackerel and herring are managed on an annual or seasonal basis in accordance with the Ministerial policy. That policy has been developed and set down over the years as the relevant fishery developed. Any amendments or changes to the policy on management arrangements are determined by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine following detailed analysis and full consultation with stakeholders.
Within the Minister’s policy, allocations and other arrangements are decided by the Minister on an ongoing basis having regard for the advice of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC).
Consultation is carried out at the monthly meeting of the QMAC involving representatives of the industry (each of the four Producer Organisations, Co-operatives, National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association), the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The purpose of these meetings is for the industry representatives to make recommendations to the Minister on monthly catch limits for stocks, mainly demersal stocks. I have regard for the recommendations when setting catch limits and arrangements for a fishery, subject to the proper management and rational exploitation of our fisheries.
I attach an Excel document presenting the quotas by fish stock for Ireland in each of years 2001 to 2020, which was compiled for me by the Marine Institute. The initial quota received by Ireland is presented in the first tab and a revised quota, to take account of swaps, is presented in the second tab of this document. Data is only available up to 2019 for the revised quotas in the second tab as all swaps have not been finalised for 2020.
460. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of Irish fishing vessels that have taken place in each of the past 20 years by his Department; the number of prosecutions taken by the State against Irish fishers during this period; the scale of infringements and penalties in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42614/20]
View answer461. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of foreign fishing vessels that have taken place in each of the past 20 years by his Department; the number of prosecutions taken by the State against non-Irish fishers during this period; the scale of infringements and penalties in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42615/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
462. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of logs of super trawlers fishing in waters off the coast of Ireland that have been recorded by his Department for each of the past 10 years by annual and monthly basis including the vessel name and country of registration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42616/20]
View answer464. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the electronic logbooks input by super trawlers and monitored by the SFPA showing the total catch made by them in waters off Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42618/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 464 together.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
463. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual breakdown of all SFPA operations on an annual basis for the past five years in which it boarded fishing vessels by vessel name, country of origin, purpose of boarding, if an infringement was detected and if so, the infringement in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42617/20]
View answerThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
465. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek access to quotas for Irish fishers for fish types such as bluefin tuna, anchovies and others in new EU quota negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42622/20]
View answerBluefin tuna is a highly migratory large pelagic species which spawns in the Mediterranean, and then migrates over a wide area of the North East Atlantic to feed. This migration brings some of the fish into the Irish 200 miles zone for part of the year. At the time we see fish in the Irish zone there are also fish being caught in the international high seas and over a wide area from Spain to Norway. There is no survey from which the abundance in Ireland's 200 miles zone may be determined.
Ireland does not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna. The available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States on the basis of relative stability as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.
A small Bluefin Tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery and Celtic Sea Herring fishery where there can be Bluefin Tuna by-catch.
In 2018, Ireland was successful, for the first time, in securing agreement that allowed countries without a commercial quota to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data. A Catch-Tag-Release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place in Ireland since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters.
The only way to obtain a share of the EU quota now would involve changing relative stability within the EU. The EU percentage share of the international TAC is set down and there is no liklihood that an international country will concede any share to the EU. This means that EU Member States, with a national quota, would give up a share of their allocation to Ireland.
As regards Anchovy, this species is sometimes caught in the waters around Ireland, although its abundance in catches is highly variable. Fishing for Anchovy in Area 8 (Bay of Biscay) and Area 9a (Atlantic-Iberian waters) is regulated by the TAC and Quota system. In recent years, the distribution of Anchovy has expanded into areas not currently covered by TACs and this is thought to be the result of changes in temperature. In the past, sporadic increases in abundance of Anchovy have been followed by periods of near absence. Some fishermen have reported catches in two separate locations south of Cape Clear and in Dingle bay recently.
At this time, there is no proposal from the EU Commission for a TAC and quota management arrangement for this stock in the waters around Ireland. I will of course have regard for a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of the stock.
The EU Commission has advised that it intends to commence the Common Fisheries Policy review process when there is clarity on the future relationship between the EU and the UK. The review is expected to be detailed and comprehensive. At EU level, it is expected that all stakeholders will have an opportunity to engage actively in the review work including the fishing industry, eNGOs and Member States.
