Written Answers Nos. 1966-1986
1966. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the concerns outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63523/21]
View answerThe budget allocation for LEADER under the previous Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the seven-year period 2014-2020 was €250 million.
An additional €70 million was made available for LEADER in 2021 and 2022 under the transitional arrangements that extended the application of the RDP. A further indicative allocation of €180 million for the LEADER Programme is proposed for the 2023-2027 period under the CAP Strategic Plan. Therefore, the total funding for the seven-year period 2021-2027, at €250 million, will be the same as for the period 2014-2020.
The allocation for LEADER is part of the overall allocation of funding for the entire CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, and it is not intended to revisit these allocations at this point in time.
1967. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Christmas tree farmers must apply for a felling licence in order to cut their crop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63553/21]
View answerThe Forestry Act, 2014 provides for certain exemptions from obtaining a tree felling licence before felling or removing any tree or trees.
S. 19(1)(d) states that any tree or trees, such as Christmas trees, planted and managed solely for their foliage or for decorative purposes are exempt from the requirement to obtain a tree felling licence.
1968. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63565/21]
View answerThe person named is a participant in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme II (BDGP II) from 2017 - 2022. He received his 2021 payment on the 13th December 2021. He was deemed to be non-compliant with certain terms and conditions of the scheme so his payment was reduced. The areas where he was found to be in breach of the terms and conditions were the stock bull requirement, the survey completion requirement and the requirement to keep calves on the farm for a minimum of 5 months. He has the right to seek a review of this decision and if he is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, he has the right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. A letter will issue to the person named shortly notifying him of his right to a review, and the penalties which have been applied to his payment.
1969. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of timber that has been imported in each month in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1079/22]
View answerThe Pest Free Area (PFA) of South West of Scotland is the only zone from which coniferous roundwood with bark is imported into Ireland.
This is because UK Forest Commission have surveyed and continue to survey and found it to be free from Protected Zone (PZ) bark beetles. This roundwood must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate from the UK authorities with a declaration of pests freedom.
No other area of GB outside the PFA or Europe can deliver this pest freedom status, hence such coniferous roundwood logs with bark are not imported from other locations. In 2020 125,850 tonnes of roundwood logs were imported into Ireland from this area, and in 2021 this figure was 222,387 tonnes of roundwood logs. These figures are shown by month in the table below:
|
Year |
Months |
Tonnes |
|
2020 |
January |
2300 |
|
2020 |
February |
4990 |
|
2020 |
March |
6800 |
|
2020 |
April |
5167 |
|
2020 |
May |
7238 |
|
2020 |
June |
8350 |
|
2020 |
July |
8260 |
|
2020 |
August |
7680 |
|
2020 |
September |
13925 |
|
2020 |
October |
19850 |
|
2020 |
November |
25392 |
|
2020 |
December |
15898 |
|
Total 2020 |
|
125850 |
|
2021 |
January |
21487 |
|
2021 |
February |
10200 |
|
2021 |
March |
28000 |
|
2021 |
April |
22050 |
|
2021 |
May |
22200 |
|
2021 |
June |
20850 |
|
2021 |
July |
20900 |
|
2021 |
August |
20050 |
|
2021 |
September |
19700 |
|
2021 |
October |
15200 |
|
2021 |
November |
14050 |
|
2021 |
December |
7700 |
|
Total 2021 |
222387 |
There has been a significant decrease in Scottish log imports in the last three months of 2021 due to the increased availability of licensed material in Ireland and the general reduction in demand for sawn wood in the UK.
To 31st December, the Department issued 2,877 tree felling licences for an area of 33,025ha and a volume of 8.452 million cubic metres. This compares very favourably to 2020, when my Department had issued 1,719 tree felling licences for 18,241ha and 5.023 million cubic metres. In other words, the number of forestry licences issued in 2021 was 167% of that issued in 2020 and 168% of the volume issued. However, it must be noted that 2020 was an exceptionally challenging year. 2021 was a record year for felling licences in terms of volume of timber licenced.
Coillte is fully licensed for 2022. It had its contract event in November last, where sawmills received half of their Coillte supply of logs for 2022. As mentioned, the sawmills are also receiving a steady stream of logs from felling licences issued to private landowners, with 1,341 private felling licences issued in 2021.
