Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 924-943

Agriculture Industry

Questions (924)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

924. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his understanding of the present activities being undertaken at Waterford Institute of Technology farm research into multi-seed pastureland development; if his attention has been drawn to the five years of pilot schemes ongoing at Waterford Institute of Technology and the results; if he has plans in seeing multi-seed pastureland developed in a bid to reduce nitrogen supplementation for the dairy industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17788/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The attributes of our grasslands are the foundation for the added-value and quality of those foods produced from grazing livestock. The Deputy is right to draw attention to the area of multi-species swards. This is an area that my Department has been funding research in recently to help demonstrate the positive impacts they can have on climate, soil, biodiversity and water quality in pasture-based systems.

In respect of this work, contributions by Waterford Institute of Technology on the project ‘LoCAM-Dairy’ involving multi-species swards, and which received funding of just under €600,000 from my Department in 2019, is welcomed. The expertise at Waterford Institute of Technology on this project is directed at the environmental sustainability of reseeding grasslands with multi-species swards under no fertiliser inputs and the greenhouse gas emission factors associated with them. This information is essential for input into policy and practice to develop mixed swards in Ireland and contributing to improving the national greenhouse gas inventory.

Multi-species swards will be a key tool for delivering climate action. In this context, I was pleased to be in a position recently to launch ‘Multi-Species Sward Measure’ which will provide financial support to farmers to sow Multi-Species Swards (MSS). We are targeting the planting of 12,000ha of MSS this year.

We will continue to support the research needed to investigate aspects of multi-species swards in an Irish context and in particular, their role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil structure and enhancing biodiversity, while also maintaining the quality of our meat and dairy produce and supporting the viability of farmers.

Forestry Sector

Questions (925, 926, 927)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

925. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of private sector forest road licences with an attached single consent application that remain to be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17805/22]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

926. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the years the applications for forest road licences with single consent applications attached which remain unapproved were received by his Department on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17806/22]

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

927. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of Coillte forest road licences with an attached single consent application that remain to be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17807/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 925, 926 and 927 together.

In February 2020, Section 8 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 was commenced and the Forestry (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 2020 (SI No. 39 of 2020), were signed. This legislation made provision for my Department to act as the single consent authority for applications for forest road works licences, where the forest road provides access to a public road (other than a national road) or there is material widening of an existing entrance. Forest owners wishing to carry out such works no longer require a grant of planning from their local authority.

To 30th March 2022, the Department has received a total of 480 forest road works applications under the single consent process. At the moment 217 of those applications are awaiting a decision. Coillte forest road under the single consent process accounts for 33 of those outstanding applications.

The table below shows the years that the applications for forest roads with single consent were received; of these approximately one-third are awaiting further information from the applicant, in order that they may be processed.

Year	Nos.
2018	1
2019	3
2020	71
2021	119
2022	23
Total awaiting decision	217

We issued 671 road licences in 2021 in respect of 264 kilometres which is double the target in the Climate Action Plan 2021. We have committed to issue 820 road licences this year, as outlined in the Forestry Licensing Plan This is a 27% increase on the number of road licences issued in 2021. We are keeping pace with expected output to date this year, with 203 road licences issued to 1st April, 2022.

Details of our Licensing Plan may be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/forestry-policy-and-strategy/#forestry-licensing-plan-2022

Question No. 926 answered with Question No. 925.

Question No. 927 answered with Question No. 925.

Question No. 928 answered with Question No. 919.

Question No. 929 answered with Question No. 896.

Question No. 930 answered with Question No. 896.

Forestry Sector

Questions (931)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

931. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date the Secretary General of his Department committed to the Joint Oireachtas Committee to engage with his counterpart in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to the issue of planning permission for the conversion to conifers from dead and dying ash; the progress to date and the expected date such talks will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17846/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 was published earlier this year and deals with projected licensing output and approvals for support schemes.

A key target of the plan is to refocus on the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback). The scheme provides 100% grant aid to landowners to clear their ash crop, replant with an alternate species and manage their forest until successfully established. Many RUS applications are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology. Of these, any that propose replacing the ash crop with conifer species currently require planning permission.

On 14th September last, the Secretary General of my Department committed to engaging with his counterpart on the matter. This direct engagement has taken place and the Department officials are continuing to engage with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), to explore the possibility of removing the planning permission requirement for applications that require planning permission, subject to compliance with existing EU laws and regulations. There has been positive engagement, these deliberations are ongoing and any changes in planning process will require legislative amendment.

Forestry Sector

Questions (932)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

932. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ash plantations infected by ash dieback are now starting to rot and present a serious health and safety issue in their removal. [17847/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The damage caused by ash dieback disease is rapidly increasing across the full natural range of ash in Europe and here in Ireland. The disease is likely in the coming years to have a catastrophic impact on ash wherever it occurs in the Irish landscape, including in hedgerows and in the wider natural environment. Forestry contractors are well aware of the risks in felling trees and the precautions required and their health and safety responsibilities when working or managing others who work in forests.

There will be additionally inevitable health and safety aspects associated with diseased trees, especially on roadways. The Department has last year issued 'A Guide for landowners to managing Roadside Trees'.