I will consider how Ireland will prepare for and participate actively and effectively in the review, including the interaction with stakeholders to prepare Ireland's case and identify priorities.
466. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make capital investments in fishing ports during this term of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42623/20]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, 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 six Fishery Harbour Centres are the essential infrastructure that underpin the Government’s Seafood Strategy. Approximately 85% of all fish landed in Ireland are landed at the Fishery Harbour Centres. The Centres are strategically located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros a Mhíl 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.
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.
To provide for the necessary safety, maintenance and ongoing development of the six Fishery Harbour Centres, my Department administers the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. As part of this programme my Department also 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 almost €161 million has been invested in marine infrastructure under the Capital Development Programme.
In line with normal budgetary processes, funds are made available for this programme on an annual basis. €30 million has been allocated for the 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. Final decisions have yet to been made regarding the full suite of projects to be included in the 2021 Programme.
467. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote and support community-led and owned sustainable seaweed harvesting operations. [42625/20]
View answerThe Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for considering applications under the Foreshore Act 1933 for the harvesting of seaweed. I have no function in the matter.
Community groups involved in harvesting of seaweed may be eligible for financial support from the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups operating under my Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme 2014-20. Further details are available from BIM at the link below. While the scheme is presently closed to applications, the scheme, subject to funding, may re-open in 2021, but will, in any event, re-open under the future Seafood Development Programme 2021-27.
http://www.bim.ie/schemes/fisheries,local,area,group,development,flag,2016,-,2023/
468. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if bycatch reduction plans will be put in place in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42635/20]
View answer469. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42636/20]
View answer470. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure the rapid recovery of the Celtic Sea cod and Celtic Sea whiting to go above the level capable of producing MSY; the monitoring processes recommended by STECF being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42637/20]
View answer471. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if measures such as CCTV will be put in place to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full catch documentation; if not, the way in which Irish vessels will comply with the need for full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42638/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 468 to 471, inclusive, together.
There are certain stocks for which ICES (the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) has issued scientific advice for no catches. However, the Landing Obligation requires that if these stocks are caught, even as a by-catch, they must be landed. These by-catch stocks in the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea and the North West occur as by-catches in our mixed whitefish fisheries, therefore, if a zero Total Allowable Catch (TAC) were set, this would lead to the closure of entire fisheries.
Last year, in order to reduce catches of depleted stocks in mixed fisheries, the Council agreed to set restrictive Total Allowable Catches (TACs) to allow for unavoidable by-catches of these stocks. In order to reduce the catches of stocks for which by-catch TACs were set, the TACs for the other stocks in the fisheries in which these vulnerable stocks are caught were set at levels that help the biomass of the vulnerable stocks recover to sustainable levels. In addition, these measures were complemented by the adoption of remedial technical measures in the Celtic Sea and the continuation of such measures in the Irish Sea and the North-West.
For 2020, remedial measures were agreed by Member States in respect of Celtic Sea cod and whiting, recognising these stocks were below biological reference points and measures were needed to bring these stocks back above the level capable of producing MSY, in accordance with the Western Waters multiannual plan (Regulation (EU) 2019/472). Such measures were designed to improve selectivity by requiring the use of gear that have lower levels of by-catches of cod and whiting in the areas where such catches are significant, thus decreasing the fishing mortality of this stock in mixed fisheries. The TACs set for these species were set at a level designed to avoid potential discarding, which could undermine data collection and scientific assessment of the stock and to ensure rapid return of the stock to levels capable of producing MSY.
The Commission requested its Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) to review the impacts of these remedial measures and to assess the ongoing measures proposed by the North Western Waters Group of Member States, of which Ireland is a member. In their findings, STECF noted that the measures proposed should as a minimum lead to benefits for the conservation of marine biological resources by reducing the catches of juveniles. However, STECF did note that to carry out a full analysis, disaggregated quantitative data specific to the fisheries studied are needed. Monitoring of catch data by fishing operation or trip (including levels of discards) from the fishery is required to estimate the proportion and total volume of historical catches of by-catch species below or above the given catch thresholds specified in the Regulation. This will provide accurate data on the levels of by-catch of cod and whiting and identify the vessels that have by-catches of a sufficient level to require the use of the selective gears set out in the Regulation. Following on from the STECF advice, the Commission has requested that Member States provide such information in order to allow such an assessment to be carried out. Ireland is working with the other Member States to supply such information based on observer data provided by the Marine Institute and logbook data provided from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).
