Wednesday, 18 Jan 2023

Written Answers Nos. 1759-1778

Fishing Industry

Questions (1759)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1759. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63342/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In December 2018, following a public consultation process in which over 900 submissions were received, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.

A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures. The Policy Directive directed the Licensing Authority to insert a condition to this effect into the licences of affected vessels.

A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy. On 6th October 2020, the Judge held in summary that the High Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. The breach of fair procedures as referenced above related to a failure with obligations to consult with the applicants in accordance with, and to the extent required by, the consultation process and in particular by failing to consult with them a second time once a preferred option had been identified. A stay on the order was refused by the High Court on 10th December 2020.

I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal, also seeking a stay on the order of the High Court. The Court of Appeal reinstated the Ministerial Policy Directive on 19th March 2021, when the Court was persuaded that the balance of justice leaned in favour of the State and granted a stay on the order of the High Court up until the hearing of the substantive appeal in June. Following a full hearing by the Court of Appeal on 22nd June 2021, the Court decided to temporarily extend the Policy Directive excluding large vessels from trawling in inshore waters within 6 miles of the coast, save for a restricted sprat fishery.

On September 23rd, 2021, the Court of Appeal refused the application I had made to further continue the stay. This refusal means that the decision of the High Court stands and the Policy Directive is no longer valid; meaning vessels over 18 metres in length overall have resumed trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles. These vessels also no longer require an authorisation to fish for sprat inside 6 nautical miles.

The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf. The unapproved judgment refers to the Court of Appeal record number 2020/232, issued on July 19th and can be found on Courts.ie

As this matter continues to be sub judice, I am not in a position to comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.

Grant Payments

Questions (1760)

Seán Canney

Question:

1760. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider overhauling the current grants regime in order that farmers can bank the money they receive year by year and not face recoupments going back up to five years in relation to money that is long spent; if his attention has been drawn to the stress that these recoupments are placing on farmers and the fact that changes to schemes can ensure that a farmer’s payments are withheld if they do not reach targets, as opposed to recouped over many years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63365/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Applicants for multi-annual schemes must be mindful that these involve multiannual commitments, and that the terms and conditions of such schemes make it clear at the outset that failure to meet these commitments can result in the recovery of the payment.

For example, the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), which will open for applications this spring, is a multi-annual commitment that will run for the duration of the CAP Strategic Plan. The scheme is delivered under Article 70 (Environmental, climate and other management commitments) of Regulation 2021/2115. This article and specifically Article 70 (6) clearly states commitments shall be undertaken for a period of five to seven years. As such, SCEP like its predecessor the Beef Data and Genomic Programme (BDGP), is a multi annual contract rather than an annual scheme.

In designing SCEP, my Department was mindful of the reality of the effects of such multi-annual commitments on the ground and have sought to incorporate as much flexibility as possible in the scheme design of SCEP to facilitate changes that can occur from one year to the next on participating farms, while simultaneously ensuring adherence to Article 70 of Regulation 2021/2115.

Under BDGP, participants were allocated targets at the start of the programme in 2015, based on outputs in the previous year and these targets remained in place for the duration of the programme without the facility to amend them. In some cases participating farmers came to find these targets restrictive as either personal circumstances saw their capacity to farm reduced or they were prevented from diversifying into other farming methods due to continued requirement to meet those targets.

Under SCEP the reference figure will be based on a range of years (2016 - 2021) which it is hoped will result in a more accurate reflection of historical output on the holding. Applicants can then adjust this figure at application stage and on an annual basis, to accommodate any changes or plans they may have, or to reflect circumstances that may be present on their holding. The various annual programme targets that are calculated from the reference figure will be amended in line with the revised figures provided by the applicant. The participant SCEP payment will however be capped by the setting figure at application stage.

This additional flexibility should reduce the number of withdrawals, removals and recoupments from the programme over its five-year duration.

