Written Answers Nos. 2146-2161
2146. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the areas where the BTB programme has fully transitioned to a vaccination programme; those which have not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41344/22]
View answerThe areas of the country that have transitioned to a vaccination programme are displayed in green on the attached map.
All of county Longford and most of counties Louth and Kilkenny have fully switched to badger vaccination against bovine TB (bTB). Every other county has large areas switched to vaccination with the exceptions of Dublin, Clare and Wicklow.
A review of vaccination areas is being carried out currently in all Regional Veterinary Offices and staff in each of these offices are scheduled to meet with my Department's Wildlife Unit in August to decide on new areas to be switched over to vaccination.
This is guided by the findings of research which indicate that vaccination is more successful when underlying bTB rates in both cattle and badgers have been brought under control and where there is an existing low badger density.
Map showing programme of badger vaccination against bovine TB
2147. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of the application for a protected geographic indication for Irish grass-fed beef; when he believes protected geographical indication status may be granted; the progress that has been made to ensure that grass-fed beef produced in Northern Ireland is included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/22]
View answerIn December 2021, following scrutiny by the European Commission, the application for a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for “Irish Grass Fed Beef” was published in the Official Journal of the European Union for a three month ‘opposition procedure’ which was open both to EU Member States and third countries.
Following the submission of an opposition by the UK, the European Commission invited both parties to engage on the application. Following extensive engagement between my Department and its UK counterparts, I am happy to report that the consultations were successfully concluded recently, with agreement that the geographical area covered by the application will cover both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Other than changes associated with the extension of the area, there was no substantial change to the product specification.
The European Commission has been notified of the agreement and will advise on next steps, which will include a further scrutiny and three month consultation/opposition at EU/third country level.
It is hoped that the European Commission scrutiny and publication of the revised application will progress quickly and that the PGI for “Irish Grass Fed Beef” will then be registered.
Delivering a PGI status for Irish Grass Fed Beef will present an opportunity to add value for Irish grass fed beef exports to key markets, based on a well-established reputation of excellent quality based on our unique pasture-based production system. It is my ambition that the new PGI will deliver rewards to the hard working and committed suckler and beef farmers on the island.
2148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that farmers finishing on an existing environmental scheme in 2022 have the opportunity to participate in the new agri-climate rural environment scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41357/22]
View answer2149. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer in one of the co-operation project zones under the agri-climate rural environment scheme will have the opportunity to access ACRES General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/22]
View answer2150. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that there will be adequate capacity in the new agri-climate rural environment scheme to enable all potential applicants' avail of this scheme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41359/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2148 to 2150, inclusive, together.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (‘ACRES’) is the name of the proposed agri-environment climate measure which has been proposed as part of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan which is currently with the EU Commission for approval.
Using a habitats-based approach, delivered through both multi-functional prescription and results-based actions, ACRES aims to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes. These will be achieved through the two entry approaches in the proposed new scheme, namely:
- An ACRES General approach, available nationally (outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach), which offers a range of measures (both targeted and general); and
- An ACRES Co-operation approach, available to farmers in defined high priority geographical areas. Eight areas in the country have been defined by a cross departmental working group as having particular environmental characteristics and farmers in those areas may engage in the new ACRES through cooperation project teams, which have appointed.
All farmers, who apply for the Basic Payment Scheme, will have access to the proposed new scheme. A farmer may only apply for the ACRES General approach if their holding falls outside of the high priority geographical area as defined for the ACRES Co-operation approach. Farmers will be able to identify the ACRES approach for which they are eligible by logging on to my Department’s online system (AgFood) or by sending a SMS to 50124 with the text “DAFM ACRES” followed by their Herd ID.
For prudent financial management and budgeting purposes, it is necessary to set a defined limit for the funding to be committed to each scheme. €1.5 billion in funding has been committed for the proposed ACRES scheme over the lifetime of the next CAP - the largest single investment by any Government in an agri-environment scheme. The budget allocation will facilitate the participation of 50,000 participants in ACRES overall. While this is similar to the number in the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) which was available under the Rural Development Plan 2014-2020, it should be noted that a higher maximum level of payment is proposed. It is currently envisaged that the split will be 30,000 participants in ACRES General and 20,000 participants in ACRES Co-operation – this will, however, be ultimately subject to the level of interest in each approach.
It should be noted that approval for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan is awaited from the EU Commission, so all of the proposals may be subject to change and will be subject to the annual budgetary cycle. I look forward to engaging with farmers and advisers later in the summer in advance of the scheme formally opening.
