Written Answers Nos. 2509-2527
2509. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if TAMS payments will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/21]
View answerThe applicant named has submitted two payment claims under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II, dated 7th November 2020 and 15th December 2020.
The first payment claim is currently being processed and an issue has been noted with the certification of some materials.
The second payment claim was submitted without the required electrical certificates. When the outstanding certificates are submitted the claim will be further processed.
The Department has been in direct contact with the applicant concerned who has been advised of the details required before the payment claims can be processed.
2510. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when forestry grant payments and an inspection will be carried out to facilitate replanting for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/21]
View answerThe person named applied for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme and planted the site in 2012 and has now applied for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash dieback) because of the impact of ash dieback on the plantation.
In terms of the original afforestation application, the first instalment grant and six annual premiums, for the years 2012 to 2017 inclusive, have been paid. Under the Scheme rules, the seventh and subsequent annual premiums cannot be paid until the second instalment grant has been approved for payment.
The application form for the second grant (Form 3) was posted to the person named on 10th November, 2015, but the form has not been returned to date. No further payments on this contract may issue until that form is submitted, and subject to inspection, payment of the second instalment grant is approved. In addition, although applications had been made online for annual premiums, no applications have been received for the annual premiums for 2018 to 2021, inclusive.
It is open to the person named to submit the application for the second instalment of the afforestation grant and for outstanding premiums and arrangements will be made to have the forest inspected. Whether or not payment of the grant can be approved at this time will be dependent on the outcome of the inspection, which will take account of the application for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme. If there is significant damage from disease to the plantation, the applicant would have to replant with different species under the RUS scheme to qualify for the 2nd instalment grant and premiums.
2512. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if two basic payment entitlements in respect of a person in (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/21]
View answerThe person named leased out three sets of entitlements (7.37, 2.63 and 10 entitlements) to three different farmers for one year under the 2020 Basic Payment Scheme.
The farmer who leased in the set of 10 entitlements from the person named did not use 100% of his entitlements at least once out of the two consecutive years (2019 and 2020 Scheme Years) and, in line with EU Regulation No 1307/2013, the unused entitlements (two of the leased-in entitlements) were reverted to the National Reserve in 2020. The Department notified both parties in writing of this position on 9th December 2020. The appeal in this case did not result in the third party having enough eligible hectares to support the entitlements that have now reverted to the reserve.
In cases where entitlements are leased out, the Lessor’s entitlements are subject to the Lessee’s usage position because usage is assessed at the level of the individual farmer. If a farmer has unused entitlements for two consecutive years, the lowest value entitlements held by that farmer revert to the National Reserve in the second year of non-use, regardless of whether they are leased, owned or were previously the subject of a transfer.
In this case, the owner may still appeal the loss of the entitlements as outlined by the Department in the notification that was sent to him on 9th December 2020.
2513. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to recommence the reopening of marts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/21]
View answerSince the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, the Department has worked closely with representatives of the marts to ensure that their operations could continue. I commend their staff, management and their farmer customers for the resilience and co-operation that they have shown and the speed with which they have adapted to these circumstances.
Under the current COVID-19 restrictions, mart sales rings are closed in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 being spread when people are present in an area together. The Department continues to monitor the situation, and to adapt measures applied to marts in line with public health guidelines. With the current level of COVID-19 restrictions. We must continue to act responsibily to limit the spread of the disease. We must adhereto the public health guidlines, therefore marts will remain online for the time being.
Livestock marts have systems in place to conduct online auctions and are continuing to operate. Cattle throughput from 1st January to 14th March 2021 was at 94% of the comparable period in 2020 (310,804 versus 329,807 head). Sheep throughput in the same period was at 100% of the comparable period for 2020 (172,272 v 172,250 head).
Online sales reach a much higher number of farmers and agents than in-person sales do. Marts are reporting good clearance rates and robust prices,
On 1st March, I launched the Marts ICT Infrastructure Scheme 2021. Livestock marts can apply to my Department for a grant to a maximum of €5,000 to cover 50% of expenditure by a mart on necessary ICT infrastructure. Further information is available at gov.ie - Livestock Mart Licence Application (www.gov.ie).
2514. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of all monies granted to Mayo County Council by his Department over the past ten years from January 2011 to March 2021; the amount outstanding for a project (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19568/21]
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.
Responsibility for the maintenance and development of Local Authority-owned harbours and piers rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter. In the case of Purteen Harbour, Mayo County Council is the responsible Local Authority.
As part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has provided 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 2020, over €31m has been made available to assist coastal Local Authorities under this programme.
Mayo County Council secured funding of €5.3m during the period 2010 to 2020, of which €109k was in respect of repair and development works at Purteen Harbour in 2012. While an application for funding in relation to works at Purteen Harbour was received by my Department under the 2020 Local Authority programme, this application was subsequently withdrawn by Mayo County Council.
