Mattie McGrath
Question:159. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions in the criminal courts for child sex abuse for each of the years 2015 to 2022 and to date in 2023. [25150/23]
View answerChild Abuse
Questions (159)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have referred his question to the Court Service for direct reply.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (160)
Bernard Durkan
Question:160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update in respect of an application for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25157/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that the naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (161)
Colm Burke
Question:161. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update in respect of his Department's plans to increase and improve community safety, in particular the provision of community policing teams in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
Since 2015, the Government has increased the budget of An Garda Síochána by approximately €672m, or 46%. Funding has been provided for up to 1,000 new Gardaí this year and we are seeing more Garda recruits enter Templemore every 11 weeks.
Community policing is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
The new Operating Model is currently being rolled out in all divisions and is fully commenced in six - Dublin South Central, Cork City, Kerry, Galway, Limerick and Mayo-Roscommon-Longford. For these divisions it means:
• Districts replaced with Community Engagement Functional Areas,
• Crime Functional Area established in each Division,
• All personnel aligned to a Functional Area, and
• Garda Stations aligned to Community Engagement Functional Areas.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that member is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. In some rural areas, the existing personnel will form Community Policing Teams (CPTs). They will have dual functions as first responders and community policing members. Additionally, CPTs will be augmented by Community Support Gardaí who will perform frontline duties and will be assigned a particular CPA to support a dedicated Community Garda.
I am informed that each Division will have a number of Community Policing Teams (CPTs) assigned to it, consisting of an Inspector, Sergeant, Community Policing Gardaí. CPTs will prioritise engagement with communities for the delivery of long-term sustainable solutions to community needs.
I want to emphasise that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
However, community safety is not just about the number of Gardaí in communities. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach.
The Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill will place statutory obligations on Departments and other public service bodies to cooperate with each other to improve community safety. It also establishes national structures to provide strategic direction and ensure that collaboration is working, and establishes Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs), which will replace existing Joint Policing Committees.
There are currently three pilot LCSPs in Dublin’s North Inner City, Waterford, and Longford. The partnerships are made up of:
• community representatives, including residents, youth representatives, members of new and minority communities, local activists, local businesses, and representatives of schools;
• public sector representatives, i.e., local statutory services such as the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána, and the local authority; and
• local councillors.
Each partnership will create its own local community safety plan, setting out the key actions to address safety concerns in their respective communities and assigning ownership for these actions. The first such plan has been produced by the Longford LCSP pilot and is available on the Longford County Council website. I was pleased to launch the Waterford Community Safety Plan 2023-2028 in March.
The pilot LCSPs are undergoing an ongoing independent evaluation to ensure that, when established nationally, the LCSPs will be designed and supported to help communities prioritise issues raised by its members as safety concerns.
The mid-term evaluation was received by my Department in April 2023. Ultimately the report finds its results are consistent with learnings from elsewhere, and that they reaffirm the importance of the partnerships’ work.
It concludes by emphasising that the current crucial components, at the national level, are vision, leadership and the setting up of the national structures and processes for implementation of the rollout. I intend for it to be published in the coming weeks.
A final evaluation report of the LCSP pilot is expected by the end of 2023, ahead of their nationwide rollout as part of the implementation of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Bill.
Family Reunification
Questions (162)
Colm Burke
Question:162. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Justice if general employment permit holders, their agencies and employers have been made aware of recent amendments to the salary requirements of the sponsor when applying for a family reunification visa after one year's service, wherein the net income per week based on the working family payment has increased, in view of the fact that employers may not be in a position to increase the sponsor’s wages in order that they satisfy the eligibility requirements for a family reunification application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25244/23]
View answerWritten answers
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf.
This policy, which was last amended in 2016, is currently under review.
The policy document sets out the rationale for applying resource requirements as part of the overall assessment of whether to approve an application for family reunification. In general terms, the sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member(s) if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland.
As a guideline, Category B sponsors such as those on General Employment Permits, regardless of occupation, must have a gross income in excess of that applied by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) in assessing eligibility for the Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement). In examining such applications, my Department applies the DSP income levels current at the time of assessment.
Alcohol Sales
Questions (163)
Alan Kelly
Question:163. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the amount of revenue generated through the issuing of special exemption orders in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [25260/23]
View answerWritten answers
The courts, rather than the Minister for Justice, collect a fee for the issuance of special exemption orders. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Official Engagements
Questions (164)
Alan Kelly
Question:164. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice if he met with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner during his recent visit to London. [25261/23]
View answerWritten answers
An Garda Síochána
Questions (165)
Alan Kelly
Question:165. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 7 March 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to have the PQ answered. [25262/23]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 7 March 2023 refers to the estimated cost of training an additional 225 Gardaí in the competency-based driver level 3 course in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including human resources and training for members. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy as the Garda College does not have systems available to extrapolate the specific information. However, you may be interested to know that the Garda College Training Plan for 2023 states that €6,997 is the amount required by the Garda College to Finance CBD3 training for 32 Garda members.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that these costings do not include potential travel expenses that participants may incur travelling from various locations throughout the country to the training centre.
