Written Answers Nos. 2162-2177
2162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling and planting licences issued on a yearly basis since 2018 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41737/22]
View answerMy Department has issued the following licences for the years 2017 to 2022 (up to 22nd July):
|
Year |
No. of licences issued |
Afforestation |
Forest Roads |
Felling |
|
2018 |
4,919 |
855 |
461 |
3,603 |
|
2019 |
5,310 |
588 |
542 |
4,180 |
|
2020 |
2,592 |
525 |
350 |
1,717 |
|
2021 |
4,050 |
502 |
671 |
2,877 |
|
2022 up to 22/07/22 |
2,746 |
346 |
461 |
2,088 |
As the Deputy may be aware my Department has committed to issuing 5,250 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 30% on the number issued last year. The Forestry Licensing Plan was published at the start of the year and sets out a range of forestry priorities set to run for the whole of 2022.
We have committed to deliver 1,530 Coillte felling licences, 1,830 private felling licences, 850 forest road licences and 1,040 afforestation licences by year end. We are currently at 94% of our overall target at this point in the year and I am confident that we will reach our projected targets across all licence categories.
2163. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress to date in resolving the peat supply issues affecting the horticulture and mushroom sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41738/22]
View answerMy Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Housing) has developed a series of actions to support the horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium.
In these targeted actions which reflect the multi-faceted nature of the problem, my Department is endeavouring to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term one of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.
My Department has commissioned an independent expert to work with all peat suppliers to ascertain the level of horticultural peat stocks available to growers and to identify sub-30 hectare sites for the extraction of peat that may be used for domestic horticultural use.
My Department has also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry.
A draft of this report has been received by my Department and will be finalised shortly. It is essential that there is full engagement with the regulatory processes in order to ensure peat supply for the domestic horticulture industry.
My Department, in looking towards the future, continues to support and facilitate research in the development of alternatives to peat for horticulture.
My Department recently committed €1.69m to a research project ‘Beyond Peat’ with a project start date of February 1st 2022. The project is co-ordinated by Teagasc Horticultural Development Department, with project partners from the Technological University of the Shannon, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Limerick and the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Northern Ireland.
The project aim is to identify full and partial replacements for peat within professional horticulture, preferably with materials sourced within Ireland. The project is progressing well to schedule and will run from 2022 to 2027.
Separately, my Department is funding research projects on peat alternatives through the EU producer organisation (PO) scheme for fruit and vegetables
2164. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on increasing incentives for solar panels on Irish farms through grant aiding of at least 18-kilowatt panels and batteries. [41740/22]
View answerMy Department currently provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist our farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels for water heating under the Pigs and Poultry scheme.
An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
Following a review of power requirements I have recently increased the maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid for the Pig and Poultry scheme to 62kw. A review is also taking place on solar requirements for other schemes.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) submitted to the EU Commission for approval last December.
My Department is also working closely with Minister Eamon Ryan, whose Department launched the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021, which are a suite of new measures which that Department has introduced for renewable production this year.
I will continue to engage with Minister Eamon Ryan and his Department and I am examining all ways to support farmers in this area.
2165. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on introducing a scrappage scheme for power take-off shafts. [41741/22]
View answerFatal incidents on farms account for almost 50% of all workplace fatal incidents. In addition, there are approximately 2,800 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms.
Entanglement in uncovered and poorly protected PTO shafts and machinery has resulted in farm fatalities and serious injuries including loss of limbs.
This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. Dedicated funding of €2.25m was allocated in Budget 2022 for a range of initiatives. These initiatives promote farm safety practices and risk awareness and encourage behavioural change around farm safety, while also supporting those who have been impacted by fatal and non-fatal incidents.
However, it is important to recognise that there are responsibilities at individual level including under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 which places a legal obligation on employers, including farmers, to provide a safe workplace.
As part of this obligation, farmers must ensure that all PTO shafts are protected by PTO covers and guards, a relatively modest piece of equipment from cost perspective, before operating PTO powered farm machinery.
Farm Safety is a key priority of mine and of Minister of State Heydon who has special responsibility for farm safety. My Department is currently working on new initiatives for launching in 2023.
2166. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his engagement with the Minister for Finance to permit farmers to claim back VAT on farm safety equipment. [41742/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, taxation is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. However, our Departments work closely to ensure that agri-taxation is consistent with Government priorities for the agri-food sector.
I am advised that, in accordance with the EU VAT rules and Irish VAT law, farmers may elect to register for VAT or to be treated as flat-rate farmers for VAT purposes.
Farmers who elect to register for VAT have an entitlement to reclaim VAT on costs incurred in relation to their agricultural business including farm safety equipment. A farmer who has elected to register for VAT is obliged to charge VAT on their supplies and can also claim a deduction for VAT incurred on costs that are used for the purposes of their taxable supplies.
