Written Answers Nos. 517-532
517. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in paying fishermen compensation; the timeframe for paying them in 2023 and ensuring there will be no loss to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22390/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I established the Seafood Task Force to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing and Seafood Industry and Coastal Communities, and to consider initiatives and make recommendations to address those implications.
The Task Force published its report in October 2021, recommending 16 initiatives to mitigate the challenges arising from Brexit and the TCA and to support fishers, seafood processors, aquaculture operators and entrepreneurship and infrastructure in coastal communities in this context. These included initiatives proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, in addition to initiatives to be funded by my Department's EMFAF Seafood Development Programme.
Recognising the volume of recommendations and the requirement for assessing each in the context of State Aid Guidelines, the Public Spending Code and relevant regulations, the Task Force stated that these could only be addressed on a phased and prioritised basis.
To date, I have announced 12 schemes with a total budget of €271.3 million, all of which are proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The remaining recommendations are being assessed with a view to implementing further schemes before the end of 2023.
518. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for a farm partnership will be finalised in respect of a couple (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22396/23]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the farm partnership certificate related to his query has been issued.
519. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tree felling licences that have been issued within five to six months of receipt by the Forest Service of his Department on a quarterly basis, for both private and Coillte licences separately, in the past two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22425/23]
View answerIn the last two years, 48% of all felling licences issued to private forest owners and 52% to Coillte. In 2022, this figure was closer with 1,686 felling licences issuing to Coillte and 1,607 issuing to private landowners.
The Department has delivered considerable reductions in the backlog of all forestry licences as well as reductions in the time taken to process newer files and last year we had another significant year-on-year increase in the number of licences issued. We issued 4,713 licences which was 1,100 more than applications received. In August 2021 we had 6,100 licences on hand for processing and this figure has now dropped to under 2,500. This number continues to drop every week.
The Department continues to issue and accept felling licence applications and has to 12th May this year issued 1,136 felling licences since January 1st. In 2022, we issued 817 more felling licences than felling applications received. Furthermore, last year we issued record levels of felling licences at 3,293 for 9.6 million cubic metres of wood, or 46,027 Hectares. These licences have up to 10 year timelines and are being used by forest owners providing work for forestry contractors and supplying sawmills.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector, we remain fully committed to delivering a licensing system which will meets the needs of the sector and of society.
Licences issued to Private and Coillte from Q1 2021 to Q1 2023.
|
|
Private |
|
Coillte |
|
|
|
Overall |
Less than 6 months |
Overall |
Less than six months |
|
Q1 2023 |
380 |
60 |
406 |
170 |
|
Q4 2022 |
390 |
65 |
391 |
369 |
|
Q3 2022 |
472 |
63 |
294 |
95 |
|
Q2 2022 |
371 |
61 |
432 |
31 |
|
Q1 2022 |
374 |
44 |
569 |
223 |
|
Q4 2021 |
352 |
52 |
594 |
0 |
|
Q3 2021 |
374 |
45 |
398 |
234 |
|
Q2 2021 |
376 |
58 |
197 |
157 |
|
Q1 2021 |
192 |
56 |
340 |
0 |
520. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the forestry programme proposal that was recently submitted to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22426/23]
View answer521. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the forestry programme 2023-2027 to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22427/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 521 together.
The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
The Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027 is subject to State Aid approval from the EU Commission and is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process, which is a critical step in the process of securing State Aid approval.
We have been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission over the last few months. Once EU Commission approval has been received, we will be in a position to launch the new Programme, subject to finalisation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. On completion of this State Aid process, the decision letter and appropriate documentation will be published by the Commission on their website within the State Aid register.
Not all schemes under the Programme require state aid approval under the Guidelines and on 24th April, under the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation, my Department opened two schemes for applications, the Forest Roads Scheme and the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme – Module 2 Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector.
In recognition of the need for planting activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme (Via General De Minimis), an Interim Forest Road Scheme (via General De Minimis) and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme. This ensured that those with valid licence approvals issued before the end of 2022, could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed to be paid under the new Programme.