With regards to additional control measures to ensure by-catch TACs are enforced, the EU Commission has proposed amendments to the EU Fisheries control framework. Negotiations on the new Fisheries Control Regulation are currently ongoing in both the EU Council and the European Parliament. Some of the measures being considered include provisions for full catch documentation, such as Remote Electronic Monitoring (REM) which involves, for example the use of CCTV cameras on vessels. Ireland is supportive of the proposed introduction of a risk-based REM system. As a Coastal Member State, Ireland supports this proposal provided that Coastal States has access to the data gathered within this system on a near real time basis to support the work of the control authorities.
472. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times CASA aircraft were deployed to monitor the fishing activities of supertrawlers; the names of the vessels the aircraft were deployed to monitor in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42650/20]
View answerThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational matters are exclusively the responsibility of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
473. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if environmental samples were gathered at any other meat processing plants since July 2020 other than in the course of the referenced pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42657/20]
View answerEnvironmental monitoring (bio-aerosol measurement) has not been undertaken in any meat processing plant other than that which was undertaken as part of a retrospective investigation (in late July/early August) in the pilot study plant, in which a COVID-19 outbreak had occured in April 2020.
However, it should be noted that the report of this pilot study has been shared with other meat plant operators (via Meat Industry Ireland), with the public health authorities and with other relevant state agencies. Therefore, the findings from this pilot study are now informing COVID-19 risk mitigation and management in meat plants.
Furthermore, my Department is currently collaborating with other state agencies, university-based researchers and meat plant operators in further studies of risk factors and enhanced measures for risk mitigation for COVID-19 in meat processing plants. The academic participants in this applied research project (“UPCOM”) are being funded by Science Foundation Ireland for the next 14 months. This funding commenced on 1st December 2020.
This includes funding for further environmental monitoring in meat plants - specifically bio-aerosol measurement in different operational areas of meat plants but also the testing of waste water discharges for the presence of SARS-CoV-2. This funded work will also evaluate and validate alternative air handling systems in boning halls and other meat cutting rooms with a view to minimising the risk of human respiratory infection while continuing to comply with food hygiene regulations.
474. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if he will provide all materials, reports, correspondence or findings in relation to the referenced pilot study. [42658/20]
View answerThe referenced pilot study involved the voluntary participation and co-operation of a single meat processing plant, which included sharing a significant amount of information of a commercially sensitive nature about operational processes within that plant.
The pilot study was undertaken on the understanding that a report would be shared with other meat plant operators, the public health authorities and other relevant state agencies. The ultimate aim of sharing the findings of this study was to inform a better understanding of the risk factors for within-plant transmission of COVID-19 and enhanced mitigation of those risks across the sector.
475. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department’s veterinary staff have played in meat processing plants generally and specifically with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42659/20]
View answerMy Department’s statutory responsibility in the context of meat plants is to ensure that the DAFM approved plants operate in compliance with the EU's food hygiene legislation, animal health and animal welfare standards.
Within my Department, approximately 250 Veterinary and Technical staff are routinely involved in supervising, regulating and controlling the food safety, animal health and animal welfare standards at 49 slaughter plants (beef, sheep, pig and poultry) and a large number of meat processing plants throughout the country. Department staff resources are supplemented by approximately 700 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors, who are contracted by the Department to deliver ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of animals and poultry in meat plants. This work is carried out in meat plants in relation to food hygiene, animal health and animal welfare, and has continued during the Covid-19 period.
In addition to this work, Department staff in meat plants have assisted and supported the HSE and the Food Business operators at local level as required in relation to dealing with any Covid-19 outbreaks that have occurred in meat plants and in assisting with the logistics of organising and implementing Covid-19 testing in meat plants.
Department staff have also supported and assisted the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) by carrying out Covid-19 related inspections in food plants.