Alternatively, farmers can remain unregistered and opt for the Flat Rate Scheme which is designed to compensate non-VAT registered farmers for the VAT incurred by them on the purchase of goods and services relating to their activities. The Scheme sets out a percentage amount, known as the flat-rate addition, which unregistered farmers apply to their prices when selling to VAT-registered businesses. Farmers are allowed to retain this amount themselves, as a compensation for the VAT borne by them on their input costs. This simplification reduces the administrative burden for these farmers, as there is no need to register for VAT to recover VAT borne on their inputs. The Scheme is governed by EU VAT law and the level of the flat-rate addition allowed under the Scheme is required to be reviewed annually. From 1st January 2022 the flat-rate addition is 5.5%.
Minister of State Martin Heydon, who has special responsibility for farm safety, and I continue to work to address the unacceptable level of accidents and fatalities on Irish farms.
Collaboration between my Department and the Department of Finance led to the introduction in Budget 2021 of the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment Scheme, an important measure to promote safer farming practices. This Scheme provides for Accelerated Capital Allowances of 50% per annum over two years on qualifying farm safety and adaptive equipment.
2167. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role that his Department has in marketing Irish poultry to countries that require halal certification; the way that producers may obtain such certification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41748/22]
View answerMy Department negotiates market access with the competent authorities in third country markets outside the EU. Once this access is secured, Bord Bia is the state agency responsible for the marketing and promotion of Irish food and drinks worldwide, including poultry meat.
My Department's role in the certification of exports of poultry meat and poultry meat products is to certify that they are produced in accordance with European and national rules, and that they comply with the animal and public health requirements of destination markets.
My Department does not have any role or remit in relation to halal certification. Responsibility for satisfying halal certification conditions, where required, is a commercial matter for the food businesses concerned.
2168. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers from whom payments were clawed back in relation to the BEAM scheme; the total amount, the average amount and the amount that has yet to be repaid in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41766/22]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) was to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
Over 34,500 farmers had applied for BEAM at its closing date of 20th September 2019 and it saw some €78 million in payments issue to participating farmers.
One of the conditions under which funding was granted by the EU was that there had to be an element of re-structuring built into the scheme as set out in Article 1 (3) of EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132.
Accordingly, in applying for BEAM, participants agreed to reduce the production of bovine livestock manure nitrogen on their holding by 5% in either the original reduction period (1st July 2020 – 30th June 2021) or the deferred reduction period (1st January 2021 – 31st December 2021) when compared with the reference period of 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019.
Approximately 22,000 participants did meet all the commitments set out in section 7.0 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions and they successfully exited the scheme.
A further 11,589 participants did not meet some or all of the commitments set out in section 7.0 of the BEAM Terms and Conditions. As a result, recoupment of some €18.5 million in over-payments has commenced as set out in the table below.
|
Number of farmers from whom payments were clawed back in relation to the BEAM scheme |
11,589 |
|
Total amount |
€18,590,023 |
|
Average amount |
€1,604 |
|
Amount that has yet to be repaid |
€5,892,293 |
2169. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for environmental impact assessment screening for boundary removals that have been received; the number of screening applications approved; the corresponding length of hedgerows approved for removal on a year-by-year basis from 2010 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/22]
View answerThe Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations came into force on the 8th of September 2011 and were further amended on 19th September 2017.
The Regulations apply to three different types of on-farm activities:
(1) restructuring of rural land holdings,
(2) commencing to use uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agriculture and
(3) land drainage works on lands used for agriculture (excluding drainage or reclamation of wetlands.
Where a landowner intends to carry out works that exceed the thresholds or sub-thresholds set out in the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, at a minimum a screening application needs to the submitted to my Department. For more significant works or activities likely to have a significant effect on the environment a full EIA assessment is required.
Under the EIA (Agriculture) Regulations, between 2011 and the end of June 2022 a total of 987screening applications were received by my Department with 804 of these being approved by the end of June (some recent applications are still being processed). These applications related to different types of activities including boundary removals which fall under the heading ‘restructuring of rural land holdings.’ The removal of boundaries may include removal of stonewalls, clay banks and/or hedgerows.
The information requested covers an 11-year period, and is not readily available.
2170. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the information that is required from the applicant as part of an environmental impact assessment screening for boundary removal; if the length of hedgerow must be provided in the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41784/22]
View answerA screening application must be submitted to my Department where an individual intends to carry out works that exceed one of the thresholds or where sub-threshold triggers require screening apply as set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (Agriculture) Regulations 2011 and 2017.
As part of the application for an EIA screening decision, the linear measurement of the field boundary proposed for removal must be indicated on the application form and a map clearly showing the location of the proposed works must also be submitted.
To facilitate a screening assessment my Department also requires a detailed breakdown of the nature and extent of the proposed works and the anticipated outcomes.
Where the application does not provide sufficient detail to allow a screening decision to be made, the applicant will be contacted and requested to provide greater clarity in order to allow my officials conduct a thorough assessment of the proposed works to determine whether the work can proceed or whether the applicant needs to make a full application for consent.
2171. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made with the establishment of a food ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41872/22]
View answerIn April 2021, I signed the Statutory Instrument transposing the Unfair Trading Practices Directive directly into Irish law.
At that time, I also established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department on an interim basis. It is currently operating with all necessary legal powers, including to investigate complaints from suppliers of agricultural and food products and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of unfair trading practices defined in the UTP Directive.