This excellent publication produced by the Department with the Tree Council of Ireland outlines specific issues related to health and safety in tree work and gives practical guidance to those working with chainsaws taking out hazardous trees.

The HSA also provided an information note on this subject, 'Chainsaw Safety Training Advice Information Sheet (2015).

Forestry Sector

Questions (933)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

933. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department process in tandem private sector tree felling licences and forest road licences that are applied for by applicants for the same site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17873/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The felling and forest road licence application system involves two separate licensing processes.

Felling licences may be applied for up to 10 years and road licences for up to three years and it is often the case that they are not applied for at the same time.

If the Department receives these applications at the same time, for the same site, they will be dealt with by the same District Inspector and it is reasonable that in organising their workload they would be dealt with in tandem; there could of course be different issues with each application, and requests for further information, which could mean that they are processed at a different pace.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (934)

Michael Creed

Question:

934. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that a person (details supplied) is having difficulty with their current Beef Data and Genomics Programme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17882/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named recorded a sire as "unknown" in his records submitted to ICBF as part of the 2021 scheme. As a result of this, a query was raised and the person named did not receive his Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) payment for 2021 because it was deemed the scheme requirements has not been met, specifically in relation to the use of a stock bull.

However in light of new information received from the person named, the Department has re-examined the case and will now make arrangements regarding his 2021 payment. The person named will be informed of this decision in writing.

Forestry Sector

Questions (935)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

935. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the reason for tree felling of mature trees in Barnaslingan Wood; the percentage of trees that are being removed; when a clean-up of the debris is intended which is currently seriously detracting from a well-used beauty spot and way marked walks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17913/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from my Department. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Pigmeat Sector

Questions (936)

Carol Nolan

Question:

936. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the package of supports recently announced for the pig sector is insufficient; if he will increase the support package to €100 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17955/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department is currently reviewing the proposal referred to in the Deputy's question, and is engaging with stakeholders in this context, and on the situation in the pig sector in general.

Our pig farmers have always been remarkably resilient but I am acutely aware of the unprecedented challenges that Irish pig farmers are facing at present. The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for me given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. It is the third largest agri-food sector, and supports approximately 8,000 rural jobs.

Last month, I announced the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme (PEPS), with a fund of up to €7 million, for commercial pig farmers. This is an urgent, short-term response to assist producers that would be viable but for the extreme current circumstances, and allow space for a more medium-term adjustment to market signals.

This scheme is a once off, exchequer funded scheme open to commercial pig undertakings which had produced more than 200 pigs in the period 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021 inclusive. This includes pigs sent to slaughter, exported or sold commercially from a breeding herd.

The scheme was notified to the European Commission under the agriculture de minimis rules, which provide for a maximum payment per undertaking of €20,000.

Applications for the PEPS closed on 20 March 2022. The first payments to pig farmers under this scheme began to issue on 25 March. All information on the scheme can be found on my Department's website.

This scheme is part of a wider package of measures to support the pigmeat sector, including intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets with dedicated media advertising campaigns underway nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.

Teagasc has also intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options potentially available to them.

There is also support for access to finance through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), particularly the Brexit Impact Loan Scheme and the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme. Both of these SBCI finance products, which are part-financed by my Department, can be used for working capital and include features which will assist the current financial needs of pig farmers.

Furthermore, my Department continues to engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, including through the European Food Security Crisis preparedness response Mechanism (EFSCM). Last week the Commission announced the adoption of exceptional support measures across the agriculture sector, along with a communication on Food Security. In addition, the Commission in view of the particularly difficult situation in the pig meat sector has opened a new private storage aid scheme to assist in stabilising the sector.

We are currently examining the detailed requirements and conditionality attached to the exceptional aid allocation to Ireland of €15.8 million in EU funding, and considering how it might be used to support the Irish agricultural sector.

Forestry Sector

Questions (937)

Seán Canney

Question:

937. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an organisation (details supplied) has submitted its final report on the review of the legislation and the full examination of the regulatory system for the forestry licencing; if the report has been finalised, if he will provide details of the findings; when he will introduce the recommended changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17973/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The regulatory review of the licensing process is an important initiative which is being carried out by a consultant, Philip Lee and Associates, with legal and environmental expertise under the auspices of Project Woodland. As you may be aware Project Woodland was launched in February 2021 and aims to improve the forestry licensing system as well as developing a shared vision for woodland creation in Ireland.

The regulatory review is assessing the existing statutory framework for the licensing of forestry activities in relation to environmental and public participation obligations in order that practical advice can be provided to the Department on how to work more efficiently within the existing legal framework. The review is also considering the issue of a single consent system and statutory timelines. The draft review was recently presented to the Project Board and the Project Woodland Working Groups and will be presented to the Forestry Policy Group this week.

The regulatory review is expected to be finalised following this stakeholder engagement. Once finalised, the review will be published and the Department will consider all recommendations the consultants have made.

Harbours and Piers

Questions (938)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

938. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected timeline and milestones for the development of the deep-water quay at Ros a Mhíl; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18107/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. On 1st February, I announced that the Government had approved the Deep Water Quay Project at Ros an Mhíl which will add 200m of quayside and over 70% greater depth to accommodate larger fishing vessels and attract additional landings from both Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels.

