Mick Barry
Question:734. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated number of vessels that are eligible for the atypical work permit scheme [48213/22]
View answerWork Permits
Questions (734)
Written answers
The 2015 Task Force identified that only vessels in the Polyvalent, Specific and Beam Trawler segments of the fleet, whose Length Overall is greater than 15m are eligible for inclusion in the Atypical Work Permit Scheme for non-EEA fishers. There are currently 174 such eligible vessels on the Irish Fleet Register. Information on the number of vessels is derived from the Irish Fleet Register, which is updated weekly and published online: www.gov.ie/en/collection/c23b5-sea-fishing-boat-licence-applications/.
Transfer of Entitlements
Questions (735)
Michael McNamara
Question:735. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive a final decision regarding a transfer of entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47877/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has now received all of the information required to process this application and the case be resolved as quickly as possible. Officials in my Department will continue to keep the person named updated on progress of this transfer of entitlements.
Forestry Sector
Questions (736)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:736. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date that the details of the new forestry programme will be sent to the European Commission for review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47883/22]
View answerWritten answers
Minister of State Pippa Hackett met with Commissioners Virginijus Sinkevicius and Janusz Wojciechowski recently to update them on Irish forestry, particularly the extensive public consultation undertaken on the Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 and the subsequent development of the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme. My Department also actively participates in both the EU Council Working Group on Forestry and the Standing Forestry Committee where relevant forestry matters are discussed. Officials from my Department will shortly be meeting bi-laterally with Commission officials to discuss the draft Programme.
The new Programme forms part of a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which is currently being developed. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. We expect that this consultation will commence in the coming weeks and once this has concluded the Plan will be sent to the European Commission for review.
Forestry Sector
Questions (737)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:737. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date that his Department will publish a Forestry Licensing Plan for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47884/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department published the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 in February this year. The plan informed stakeholders of our targets for the delivery of afforestation, felling and forest road licences, and of our commitment to reducing the backlog. It represented a year-on-year increase of 30% on 2021, with a target of 5,250 licences.
We are broadly keeping pace with our projections with 3,629 licences issued to the end of September, or 92% of the target for this point in the year. We continue to process files faster than the rate of files being received and the backlog of files, is continuing to steadily reduce. The number is now 1,734, down from 3,713 at the start of Q1, 3,325 at the start of Q2 and 2,121 at the start of Q3.
I see great merit in signalling to forest owners, landowners, and the forest sector our intentions at the beginning of the year which is why I intend to publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan early in 2023.
Forestry Sector
Questions (738)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:738. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences that have been received by his Department that remain to be processed; the length of time that each application has been with his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47885/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department makes available various forestry statistics on its website, particularly the Forestry Divisional Monthly Reports, which may be found here gov.ie - gov.ie - Forestry Division Monthly Reports (www.gov.ie).
Afforestation is a permanent land use change and therefore my Department is required by law to consider potential impacts on the surrounding areas and countryside.
These include issues related to habitat change, and other ecological impacts which must be considered in the process. In addition, afforestation files are often accompanied by numerous submissions from third parties.
The table below shows the applications received for Afforestation that remain to be processed and the length of time each has been with my Department.
|
Licences Outstanding: |
<= 120 Days |
=121 days-6 mths |
7-12 months |
>=13 months |
Total |
|
Total Number of Licences Awaiting Approval |
103 |
50 |
73 |
234 |
460 |
Forestry Sector
Questions (739)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:739. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences per scheme type which were applied for before 1 January 2021 that remain to be processed by his Department in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47886/22]
View answerWritten answers
To date in 2022, there is an overall significant increase on all licensing categories compared with last year. Up to 30th September, 2022 3,629 licences have issued.
July, August and September have shown significant signs of improvement in afforestation licensing and we intend to maintain this momentum.
There are currently 516 licences remaining to be processed of the 1,683 licences predating 2021 that were on hand at the start of 2022. In many of these cases, further information was required from the applicant. We are embarking on an intensive effort to prioritise clearing older files ahead of the new forestry programme.
|
Licences |
|
|
Afforestation |
169 |
|
Forest Road |
68 |
|
Felling |
279 |
|
Total |
516 |
In the interest of full transparency details of all licences issued by category are available on the weekly dashboard. This is published on the Departmental website and is made available to all interested parties as well as being submitted to the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine each week.
The Department's forestry dashboard is available here: gov.ie - Forest Statistics and Mapping (www.gov.ie).
Forestry Sector
Questions (740)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:740. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a private forestry association (details supplied) will be invited onto the Forest Policy Group; when such a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47887/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Forestry Policy Group was established in November 2020 to help inform forest policy development in Ireland. The Forestry Policy Group has met on ten occasions and members have also participated in the four Working Groups of Project Woodland, which, as the Deputy may be aware, was established in early 2021 to improve the forestry licensing system and to drive forward the planting of trees under a shared vision for forestry in Ireland.
Several members of the organisation referred to by the Deputy are already members of the Forestry Policy Group.