Animal Passports

Questions (1761, 1762, 1763)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1761. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the continuing and historic delays in issuing passports to foals born in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63368/22]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1762. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the stud book rules are not being adhered to by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63369/22]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

1763. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the time has come to outsource the issuing of passports to foals in order for breeders to be able to sell their stock in the same calendar year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63370/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1761 to 1763, inclusive, together.

The named Society has issued 2,441 full pedigree foal identification documents in 2022. It has 278 cases where there are delays in issuing the identification documents. The Society has advised me that delays can occur in cases where, for example, incomplete/incorrect applications are received, unsuitable DNA samples submitted, etc. Applicants are notified of any errors as expediently as possible.

As part of the Society's recognition as a breed society and in accordance with the Animal Breeding Regulations, they are required to have a dispute resolution process. This process should be used when a breeder is not satisfied with a decision by that Society. Officials of my Department will deal directly with breaches of the Animal Breeding Regulations.

Question No. 1762 answered with Question No. 1761.

Question No. 1763 answered with Question No. 1761.

Legislative Measures

Questions (1764)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1764. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all sections of all Acts passed in the past ten years have been commenced; the number of sections that are outstanding; the number of Acts that have review periods; if the reviews have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63375/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has overseen the drafting and enactment of nine Bills in the past 10 years. Information requested on these enactments is set out in the table below. All of the Acts have been enacted to some extent and the extent of the commencement is indicated in the third column of the table.

Part 12 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 was subsequently repealed by the Oireachtas without having been commenced.

In accordance with Dáil Standing Orders, all of the Acts prepared by my Department would have required a post-enactment report to be published and laid in the Parliamentary Library twelve months after the enactment of the legislation. Two Acts have yet to complete this element of the process, as they were only enacted within the past twelve months: they are the Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022  and the Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.

No.	Title of Enactment	Sections enacted
1	Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 2013 No. 15	All sections other than sections: S4: partially commenced; S26/29: partially commenced;
2	Forestry Act 2014 2014 No. 31	Whole Act
3	Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Act 2014 2014 No. 10	Whole Act
4	Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 2016 No. 2	Whole Act
5	Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2019 2019 No. 9	Whole Act
6	Greyhound Racing Act 2019 2019 No. 15	All sections other than sections: S20/26 not yet commenced; S30/34 not yet commenced; S51 not yet commenced;
7	Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 2020 No. 15	Whole Act
8	Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 2022 No. 2	Whole Act
9	Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 2022 No. 4	All sections other than sections: S9/10 not yet commenced;

Animal Welfare

Questions (1765)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1765. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to a reported breach of the Animal Health and Welfare Regulations 2019 (details supplied); and if he will ensure that an investigation is carried out in relation to same. [63394/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy will be aware, I cannot comment on individual cases. Any evidence of specific cases of animal cruelty or neglect of an animal’s welfare should be brought to the attention of my Department by calling the animal welfare helpline on 01 6072379 or by emailing [e-mail].

At the request of the Tánaiste, I am leading an interdepartmental review, examining current legislation, enforcement and policy in relation to dogs. To that end I am working closely with colleagues in the Department of Rural & Community Development and the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

Responsibility for Dog Breeding Establishments lies with Department of Rural and Community Development as provided for by the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010.

In relation to the sale of pets, concern for the safety and welfare of pet animals was one of the primary reasons behind the introduction by my Department of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019).

These Regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the minimum age for the sale of certain mammals; record-keeping; registration with the Department; and the provision of specific information about the pet in advertisements. The Regulations were welcomed by welfare organisations and are a support to those thinking of purchasing pet animals.

Under these regulations, anyone who sells or supplies six or more pet animals in a year must register with my Department. (Dog Breeding Establishments are excluded from this requirement under these regulations as they are already subject to registration).

My Department participates in the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and advertising platforms that address issues in relation to advertising pet animals and engages with advertising platforms both through that group and bilaterally.