The Enforcement Authority has been engaging with buyers of agricultural and food products to ensure compliance with the UTP Regulations and with suppliers to make them aware of the protections provided to them in the Regulations.
I would encourage any supplier or buyer of agri-food products to familiarise themselves with their rights and obligations under the Regulations via the Enforcement Authority’s website: www.utp.gov.ie.
The drafting of primary legislation, which is required to establish the new independent statutory body to deal with fairness and transparency in the agri food sector, has been progressing.
In March this year, the Heads of the Agri-Food Bill 2022 were approved by Government. The Heads of the Bill were published on my Department’s website and were submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for pre-legislative scrutiny. In June, I met with the Joint Committee to discuss the draft Bill, and I look forward to receiving the Committee's report as soon as possible.
I am confident that the new Office will help strengthen the position of our farmers, fishers, and other suppliers of agricultural and food products. It is my intention to present the final draft of the Bill to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
2172. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans in relation to solar farms to facilitate farmers in relation to issues that may occur in relation to succession and farm payments et cetera; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41885/22]
View answerMy Department currently provides grant aid through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II) to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
It is also proposed that support for renewable energy investments will continue under the new Capital Investment Scheme as part of Ireland's new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which was submitted to the EU Commission for approval in December 2021.
In addition, the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications launched a Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) in December 2021. This is a suite of new measures which that Department has introduced for renewable energy production this year.
In relation to farm payments, solar panels will be considered as ineligible features within an eligible land parcel and the land covered by the solar panels is not regarded as eligible for Basic payment . In general, parcels or parts of a parcel, with solar panels may be considered eligible but, reductions must be made to the eligible area to take account of the impact of the panels on forage availability.
In all cases, parcels containing solar panels will only be considered eligible, where an agricultural activity takes place (e.g. grazing with sheep) and the solar panels must not hamper the undertaking of that agricultural activity.
It is also worth noting that all agricultural land used to claim BPS must be owned/leased/rented, used and managed by the applicant.
While taxation is primarily the responsibility of the Minister for Finance our Departments work closely to ensure it is consistent with Government priorities for the agri-food sector. Agricultural property, such as farmland, benefits from tax relief under Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT).
The purpose of this relief is to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of viable farm enterprises. Finance Act 2017 amended CAT agricultural relief and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) retirement relief to allow the leasing of agricultural land for solar infrastructure to be classified as qualifying agricultural activity, subject to the panels covering no more than 50% of the holding.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Finance and stakeholders to ensure that tax strategy aligns with Government strategy and the needs of the agri-food sector and wider society.
2173. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans in relation to grants for facilitating anaerobic digestion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41886/22]
View answerAnaerobic digestion is a proven science for the generation of sustainable energy, and I believe there may be potential to develop anaerobic digestion on Irish farms, especially considering the current global energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It should be noted however, that energy policy formation, including renewable energy, is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). However, my Department is engaging with that Department on all energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, as well as a wide range of industry and other stakeholder groupings.
The development of an anaerobic digestion industry in Ireland must be based on scientific research and country specific data. Towards this end my Department continues to support research, development and demonstration in this particular area.
As part of its allocation under the National Development Plan, the Department has committed to the development of an Agri-Led Capital Pilot Call for AD.
Two projects in particular which have received funding from my Department through the European Innovation Partnerships initiative (EIP), as part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 will provide this much needed information.
The Bio-refinery Glas (small scale farmer-led green bio-refineries) and Irish Bio-energy Association (IrBEA) (small biogas demonstration programme) have both been awarded funding of over €900,000 each.
I look forward to seeing the results of these projects which will provide valuable information of specific relevance to Irish farmers, and will help inform any decision taken by my Department in relation to the funding of anaerobic digestion plants in the future.
2174. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of all properties in cases in which they were leased by State bodies under his aegis; the list of all State bodies under his aegis that are or could be currently acting independently of the OPW to acquire their own property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42019/22]
View answerRegarding the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred this query to the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly on the matter.
2175. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39961/22]
View answerMy Department's total expenditure in relation to traditional and online advertising since its establishment in 2017 is laid out in the table below.
|
Traditional Advertising (print and broadcast) |
Online Advertising |
Total |
|
|
2017 |
€12,712 |
Nil |
€12,712 |
|
2018 |
€7,492 |
Nil |
€7,492 |
|
2019 |
€12,088 |
Nil |
€12,088 |
|
2020 |
€1,845 |
€167 |
€2,012 |
|
2021 |
€4,184 |
€4,798.52 |
€8,982.52 |
|
2022 (to date) |
€5,784.53 |
Nil |
€5,784.53 |
2176. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39979/22]
View answerMy Department was established in 2017 and has not engaged any external public relations assistance in the period since its establishment.
My Department’s communications team deals with a wide range of internal and external communications matters, including press engagement, media events, online content and public relations.
2177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of legal cases brought against her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39997/22]
View answerTwo legal cases have been brought against my Department since it was established in 2017. These relate to a judicial review initiated in 2019 (which is ongoing) into the outcome of a procurement competition for an island transport contract and a High Court summons initiated in 2021 (ongoing) concerning a matter relating to an employee.