On 4th February my Department published a tender for Consultancy Services. Securing this consultancy service is a necessary precursor in line with the public works contract. The tender competition closed on the 10th March and my Department has completed our assessment of tenders. All tenderers were notified on 24th March and the process is currently in the standstill period required under public procurement policy.

The successful Consultant will complete the detailed design, manage the tender process for construction works, supervise the construction works, and in due course handover completed construction works back to my Department.

My Department officials will promptly meet the Consultant after awarding the contract. Until the Consultant's work has been undertaken, the timeline or key milestones for the development cannot be specified. However my Department will be working closely with the Consultant to progress the development.

The Fishery Harbour Centres are critical to the seafood industry and how these facilities stimulate economic activity for the surrounding rural coastal communities. The Ros an Mhíl project is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to addressing the impacts of Brexit on the sector and to a strong future for Ireland’s seafood primary producers.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (939)

Peter Burke

Question:

939. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that raths, fairy forts or ringforts are not being included in CAP 2023. [18113/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

National Monuments which include raths or ringforts are eligible under the current CAP and it is proposed that they will continue to remain eligible in the new CAP starting from 2023.

Within Cross Compliance, there are certain Landscape features which are designated under the current GAEC (Good Agricultural and Environment Condition) 7 – “Retention of Landscape Features & Designated Habitats and Controlling Invasive Species”. Since 2015, all archaeological sites and monuments have been included and therefore are protected and cannot be removed. These features are also eligible for payment under the various area based schemes operated by my Department.

There has been no change in this in the new CAP strategic plan.

Within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which was submitted to the European Commission on 31 December 2021, archaeological features, are included as eligible features for payment purposes and while the CSP is subject to European Commission approval, it is expected that these features will continue to be eligible.

Archaeological features are exceptionally important features in our landscape and I recognise their significance and hence they have been protected within the current CAP and will continue to be in the new CAP.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (940)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

940. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a TB eradication scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18158/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The On Farm Market Valuation scheme is the main method of calculating compensation available to farmers who incur loss as a result of Bovine Tuberculosis. With regards to the herdowner in question, I understand that valuation is complete and a payment in respect of one reactor animal is now been finalised by the Regional Veterinary Office.

Flexible Work Practices

Questions (941)

David Stanton

Question:

941. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current policy with respect to remote working options for staff in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18183/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A central Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations was launched by Minister McGrath on 31st March 2022. Based on this central framework, my Department is working on its own blended working policy and intends to make the facility available to its staff as soon as possible but no later than the end of Q2, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government.

The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate a mix of remote working and attendance in the workplace, within a formalised structure that supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and their role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.

During the pandemic, approximately half of my Department's staff carried out their duties in their usual workplaces, Ports, Laboratories, on-site inspections etc. Since the formal lifting of the public health measures earlier this year, the remaining staff have been following a structured Return To the Workplace schedule and are carrying out their duties both remotely and from their usual workplace.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (942)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

942. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when ANC payments for 2020 and 2021 in respect of a commonage will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18196/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The above named applicant applied on a commonage in the townland of Dunloe Upper in Co. Kerry. The lands in question have been under query for a number of years due to issues with regards to the grazing rights on the commonage lands.

Notwithstanding the above, payments have recently issued to the applicant on the lands in question.

However, the Department will, during the course of 2022, complete a full review of all evidence submitted to support claims of grazing rights on all commonages in the townland to ensure clarity for both claimants and their agricultural advisors in the coming years. Where necessary, officials from my Department will be in contact with individual claimants seeking further information.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (943)

Matt Carthy

Question:

943. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it has been ensured that all beef processors have the facilities in place to honour the commitment in the 2019 Beef Sector Agreement to provide live weighing in factory lairages when requested to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18237/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I was pleased to publish the report of the Chair of the Beef Taskforce in November last year.

The report clearly sets out that the group satisfied its remit in monitoring and progressing the implementation of the actions agreed by stakeholders in the beef sector agreement of 15th September 2019.

The Taskforce has delivered on its commitments which consisted of a total of 38 actions in two strands, one for the implementation of immediate changes and the second which related to strategic structural reform.

The Beef Taskforce can point to several specific and significant achievements, including:

- The introduction by the industry of new bonuses and increased bonus for the existing in-spec criteria.

- Significant input into the application for PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef

- Establishment of a Group to oversee of the development of a suckler brand proposition by Bord Bia, with a budget of up to €6 million.

- Three substantial reports on market transparency which add to the knowledge about the sector.

The Taskforce had a dedicated and diligent independent chair in Michael Dowling and I fully accepted his further recommendation that we need ongoing stakeholder engagement on the key strategic issues facing the sector. Preparations are currently under way to establish this new forum and further details will be announced in due course.

With regard to the action under the beef sector agreement on the provision of lairage weighing on request, at a meeting of the BTF in June 2021, individual processors attended to update on the industry specific actions. They indicated that where lairage weighing is requested by their suppliers they would provide the service, in line with the action under the agreement.