Thursday, 30 Mar 2023

Written Answers Nos. 340-359

Health Services Staff

Questions (340)

Brendan Howlin

Question:

340. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the issue that has arisen in relation to healthcare assistants who came to Ireland from abroad to work in nursing homes and in hospitals who have nursing level 7 or level 8 qualifications and who are now being told that the HSE will require them to hold a level 5 qualification despite the fact that they already hold the higher level standard; if he will ensure that such persons, who are a valuable part of Ireland's healthcare support system, are not required to repeat a level of qualification below that which they already have obtained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16017/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to work undertaken by the Department of Health, the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment provided access to the General Employment Permit in June 2021 for the role of healthcare assistant. The framework agreed with the Department of Health included the requirement for the employment to offer a remuneration level of €27,000 or more and for the permit holder to achieve a relevant Level 5 Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) qualification after two years in the role. The Level 5 qualification after two years is the minimum required for this role. This criterion was established to ensure all workers in the healthcare assistant role would work towards building their skills and range of qualifications and in safeguarding the care of vulnerable patients that a similar standard of learning will be met and delivered upon across care settings.

It is also worth noting that among the recommendations of the Department of Health SWAG Report is the recommendation that ‘a competency framework for the healthcare assistants and care workers should be developed to enable the recognition of prior learning and qualifications and to align grades of employment with qualifications in line with relevant regulations’ .

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment works with other Departments, including the Department of Health, to promote an integrated approach to addressing labour and skills shortages being experienced in the economy. Employment permit policy is part of the response to addressing skills deficits which exist and are likely to continue into the medium term, but it is not intended over the longer term to act as a substitute for meeting the challenge of up-skilling the State’s resident workforce.

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and my officials will work with Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment officials in relation to clarification of qualification comparisons from non-EU college courses.

Nursing Homes

Questions (341)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

341. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he will list any and all restrictions for use that have been placed on former nursing home buildings that have recently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16018/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Department of Health takes the closures of nursing homes very seriously. The closure of nursing homes can put pressure on other local health and social care facilities. It is vital that the welfare of residents is ensured. There are several reasons for nursing home closures each year including retirement, non-compliance with HIQA regulations, financial viability and, in some cases, recognition that the premises would not be compliant with revised regulations. Ensuring the welfare and safety of residents is secured when nursing homes close is the most important thing and work to alleviate the concerns of residents and their families must continue.

It became apparent near the end of August last year that a small number of active nursing homes had chosen to convert into accommodation centres for beneficiaries of temporary protection. Other active nursing homes were known to be in official negotiations or to be considering this approach. In light of the challenges currently being faced in the nursing home sector, Minister Donnelly and I jointly wrote to Minister O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, in November to express our concerns in relation to this matter and to set out the Department’s policy position. Minister Donnelly and I both agreed to request a change to the procurement guidelines around accommodation for persons under temporary protection that would exclude from consideration active nursing homes that were still registered operators with HIQA on or after the date of 1 September 2022. The intention behind this position is to avoid unintentionally incentivising active nursing homes to leave the market. Former nursing homes that had already ceased operation and were deregistered prior to this date would not be affected if they wished to enter into contracts as accommodation providers. Neither Minister Donnelly nor I have any direct role in the procurement process or the approval of any individual accommodation centres for use by displaced persons. Given the changing situation with regard to accommodation for persons under temporary protection, the Department of Health will review this policy before the end of April 2023, with a view to providing longer-term certainty to the nursing home sector and potential providers of temporary accommodation services. The Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), under whose remit procurement and approval of accommodation centres for use by beneficiaries of temporary protection falls, have indicated that they will apply this position. Ministers and the Department of Health are committed to continuing, constructive cross-Government engagement to address the health and social care needs of beneficiaries of temporary protection as well as the identification of appropriate sites for that might be used for accommodation.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (342)

Denis Naughten

Question:

342. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will be called for a procedure to facilitate peg feeding; his views on whether it is acceptable for a child to be left two years waiting on such a procedure which is medically required due to the risk of choking; the reason the child has not been called to date; the alternatives that have been put in place to facilitate such procedures over the past two years; if the procedure is being performed on the other CHI sites; the reason the waiting list has to been transferred to another hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16021/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. On the 7th March, I published the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, which is the next stage of a new multi-annual approach to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists, and builds on the foundational work done through the short-term Waiting List Action Plan between September and December 2021, which was followed by the first full year Waiting List Action Plan for 2022, both having reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists.