A traceability and verification system has been developed by a website which advertises dogs in collaboration with a microchipping company. I welcome this measure which provides additional reassurance to people purchasing dogs.

Pension Provisions

Questions (1766, 1818)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1766. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 147 of 9 November 2022, the status of the engagement with Coillte with a view to increasing the pension payments for retired workers, considering that their pensions have not been increased for many years and some have had no increase since they retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63446/22]

Joe Carey

Question:

1818. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte with a view to increasing the pension payments for retired workers, given that their pensions have not been increased for many years, and that for some, pensions have not increased since they retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63989/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take question Nos. 1766 and 1818 together.

As the Deputies may be aware, Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. Approval to an increase of 2% to pensions in payment for Coillte pensioners was sought by Coillte and has recently been granted by the relevant Ministers.

Coillte have informed my Department that this increase was paid to Coillte pensioners in December 2022.

Question No. 1767 answered with Question No. 1757.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (1768)

Seán Canney

Question:

1768. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that the areas of the Ballyboy, Cregaclare Turlough, Ballyboy, Ardrahan, County Galway, are excluded from the ACRES scheme given that they are areas of important ecological value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63472/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The map of the eight Co-operation Project (CP) zones was developed to facilitate the implementation of locally targeted and adapted agri-environment measures under the Co-Operation stream of the Agri-climate, Rural, Environment Scheme (ACRES). 

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 Co-operation stream involved identifying lands throughout the country based on the criteria set out below.

- SACs

- SPAs

- NHAs

- All offshore islands

- Burren region (RDP map)

- Corncrake LIFE areas

- Breeding Hen Harrier Regions

- Curlew breeding areas

- Wild Atlantic Nature areas

- River sub-basins known to have large areas of Annex I grasslands

- Blue Dot Catchments

From lands that met the criteria above, the interdepartmental group selected the eight co-operation zones based on maximum environmental priority.

However, it is important to note that farmers with lands outside of these Co-operation zones, like those in the areas of Galway mentioned, were eligible to apply for the general stream of ACRES. 

I am pleased that over 46,000 applications were received for the Scheme.  This is a very strong response from the farming community and shows a commitment to working to protect the environment and habitats.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (1769)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

1769. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that a farmer is not eligible for the new sheep improvement scheme in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63482/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector and builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS).

The first year of this five-year scheme will run from 1st February 2023 to 31st December 2023. With effect from Year 2 of the scheme, the scheme year will run from 1st January to 31st December annually.

The Sheep Improvement Scheme opened for applications in November 2022 and closed on 9th January 2023. I am delighted with the uptake in the scheme, with over 19,000 sheep farmers applying to participate in the scheme.

Scheme participants must pick two actions from a menu of options, one for category A and one from category B. In addition, all participants will have to carry out a new action, the Genotyped Ram Action. Applicants must purchase and use a ram in the first three years of the scheme. Applicants with a reference number of over 150 eligible breeding ewes will have to do this action twice over the lifetime of the scheme. Applicants selected the year(s) they will carry out the Genotyped Ram Action when making their application.

The question raised relate to why rams purchased by a farmer within the last 12 months (i.e. in 2022) do not enable the farmer to be eligible for the new Sheep Improvement Scheme. The scheme requirement is that the four or five star rams must be purchased and used in the relevant scheme year selected by the farmer. 

Rams purchased in 2022 will not satisfy the requirement, as the scheme year will not commence until 1st February 2023.

This scheme reflects the commitment of the Government to the sheep sector in Ireland and to ensuring key supports for farmers are developed and maintained under the new CAP.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (1770)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1770. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider expanding the new ACRES scheme (details supplied) in order to include more applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63550/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.  It is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, will undertake certain actions on their land for at least five years.

There are two approaches available to farmers under ACRES, namely the ACRES General approach and the ACRES Co-operation approach depending on the location of their holding. 