I am also informed that there are also facilities maintenance, administrative and supervisory costs involved with the delivery of these courses, these are not included in the above costing, as the Garda College financial system is not capable of providing this level of breakdown.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (166)
Alan Kelly
Question:166. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of unmarked cars and unmarked vans attached to the Garda National Immigration Bureau as of 16 May 2023; if he will provide the same figures as of 1 March 2021, in tabular form. [25263/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The purchase and allocation of vehicles is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
Unmarked Cars and Vans attached to Garda National Immigration Bureau
|
|
Unmarked Cars |
Unmarked Vans |
|
28 Feb 2021 |
28 |
3 |
|
30 April 2023 |
30 |
2 |
An Garda Síochána
Questions (167)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:167. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice the reason that superintendents in An Garda Síochána are implementing recommendations from the firearms expert committee before the online consultation is over (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25321/23]
View answerWritten answers
I established the Firearms Expert Committee (FEC) in June 2022 on a non-statutory basis, with representation from stakeholders, my Department and An Garda Síochána. The purpose of the FEC was to serve in an advisory capacity to me as Minister, providing guidance on a wide range of matters related to firearms licensing in the State. In line with its comprehensive terms of reference, which were made publicly available, the FEC was tasked with making recommendations on a range of firearms matters for my subsequent consideration.
The final meeting of the FEC took place in March 2023, and the Committee has finalised its reports. The reports have been submitted to me and I have published them along with the minutes of the FEC’s meetings on Friday, 31 March 2023, on Gov.ie. As I have emphasised throughout the process, the role of the FEC was to make recommendations to me for subsequent consideration. Any subsequent changes to policy or legislation arising from any of the recommendations by the committee will of course be subject to prior consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
An online consultation platform was launched on 3 May 2023 and will run until 2 June 2023. This will allow everyone with an interest to indicate their level of support for all of the substantive recommendations of the FEC. I have also sought written submissions on the recommendations of the FEC from a range of stakeholder organisations and intend to meet with such organisations in due course.
The FEC considered a wide range of matters relevant to firearms stakeholders. Insofar as the claims made by the Deputy are concerned, the position is that no direction or request has issued to An Garda Síochána in respect of the FEC’s recommendations. As the Deputy will know, An Garda Síochána has a range of functions with regard to the operation of firearms legislation in the State, including the issuing of firearms certificates and authorisations, and I can confirm that there has been no change in policy or law as a result of the recommendations. An Garda Síochána is of course independent in the discharge of its functions and that is as it should be.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (168)
Catherine Murphy
Question:168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 965 of 18 April 2023, if he will clarify whether the new Garda air fleet will use unleaded fuels (details supplied). [25323/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda resources. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
However, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána which includes funding to procure a new fixed wing aircraft.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Air Support Unit was established in 1997, is based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 and has a national remit under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services.
I am informed by Garda authorities that any new aircraft added to the fleet of An Garda Síochána will only utilise fuel without lead additive.
Seaweed Harvesting
Questions (169)
Catherine Connolly
Question:169. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any work being carried out or commissioned by his Department with regard to the development of strategies for the wild and farmed seaweed sectors, as referred to in a document (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25055/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development recognised that the potential for seaweed in Ireland remains underdeveloped but that the sector is attracting new entrants and is highly innovative. It was recognised that as capacity in the Irish sector builds, there is a need for development agencies to innovate and provide support. Following on from this, on 15 May 2023 Bord Iascaigh Mhara published its “Review of the Irish Seaweed Aquaculture Sector & Strategy for its Development to 2030”. It contains a review of the Irish sector, examples from other European states and a review of different segments within the seaweed sector. The strategy which follows is based on three pillars including build and sustain the sector, establish and grow the market, and secure and safeguard the future.
There are three further documents which were published to accompany the strategy including a Technical Report on Seaweed Hatchery & Sea grow-out site design, A Strategic Review of Irish Macro Algae Cultivation, and Irish Macro-Algal Cultivation Strategy to 2030 - Interviewee feedback.
The strategy and accompanying documents relate solely to the farmed seaweed sector as wild seaweed management falls within the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (170)
Catherine Connolly
Question:170. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any measures planned for the protection of the sprat fishery which is concentrated inside the 6 nautical mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25075/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in December 2018, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine announced that vessels over 18 metres would 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 18 metres 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.
I am committed to the sustainability of fishing in Irish waters and the exclusion of vessels over 18 metres from trawling in the waters inside 6 nautical miles is in line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.
As the Deputy will be further be aware, however, the decision to exclude vessels over 18 metres from trawling inside the six nautical miles has been the subject of extended legal proceedings further to a Judicial Review to the High Court taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy. This challenge was upheld by the Judge who held in summary that the 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.
I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgement on July 19th, 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it required further submissions from both parties.