2151. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit met their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 in 2021, including the way that relevant policies and actions are monitored and the way that the obligation is reflected in their annual reports. [41363/22]
View answerSection 42 of the Irish Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 requires all Public Bodies to have regard to the need to -
(a) Eliminate discrimination
(b) Promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services and
(c) protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services.
The Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees and values each employee both for who they are and what they contribute to the work of the Department.
The Department’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy, which was launched in 2018, builds on our core values in these areas.
In line with this policy, the Department recently launched an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy team. The mission of the team which is representative of the diverse nature and regional locations of my Department's staff is to "To celebrate the diversity of our people and promote equality of opportunity and respect for diversity in all aspects of the Department’s business. To promote, champion and foster a work environment where our people are free to be their authentic selves, be creative, thrive and flourish, while making a valuable contribution to the Department’s goals."
This Advocacy team, which was launched by my Secretary General and is led by a member of my Department's management team, will monitor progress on the objectives and actions set out in our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy.
The Department is also committed to ensuring wide accessibility to all our services and participates in a wide range of interdepartmental working groups within the social inclusion area.
The Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of our core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both our own employees and clients of the Department who avail of our wide range of services.
The Department is a long time supporter of providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and has participated for many years in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme. This programme provides a six month paid and mentored work placement for graduates with a disability. Many former participants of the programme have gone on to secure permanent employment in the Civil Service.
Following the launch of the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) programme by the Ceann Comhairle in September 2018, my Department has collaborated with the Houses of the Oireachtas to provide learning opportunities for trainees on this programme. The OWL programme is a learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The programme aims to provide a real and applied learning experience to the participants in a safe and secure work environment, to support them in developing the skills which will lead them to access paid employment in the open labour market.
A confined recruitment competition for permanent part time posts across the Civil and Public Sector for graduates from the OWL programme took place in December 2021. This competition, which was supported by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) was confined to OWL graduates who had completed the 2019/2020 OWL programme. Many of the graduates were successful in securing permanent employment in the Civil Service and I am delighted to say that we recently welcomed one of the OWL graduates to a permanent post in my Department.
The Department's Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides advice, support and guidance to staff. The Disability Liaison Officer also facilitates reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities to ensure each person has equal opportunities for training and career progression throughout their time in my Department.
The Department has focused on gender balance initiatives since 2011, monitors its gender pay gap and has seen a decrease in this gap from 20.5% in 2013 to 11.9% in 2021.
Since 2019, the Department has had an active LGBTI+ staff network in place. My Department celebrates Pride in June each year and on Saturday 25th June last, a number of staff from my Department, including members of my senior management team joined with 1200 plus staff from across the Civil and Public Service to participate in the Dublin Pride Parade to celebrate our LGBTI+ colleagues and the LGBTI+ community.
In recent months, the Department has joined with the Civil Service colleagues on the development of a Pilot Civil Service Internship Programme to provide employment opportunities for members of the Traveller and Roma communities. Recruitment for this programme, which is led by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and the Department of Justice has commenced recently and my Department has made three posts available for successful candidates on this programme.
We aim to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including persons with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services.
In accordance with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, two Access Officers have been appointed within my Department to provide assistance, support, advice and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing services provided by my Department when requested and generally to act as a point of contact for people wishing to access such services.
The move to the www.gov.ie portal enabled my Department to redesign its website to comply with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and the National Disability Authority (NDA) guidelines, ensuring the website's content is at a suitable reading comprehension level for all.
The Department has also commissioned a digital recording of all its schemes and services to assist customers with reading difficulties; supplied documents in Braille to assist visually impaired customers; and provided Irish Sign Language interpretation services for onsite meetings with customers when requested.
All actions and initiatives in this very important area are included in my Department's annual report, which is published each year.
The matter of the fulfilment of obligations under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act by the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
2152. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of State boards under the remit of his Department or its agencies; the total number of members of each board; the numbers on each board broken down according to gender; and the number of persons with a declared disability on each board in tabular form. [41381/22]
View answerThe list of Board Members for each Board under the aegis of my Department is available on the Stateboards.ie website, Boards under Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (per.gov.ie). This includes the number of Board Members and the breakdown according to gender. It is updated by my Department on a monthly basis.
Regarding the number of persons with a declared disability, persons nominated to positions on State Boards under the aegis of my Department are not required to disclose a disability that they may have. Therefore, the Department does not hold the information requested by the Deputy.
2153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any analysis his Department has carried out into extending or tailoring the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme to offshore islands; the details of any analysis his Department has carried out into creating a similar scheme for offshore islands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41424/22]
View answerThe new agri-environment scheme under the new CSP - Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) - is open to farmers throughout the country, whether they farm on offshore islands or on the mainland. There are two approaches within ACRES - ACRES General and ACRES Co-Operation.