There are no monies outstanding for works at Purteen Harbour. An application for funding for a project at Purteen Harbour has been submitted by Mayo County Council under the 2021 programme. This application is being given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available exchequer funding.
No final decision has been made in relation to the composition of the Local Authority element of the 2021 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. However, I hope to make an announcement on this shortly.
2515. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the ecology section on the weekly dashboard was removed in April 2021; if it will be reinstated without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19640/21]
View answerWhen the Project Management Unit was set up to deal with the applications referred to Ecology, targets were established for outputs from Ecology Unit to end February only. Since then, Project Woodland has been established.
Project Woodland, under the leadership of Minister of State Hackett, who has responsibility for forestry, is an initiative to tackle issues in forestry in Ireland and to promote and encourage woodland creation. It involves four different Working Groups which work concurrently, focussing on different areas. The first is concentrating on the backlog, the second on a vision for forestry, the third on devising a fit-for-purpose organisational structure and communications, and the fourth on streamlining the licensing process for the future. Each Working Group is made up of stakeholders drawn from the Minister’s existing Forestry Policy Group and is chaired by an independent, experienced outsider.
The first Working Group is tasked with defining and agreeing targets for the backlog, which will be incorporated into the remit for the third working group, which is to draft a Customer Charter. Part of this, will be to set out new targets for licence deliverables, including the output of the Ecology unit. These working groups will continue with their tasks over the coming months. However, in the meantime, the decision has already been taken to include the Ecology output graph in the Forestry Dashboard. It has been re-instated in the most recent Dashboard which issued on 19th April, 2021.
I am committed, along with Minister Hackett, to the success of Project Woodland which aims to deliver increased output for the benefit of the sector and society at large.
2516. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19645/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence was received in October 2020 for the person named and has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit. The application site is near three designated sites including the Galtee Mountains SAC. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application.
If the applicants wishes, they may provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). The NIS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person. An NIS can considerably reduce the time taken to assess the application, as once received, the NIS will be examined by an ecologist within two to three months and a decision will issue once the assessment of the application is complete.
2517. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the approximate tonnage of CO2 sequestered per hectare of afforestation over its lifetime at 70% conifer and 30% broadleaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19675/21]
View answerCarbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. When forests are young the sequestration rate is low but as the trees mature their ability to sequester carbon dioxide as increases.
Earlier this year, Teagasc launched its new Forest Carbon Tool, which was developed with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and developed by Teagasc with specialist input from FERS Ltd. This online tool is a user-friendly way to calculate how much carbon can be removed in woodlands and highlights the important role of harvested wood products. Further information can be found on Teagasc’s website.
If one hectare of land is afforested with 70% conifer and 30% broadleaf, a typical forest has the potential to remove 377 tonnes of carbon dioxide per rotation over the first and subsequent rotations, which is based on a mean annual sequestration rate of 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per hectare for the conifer species and 2.3 tonnes of CO2 per hectare for the broadleaf species.
2518. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of carbon monoxide his Department has failed to capture due to missing afforestation targets in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19676/21]
View answerThe Forestry Programme for the period 2014 – 2020 sets out afforestation targets that were consistent with the Department published “Forests, products and people Ireland’s forest policy – a renewed vision”. Over the last five years 22,045ha of new forests have been created compared to a target of 37,410ha. The table below provides annual information for the last five years.
|
Year |
Target Afforestation Area (ha) |
Actual Area Afforested (ha) |
|
2016 |
6,660 |
6,500 |
|
2017 |
7,140 |
5,536 |
|
2018 |
7,205 |
4,025 |
|
2019 |
8,115 |
3,550 |
|
2020 |
8,290 |
2,434 |
|
Total |
37,410 |
22,045 |
Carbon sequestration by forests is influenced by a range of factors including species, soil type, site conditions and management practices. The rate of sequestration changes over time as a forest develops and matures. When forests are young the sequestration rate is low but as the trees mature their ability to sequester carbon dioxide as increases.
Over the last five years there has been a shortfall in meeting targets of 15,365ha. Were this area to be afforested with 70% conifer and 30% broadleaf, these forests had the potential to remove 5.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over their lifetime and takes into account when forests are felled and replanted
This is based on a mean annual sequestration rate of 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per hectare for the conifer species and 2.3 tonnes of CO2 per hectare for the broadleaf species. This information is collated using the recently launched Forest Carbon Tool developed by Teagasc with the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Further information can be found on this carbon tool which is available to the public on the Teagasc website.
The Government proactively assists and supports the development of Irish forestry through the national forestry programme, with some 4103m allocated to this in 2021. The forestry scheme is voluntary, with each individual free to decide if he or she wishes to plant forestry and avail of the grants and premiums available. The Department is determined that planting rates will recover and is supporting promotional initiatives which will encourage landowners to consider forestry as a viable use of land. There are many land-use options available to landowners and forestry is a strong contender, especially in view of the generous incentives currently available under the afforestation scheme.