The 2023 Plan sets out the priorities to continue to address waiting lists this year. The 30 actions in the Plan, which are governed by the Waiting List Task Force, focus on delivering capacity, reforming scheduled care and enabling scheduled care reform.

For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to implement longer term reforms and provide additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. This will reduce hospital waiting lists by 10% in 2023 as well as continuing to significantly reduce waiting times in line with Sláintecare recommendations. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.

With this ambitious 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, my Department, the HSE and the NTPF are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving our vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (343)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

343. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the steps he is taking to improve access to genetic testing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16022/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland, including at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetics and Genomics Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In line with the principles of Sláintecare, we will continue to support the enhancement of genetic services across the Regional Health Areas (RHAs). This service will be supported by a National Office for Genetics and Genomics, who will work with RHAs to ensure the effective delivery of a national service at a local level.

The Strategy also outlines a plan to achieve this ambition by improving the evidence-base and infrastructure supporting genetic testing in Ireland. In 2023, the HSE will begin developing a National Testing Directory for genetics and genomics, which will map the current genetic tests conducted across Ireland and provide a more transparent process to referrals. This development, therefore, will be a key steppingstone to improving national genetic testing and ultimately help reduce wait time. The Strategy also outlines a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. To start implementing the Strategy in 2023 I approved €2.7 million including the appointment of key staff. These appointments included a National Director for Genetics and Genomics, a Bioinformatics Lab Director, two clinical genetic consultants and six genetic counsellors.

In addition to expanding a broad genetics and genomics service, I have also supported several key measures in rare diseases. The government has substantially increased funding for new innovative medicines for rare diseases, investing €100 million over the last three Budgets. My Department has worked with the National Rare Disease Office to facilitate Irish entry into 18 European Reference Networks (ERNs) for rare diseases and support an EU Joint Action for the integration of ERNs into the national system. These ERNs include representation from five academic hospitals and three universities. This represents a significant achievement by the health service, to drive innovation, training and clinical research for highly specialised care. The Department has also progressed Irish entry into Horizon Europe Partnerships on Rare Disease and Personalised Medicine. Participation in ERNs and Horizon Europe Partnerships ensure greater coordination and sharing of best practices in key areas such as genetic testing with European partners. Finally, I have recently announced a plan to develop a revised National Rare Disease Plan. This Plan will be a key step in progressing an improved overall service for individuals living with a rare disease.

Mental Health Services

Questions (344, 345)

Mark Ward

Question:

344. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the operational costs of running a CAMHS team, including a breakdown of staff by WTE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16023/23]

Mark Ward

Question:

345. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS teams nationally; the target number of CAMHS teams by the HSE; the timeline for their rollout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16024/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 345 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Question No. 345 answered with Question No. 344.

Mental Health Services

Questions (346)

Mark Ward

Question:

346. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of community mental health teams nationally; the breakdown of staffing by WTE; the operational costs for each team; the intended expansion of professions within a team under Sharing the Vision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16025/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (347)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

347. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which treatment at James Connolly Hospital is progressing satisfactorily in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16040/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Medical Cards

Questions (348)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a full medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16043/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Forestry Sector

Questions (349)

Thomas Gould

Question:

349. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of firewood felled that was exported in 2022; and if felling licences include a provision regarding destination of product. [15908/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's felling licences do not include provisions regarding the ultimate destination of wood products. My Department does not collate the amount of wood removals nationally and this role is now carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The CSO provides a range of forestry statistics on their website and in 2021 reported that 209,000 cubic metres was removed from Irish forests and categorised as fuelwood. However this figure is not broken down by country of export.

My Department does not have any role in deciding on what wood products are exported as it is determined by the markets. However, there is no shortage of wood material available to harvest. Ireland's forests have the capacity to produce 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply will increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030.

My Department also provides financial assistance to the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme (WFQA) which is an all-island scheme established to increase consumer confidence in wood fuel products sold in Ireland. Forest owners and forestry contractors, through sustainable forest management practices, produce renewable fuels such as firewood, wood chip, wood pellets, and wood briquettes. As the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme continues to grow, members will provide consumers with a greater degree of confidence in providing quality certified wood fuel products available in Ireland. You may find suppliers of quality fuel wood on the following dedicated website of WFQA

www.wfqa.org/firewood-suppliers-in-ireland.html

Horticulture Sector

Questions (350)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

350. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the up-to-date position on the investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector and when it will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15814/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector assists in the development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production.

