Written Answers Nos. 1101-1115
1101. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any welfare studies have been conducted by his Department or Veterinary Ireland on the physical and mental trauma hares suffer as a result of coursing; and if not, the reasoning for allowing wild animals to be captured, traumatised, injured, and killed for the sake of entertainment and gambling. [17156/23]
View answerCoursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann; hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club. The organisation consists of 89 affiliated clubs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, all of whom are governed by the ICC’s rules and regulations.
The granting of licenses for the netting and tagging of hares is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – National Parks and Wildlife Service.
A monitoring committee on coursing is in place, comprising officials from my Department, the ICC and the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS), to monitor developments in coursing and, in that regard, the situation is kept under constant review to ensure that coursing is run in a controlled manner.
The committee meets annually to review the previous coursing season and any matters arising.
It is important that those involved in coursing operate in accordance with the regulatory framework and that the welfare of both hares and greyhounds is at the forefront at all times.
Veterinary Ireland is an association of veterinary practitioners which is independent of my Department and any questions for Veterinary Ireland should be directed to their office.
1102. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the implications of a court case in a European jurisdiction (details supplied) on the allocation of the bluefin tuna quota by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17207/23]
View answerI am not familiar with the case referred to as it occurred in another Member State but I am happy to outline the approach to Bluefin Tuna Quota allocation in the Irish context.
Ireland does not have a national quota for Bluefin Tuna. The available Bluefin Tuna quota is allocated each year to Member States based on relative stability as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.
A small Bluefin Tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery and Celtic Sea Herring fishery where there can be Bluefin Tuna by-catch.
In 2018, Ireland was successful, for the first time, in securing an agreement that allowed Ireland to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data for the Bluefin tuna stock. A Catch-Tag-Release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters. This fishery is most beneficial to Ireland as it increases our knowledge of the behaviour and abundance of Bluefin tuna in Northwestern waters while also providing a small but valuable tourism benefit to peripheral coastal communities.
A new Bluefin Tuna management plan was adopted at November’s International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting, which will see an increase for all contracting parties with a share of the Bluefin Tuna Total Allowable Catch, including the EU.
I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland made clear to EU Member States and the European Commission at the EU internal meetings during the course of the ICCAT meeting that Ireland considers that there is a case for an allocation of part of the increase in the Bluefin Tuna quota to be made available to Ireland for a targeted fishery. The case is supported by the data collected in the Catch-Tag-Release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels.
I therefore requested the opening of discussions at EU level to progress our case and I made a formal statement to this effect at December Agrifish Council. My Department raised this matter again during EU internal meetings at last month’s ICCAT Intersessional Panel 2 meeting. Opening up this issue is challenging as other Member States are resistant to any discussion on amending relative stability for this stock, but I believe that there is a strong case for Ireland, given the abundance of Bluefin Tuna in our waters and I will continue to pursue it at every opportunity.
1103. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide his response to the conclusions of a report (details supplied) concerning the economic impact of the Irish small-scale fleet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17208/23]
View answerI welcome the publication of the Economic analysis of the Irish small-scale fleet and its findings. Studies such as this have a significant value in contributing to the implementation of the industry-led Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector Strategy 2019-2023, particularly in building an accurate profile of this segment of the fleet.
The projected estimates for 2022 highlight the challenges which the fishing sector had faced in that year and further highlight the issues which I have discussed in my engagements with fishing representatives over the past months. I committed in particular to keep fuel costs under review and it is a welcome signal that these have returned to similar, lower levels experienced prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It is also an encouraging conclusion in the report that output from the Irish Inshore sector is highly appreciated internationally with increasing demand in Europe and Asia. The Brexit Inshore Marketing scheme which I announced last year and which is continuing into 2023 will assist in developing this demand in both the domestic and international markets resulting in greater opportunities for small scale fishers.
The report also recognises the implementation of the Task Force recommendations. These recommendations were shaped by industry participation on the Task Force, including representation of the Inshore sector, and it has been a priority to develop schemes based on these recommendations. The Inshore Business Model Adjustment Scheme has provided short term support as requested by the sector while other schemes have focused on capitalising on opportunities for growth and development. This is in addition to ongoing EMFF funded supports.
While it is not specified what form it should take, the recommendation for further support is noted and I expect to engage further with the sector in this regard. In December 2022, Ireland’s EMFAF Seafood Development Programme was adopted. The Programme gives a particular focus to small scale coastal fishers and under this programme supports will be developed to assist in the development of the sector. Necessary building blocks to inform the approach to developing the sector, such as the Inshore census mentioned in the economic analysis paper, will be core in guiding the implementation of the programme.