As of 27th November, DAFM had completed 575 inspections on behalf of the HSA, including unannounced inspections, in DAFM-approved food premises, and these inspections are ongoing. The Department is also supporting the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority in monitoring the effective implementation of all relevant guidance in DAFM-approved food plants.
476. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the course of their general duties Departmental veterinary staff use a paper or computer-based system; if so when such a computer-based system was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42660/20]
View answerDepartment veterinary staff have many different functions within the Regional Veterinary Office and Veterinary Public Health work, including disease eradication, animal exports, public health, food safety, animal welfare, animal remedies and other regulatory duties. Some of these duties have paper-based aspects.
Many of these duties are supported by IT systems. Computerisation in the animal health area began in the 1980s and many systems have been introduced since then. Internal systems are constantly upgraded and maintained. One of the largest systems is the Animal Health Computer System which fully replaced an older TB and Brucellosis management system in 2006.
477. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Ordnance Survey maps will be provided to all farmers who will be obliged to fence watercourses as a result of nitrates requirements; the support his Department will provide to ensure farmers meet their requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42662/20]
View answerThe European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations (SI 605 2017) and the amended regulation SI 529 2020 are the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Planning Local Government and Heritage. The amended regulation clarifies the requirement first published in 2017 that “Where bovine livestock have direct access to watercourses from the holding, a fence shall be placed at least 1.5m from the top of the riverbank or water’s edge (as the case may be) by 1 January 2021”
The identification of watercourses are publicly available and can be found at; https://store.osi.ie/index.php/osi-place-map.html
This is publicly available resource to view on-line and allows farmers to customise the on-line map and identify their own specific location and its proximity to watercources. This link has been provided to all farm advisors and farm organisations to assist in identifying fencing requirement.
478. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the form the Teagasc support fund for agriculture students will take; the level of funding that will be made available to students; when payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42663/20]
View answerMy Department has been working closely with Teagasc to develop Covid related supports for Teagasc learners that are broadly similar to those recently announced by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for the wider education sector.
The supports include a Teagasc Learner Laptop Assistance Scheme to assist disadvantaged Teagasc learners with remote learning. The Laptops will be made available on a loan basis to learners who meet the agreed eligibility criteria. I understand that Teagasc are now accepting applications for the devices.
I can also confirm that Teagasc has paid a €250 grant top up to learners currently deemed eligible for the Teagasc maintenance grant in the academic year 20/21.
I am further advised that a rebate of €100 will be made in the coming weeks to those learners not in receipt of the maintenance grant and who paid the €990 Level 5 and 6 fees for fulltime courses in the academic year 20/21.
Overall, it is expected that circa 1,000 Teagasc learners will benefit from these supports at a cost of some €216,000. I would like to thank Teagasc for rolling out this initiative and Macra na Feirme for assisting with this project.
479. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the mechanism farmers should avail of to change their reference years in relation to the sheep welfare scheme if they have increased their stocking levels but are currently paid on historical stocking rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42665/20]
View answerThe Sheep Welfare Scheme was launched in December 2016, for a period of four years. The scheme reflected the commitment of the Government to the sheep sector in Ireland and was introduced as part of Ireland’s Rural Development Programme.
Under the terms and conditions of the scheme, applicants were assigned a reference number based on the average of the number of eligible breeding ewes returned on their 2014 and 2015 sheep census returns. This number formed the reference number for payment for the duration of the scheme and, as outlined in the terms and conditions, would not increase
The details of the scheme, including the applicable reference years, were agreed with the European Commission. Any such changes to the detail of the scheme, would require the agreement of the European Commission via the formal Rural Development Programme amendment process. However, the maintenance of a baseline set in the years preceding the implementation of the scheme was a prerequisite for obtaining European Commission approval for the Scheme. It is thus not intended to change the reference year as the Sheep Welfare Scheme is extended in the transitionary period. There is, however, an agreed exception to this requirement, whereby reference numbers may be altered in line with requirements arising from GLAS Commonage Management Plans.
As part of Budget 2021, I have secured funding for an additional year of the Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2021. My Department will be writing to scheme participants in this regard shortly.