Forestry Sector
Questions (741)
Jackie Cahill
Question:741. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the required legislation change will take place enabling the replacement species for the reconstitution of woodlands RUS to be conifers on an area up to ten hectares; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47892/22]
View answerWritten answers
The introduction of the legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I understand that his Department completed the first stage in the Strategic Environment Assessment screening process and notified the prescribed statutory consultees on 22nd September 2022. Those statutory consultees have 4 weeks to respond to the notice. An Appropriate Assessment screening process is also currently being undertaken in parallel by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Ecological Assessment Unit.
I am hopeful that the legislation can be introduced once these processes have been finalised.
Forestry Sector
Questions (742)
Jackie Cahill
Question:742. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that the new forestry programme will be in place from 1 January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47893/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence in the coming weeks.
In parallel, my Department are also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. We expect that this consultation will commence in the coming weeks.
In parallel we are discussing the proposed programme with the European Commission and with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER). Within that context, we are aiming for a launch date of 1st January 2023 for the Programme.
Forestry Sector
Questions (743)
Verona Murphy
Question:743. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date that the consultation will begin for the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47894/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. This Shared National Vision has been informed by a series of extensive consultation methods with the public. These consultations included a public attitudes survey, an online survey, a study of the attitudes of rural communities, a citizens’ assembly style deliberative dialogue, a youth forum, and a series of bilateral meetings with key stakeholders. Individual reports and a summary of all six consultations are available on my Department’s website.
A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation, which is due to commence in the coming weeks.
In parallel my Department is also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. The Forest Strategy Implementation Plan is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process, and this will include public consultation on the draft Plan and Environmental Report. It is expected that this consultation will commence in the coming weeks.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (744)
Robert Troy
Question:744. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on a 2020 areas-of-natural-constraint appeal by a person (details supplied). [47902/22]
View answerWritten answers
The named individual applied to participate in the 2020 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) on the 7th of May 2020. However, the person named did not satisfy the minimum stocking requirements and did not therefore qualify for payment under the scheme.
An appeal has been received by my Department in respect of the 2020 ANC scheme and I can confirm that this appeal has been deemed successful. Payment will issue to the named individual in the coming weeks.
Departmental Transport
Questions (745)
Eoin Ó Broin
Question:745. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of domestic flights for work purposes taken by him, Ministers of State in his Department and Department staff for each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [47907/22]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that neither I nor any Minister of State or any of the staff in my Department have taken domestic flights for work purposes during my term in office. My predecessor and his advisor used domestic flights on two occasions in 2019 as part of a return journey from two Foreign Trade missions.
The table shows details of these flights.
|
Date of Travel |
Passenger |
From |
To |
Purpose of Travel |
|
08/03/2019 |
Minister |
Dublin |
Kerry |
Return from Trade Mission to Turkey |
|
08/03/2019 |
Ministerial Advisor |
Dublin |
Kerry |
Return from Trade Mission to Turkey |
|
17/05/2019 |
Minister |
Dublin |
Kerry |
Return from Trade Mission to China |
|
17/05/2019 |
Ministerial Advisor |
Dublin |
Kerry |
Return from Trade Mission to China |
Greyhound Industry
Questions (746)
Paul Murphy
Question:746. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been paid to an organisation (details supplied) and its affiliated clubs by the Government and or Greyhound Racing Ireland in the past five years, including in the form of loans, grants or payments for mating, greyhound, litter registrations, earmarking, microchipping, DNA sampling services, advertising and so on. [48001/22]
View answerWritten answers
Coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). Hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC). The organisation consists of 89 affiliated clubs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, all of whom must abide by the ICC’s rules and regulations.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The organisation mentioned receives no funding from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy in relation to funding from RCÉ is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (747)
Carol Nolan
Question:747. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give detailed consideration to the recommendations and requests of a pre-Budget 2023 submission by a farming organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48023/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department engages with stakeholders on an ongoing basis and I met with the organisation named in advance of the Budget to discuss their submission. The issues raised were considered in the context of Budget 2023 deliberations. On Tuesday 27th September, I announced details of my Department’s 2023 Budget. The 2023 Estimates provide a gross Vote of €2.14 billion, the highest ever level of funding for the Department, and represents an increase of €283m on the 2022 provision, or a 13% increase overall, to support farmers, fishers, and rural and coastal communities. This budget supports farm families dealing with the immediate and ongoing fallout of the illegal invasion of Ukraine and lays the groundwork for strategic supports for the sector over the next five years, through the new €10 billion CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). I have secured up to €500m in 2023 to support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity and water quality, including funding for 30,000 places in a new flagship agri environment scheme, ACRES. I am introducing an €8m grant aid scheme to support the spreading of lime, as well as an enhanced Multi Species Sward / Red Clover scheme, helping farmers deal with rising fertiliser prices and move towards the reduction of chemical fertiliser. I have also secured an increase in the TAMS budget to €90m, to fund the proposed large-scale investment in on-farm renewables for farmers, subject to the approval of the European Commission. This will help fund the proposed increase to 60% grant rate and a standalone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar installation. Separately, I am seeking EU Commission approval for a new scheme to continue the beef welfare measures which were previously funded under BEEP-S. This new scheme will sit alongside the new €150/cow Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme, and a €20 million Sheep Welfare Scheme, maintaining the budget for targeted beef and sheep supports of over €100 million. Beef and sheep farmers will also be well placed to benefit from the enhanced supports for fodder aid, for environmental measures and the supports available for the supports available for farmers transitioning to organic farming. While taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I work closely with him to ensure that it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agri-food sector. I am delighted that we agreed a new Accelerated Capital Allowance for Slurry Storage. This will drive further investments in slurry storage and management, consequently improving water quality, facilitating nutrient-use efficiency that reduces dependence on expensive artificial fertilisers, and reducing emissions. This measure is a strong signal of this Government’s commitment to supporting farmers in improving environmental sustainability. We also agreed on the renewal of vital tax reliefs including Stamp Duty Relief for Young-Trained Farmers and Stock Relief for Young-Trained Farmers and Registered Farm Partnerships. Generational renewal is critical to the future of the agri-food sector and national taxation measures, together with the support available under the CAP, represent a substantial commitment to young farmers. The renewal of Capital Gains Tax Relief for Farm Restructuring and Stamp Duty Relief for Farm Consolidation encourage the consolidation of farm holdings, reducing fragmentation and improving the operation and viability of farms. The Government has provided welcome supports in response to the current cost of living crisis. The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme will provide important support to businesses including farmers and food businesses. The continuation of the reduction of excise duty on agricultural diesel to nil will also help alleviate costs for the sector.