In order to facilitate the implementation of locally targeted and adapted agri-environment measures under the Co-Operation stream, a map of eight Co-operation Project (CP) zones was developed. An interdepartmental working group with representatives from my Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, EPA and LAWPRO, was established to identify the relevant areas for the zones.
Development of the map and selection of the areas for the CP stream involved identifying lands throughout the country based on criteria including designated lands, offshore islands, curlew and hen harrier breeding areas and Blue Dot catchments among others. From lands that met these criteria, the interdepartmental group selected the eight co-operation zones based on maximum environmental priority. A map of the CP Zones may be found on my Department’s website and includes offshore islands.
It is important to note that farmers who are ineligible for the ACRES Co-operation approach will be eligible to participate in the General stream of the proposed ACRES.
2154. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of work by the Marine Institute on behalf of the Government on the research project A Socioeconomic Study of Seaweed Harvesting in Ireland to Support Marine Spatial Planning; the expected timeline for the completion of the research project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41425/22]
View answerThe delivery of this project is an operational matter for the Marine Institute. I have asked the Institute to respond directly to the Deputy.
2155. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost to increase land under forestry or biodiversity regeneration by 25,000 hectares per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41458/22]
View answerThe current Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, operated by my Department, offers a fixed grant towards the costs of establishment of afforestation, subject to the maximum laid down in the Scheme’s terms and conditions. In addition, annual premiums are payable on new forests that qualify for an afforestation grant.
The Scheme offers 12 different grant and premiums categories (GPC) based on different species options. Grants are payable in two instalments, on initial afforestation along with the first year’s premium and the remaining instalment four years later and premiums are paid over 15 years.
Our current planting target under the Climate Action Plan 2021 is 8,000 hectares per year. To increase the land owned by private landowners under forestry by 25,000 hectares, based on the mix of planting carried out in 2021, the total grant payable would be €52.011m and the total premiums would €84.463m (payable annually for 15 years). The total outlay for 25,000ha of new afforestation would therefore be €136,474m.
In terms of biodiversity, the amount specific to broadleaf/native tree types within this spend would be €47,206m. In addition, all conifer planting categories contain an obligation to have 15% broadleaf content.
These costings are based on grant and payment rates as set out in the Afforestation Programme 2014-2020 as extended to 2022. The proposed new national forestry strategy and Forestry Programme, currently under development within my Department will seek to incentivise landowners to plant trees in a way that addresses environmental considerations, including biodiversity.
It's worth noting that Coillte is responsible for the management of 440,000 hectares of Ireland's forests. In its recent new forestry strategic vision Coillte outlined plans to grow 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050 and to increase the area of its forest estate being primarily managed for nature from 20% to 50% in the long term, by enhancing and restoring biodiversity and planting new woodlands, half of which will be native woodlands.
2156. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the terms of security requirements for loans funded by his Department through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41590/22]
View answerMy Department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Finance, has worked with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to deliver a number of loan schemes that support SMEs in Ireland, including farmers, fishers and food businesses.
Public funds provided for these schemes mainly relate to the provision of guarantees, with the lending institutions providing the actual finance for the loans. Any unused guarantee funding is repayable.
One of the key features of these loan schemes is the availability of unsecured finance up to a certain threshold, serving the needs of those without collateral including young farmers and new entrants. The table below details the security thresholds for each of the loan schemes.
|
Scheme |
Fund Value |
Max Loan Amount Available |
Unsecured Amount |
|
Brexit Impact Loan Scheme |
€315m |
€1.5m |
Up to €500,000 |
|
Future Growth Loan Scheme* |
€800m |
€3m |
Up to €500,000 |
|
COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme* |
€2bn |
€1m |
Up to €250,000** |
|
SBCI Working Capital Scheme *(encompassing Brexit Loan Scheme and Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme) |
€337.5m |
€1.5m |
Up to €500,000 |
|
Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme* (ACSLS) |
€145m |
€150,000 |
All Loans Unsecured |
*This scheme is now closed to new applications
**except where it is a requirement of the product feature, as in the case of asset finance, invoice discount facilities etc.)