The Scheme is subject to EU Guidelines for State Aid in the Agricultural and Forestry Sector and in Rural Areas (Agricultural Guidelines). New Agricultural Guidelines came into force on 1st January 2023 and my Department were required to notify the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector to the EU Commission under these new Agricultural Guidelines. We are awaiting approval from the European Commission which has caused the delayed opening of the 2023 Scheme but we are engaging proactively with them.

My Department is aware of the challenges being faced by growers. The scheme will launch as soon as approval is received.

Forestry Sector

Questions (351)

Brendan Smith

Question:

351. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals, if any, to compensate farmers who have suffered substantial losses due to ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15930/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12 October 2012 at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.

In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.

Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.

A total of €8.9 million has been expended to date on both schemes. These schemes included a grant for site clearance as well as replanting.

Earlier this month, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:

- Enhanced site clearance grant rate, increased to €2,000.

- Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027

- Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.

- In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is working closely with the EU Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new forestry programme and a scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of that programme.

State Aid Guidelines provide for aid for the restoration of damage to forests caused by a variety of events including damage from disease and pests. It is likely that this new scheme will be similar to the interim scheme.

My Department continues to review the operation of the ash dieback scheme, having regard to its effectiveness, the status of the plantations, state aid regulations and other issues having regard to the age and stage of the rotation of the almost 16,000 hectares of ash that were grant aided between 1999 and 2013.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (352)

Brendan Smith

Question:

352. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will have dribble bars included in the next TAMS programme due to the importance of this machinery on smaller-scale farms and on farms with heavy soils and in drumlin terrain such as Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15931/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The practice of Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) is an important environmentally sustainable technology that will facilitate Ireland meeting its environmental commitments through reductions in ammonia and other reactive nitrogen emissions from soil.

The practice leads to greater nutrient recovery from slurries and indirectly improved nutrient use efficiency, as well as a reduced dependency on chemical fertilisers.

To date under TAMS II, 70% of expenditure under LESS was grant aided for dribble bar machines. While each of the LESS options meet nitrate requirements, it is important that the number of trailing shoe units on farms is maximised to help contribute to the agreed 25% reduction in Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions and 5% ammonia reduction from the agriculture sector by 2030.

We are currently carrying out analysis on the emission factor of the dribble bar compared to the trailing shoe. We are awaiting the outcome of this analysis.

The weight difference between trailing hose (dribble bar) attachments and trailing shoe attachments is relatively small. Depending upon the design of the attachment, the utilisation of either type of attachment will have equivalent impact on farms with heavy soils.

Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment will continue to have its own standalone investment ceiling and an enhanced grant-rate of 60% compared to a lower rate of 40% in TAMS II in respect of investments which will more than offsets the potential higher cost of the trailing shoe compared to the trailing hose (dribble bar).

Water Quality

Questions (353)

Brendan Smith

Question:

353. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that water quality reports for 2022 will be included in the review of the nitrates action programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15932/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority for the Nitrates Regulations and the associated interim review of the fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). My Department works very closely with DHLGH in this regard.

The interim review of the Nitrates Action Programme will take place later this year. The purpose of that review is to undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of the Nitrates Action Programme measures and to introduce any new measures that may be needed to reflect recent water quality data, significant changes to the agricultural sector and/or any other data considered relevant.

Agriculture Supports

Questions (354)

Brendan Smith

Question:

354. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that will be taken at EU and national level to help offset the additional farm input costs due to the increase in fertiliser costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15933/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am acutely aware of the impact rising input costs has on farmers, their families and businesses. This is a period of challenge and uncertainty for our farm families and I have been working to support them through this period.

The rise in fertiliser prices over the past eighteen months has been significant. There are a number of factors at play in the market including energy prices, increased global demand particularly from the big grain-producing countries, controls on fertiliser exports from large fertiliser producing countries, increased transport costs, EU-imposed tariffs and duties on certain Third Country imports and the impact of the sanctions regime arising from the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia are all impacting on fertiliser prices for our farmers.

To support farmers in terms of appropriate advice, I set up a National Fodder and Feed Security Committee to bring all stakeholders together and ensure appropriate guidance to farmers. Teagasc have also been active in providing advice to farmers.