1970. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if flexibility will be given in relation to sheep inspections during the busy lambing months given the welfare issues regarding the moving of heavy in-lamb or recently lambed ewes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1151/22]
View answerUnder EU regulations, inspection of sheep flocks are legally required for participation in certain CAP schemes and for securing payments under those schemes.
Officials of my Department are very conscious of animal welfare considerations and will at all times endeavour to minimise and avoid stress to livestock on the holding when conducting sheep inspections. When carrying out inspections during the lambing season, officials are required to adhere to previously agreed protocols between my Department and the Farming Organisations through the Farmers’ Charter of Rights.
1971. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiatives he plans to assist the pig production sector given the collapse in prices and the significant increase in input costs; the discussions he has had with the sector in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1221/22]
View answerPrice volatility is a significant issue for the pig sector, highlighting the cyclical nature of prices in the sector.
The pig sector has shown exceptional growth over the last decade. It is the third largest agri-food sector, accounting for 6.3% of the output value of the agri-food sector and generated exports of €893 million in 2020; with 2021 figures to end of October at €765 million.
The average price paid for pigs in Ireland has fallen in recent months, in line with trends across the EU. The 2021 average price was 8.71% lower than that of 2020.
The first week of 2022 (w/e 9th January) saw the average grade E pig price come in at 142.72€/100kg, 8.14% lower than the same week last year. However, this is still well above the EU average price of 132.15€/100kg.
My Department continues to support the Irish pigmeat sector and facilitate its development by prioritising market access, both through maintaining existing markets and pursuing access to new ones.
My colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon chairs the Pig Roundtable, which was established in early 2021, and the next meeting of which will take place next week. The Pig Roundtable focuses on key strategic developments for the sector in line with priority actions set out in the Programme for Government and Food Vision 2030.
I clearly expressed my concerns at the this week's Agriculture Council, both in relation to the ongoing impact of increases in fuel, fertiliser, feed and energy prices over recent times which are putting farmer margins under significant pressure, and the sustained nature of the difficulties being experienced on the pigmeat market. I sought the rapid deployment of appropriate solutions on both issues.
My officials continue to monitor the market situation closely and I met pig farmers and their representatives this week to discuss the issue further. Minister of State Heydon and I will continue to engage with pig farmers on the issue at present. Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the challenges they are facing at present.
1972. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target volume of forestry licences his Department plans to issue in 2022; and the target figures by category. [1267/22]
View answer1973. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences that are awaiting assessment at the start of 2022 in chronological order and by licence type. [1268/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1972 and 1973 together.
Last year, my Department issued a total of 4,050 forestry licences, which was a 60% increase on 2020. Targets for 2022 are currently being finalised and will be conveyed to stakeholders and others, shortly.
On 31st December, there were 4,817 forestry licences awaiting decision, broken down as follows:
|
Type of Licence |
Number |
|
Felling |
3,348 |
|
Roads |
585 |
|
Afforestation |
884 |
Of the licences on hand, the breakdown of those less than and over 120 days is:
|
<=120 days |
>120 days |
Overall |
|
|
Afforestation |
124 |
760 |
884 |
|
Roads |
139 |
446 |
585 |
|
Felling |
841 |
2,507 |
3,348 |
|
Total |
1,104 |
3,713 |
4,817 |
210 forestry licence applications are within the 30-day consultation period and a further 703 have been returned to the applicant for further information. The breakdown of tree felling licence applications on hand, shows that 1,313 are Coillte and 2,035 are private.
The current licences on hand represents a significant reduction of applications on hand since mid-August 2021. At that time, there were 6,041 applications on hand, of which, over 5,000 were awaiting assessment over four months.
My Department’s priorities this year include the continued reduction of the number of licence applications on hand and working with Project Woodland stakeholders on the outcome of the regulatory review, which is hoped may enable efficiencies in the assessment of licences. My Department will also address the quality of applications received, starting with a pilot pre-application discussion.
1974. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined given they have not received correspondence in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1277/22]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) scheme was received from the person named on 15th April 2021.
My Department is obliged to review the eligibility status of all parcels on the Land Parcel Identification System using satellite imagery. The parcel referred to in the details supplied was reviewed and the Maximum Eligible Area of the was reduced. The area claimed on the land parcel in question was greater than the maximum eligible area for this parcel.
My Department is currently arranging for a follow-up field visit of the parcel to clarify the position on the ground. This will be done as a matter of urgency. Officials from my Department will contact the applicant to update him on the process. The position in relation to entitlements will be clarified once the eligible area is resolved.