As you may be aware, there are 797 approved afforestation licences with 5,819 ha ready for planting and to date over 1,638ha hectares have been approved for planting under the Interim De Minimis scheme. In addition 34,332 m have been approved under the interim Forest Road Scheme, while 69 Ha has been approved under the interim RUS scheme.
522. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of species in the forest cover of approximately 11-12%. [22428/23]
View answerThe national forest estate now stands at 11.6% of the total land area, with a wide variety of forest types present. Nationally, conifer species are the dominant species present, representing 69% of the forest area while broadleaved species accounted for 31%.
The share of broadleaf species nationally increased by 5.9% between 2006 and 2022. Sitka spruce is the most common species, occupying 44.6% of the total forest area. The results from the recent National Forest Inventory is available on my Department's website and contains a range of information on the forest estate.
The composition of the total forest area in 2022 is presented in the table below.
523. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information on recent media reports that a possible dairy retirement and reduction scheme may be introduced in 2024; if he will outline the broad thrust of such a scheme; if he will provide any clarification as to the breadth of ambition within his Department to deliver dairy farm retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/23]
View answerI established the Food Vision Dairy Group last year to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.
The first priority for the Group was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The Dairy Group submitted its final report in October 2022, which has been published on my Department’s website. The report identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022.
A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd. My officials are currently working to explore this proposal further and there will be significant engagement with stakeholders over the coming months on the parameters of any scheme.
Our dairy farmers and the entire sector is already very sustainable but I want to make us even more so. I want to build a strong and sustainable future for our dairy farmers and the subsequent generations of dairy farmers. I will work collectively and collaboratively with dairy farmers and their representatives in charting a pathway forward.
524. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if "Future Energy Ireland", a joint venture between Coillte and the ESB, is required to report to him; if Future Energy Ireland falls within the remit of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, section 6(1); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22654/23]
View answerFuturEnergy Ireland is a joint venture between Coillte and ESB that was formed in 2021 with the ambition of developing more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. The Board of FuturEnergy Ireland consists of representatives from Coillte and the ESB together with an Independent Chair.
Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 it is the responsibility of each organization to form its own view as to whether the Freedom of Information Act applies to it based on the criteria set out at Section 6(1). We have therefore referred your query to Coillte for direct reply to you on this matter.
525. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request a detailed report from HRI/IHRB as to how many meetings the Irish Thoroughbred Welfare Council has had, who attended and what progress has been made to date. [22668/23]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
526. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of how many thoroughbreds are re-homed per year directly from training yards [22669/23]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
527. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the responsibility for the horse and greyhound fund transferred from the Department of Sport to the Department of Agriculture in 2010. [22714/23]
View answer528. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the responsibility for the horse and greyhound fund transferred from the Department of Sport to the Department of Agriculture in 2010. [22715/23]
View answer529. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legal basis under which the hypothecation of the betting tax for the horse and greyhound fund, as is stated in section 12(4) of the Horse and Greyhound Act 2001, was ended in 2009 (details supplied). [22716/23]
View answer530. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money the State provided to the horse and greyhound fund in 2022; the basis for determining this total; and the key performance indicators or otherwise that the horse and greyhound industries must meet to justify their annual funding totals. [22718/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 527, 528, 529 and 530 together.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). The amount of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund was €88 million for 2022.
Responsibility for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001 transferred from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine as provided for by Section 6 (1) of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment Act 1939) and Statutory Instrument No. 179/2010 – Horse and Greyhound Racing (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2010.
Statutory Instrument (SI) 179/2010 came into operation on 1st May 2010.
According to the 2021 Power Report, commissioned by RCÉ, the greyhound industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are 6,211 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector is estimated at 10,361.
The 2017 Deloitte Report into the Economic Impact of Irish Breeding and Racing, commissioned by HRI, indicates that the total direct and stimulated expenditure of the Irish breeding and racing industry is estimated at €1.84 billion in 2016. In addition, it is estimated that the industry supports the direct and indirect employment of 29,000 people.