The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration with the aim of facilitating the participation of 50,000 farmers. This is a significant number so the intake into the scheme is being phased, with at least two tranches. Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and closed Wednesday 7th December 2022. Phasing the intake into the Scheme helps to spread the workload on advisors.  Intake into the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS), the predecessor to ACRES, was also on a tranche basis for the same reason. 

Applications for Tranche 1 are closed, however,  it is anticipated that ACRES Tranche 2 will open for applications in Quarter 4 of 2023. 

I am delighted to see the level of interest and uptake in ACRES with farmers very keen on participating in the scheme. Tranche 1 of the scheme is over-subscribed with over 46,000 applicants. The level of interest shows clearly how engaged and ambitious our farm families are for embracing the climate and biodiversity challenge. 

ACRES has proven to be a strong and farmer-friendly scheme which has caught the imagination of the farming public. Regarding the large number of applications, I am currently reviewing the matter regarding the number of applications to be approved . 

Pigmeat Sector

Questions (1771)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1771. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to intensive pig and poultry farms given the detrimental impact that intensive farming can have on animal welfare and that Ireland’s ammonia emissions have not met EU limits for seven out of the past nine years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63594/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the monitoring and reporting of emissions from the pig and poultry sector, including licensing of many of these facilities.

In recent years, a number of specific initiatives and actions have been put in place at farm level to reduce ammonia emissions, in line with our legal obligations, across all enterprises. These include low emission spreading of cattle and pig slurry and the introduction of clover into grass swards and the application of the 'Best Available Techniques' eg ammonia scrubbers and reduced crude protein in the diet within the pig and poultry sectors.

EPA data shows that increased use of abatement technologies has led to a reduction in ammonia emissions.

Domestic Pets

Questions (1772)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1772. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of reports of breaches of the sale and supply of pets regulations that his Department has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63598/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department does not keep a record of reports of breaches on the Register of Sellers and Suppliers of Pet Animals and the Register of Premises.

In 2022, two registrations were revoked. The Department continues to develop its controls in respect of this legislation and is advancing its plans and approach to effective enforcement, working to achieve full compliance with the regulations on advertising pet animals.

The Department's website has additional guidance for potential pet owners thinking of acquiring a pet, further supporting potential purchasers in making informed decisions. A traceability and verification system has been developed by a website advertising dogs in conjunction with a microchipping company. I encourage all websites to use this system.

Any evidence of animal cruelty or neglect of an animal’s welfare should be brought to the attention of my Department by calling the animal welfare helpline on 076 1064408 (Call Save) or 01 6072379 or by emailing [e-mail] . All reports are followed up on and investigated.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (1773)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

1773. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under the ACRES scheme; the number of applications rejected due to late application; if the application date will be extended due to the administrative burden involved with applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63634/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES with the aim of supporting family farm incomes while also encouraging farmers on the climate and biodiversity ambitions. The initial aim of ACRES was to accommodate 50,000 entrants over two tranches. Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and closed Wednesday 07th December 2022.

Phasing the intake into the Scheme helps to spread the workload on advisors. Intake into the Green Low Carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS), the predecessor to ACRES, was also on a tranche basis for the same reason.

Applications for Tranche 1 are closed, however, it is anticipated that ACRES Tranche 2 will open for applications in Quarter 4 of 2023.

ACRES has proven to be hugely successful with farmers keen to join the scheme. When the deadline for tranche 1 closed there were over 46,000 applicants compared to the expected 30,000 applicants.

I am delighted to see such a strong response to ACRES. This shows clearly how engaged and ambitious our farm families are for embracing the climate and biodiversity challenge. The processing of applications is now under way and we will be in direct contact with the applicants to advise on next steps in the coming weeks.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (1774)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1774. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on recent progress with the Food Vision strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63718/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Food Vision 2030 has four main missions, made up of 22 goals and 218 actions, to enable Ireland to become a “World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. Its success depends on effective implementation and oversight. A formal implementation plan for Food Vision 2030 was published in May 2022 and this identifies stakeholders, deliverables and a timeframe for each of the actions.