1975. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contact he has had with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the hundreds of acres of land that were flooded in County Wexford in December 2021; if he will consider putting in place a grant scheme to assist in replacing winter cereal crops that have been destroyed by the flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1318/22]
View answerMy Department monitors the impact of weather on agriculture and farming both nationally and regionally on an ongoing basis.
Significant flooding was experienced in the Wexford- south-east region on Christmas Day after extreme rainfall occurring over a 24-hour period. This created significant local challenging conditions, in particular, to local road networks, land and farms adjacent to rivers. There has been a notable improvement in water levels in the period since then and my Department continues to monitor the situation.
My Department operates a number of specific supports for the tillage sector, including TAMS investment support for tillage farms, whilst almost 19% or almost €1.5m of support under the Straw Incorporation Scheme was expended in Wexford.
I, and my officials have regular contact with the named organisation and will continue to do so. We continue to monitor this situation closely.
1976. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that only 4,035 forestry licences were issued by his Department in 2021, which is well short of his Department's own target of 4,500 for 2021; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the figure of 4,035 is far below the of 7,000 licences the industry actually required; the number of forestry licences issued by county; the categories of each type of licence issued in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1343/22]
View answer1977. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target number of forestry licences his Department plans to issue in 2022; if he plans to invest additional resources in the Forest Service in order to reach the 7,000 licences required annually by the industry given the well documented additional resources invested into the Forest Service in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1344/22]
View answer1985. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected volume of forestry licences his Department will issue in 2022, in tabular form. [1749/22]
View answer2025. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 778 of 14 December 2021, the 2022 target for felling, private felling, road and afforestation licences issued by type; the weekly and monthly targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2538/22]
View answer2031. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences it is planned that his Department will issue for 2022. [2563/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1976, 1977, 1985, 2025 and 2031 together.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) issued 4,050 forestry licences last year, which is an increase of 56% on the number issued in 2020 albeit 2020 was a low output year.
A revised target of 4,000 was advised to the sector last summer, following the introduction of a second mandatory public consultation period on foot of S.1 293 of 2021, which inevitably interrupted licence output.
In terms of the categories of each type of licence issued, these approvals included 2,877 felling licences. Critically, the availability of this volume of timber, at nearly 8.5 million cubic metres, stabilised supply to the processing sector in 2021. This is the highest volume ever issued in a single year. In addition, 264 kilometres of forest roads were licensed more than double the target in the Climate Action Plan 2019. This is also the highest ever volume of forest roads issued in a single year. The number afforestation licences remained static, with 502 afforestation licences issued, which represents 4,245ha of forestry.
As regards targets for 2022, which are currently being finalised, this year we will build on the momentum achieved in 2021 and will focus on increasing the number of afforestation licences issued. We will continue to keep resources under review and will implement all practical process improvements which result from the review and analysis in train under Project Woodland.
I remain fully committed to delivering a licensing system which will meets the needs of the sector and of society and recent licensing trends demonstrate that we making progress towards achieving this.
A county breakdown of licences issued is attached.
1978. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is hoped to make a decision in relation to the provision of a deep-water pier in Ros a’Mhíl in view of the recent report published by his Department in relation to the pier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1369/22]
View answerThe long standing proposal to develop a Deepwater Quay project in Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre remains under consideration. That consideration will include the recently received reports commissioned by my Department concerning the business case for the project. However, there is a broad context of cross-cutting Government policies and there must be a rounded consideration of the policy issues and investment needs. The primary role and function of the Fishery Harbour Centres is to support the seafood industry. Any capital project decision, including in Ros an Mhíl, will have to reflect available Exchequer funding and competing national priorities.
1979. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he or his Department have had with the Department of Transport to have marine qualifications and experience in the fishing industry recognised by the merchant navy and vice versa on a like-for-like basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1384/22]
View answerCertificates of Competency are issued by the Department of Transport for service as officer on fishing vessels. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) one of my Department's marine agencies, deliver courses for the Irish catching, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors by training new entrants and upgrading the skills of existing practitioners. BIM has an established history in the area of training and skill development for the Irish Seafood Industry operating two national fisheries colleges; at Greencastle, Co Donegal and Castletownbere, Co Cork as well as mobile training units which deliver training in seafood harbours around the coast. BIM offer a range of programmes to deliver Department of Transport approved courses / certificates of competency and are internationally recognised qualifications that have been approved for the fishing sector, which also enable the holder to be employed across a range of maritime settings.