2157. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dividends paid by State-owned enterprises under the remit of his Department in each of the past five years; the projected dividends to be received in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41644/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy regarding the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached table. My Department does not have figures for 2022 as they have not yet been finalised.
|
To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the dividends paid by State-owned enterprises under the remit of his Department in each of the past five years; the projected dividends to be received in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. |
|||||
|
State Body |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
|
1. Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
|
2. Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
|
3. Marine Institute |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
|
4. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
NIL |
|
5. Rásaíocht Con Éireann |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
6. Horse Racing Ireland |
€1m Special Dividend in respect of sale of Horse Racing Ireland owned lands at Leopardstown Racecourse to Department of Education and Skills for a new school |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
7. Irish National Stud |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
8. Bord Bia |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
9. Coillte |
€30 million |
€2.3 million |
€13 million |
€15 million |
€8 million |
|
10. National Milk Agency |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
11. Teagasc |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
12. Veterinary Council of Ireland |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2158. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time equivalent staff in the agriculture appeals office by grade, role and function in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41724/22]
View answerI inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department. The Office has responsibility for agriculture appeals and in addition the Office provides administrative and secretariat support to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) which was established in February 2018. In addition to their agriculture appeal functions, Appeals Officers are also appointed as members of the FAC.
I have been informed that the number of staff currently assigned to the Agriculture Appeals Office is outlined below by grade, role and function:
|
Grade |
Role |
Function |
|
1 Principal Officer |
Director of Agriculture Appeals |
Director |
|
1 Assistant Principal Officer |
Deputy Director of Agriculture Appeals |
Assist Director |
|
12 Assistant Principal Officers or equivalent(1 Assistant Principal vacancy) |
Agriculture Appeals Officers |
|
|
2 Higher Executive Officers |
Manage Administration in the Appeals Office |
|
|
5 Executive Officers |
Administration in the Appeals Office.Act as secretariat to the FAC. |
|
|
5.5 Clerical Officers |
Administration in the Appeals Office |
Please note that the Organisation chart of the Agriculture Appeals Office is available at AgricultureAppealsOrganisationChart201021.pdf (agriappeals.gov.ie)
2159. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of permanent full-time equivalent staff in the forestry division within his Department by grade, role and function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41725/22]
View answer2160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of temporary and contracted full-time equivalent staff in the forestry division within his Department by grade, role and function; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41726/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2159 and 2160 together.
Project Woodland was set up over a year ago to tackle the licensing issues and the backlog and to focus on developing a new Forest Strategy to promote woodland creation.
In conjunction with this process, we have invested in resources to deal with the licensing delays, with more ecologists, Forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff assigned to licensing.
We have made and continue to make improvements to our systems and processes in order to utilise our staff resources as effectively as possible. An organisational review of the Department’s Forestry divisions will also be undertaken following the conclusion of a public tendering process, which is currently underway.
I have provided in the attached table the current number of permanent and contracted staff working in all three forestry divisions in my Department ie the Administrative, Forest Sector Development (FSD) and Inspectorate (including ecology/archaeology) divisions.
Please note also that these staff are involved of all aspects of the forestry remit including licensing, promotion, forest health, payments, engagement at National, EU and international level on forestry policy issues and forest sector development.
Number of full time equivalent permanent and contract staff across all three Forestry Divisions of DAFM in July 2022
|
Grade/Role |
Admin |
FSD |
Inspectorate |
Total |
|
Senior Inspector |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 1 |
3 |
9 |
12 |
|
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 2 |
10 |
10 |
||
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
3 |
26 |
29 |
|
|
Forest Insp G3 (archaeologist) |
2 |
2 |
||
|
Forest Insp G3 (ecologist) |
1 |
1 |
||
|
AAI (ecologist) |
7 |
7 |
||
|
Contract Ecologist |
27.8 |
27.8 |
||
|
Contract Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Assistant Principal |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
14 |
14 |
||
|
Executive Officer |
26 |
1 |
4 |
31 |
|
Clerical Officer |
34 |
34 |
||
|
Total |
79 |
11 |
90.8 |
180.8 |
2161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will summarise the latest correspondence between his Department and Kerry County Council and any other State agency or Department in relation to the provision of a landing facility at Cromane, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41734/22]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance.
I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.
With specific regard to landing facilities at Cromane, officials from my Department have previously expressed their willingness to meet and discuss this issue with representatives of the local authority.
The Deputy will recall that he and I both met with the Council and local seafood industry representatives on the matter last September and I reiterated that offer.
On 25th January 2022, I launched the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023 exclusively for the rejuvenation of local authority owned public piers and harbours.
The Scheme flows from the Seafood Taskforce which I set up last year to examine how to address the impacts arising on the seafood sector from the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Over €1.5m in funding has been approved to Kerry County Council under the BALAMI Scheme to fund projects at 5 locations. No application for funding was received under this year’s programme in relation to Cromane Pier.
Should any application be made for funding by Kerry County Council under the BALAMI Scheme or any future programme in relation to capital works at Cromane Harbour, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached to the project by the Council, available BAR or Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