Forestry Sector
Questions (748, 749, 750, 751)
Michael Lowry
Question:748. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forestry Service can refuse a non-grant aid application for an afforestation licence on the basis of the productivity of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48027/22]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:749. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forestry Service can refuse a non-grant aid application for an afforestation licence based on species selection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48028/22]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:750. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reaction and nitrogen survey is a requirement for non-grant aid application for an afforestation licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48029/22]
View answerMichael Lowry
Question:751. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which the Forestry Service can decide that land is unplantable on a non-grant aid application for an afforestation licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48030/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 748 to 751, inclusive, together.
Under Section 32 of the Forestry Act 2014 and Regulation 20 of the Forestry Regulations 2017 I am empowered and in some cases I am statutorily obliged to refuse an application for an Afforestation Licence, whether or not the applicant has also applied for financial assistance under the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, on a number of grounds.
- These grounds relate to the protection of the environment generally, ensuring of good forestry practice, the preservation of amenities, public health or safety, protection from flooding, and preservation of water quality; and specifically to the prevention of adverse impacts or significant effects on human health, animal or plant health, water quality, archaeological site or features, areas of special amenity, European sites, or nature conservation. The term “good forestry practice” is also defined in that section of the Act as including forestry practice that respects the principle that the diverse activities constituting forestry (including afforestation) must be planned and implemented in a manner that prevents, limits, abates or reduces significant adverse impacts or risks thereof on the character of the landscape.
The use of ground vegetation to assess the suitability of land is a long-established method of assessing the suitability of sites for afforestation and as an aid to tree species selection. The evaluation of site productivity, by using a method that includes giving existing vegetation on site combined Reaction plus Nitrogen (R+N) values is part of the assessment my Department undertakes on applications. This assessment also gives an indication whether fertiliser may be required for successful tree establishment, with higher R+N scores less likely to require fertiliser. Depending on the site a more detailed assessment may be required.
In the absence of details for any particular application it is not possible to elaborate further.
All licence decisions may be appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee.
Question No. 749 answered with Question No. 748.
Question No. 750 answered with Question No. 748.
Question No. 751 answered with Question No. 748.
Wildlife Protection
Questions (752)
Neale Richmond
Question:752. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the increasing number of deer in the Dublin 18 area; if his attention has been further drawn to the risk that they are causing in relation to traffic accidents and incidents in gardens and homes; if he will take steps to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48110/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have responsibility for wildlife, including the wild deer population.
My Department is aware of the reported increase in the national deer population, which has resulted in the migration of wild deer into some areas where they were not present previously.
My Department works closely with colleagues in NPWS in relation to wild deer. In this regard, I have recently appointed Mr Teddy Cashman, as Chairman of the Deer Forum, with the view to develop a national deer strategy. Officials from my Department and the NPWS, in conjunction with the Chair, are preparing a public consultation on wild deer.
I would encourage all those who have an interest in the matter, including members of the Oireachtas to make a submission in response to this consultation when it opens in the coming weeks.
Forestry Sector
Questions (753)
Michael McNamara
Question:753. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/22]
View answerWritten answers
This application was received 11th February 2022. It was advertised for public consultation on 9th March 2022. It has since been referred to Departmental ecologists due to the identification of potential impacts of proposed development on designated sites and for completion of the Appropriate Assessment process. Applications take degrees of time depending on the number and complexity of interactions with European sites. It may also be the case that further information may be required from the applicant to complete the assessment. Notwithstanding the difficulty in giving a timeframe for issuing a licence we expect that an ecologist will complete work on your file within the next 3 to 4 months. The licence should issue shortly afterwards. Please treat this as indicative and subject to change.