Holders of fishing vessel certificates of competency can obtain restricted STCW 78 Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency to allow for employment in standby, seismic survey or oceanographic research vessels which are certified by the Marine Survey Office. All STCW (Standards of Training, Certification of Watchkeeping) short course certificates which are offered by BIM and approved by the Department of Transport, including marine fire fighting, radio and personal survival techniques, are internationally recognised and support transferability of skills across the marine sector including the merchant marine.
BIM will continue to work closely with the Marine Survey Office in the Department of Transport with respect to transferable marine skills supporting the implementation of the Task Force Report.
1980. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has to introduce new fishing licences and allocate quota to small-scale fishermen on islands and in remote rural areas to encourage the reintroduction of traditional fishing in these communities on a sustainable basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1385/22]
View answerI wish to reassure the House that I recognise the value and importance of maintaining vibrant island and rural sea-fishing communities. The Programme for Government commits to ensuring 'that inshore waters continue to be protected for smaller fishing vessels and recreational fishers and that pair trawling will be prohibited inside the six-mile limit’ and that the inshore fleet is supported ‘in generating greater marketing and promotional capacity, by facilitating the establishment of a Producer Organisation for these smaller fishing vessels, thereby providing additional opportunity for the island and coastal communities involved in the inshore sector.’ I am fully supportive and working to deliver these objectives.
The majority of the fishing vessels based on islands are smaller vessels. Inshore fishing boats currently make up more than 80% of the fishing fleet and support an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 jobs. This economic activity is vitally important to the coastal communities around Ireland, including the island communities from which these boats operate. All commercial sea-fishing boats are licensed in accordance with the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2003 as amended. Within the fishing fleet register, there are a number of segments and sub-segments, one of which provides for the licensing of smaller vessels specifically: polyvalent under 18 metres length overall. The current sea-fishing boat licensing legislation and procedures already allow residents of Ireland's islands and in remote rural areas to enter the fishing fleet in the same manner as any other applicant.
The National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), supported by a network of Regional Inshore Forums (RIFFs) are supporting initiatives that seek to protect the collective interests of the inshore sector in Ireland including on our islands. I formally recognised the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) as an EU Producer Organisation last February and I appointed it to the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). Both the NIFF and IIMRO are both effective in their participation on the QMAC, advocating on behalf of all small-scale fishers on islands and in coastal rural areas to influence how Ireland's fish quotas are made available, within national policy.
In relation to quotas for fish stocks, these are available to small scale coastal fishers who are licensed to fish for quota stocks including whitefish and pelagic stocks. Catch limits are set for whitefish stocks primarily based on the length of a fishing vessel. On this basis, all vessels under 55 feet in length receive the same catch limit. The important pelagic stocks of mackerel, herring and horse mackerel already have allocations made available, in accordance with Ministerial policy, supporting smaller vessels.
1981. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him in tabular form; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed. [1546/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
1982. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) will receive full entitlements for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1583/22]
View answerThe named individual was selected for a land eligibility inspection in 2019 following which there were reductions made on three parcels for ineligible areas. The applicant was informed of the outcome of that inspection, following which he applied for a review of that decision to the District Inspector. The result of that review was sent to the applicant on 12th August 2020. In 2020 the applicant applied on the reduced area i.e. the area found following inspection. The landslide as referred to did not impact on his payment in 2020. Nonetheless following a request from the applicant a full review of the 2020 application was sent to the applicant on 9th February 2021.
1983. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on social media by his Department and agencies under his remit in 2021; and the platforms the monies were spent on in tabular form. [1693/22]
View answerMy Department provides public information about a wide range of schemes, services and policies. Social media is one of the channels used to communicate this information.
In 2021, my Department spent €2,749.76 (incl. VAT) on advertising on social media.
The amounts spent on each platform is set out in the table below.
|
Platform |
Amount spent incl. VAT |
|
|
€2,284.35 |
|
|
€465.41 |
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of the Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue to the Deputy within 10 days
1984. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on consultancy services by his Department in 2021; the reason for each consultancy; and the name of the consultancy in tabular form. [1711/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
1986. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of all client and or customer facing and or orientated services that his Department provide via a contracted service provider; the contractor that provides the service; and the cost of same for the past five years to date in 2022. [1793/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.