The initial funding model for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund provided that the Fund would each year be financed by an amount equal to the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year or the year 2000 increased by reference to the Consumer Price Index, whichever was greater (section 12(4) of the Act). This formula applied for the years 2001-2008.
Since 2009 the decision on the proposed annual amount to be allocated to the Fund is made in the context of the budgetary process (estimates allocation). Once the budget is announced, the proposed allocation must be formalised by Regulation. There are currently no plans to change this process.
531. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department deducted land from a person (details supplied) in County Mayo and then declared an overclaim, in view of the fact that this land should not have been deducted from this person as they are of the opinion that it was eligible land; if his Department will outline in detail the reason the land was deducted from this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/23]
View answerIn October 2018, the named individual was notified by this Department that his application under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme had been selected for a remote sensing inspection. The subsequent inspection findings determined that some of the lands claimed by him were not eligible for payment under the terms of the scheme.
In the event of an overclaim, the Department is required under EU regulations to carry out a review of land parcels claimed in previous years. A review of the claims under the Basic Payment Scheme in the four years preceding 2018, including an examination of the available imagery, established that there were ineligible features in the case of two of the land parcels concerned.
The applicant was notified of the review in April 2021 and was also informed that this may lead to the recovery of monies unduly paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme.
A review of this decision was requested by the applicant in January 2023 and he was notified in February 2023 that upon review, the Department could find no grounds to alter the original decision. He was also notified at this time that he could appeal the decision within three months to the Agriculture Appeals Office. There is no record of an appeal having been lodged.
532. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to encourage carbon farming, including schemes or policies to recognise the work of the tillage sector in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22737/23]
View answerCarbon farming includes those farming practices that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and contribute to the climate neutrality objective. I am keen to see the implementation of a Carbon Farming Framework in Ireland.
In order to develop such a framework, some important groundwork needs to be completed in order to set up a quality and successful scheme which aligns with the EU Commission legislative proposal for a Union certification framework for carbon removals, which was published on 30th November 2022. The stated aim of the initiative is to ensure high-quality EU certified carbon removals, through a transparent and credible governance framework. I am sensitive to the need to ensure that any activity at national level is in line with and complements this EU proposal.
A certification system should enable more effective rewards for carbon farming facilitated through either public or private initiatives.
The EU Commission proposes to develop certification methodologies, in consultation with experts and stakeholders; and harmonise the implementation of the certification framework across the EU.
It is anticipated that the EU scheme will come into full operation in 2030. Several milestones will have to be achieved before the scheme becomes active.
Firstly, the EU Expert Group on Carbon Removals will complete its work on baselines in 2023. Secondly, the regulation will be published before the end of October 2024.
In 2025, the operational phase of the framework will commence on a phased basis, empowering accreditation and certification bodies, with the establishment of a registry and other frameworks.
In 2028, all land managers will have access to verified removal data and baseline data collection. In this context, my Department has provided finance for multiple research programmes and projects in this area.
This will support real time data analysis will help plan, explore opportunities and prioritise actions to reduce emissions and enhance removals, while aligning with the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
Nationally, there are knowledge and data gaps that will need to be bridged to facilitate carbon farming and that is why I have funded a number of key research and demonstration activities that will also help to provide baseline information on key activities within the agricultural and land use sectors including the Tillage sector.
For example, the recently launched country wide network of Teagasc supported Signpost Farms will showcase how best practice management techniques can be adopted on a wide range of enterprises and soil types including the Tillage sector.
These research and demonstration activities, along with the recent establishment of the Carbon Farming Working Group, chaired by my Department, will allow us to address a number of requirements around carbon farming mainly in the areas of establishing baseline data, auditing, governance and address the need for the Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of carbon removals/reductions.
In the meantime, I will continue to provide financial support for farmers providing eco system's services through a variety of EU and nationally funded schemes.
