Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
881. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether it is necessary to increase the number of appeals officers on a pro-rata basis arising from agricultural appeals averaging 185 days to closure in 2021 against a target of 90 days; if not, his proposals to ensure that the target is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23403/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I have been informed, however, that in 2020 there was a significant increase in the number of agriculture appeals received by the Office rising from 570 appeals in 2019 to 760 in 2020 representing a 33% increase. This figure increased again in 2021 with a total of 809 appeals received. These increases and the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, which resulted in Oral hearings not been held for large periods of time, resulted in a reduction the number of agriculture appeals closed and an increase in the time to close appeals.
In addition, the Agriculture Appeals Office provides administrative and secretariat support to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and all Agriculture Appeals Officers are also appointed as members of the FAC. The number of forestry appeals received in 2020 also increased significantly from 489 appeals in 2019 to 874 appeals in 2020 and had a significant impact on available Appeals Officer resources and on the administrative section within the Appeals Office.
The introduction of new forestry legislation in 2020 resulted in a significant decrease in the number of forestry appeals submitted to the FAC in 2021 and to date in 2022. The forestry appeals are now up to date and this has allowed for additional resources to be made available to agriculture appeals work.
The easing of COVID restrictions in June 2021, which allowed for a return to in-person oral hearings, has also contributed to a reduction in delays in closing agriculture appeals in 2021 when compared to 2020 figures. I am informed that in 2021 the number of appeals closed was 757 increasing from 358 in 2020. This trend has continued in the first four months of 2022 with 304 appeals closed in comparison to 199 appeals closed in the first four months of 2021.
The Agriculture Appeals Office has seen an increase in the number of Appeals Officers assigned to the office since 2020 and the current allocation is 13 Appeals Officers. I am assured by the Director that the Office is currently adequately resourced and she is confident that the progress being made to clear the backlog of appeals will continue.