1104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to the call in the European Parliament resolution of 7 June 2022 on the implementation of Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (2021/2168(INI)) for member states to design allocation systems so as to guarantee simplicity, avoid burdensome bureaucratic processes and, ultimately, allow operators and stakeholders to monitor the allocation criteria and process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/23]
View answerIn Ireland, fishing quotas are a public resource and are managed to ensure that property rights are not granted to individual operators. This is seen as a critical policy to ensure that quotas are not concentrated into the hands of large fishing companies whose owners have the financial resources to buy up such rights. It is worth noting that within the EU, a significant number of quota systems have been privatised for their main commercial stocks.
Any movement towards privatisation of fishing rights would seriously risk fishing vessels losing an economic link with Ireland’s coastal communities. This could have devastating consequences and Ministers continually work closely with the fishing industry to ensure this does not happen.
Consultation on the management of quotas within National Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). The QMAC examines in detail the operation of each fishery, available quota and uptake patterns for the different metiers of fishing vessels. The recommendations of the QMAC are brought to my attention to inform my decision on the management arrangements within National Policy.
The Committee also has the possibility of recommending additional catch limits to incentivise the introduction of environmentally friendly fishing gear in particular fisheries or for particular types of vessels.
In December 2017, a quota balancing policy for pelagic stocks was developed with the QMAC as a conservation measure to align the principles of the landing obligation to Ireland’s quota management system. Quota balancing means that when a catch limit allocated to a vessel is exceeded, a balancing adjustment will be made from future allocations of fishing opportunities and will operate independently of any other action being considered by the control authorities. Pelagic stocks have been quota balanced for all years commencing in 2018.
Quota balancing for five key demersal (whitefish) stocks was implemented in 2020 and 2021. From 1 January 2022, four additional demersal stocks became subject to Quota Balancing.
1105. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to recommendation 2.5.2.1 in the report of the seafood task force concerning inshore short-term support, including the amount of funding for this scheme sought under the de minimis provision as per Commission Regulation (EU) No 717/2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17210/23]
View answerThe Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme was developed in response to the recommendation by the Seafood Task Force for a deminimis short-term support scheme for the inshore sector to help it deal with the difficult trading conditions that have arisen because of Brexit. The scheme was designed to assist inshore fishers to adjust their business and marketing plans to the post Brexit environment. The scheme was open to all active and eligible Inshore fishers and a budget of €3.7 million was made available.
Under this scheme, BIM provided four dedicated online training modules to participants. These included “Adjusting your Seafood Business Plan post Brexit”, “Reaching new customers - tailored digital skills for inshore fishing businesses”, “Alternative Market Opportunities for your Inshore Catch” and “Understanding your Market and Maximising the Return from your Inshore Catch”.
Grant aid was provided to all participants who undertook one of these training modules, to put learnings from the modules into practice. Grant rates were €2,700 for vessels under 8 metres up to €4,000 for larger inshore vessels. Over 800 fishers took part in the scheme.
1106. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to recommendation 2.5.3.1. in the report of the seafood task force concerning an inshore marketing initiative, including the amount spent to date on the provision of marketing and promotional support to the inshore fisheries sector of the €2.5 million recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17211/23]
View answerIn March 2022, in response to this Task Force recommendation I announced the launch of the Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme. This scheme, which operated through 2022 and is continuing in 2023 is delivered by Bord Bia to promote sales of stocks of interest to inshore fishers, in order to boost prices at the quayside. It focuses on supporting the sales and promotion of inshore species such as Irish crab, lobster, whelks, inshore herring/mackerel and line caught hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. €1 million in funding has been provided through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to support the initial two years of the Scheme and Bord Bia fully utilised the €0.5m allocated in 2022, with similar performance expected in 2023.
The Task Force recommendation specifies that the €2.5m marketing fund be delivered over a 5-year period and to deliver on this recommendation for the inshore sector a further 3 years of this scheme will be delivered under the recently adopted European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (2021-2027) Operational Programme from next year onwards.
1107. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to recommendation 2.5.4.1. in the report of the seafood task force concerning an inshore processing support, including the amount spent to date on the provision to shellfish processing enterprises to support the development of the inshore sector and protect employment within coastal communities of the €10 million recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17212/23]
View answerIn making the recommendation for support for the Inshore processing sector, the Task Force noted that this should be funded through a combination of capital support for processors as well as funding for Community Led Local Development initiatives targeted at the inshore sector.