Implementation of Food Vision is well underway: three actions are fully complete; 64 have had substantial action undertaken; 145 have commenced and are progressing; and only six actions have not yet commenced. The first Food Vision Annual Report detailing this progress is expected to be published in Q1 2023.

This process is overseen by a High-Level Implementation Committee, which I chair, and its fifth meeting was held on the 30th of November 2022.

One of the immediate priorities identified by the Committee in the context of climate was to commence work on the important actions to determine the sustainable environmental footprint of the dairy and beef sectors.  The Food Vision Dairy Group was established in January 2022 and its final report, containing measures on how to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy sector, was submitted to me and published on 25th October 2022. Similarly, the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group was established in June 2022 and its final report was submitted to me and published on the 30th of November 2022.

Other notable progress includes the publication of the Seafood Sector Taskforce report, the incorporation of 26 actions for agriculture in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025 and the leading role played by Ireland at the UN Food Systems Summit in 2021.

Official Engagements

Questions (1775)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

1775. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times he has visited County Kildare since the Government took office; the locations he visited, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63725/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I have had several opportunities to visit co Kildare since taking on the post as Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Kildare is a vibrant agricultural county with excellent farmers across all types and systems. It is also an important hub for the equine industry. My Department's flagship laboratory complex is in Backweston, Co Kildare, and I have visited on a number of occasions.  I look forward to future visits in the coming years.

Kildare Visits

Date	Location
19/10/21	Kilcullen Mart, Various Farm locations in area
11/5/22	Ross Ó Sullivan Racing Yard Kill
11/5/22	McCarthy Strawberries Sallins
11/5/22	UCD Lyons estate Celbridge
11/5/22	National Stud
10/11/22	AHI Cell Check awards Naas

Timber Supply

Questions (1776)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1776. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63732/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from my Department. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1777, 1790, 1882)

Verona Murphy

Question:

1777. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the sustainability of the private forestry sector given the shortage of licences available to the sector since 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63772/22]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1790. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if licensing output by his Department for 2022 will negatively affect employment in the private sector as licence targets were not reached, and also impact positively on Coillte if their licence target has been exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63785/22]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1882. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to ensure the processing of forestry licences from private companies. [2261/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1777, 1790 and 1882 together.

Over the last three years, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has invested significantly on staff resources. These included investment in additional forestry Inspectors, ecologists, engineers and administrative staff. The Department has also invested in improving IT systems and procedures.

Due to continued high output in forestry licensing in 2022, we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences and another significant year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. In 2022 we issued 1,200 more licences than applications received. In total my Department issued 4,713 licences which was 90% of our targeted output. Most of these licences were for the private sector.

I am fully aware of the low levels of afforestation in recent years, 2022 saw a significant increase in the issuing of afforestation licences with my Department issuing 702 afforestation licences for an area of 4,972 hectares. This means that there are now 1,023 approved afforestation contracts with 7,591 ha ready for planting.

A thriving and resilient private forestry sector will continue to be central to the delivery of the Government’s forestry goal and I believe that the best solution to assisting the sector now is delivery of a well-resourced and ambitious forestry programme including an 8,000 hectare per annum planting programme. I am pleased to have secured the best funded Forestry Programme in the history of the state, with €1.3 billion committed to its implementation. This is a huge vote of confidence in forestry as a public good and in farmers in particular. The expansion of the forest estate will have a significant and lasting impact on employment, not just in planting but in management, harvesting and wood processing down the line.

The premiums on the new forest types have increased from between 46% to 66% and we have introduced five extra years of premiums for farmers, giving them an income for 20 years.

