Tuesday, 29 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 751-771

Greyhound Industry

Questions (751)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

751. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of each action in the case of a non-coursing greyhound; if the fees for each respective transaction are paid to an organisation (details supplied): the estimated cost of registering a stud greyhound annually; obtaining a mating certificate; registering a litter of pups; tattooing and microchipping a dog; obtaining a naming form from the organisation; naming a non-coursing greyhound; and the estimated cost of getting the markings put on a non-coursing dog's identity book passport. [58707/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (752)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

752. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department considers the 10% of all prize money given directly to greyhound breeders by Rásaíocht Con Éireann a form of State subsidisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58708/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (753)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

753. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds microchipped in each of the years 2015 to 2021. [58709/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The table below outlines figures for the number of non-coursing greyhounds provided to my Department by the Irish Coursing Club as registered on the MicroDog.ie microchip database in each of the years from 2015 to 2021.

Year	Non-Coursing (Track) Greyhounds
2015	6059
2016	21978
2017	12946
2018	12968
2019	11817
2020	10241
2021	11651

Greyhound Industry

Questions (754)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

754. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds named in each of the years 2015 to 2021, inclusive. [58710/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (755)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

755. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown by status, for example, racing, injured, exported, deceased and so on, of the 23,760 non-coursing greyhounds subject to traceability on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system in each month from January to December 2021. [58711/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (756)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

756. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown based on year of microchipping for the 23,760 non-coursing greyhounds subject to traceability on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system from January to December 2021. [58712/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Forestry Sector

Questions (757, 760, 762, 773)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

757. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the overhead and margin percentage used by the forest service of his Department in the afforestation grant rates for the next forestry programme, as recently published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58728/22]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

760. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the proposed grant rates in the next forestry programme will cover 100% of the costs involved in preparing and developing afforestation sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58738/22]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

762. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the mechanism and calculations, per forest type, by which the forest service of his Department calculated the afforestation grant rates as recently published for the next forestry programme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58740/22]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

773. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the principle of the afforestation grant rate providing for all costs associated with afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58834/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 760, 762 and 773 together.

The Deputies will be aware that my Department has secured funding of €1,318billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. This will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives.

My Department has published proposed grant rates for each of the forest types which reflect the overall direct costs of establishing a range of different types of forests. These rates have been agreed with DPER and are still subject to state aid approval. The proposed rates agreed with DPER are listed below.

-	Forest Type	New Grant Rate
FT1	Native Forests	€6,744
FT2	Forests for Water*	€6,744
FT3	Forests on Public Lands**	€11,044
FT4	NeighbourWoods***	€10,200
FT5	Emergent Forests	€2,500
FT6	Broadleaf, mainly oak	€6,744
FT7	Other Broadleaf	€4,314
FT8	Agroforestry	€8,555
FT9	Seed Orchards	€10,000
FT10	Continuous Cover Forestry	€5,421
FT11	Mixed High Forests: Conifer, 20% broadleaves	€4,452
FT12	Mixed High Forests with mainly spruce, 20% broadleaves	€3,858

Native Tree Area Scheme will be paid at FT1 and FT2 rates. Premiums will be paid over 10 years rather than 20 at a rate of €2,206 per ha annually for NTA1 and €2,284 per ha annually for NTA2.

* Additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to landowner on completion of planting

** Grant includes Trails, Seats & Signage Facilities and Derelict Site payment

*** Grant includes Facilities payment

My Department was mindful of cost-of-living pressures in determining both grant and premium levels whilst working within the parameters and framework of the public expenditure code. In setting rates my Departments decisions were underpinned by the COFORD report, “Economic Activity and Employment levels in the Irish forest Sector”. The setting of the grant rates considered the various operations, labour, costs and overheads involved in the establishment of forests

The proposed Department grant rates, subject to state aid approval, do not include fencing grants or the Environmental report grant. Both payments, which will be published imminently, are additional to the basic grant rate and provide an attractive and realistic funding for forestry establishment.

The calculations of costings have regard to the COFORD report and direct costs of operations along with overheads averaging over 40%. Costs are indicative and may vary between operations and will depend on a variety of factors such as economies of scale, rates charged by different contractors, Foresters and companies. Some operations may incur difference direct costs that may be lower or higher depending on site and location.

Together with additional funding for fencing and environmental report grants, this grant package provides a very realistic and attractive package to cover the costs of forest establishment. The grant and premium package was formulated to optimise the incentivisation of tree planting and deliver on climate action targets as well as delivering economies of scale to the forest industry to help deal with rising living costs. Cost benefit analysis of the new Grant and premium rates shows a very attractive rate of return, most especially for farmers and heralds a new and exciting period for forestry in Ireland.