I was pleased to announce the €45 million Brexit Seafood Processing Support Scheme in May 2022. The scheme offers grant rates of between 30% and 50% for capital investment in SME seafood processing enterprises, varying depending on the degree of value added in the project.
The scheme seeks to support SMEs in all segments of processing sector, including inshore related processing, to engage in transformational change, mitigating the effects of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and Brexit. It also seeks to build more environmentally friendly, sustainable and competitive enterprises which serve the EU and wider global markets, create higher levels of employment more locally, and make better and more sustainable use of Irish landed or imported raw material. The scheme is aimed at supporting industry-led transformative capital investments that enable the sector to focus on 'creating more from less' in the wake of reduced supply of raw material. It is also aimed at moving enterprises in the sector further up the supply chain to produce higher value products and shift the industry to a focus on secondary processing and beyond to products targeting end-user markets.
In 2022 I also announced the €25 million Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme to facilitate community led local development. The scheme supports entrepreneurial initiatives which are located within 10kms of the coastline. Capital grants are available under the scheme with priority given to enterprises that are directly involved in inshore fisheries.
Approved projects must be completed in advance of payments being made to eligible beneficiaries. Given the nature of capital investments, the majority of projects will not be completed until later this year at which stage payments under these schemes will be made. Following the completion of BAR schemes in 2023, new initiatives will be launched under my Department’s EMFAF Seafood Development Programme.
1108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken in response to recommendation 2.6.4.1. in the report of the seafood task force concerning public marine infrastructure, including the amount spent to date on the development of publicly owned marine infrastructure of the €80 million recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17213/23]
View answerI established the Seafood Sector Taskforce to address the impacts arising on the seafood sector from the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Deputy may be aware that in January 2022 I launched the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023 exclusively for the rejuvenation of local authority owned public piers and harbours based on the recommendations of the Taskforce Report. The Scheme is a unique initiative designed to support job creation and protection by distributing Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funds to enhance, upgrade, modernise and develop publicly owned coastal and marine infrastructure to facilitate diversification of economic opportunities.
In April 2022 I announced initial funding of €31.7m under the Scheme for 110 projects. Following the second call for applications in December 2022, I increased this funding to €55.3m including approval for 54 additional projects and a higher rate of funding for all projects. Details of the funding allocated is available online at gov.ie - McConalogue announces increased Brexit Investment in Public Marine Infrastructure - total now €55.3 million (www.gov.ie). Funding from the BAR must be availed of before the end of 2023. Reimbursement of €1.4m was made to 5 local authorities in 2022 for 13 completed projects. Final expenditure under the Scheme will not be available until later in 2023.
In addition I have also continued funding for capital investment in the Fishery Harbour Centres and a small number of other locations under my Department's remit. €31.9m was expended on such projects in 2022, and I have allocated €37.3m for 2023.
1109. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided by his Department to address the viability of a greyhound stadium (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17214/23]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
1110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work being carried out in relation to concerns expressed by this Deputy in private members business on inshore fishermen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17240/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware I am conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers and engage regularly with their representatives in delivering support for the sector. I have introduced a number of schemes to support the inshore sector directly and other schemes to benefit the seafood sector as a whole. These schemes were based on the findings of the Seafood Task Force which I established to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing Industry and Coastal Communities and to consider initiatives to address those implications.
These have included the €3.7 million Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme and the €1 million Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme, which is due to receive additional funding in the future in line with the Seafood Task Force recommendation. In addition to this, there has been considerable investment via new schemes in marine infrastructure, seafood processing and local development in coastal areas which will result in positive impacts and opportunities for those in the Inshore sector.
While I have provided short-term supports to the Inshore sector to address disruptive, external events such as Brexit, the emphasis has to be on supports to allow the Inshore sector to become more resilient and sustainable. This will be achieved through the European maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) Seafood Development Programme. Small scale coastal fisheries are called out for special attention within the new programme. For the inshore sector and wider fisheries sector, the Programme will provide for continued support for capital investment on board, capital investment ashore relating to the landing obligation, innovation in fishing gear and methods, technical advice to the fleet, acquisition of first vessel by young fishers, supports to the inshore fleet, training, and marketing. The precise nature of schemes and how they are delivered will be developed during the first half of this year.