Over the course of the past year, I announced a series of targeted interventions for farmers to off-set the rise in fertiliser price including support to increase the production of native grain from the tillage sector as well as a multi-species sward and red clover initiative which thrive with little or no fertiliser application and which combined, had a total budget allocation of over €12 million to support Irish farmers.

In addition, I launched a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme in June 2022 to which over 70,000 farmers applied and which generated payments in the order of €54 million. In addition, an advance payment under the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme issued last December to the order of €30 million.

We continue to actively engage with the sector and monitor the situation over the period ahead.

Hen Harriers

Questions (355)

Seán Canney

Question:

355. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive the hen harrier scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15979/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Hen Harrier Project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team are responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments due should be addressed directly to the Project team.

Forestry Sector

Questions (356, 357)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

356. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and area of ash dieback RUS applications lodged with his Department that remain to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/23]

Jackie Cahill

Question:

357. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the number and area of Ash dieback RUS approvals that were eligible for the interim reconstitution scheme for Ash dieback, as outlined in circular 4 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15987/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12 October 2012 at a forestry plantation site in County Leitrim which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.

In March 2013 the Department introduced a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) to restore forests planted under the afforestation scheme which had suffered from, or which were associated with plants affected by disease.

Following a Review of the National Response to Ash Dieback Disease arising from scientific advice and evidence that eradication of ash dieback disease is no longer feasible the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) was launched in June 2020.

A total of €8.9 million has been expended to date on both schemes. These schemes included a grant for site clearance as well as replanting.

Earlier this month, Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has responsibility for the sector, launched an Interim Reconstitution Scheme for Ash Dieback via general de minimis which contains a doubling of site clearance rates, increased grant rates and an improved premium regime. The interim scheme includes the following enhanced features:

- Enhanced site clearance grant rate, increased to €2,000.

- Enhanced grant rates as per draft Forestry programme 2023-2027

- Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.

- In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.

There are 154 applications, covering approximately 500ha eligible for this scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is working closely with the EU Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new forestry programme and a scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of that programme. State Aid Guidelines provide for aid for the restoration of damage to forests caused by a variety of events including damage from disease and pests. It is likely that this new scheme will be similar to the interim scheme.

In terms of RUS applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not issued, there are 589 applications covering 2570ha.

We are continuing to process these so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.

My Department continues to review the operation of the ash dieback scheme, having regard to its effectiveness, the status of the plantations, state aid regulations and other issues having regard to the age and stage of the rotation of the almost 16,000 hectares of ash that were grant aided between 1999 and 2013.

Question No. 357 answered with Question No. 356.

Forestry Sector

Questions (358)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

358. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and area of afforestation licences lodged with his Department that remain to be approved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15988/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2022 we saw a significant increase in the issuing of afforestation licences, with my Department issuing 702 afforestation licences for an area of 4,972 hectares. Valid unused Afforestation licences are being extended until the end of 2023 to give landowners every opportunity to plant and they will attract increased premium rates and a longer term of 20 years for farmers.

In relation to the new forestry programme my Department is actively engaging with the Commission with a view to securing full State Aid approval as soon as possible.

In terms of afforestation applications which were applied for before 31st December, 2022, but not yet issued, there are 440 applications covering 4145ha, broken down by year in the below table.

Year	Applications	Hectares
2022	275	2385
2021	80	952
2020	47	483
2019	39	253
2018	3	31

They are at various stages of completion within the Assessment process; some where my Department is awaiting further information from the applicant, others where the application is undergoing one of the public consultation stages and finally those being considered by Forestry Division officials for approval.

We are continuing to process these applications so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.

Forestry Sector

Questions (359)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

359. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the growing of trees and the managing of woodlands and forestry is a farming activity and whether any farmer engaged in it is an active farmer for CAP purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15989/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Farmers are deemed active farmers, even if their entire holding is afforested under the National Forestry Programme, provided they continue to manage the forestry in compliance with the conditions of that scheme.

In terms of eligibility for direct payment schemes, land afforested since 2009, which was eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme, will continue to be eligible for payments under the new Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS). Land eligible for BISS prior to afforestation, which is afforested from 2023 onwards, will continue to be eligible for BISS. In both cases the afforested land must meet the requirements of the Afforestation grant and premium schemes. A claimant for BISS on afforested land must be the beneficiary of the forestry scheme payments.