The new Forestry Programme will drive a new and brighter future for forestry, for farmers and for our climate. The new Forestry Strategy (2023 -2030) and the Programme 2023-2027 provides an unprecedented opportunity for my department, the forest industry and stakeholders to promote, encourage and facilitate forestry as a realistic, attractive and profitable land use option and deliver significant societal benefits.

Forestry Sector

Questions (758)

Matt Shanahan

Question:

758. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date he expects to publish his forestry licensing plan for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58729/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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.

To 25th November 2022, we have issued 4,360 licences which is 92% of our expected output at this point in the year. The backlog in licences overall has reduced from 6,000 in August 2021, to 3,700 in January of this year and now stands at 2,042 at 25th November 2022. We are issuing more licences than applications received, and this means that the backlog continues to drop, with faster turnaround times for new applicants.

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 (759)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

759. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the attention of the forestry division within his Department has been drawn to reports that the devastating Ash dieback disease, chalara fraxinea, was present in Europe and moving westward towards Ireland in the years previous to its outbreak in Ireland in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58737/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department was aware that this new disease of ash was present in other Members States and had carried out surveys for the disease before it was first found in Ireland.

Ash dieback disease caused by the organism Hymenoscyphus fraxineus was first found in Ireland in 2012 and is now widespread throughout the country and the rest of Europe. It is a wind-borne disease and airborne transmission from continental Europe has been attributed to its introduction into the southeast of Great Britain and to rapid spread throughout the natural range of ash in Europe. Airborne transmission has similarly resulted in its rapid spread throughout the island of Ireland, where the disease is now widespread.

Plant health rules that restrict the movement of plants and plant products into a Member State must be stringently scientifically substantiated so that they are not perceived to be barriers to trade (and globally also under WTO rules), under the then governing EU Plant Health Directive (Council Directive 2000/29/EC) (replaced by the new EU Plant Regulation in December 2019), only certain plants and plant products were regulated. Under the old EU Directive, ash plants, ash trees or ash wood moving within the EU Internal Market were not regulated in any Member State and could freely move throughout the then 28 Member State.

Uniquely in the EU, Ireland and the UK cooperated to simultaneously introduced its own emergency national legislative measures in 2012.

While many tree species (e.g., ash, birch, beech) were not regulated under the outgoing Council Directive, it is a positive development that all plants under the new enhanced EU Plant Health Regulation (2016/2031), require a Plant Passport when moved within the EU between ‘Professional Operators’.

My Department has recently prepared a report on ash Dieback entitled "Origins of Ash Dieback Disease in Ireland, Lessons Learned and Research Update". This report is in response to the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, on ‘Issues Impacting the Forestry Sector in Ireland’ (2021).

Question No. 760 answered with Question No. 757.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (761)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

761. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will include members of an organisation (details supplied) in any stakeholder group or forum being set up to implement the CAP strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58739/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The membership of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Monitoring Committee for the period 2023-2027 was drawn from a broad range of invited stakeholders who will provide full and adequate representation across a wide range of farming, environmental, governmental and other relevant stakeholders, including the forestry sector. For reasons of efficiency and effectiveness of operation, it is not possible for all organisations that make requests to be afforded membership of the CSP Monitoring Committee. I consider that the membership is fully representative of the relevant stakeholders and will provide a forum for all views to be considered.

The first meeting of the Committee was held on 24 November. A full list of the membership of the CSP Monitoring Committee will be published on the Department's website in the coming weeks.

Question No. 762 answered with Question No. 757.

Forestry Sector

Questions (763)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

763. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department provides supporting or operational funds to assist forestry industry representation groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58741/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Since 2019, my Department has funded two public Calls for Proposals for Forestry Promotion which were open to forestry industry representation groups to apply under.