As a priority, support will be provided to facilitate the development of Producer Organisations so that the inshore sector can continue to facilitate cohesion and collective growth of the inshore sector. This will commence with training for Producer Organisations followed by an EMFAF funded scheme to support the work of these organisations.
1111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that scabyivax is no longer available to treat the disease ORF in sheep (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17258/23]
View answerDue to the unavailability of the Irish authorised product Scabivax, an alternative product, Scabigard, has been licensed for import and use in Ireland through the Department’s Special Import Licensing (SIL) protocol in the last number of years.
My officials continue to be in contact with the suppliers of the product and an alternative product, in attempts to source supply for the Irish market.
The manufacturing company of Scabigard have advised Department officials that they hope to replenish the supply to the UK market, which in turn will provide the necessary supplies to the Irish market by the middle of May. In the interim, every effort is being made to source an alternative product and to have supply chains operational to meet the current demand.
1112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that there is sufficient firewood for domestic consumption in the country. [17260/23]
View answerThere is no reported shortage of wood material available to harvest. Ireland's forests have the capacity to produce in excess of 4 million cubic metres of roundwood each year and this supply is projected to increase to over 6 million cubic metres by 2030.
My Department does not control the market end use of roundwood. Forest owners decide on the best place to sell wood and this is based on a number of variables including price, size , location and species.
My Department does support the management of forests and the sustainable production of firewood. For example we provide financial supports for the thinning of broad-leaved forests and provide funding to construct forest roads to assist in harvesting. 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 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.
1113. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the level of engagement with forestry and farmer groups regarding the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback) since the introduction of the scheme in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17279/23]
View answer1114. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would consider the fast-track processing of all licence applications under the reconstitution and underplanting scheme (ash dieback); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17280/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1113 and 1114 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.
The introduction of the legislation to remove the requirement for planning permission for Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme projects less than 10 ha in size that involve the replacement of broadleaf high forest with conifer species came into law on 14 December, 2022.
This legislative change is a welcome development and will simplify the process for a large cohort of applications on hand, which will lead to an increase in RUS approvals being issued by DAFM.
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. A scheme for the reconstitution of ash dieback will be launched as part of that programme and it is likely that this new scheme will be similar to the interim scheme.
Applications continue to be processed so that they can transition into the new Programme as seamlessly as possible when it opens.
I, along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, have regularly met with landowners whose forests have ash dieback, along with the IFA, IFO and ITGA and am aware of their concerns and I will continue to work to address them.
We have recently concluded a public consultation on the next Forestry Programme on which submissions from many stakeholders were submitted and are being fully considered. The Programme, as part of the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan, is subject to public consultation as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment process for a six week period which closed on the 29th of November. My Department is currently integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan received through that process and in parallel is in discussions with the EU Commission on securing State Aid approval for the new Programme.
Both my Department and I continue to engage with all stakeholders on the measures that will be considered for the new Forestry Programme. I am satisfied that the FPG is fully representative of all relevant stakeholders from across the forestry sector.
More recently we have conducted a number of different bilateral meetings with relevant stakeholders including those from the forestry sector to update on the plans for implementation of the Forestry programme and progress in securing the EU State Aid approval. We continue to keep any interested stakeholders updated on these as it progresses.
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.
1115. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair atá i gceist síneadh a lorg ar an gcead pleanála d’fhorbairt na céibhe domhainmhara i Ros an Mhíl; an dáta a éagfaidh an cead pleanála reatha gan síneadh a fháil air; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [17282/23]
View answerTá mé cinnte go bhfuil an Teachta chomh sásta is atá mé go bhfuil dul chun cinn maith á dhéanamh ar na hoibreacha ar an gCé Domhainmhara i Ros an Mhíl. Tá an tionscadal seo mar chuid de leithdháileadh infheistíochta caipitil €17.36 milliún ó Chlár Forbartha Iascaigh Cuain agus Bonneagar Cósta 2023 agus leanfar leis go dtí 2024.
Is é an chomhairle phleanála atá faighte ag an Roinn ná go leanfaidh an cead pleanála reatha go dtí an 11 Iúil 2023. Is féidir síneadh pleanála a cheadú má tá ‘oibreacha substaintiúla’ seachadta nó má dhéantar iad a sheachadadh faoi dheireadh an cheada reatha. Mar a chuir mé in iúl don Teachta roimhe seo, tá sé ar intinn ag mo Roinn iarratas a chur isteach chun síneadh a lorg ar an gcead pleanála don fhorbairt sula rachaidh an cead reatha in éag.