Finally, the Department and stakeholders are working together to deliver Project Woodland with a view to resolve the current difficulties in the forestry sector and revitalise the creation of woodland in Ireland.
2519. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of breaches of section 36(4)(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 that were recorded for 2018, 2019 and 2020 in cases in which a buyer of a horse failed to notify the horse passport issuing body of the sale; if breaches occurred, the fines that were imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19725/21]
View answerThe Department does not maintain a record of breaches to the provisions of Regulation 5 of S.I. 201 of 2016 which relate to change of ownership of equines. There were no breaches recorded under section 36(4)(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 for the years in question.
Where such breaches are detected, they are dealt with by authorised officers taking a proportionate approach in accordance with the individual circumstances, engaging with the relevant owners, making them aware of their responsibilities and informing them of the actions to be taken to comply with the legislation.
2520. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the owner or operator of a livestock mart is required to maintain a record of the livestock that enter, leave, are kept at, sold or supplied through the livestock mart; the way in which this applies to person to person sales outside of a mart setting under the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018; the way his Department ensures that the details are logged and regulations complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19726/21]
View answerUnder Section 4 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Livestock Marts) Regulations 2018, the owner or operator of a livestock mart is required to keep records regarding livestock that enter, leave, are kept at, sold or supplied through the livestock mart, for at least three years. These records must be made available on request to an authorised officer.
In relation to notifications by livestock marts to the Department’s Animal Identification and Movement System (AIM), in accordance with legislative requirements, the mart operator is required to notify AIM of the movement of all animals to and from the premises within 7 days of the event.
In 2020, with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic a new facility was provided on the AIM system that permitted livestock marts to trade in animals without the requirement that they are physically present in the mart premises. This facility allows marts to broker sales between buyers and sellers without the animals having to travel to the mart premises. In such circumstances the mart can report the movement of the animal(s) to AIM from the source to the new destination herd without the requirement on the farmer to apply for a certificate of compliance in the case of cattle movements.
2521. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who had their horse licence revoked in each of the years 2018 to 2020 under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19727/21]
View answerUnder the Control of Horses Act 1996, a Local Authority may, under bye-laws, declare all or any part of its functional area to be a control area. Under section 18 of the Act and subject to certain exemptions, a horse kept in such a control area must have a licence. Such licenses are issued by the relevant Local Authorities who also have the power to suspend, revoke or amend the terms or conditions of a horse licence.
These licenses are not issued or revoked under the Animal, Health and Welfare Act, 2013. I refer the Deputy to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who may be able to provide the statistics requested.
2522. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of convictions, imprisonments or fines that were issued in 2018, 2019 and 2020 under section 11(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19728/21]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century.
Prosecutions under the Act have been pursued following investigations by authorised officers of the Department, An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These officers investigate matters relating to animal cruelty and neglect and, where the evidence supports such action, a file prepared and the matter pursued through the Courts. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the normal manner.
The statistics set down below relate only to cases prosecuted at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Since the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 came into operation in March 2014, almost 100 cases have been prosecuted through the Courts by DAFM. Fines in excess of €60,000 have been imposed. Seven people have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment; these sentences were suspended in four cases. The Probation Act was applied in eight instances.
Sixteen people have been disqualified from keeping animals under section 58 of the Act.
Twenty five cases remain before the Courts and further files have been sent to the Chief State Solicitor with a view to be instituting proceedings; other files are currently being examined in my Department with a view to pursuing a prosecution if the evidence so warrant.
The major offences for which people have been convicted are, neglect and recklessness regarding the health and welfare of an animal, not taking the necessary steps to protect the health and welfare of an animal or causing unnecessary suffering to an animal in contravention of Sections 11 and 12 of the Act. In addition, there have been convictions for failure to provide adequate food and water to animals in contravention of section 13 of the Act. The information in relation to these cases from 2018 to 2020 is:
|
- |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Imprisonments |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Suspended sentence |
2 |
0 |
4 |
|
Fines |
20 |
14 |
5 |
|
Probation Act |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2523. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons who have been disqualified from owning a horse in 2018, 2019 and 2020 under section 58 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19729/21]
View answerThe Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century.
Prosecutions under the Act have been pursued following investigations by authorised officers of the Department, An Garda Síochána and authorised officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. These officers investigate matters relating to animal cruelty and neglect and, where the evidence supports such action, a file prepared and the matter pursued through the Courts. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the normal manner.
In relation to cases prosecuted at the suit of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine there were six cases involving equines finalised in the years 2018 to 2020. Of these cases, one involved disqualification from owning a horse.