The volume of wood licensed to be felled at the end of 2022 is over 9.5 million cubic metres, which significantly exceeds the COFORD forecast of 4.5 million cubic metres. This is the second year in a row that the volume licensed is more than double the annual forecast volume to be harvested. It is fair to deduce from that, and based on information from the sector, the availability of felling licences is not a limiting factor affecting employment in the sector. Both Coillte and the private sector are receiving sufficient felling licences, with 1,686 and 1,607 licences respectively in 2022, to ensure employment is not affected in the sector.

The most recent COFORD report on economic activity report concluded that employment levels in the sector is likely to grow over the coming decade, particularly in skilled areas such as mechanised forest harvesting as the harvest grows each year from 4.5 million cubic metres in 2022 to 7.1 million cubic metres in 2035.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1778, 1781, 1797, 1799, 1804, 1814, 1815)

Verona Murphy

Question:

1778. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares of afforestation applied for in each year since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63773/22]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1781. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of hectares of afforestation licensed by his Department; the total number of hectares of Coillte felling licences that have been licensed by his Department in each of the years since 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63776/22]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

1797. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly average number of afforestation licences issued for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63795/22]

Michael Lowry

Question:

1799. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the delivery of forestry licence targets in 2022 for both Coillte and the private forestry sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63810/22]

Matt Shanahan

Question:

1804. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences that have been issued during the term of the Government; the number of afforestation licences currently in the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63822/22]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1814. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of Coillte felling licences issued during the term of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63970/22]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

1815. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly average number of Coillte felling licences issued in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63971/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1778, 1781, 1797, 1799, 1804, 1814 and 1815 together.

I am pleased to advise that the output in forestry licensing in 2022 means that we have seen considerable reductions in the backlog of forestry licences, reductions in the time taken to process newer files, and a year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued.

With reference to afforestation licences, my Department was just short of the projected amount of 1,040 afforestation licences issued. The weekly average of afforestation licences issued in 2022 was 13.3. licences. I acknowledge that this was 68% of the end of year target, but still is significantly up on 2021.  As of 6th January 2023, there are 277 afforestation files designated as in backlog and we are continue to process these as a matter of priority.

During the term of the Government, to 13th January 2023, we have issued 1,452 afforestation licences. There are now 1,000 approved afforestation contracts with over 7,000 ha ready for planting. These applicants have all been written to explain they now have the opportunity to plant under The Interim Afforestation Scheme ( via De Minimis) or to transition into the new Forestry Programme 2023- 2027 when it launches.

I am acutely aware of the afforestation target of 8,000 hectares per year set out in the Climate Action Plan and the fact that afforestation rates have been declining in recent years. We hope that the new Forestry Programme will re-engage landowners, farmers in particular, and realise the land-use change needed.

It is my aim to deliver a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual who wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop, or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate.  Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed.

In 2022, we committed to increasing our output to 3,360 felling licences, broken down between 1,530 Coillte felling licences and 1,830 private felling licences and we achieved 98% of that commitment.

The number of Coillte felling licences issued during the term of this government to date (27th June 2020 to 13th January 2023) is 3,749 licences.

2023 (to 13th January)	50
2022	1,686
2021	1,529
2020 (27th June 2020 to 31st December 2020	484

Information on the number of afforestation applications made each year since 2015 can be found in section 3 Afforestation of my Department's annual report "Forest Statistics Ireland 2022" here: gov.ie/en/collection/15b56-forest-statistics-and-mapping.

Forest Statistics

Information on the total number of hectares of afforestation licensed by my Department and the total number of hectares of Coillte felling licences that have been licensed by my Department in each of the years since 2015 is set out below:

	Coillte licences issues	Afforestation licences issued
Year	Area (Ha)	Area (Ha)
2022	23,838	4,972
2021	12,421	2,016
2020	7,197	2,434
2019	46,724	3,550
2018	20,347	4,025
2017	18,179	5,536
2016	8,514	6,500
2015	8,999	6,293

In the interest of full transparency, details of all licences issued by category are available on my Department's 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.