The first was opened for the 2019/2020 period and applications were invited under three specific themes; to highlight the multifunctional benefits of forestry, promote planting of more trees and encourage sustainable forest management. 15 projects were approved with funding of €830,000 allocated. The link to the successful projects is at: gov.ie - Doyle announces funding for successful projects on forestry promotion (www.gov.ie)

The second call was launched in April 2021 by my colleague, Minister Hackett, to cover the period 2021/2022. Applications were invited under four separate themes to cover the recreational, environmental, community and economic benefits of trees and woodlands. The Scheme was launched with the purpose of encouraging farmers and other landowners to plant trees together with raising the profile of forestry as a public good and a commercially viable enterprise. Under this call there were 39 projects approved with funding of €1.4m allocated. The successful projects are available to view at the following link: gov.ie - Minister Hackett announces the results of the recent Call for Proposals for Woodland Support Projects for 2021/2022 (www.gov.ie)

The draft implementation plan for forestry 2023-2027, which is currently out to public consultation, includes a measure under Intervention 5 - Developing skills and empowering the forest sector for Sustainable Forest Management – to raise awareness of the industry among the general public, to highlight the benefits of sustainably managed timber and timber products and to encourage farmers and other landowners to plant. It is proposed that this scheme will operate similarly to the previous two Calls for promotion of forestry and will be open to forest industry representation groups to participate in.

Forestry Sector

Questions (764)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

764. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any change to the grants for the construction of forest roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58742/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.

We have announced proposed increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. The Forest Road grant has also been reviewed and I intend to announce details of the proposed new payments shortly. The construction of forest roads is key to encouraging greater timber mobilisation and I am pleased that the next Forestry Programme will continue to support this.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (765)

Paul Murphy

Question:

765. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the financial contribution made by an organisation (details supplied) to the redevelopment of a racecourse, given that the organisation has received a share of the new development and the use of public funds for the project; if the site was the only contribution made by the organisation; the value that was put on the site; the person who valued the site; if he will provide a list, if more than one valuation was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58787/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (766, 767, 768)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

766. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farmers will be eligible to apply for the new suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58821/22]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

767. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reference year for the new suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58822/22]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

768. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a penalty if the number of suckler cows drops during any given year on the suckler cow scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58823/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 766 to 768, inclusive, together.

The aim of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) 2023-2027 is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd and to improve the genetic merit of the suckler herd. The scheme aims to build on the gains delivered through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP).

Operational information including details of the reference year and penalty schedule will be announced in due course.

The funding of €260 million in the lifetime of this programme is a recognition of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland’s economy and will help in improving economic and environmental efficiency of their enterprises. Improving the carbon efficiency of suckler cows will play a key role in reducing Ireland’s emissions into the future. Payment rates of €150 for the first 10 cows and €120 for the remainder up to a max of 100 per herd will apply.

Farmers will be able to apply for the scheme from early 2023.

Question No. 767 answered with Question No. 766.

Question No. 768 answered with Question No. 766.

Commonage Land Use

Questions (769)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

769. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the number of entitlements increasing from 35 to 44 on the Doon commonage, located in the electoral division of Clogheen; the proof that exists for further support; the reason that the entitlements increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58824/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The commonage in the townland of Doon is based on grazing rights. To claim grazing rights on a commonage, in the case of an appurtenant grazing right, you must also be claiming the relevant lowland. Typically, an appurtenant grazing right is one where the right to graze commonage is directly associated with specific lowland. The right to graze in general cannot be separated from the lowland.

As part of ongoing administrative checks, officials from my department completed a review on Doon commonage and the rights of individual applicants to declare these lands. The review, which was based on the Irish Land Commission Schedule of Areas associated with the lands in Doon, identified forty-four purchase agreements. Each purchase agreement was then associated with a Land Registry Folio and as result of these checks the number of rights to declare has been set at 44. An analysis of the above documentation established one grazing right per land registry folio. Therefore, the total number of rights on Doon has been amended from 35 to 44.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (770)

Paul Murphy

Question:

770. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request HSI to outline the rationale for the severance pay and costs within Horse Sport Ireland (details supplied). [58826/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee whose primary function is the development and the implementation of strategies to support an internationally competitive sport horse industry in Ireland through the following infrastructure pillars - High Performance Sport, Breeding and Production, Equestrian Sport and Recreation and Coaching and Education.

HSI is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HSI and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Forestry Sector

Questions (771)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

771. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the details of all the support schemes in the next forestry programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58832/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry programme 2023-2027. This will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.

The draft Forest Strategy and Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which includes the next Forestry Programme measures are subject to an ongoing 6-week public consultation process which concludes on the 29th of November. Details of all proposed measures and Schemes for the next Programme are included without payment rates and stakeholders and interested parties these and may submit their feedback.

We have announced proposed afforestation rates with increases in premiums for planting trees which range from between 46% to 66% along with a longer term of 20 years for farmers. I intend to announce details of the proposed new payment rates for other measures imminently. The Programme is subject to state aid approval from the European Commission and the Department is actively engaging with the Commission to progress towards approval.