2524. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the permission was given in relation to tariffs that apply on the supply of beet molasses and beet pulp pellets coming from the United States into Ireland over recent months; the effects of these tariffs in view of the fact that Ireland must import same; the implications in respect of contracts that were signed before the tariffs were implemented and contracts signed after the tariffs were introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19779/21]
View answerThe EU and US have been engaged in disputes since 2004 regarding subsidies to their respective major Aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing. Both sides have taken cases to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Appellate Body with both sides being found at fault.
In April 2019, the European Commission published a draft list of products, worth €12 billion, that would be subject to retaliatory tariffs in the event that the US imposed tariffs on EU exports. This list included both beet pulp and cane molasses. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) held a public consultation process at the time.
The US imposed tariffs on EU exports in October 2019 following the WTO ruling in relation to EU subsidies paid to Airbus. In October 2020, the WTO's ruling in relation to US subsidies paid to Boeing allowed the EU to impose tariffs of up to $3.9 billion on imports from the US. The Commission decided to impose tariffs on 4th November 2020. The relevant Implementing Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 9th November 2020, with tariffs coming into effect on 10 November 2020.
After receipt of representations on the matter, DETE consulted the Commission's DG Trade regarding the applicable date for tariff imposition. The latter confirmed that products were only exempt from the additional 25% duty if EU importers could prove that products were exported from the US prior to 10th November 2020.
I have welcomed the announcement on 5th March 2021 by both sides of a four-month suspension of tariffs, and I am urging the Commission to fully engage in constructive dialogue in order to find a permanent resolution to these disputes.
2525. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if access can be obtained to files held by his Department in the case of a solicitor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19798/21]
View answerAccess to the records of the former Irish Land Commission is dependent on being able to demonstrate ownership of the lands to which the records relate or some other relevant connection to the lands in question.
The information provided by the Deputy is not sufficiently detailed to enable me confirm whether access can be granted or not. However, the Deputy, his constituent, or his constituent’s solicitors should make contact with the Records Branch of the Department who will give the matter their urgent attention. The contact details for Records Branch are set out below:
Records Branch,
Legal Services Division,
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Unit 11 Clonminam Business Park
Portlaoise,
Co. Laois.
Ph: 057 8634988
Email: recordsbranch@agriculture.gov.ie
2526. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all vacancies (details supplied) are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19808/21]
View answer2528. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any person can apply for a position (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19863/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2526 and 2528 together.
All appointments to the State Bodies falling under my remit, are made both in accordance with the Code of Governance for State Bodies and the relevant parent legislation governing each of the State Bodies. All relevant vacancies are advertised on the State Boards website administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Some positions, such as a workers' representative, are reserved for a representative of a stakeholder group and these would not be advertised or processed through PAS.
Any person who believes they have the relevant skills and experience for a position which is advertised, may apply. PAS then oversees an evaluation process of all applicants and this process involves an independent expert.
2527. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 412 and 413 of 1 April 2021, the parental levies that apply to non-DEIS schools in relation to the school milk scheme; the levies paid in relation to the scheme for each of the past five years; the number of schools that are subject to the parental levy; the rate at which the levy is set; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19855/21]
View answerIreland receives an EU allocation of €900,398, annually in respect of the School Milk Scheme of which €675,298 representing (75% of the allocation) is available for spend on product. Under EU rules, the balance of the funds must be spent on other measures including educational measures to support the scheme.
An additional allocation of unused funds on application to the EU Commission is also possible under reallocation rules. The funds, however, are not sufficient to allow for free milk to all children participating in the School Milk Scheme.
In order to maximise the EU allocation, Ireland uses the funds to make the scheme more affordable for parents of children attending non-DEIS schools and to support the free distribution of milk in DEIS school.
The funds are disbursed in the form of a subsidy to the National Dairy Council (NDC) the approved EU School Milk scheme Aid Applicant. This subsidy bridges the difference between the market/gross price of the milk charged to all schools by each Dairy co-op supplier (by public procurement run by the NDC) and the net price charged subsequently by the schools to parents. The amount forming the difference remaining is equal to what is called the parental levy which arises for non DEIS schools.
The EU Scheme in its present formation commenced in 2017 for the 2017/2018 school year. In the current school year 2020/2021 the average parental levy/cost per child per week is €0.91. The respective figures for 2019/2020 = €0.84, 2018/2019 = €0.80 and 2017/2018 = €1.28. The parental levies are not remitted to my Department, but to the relevant co-op suppliers by the schools concerned.
In the school year 2019/2020, there were 592 schools with 53,517 participating pupils in the School Milk Scheme. I am advised that:
the total number of schools with parental contribution was
2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021
319 268 282 *(n/a)
The total value of the parental contributions were:
2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021
€516,883 €366,413 €252,349 *(n/a)
* school year reporting period incomplete
Further, the Deputy should be aware, not every school or child in every school (DEIS or other) opts to take part in the school milk scheme, and those that do, do not necessarily participate for the entire school year.