The Court of Appeal issued a final judgment on 10th March last, stating that the applicant fishers were successful on ‘the narrowest of grounds’ – a sequential omission to consult with the UK prior to the UK leaving the EU. While the Minister made the decision to implement the Policy Directive in March 2019, it was not due to commence until January 2020, and, after the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2019 came into force later in April 2019. The Court found that the State should have then carried out a consultation with the UK via the Commission, under Article 20 of the Common Fisheries Policy, as Northern Ireland vessels were permitted to fish again in Irish waters inside six nautical miles.
A further hearing took place on 5th May last to finalise the matter where the Policy Directive has been quashed by an order of certiorari made by the Court of Appeal, meaning that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 is no longer in being. This order by the Court of Appeal was occasioned not by a breach of fair procedures or any prejudice to the applicants or other fishers, but by the sequential omission as outlined above.
I am consulting with legal advisors to consider the implications of the judgment and the order of certiorari and awaiting their final expert opinion to inform next steps on further progressing delivery of the Programme for Government commitment.
Grant Payments
Questions (171)
Thomas Pringle
Question:171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment will be made to a farmer (details supplied) and the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25087/23]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved to GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015. GLAS payments have issued to this herd for scheme years 2015 – 2021 inclusive.
An administrative penalty was imposed on the 2022 GLAS Advance payment of the person named. However this penalty has been removed following appeal. A refund of this penalty will issue as part of the 2022 Balance payment. My Department is processing the payment.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
Forestry Sector
Questions (172)
Colm Burke
Question:172. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the reason that only five afforestation licences have been granted to date in 2023; the number of afforestation licences granted in the same time period in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25151/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that the Government has committed €1.3 billion to the new Forestry Programme, which is the biggest and largest funded Forestry Programme ever introduced by any Government here, and it has been designed to have an emphasis on close to nature forestry and to ensure that farmers will be its primary beneficiaries.
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.
Until the new Programme is in place we are not in a position to issue licences for grant-aided afforestation and this is reflected in the figures below for 2023:
|
January to May 2022 |
January to 19th May 2023 |
|
|
Number of afforestation licences granted |
254 |
6 |
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). 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. To date in 2023, the Department have approved the 279 Applications, representing 1,692 ha under the Scheme.
For those that wish to wait for the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, unused valid 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.
The launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for me, Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for the sector and the Department, as a comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
Horse Racing Industry
Questions (173)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in light of recent developments pertaining to the withdrawal of several racecourses from an organisation's (details supplied) proposed media rights deal with two companies, he will review the applicability of section 10 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, due to the infringement on the exclusive property rights of racecourse owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25200/23]
View answerWritten answers
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. Under Section 10 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001, HRI has responsibility for negotiating and awarding contracts for media rights.
The arrangements for the assigning of media rights are defined by law. I am aware of issues that have arisen with regard to a proposed new media rights contract for all racecourses in Ireland. In that regard, I encourage all relevant stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure the financial interests of all racecourses and the wider industry are maintained.
There are currently no plans to introduce any amendment in respect of this legislation.
Legislative Measures
Questions (174)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 to introduce an appeals mechanism, in order to provide for independent recourse for complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25201/23]
View answerWritten answers
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
There are currently no plans to introduce an appeals mechanism in respect of this legislation.
Farm Safety
Questions (175)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:175. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the latest statistics available on farm accidents and fatalities; the steps being taken to reduce these incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25229/23]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic.
Farm safety is a major issue, with fatal incidents on farms accounting for just over two in five of all workplace fatal incidents. There was an average of 19 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the past decade. Unfortunately, this year to date, there have been three fatalities on farms. In addition, data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) reveals that there are approximately 4,500 non-fatal incidents each year on Irish farms.
There has been a welcomed reduction in farm fatalities over the past two years, but that is little comfort to those mourning the loss of a loved one. One farm fatality is one too many.
This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. My Ministerial colleague, Martin Heydon, has specific responsibility for Farm Safety as part of his portfolio. Minister Heydon continues to do strong work in the area.
My Department is implementing a series of farm safety, health and wellbeing initiatives in 2023, utilising dedicated funding of €2.5m. These initiatives include capital support to make farms safer, support for education and awareness through promoting farm safety practices and risk awareness that encourage behavioural change, while also supporting those who have been impacted by fatal and non-fatal incidents.
The measures include the Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment, the On Feirm Ground Programme, joint promotional farm safety campaigns with the HSA and the new Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme which will be opening shortly.
Further proposals are in the process of being finalised and will be announced in due course.
My Department continues to engage with all stakeholders to improve farm safety, health and wellbeing on our farms. The number of deaths and injuries on Irish farms is too high and we need to continue to take steps to effect behaviour change and ensure that incidents levels are reduced.
Trade Missions
Questions (176)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:176. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the key points made during his trade mission to China in respect of food systems and food security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25230/23]
View answerWritten answers
I concluded my first in-person trade mission to China last Friday. During this visit I had engagements with Chinese Government counterparts, and with leading Chinese customers for Irish agri-food products. I also visited the SIAL food and beverage trade fair, and attended two EU-funded Seminars promoting EU dairy and meat production systems.
In all of these engagements I outlined the Sustainable Food Systems approach which the Irish agri-food sector is taking to its development, as outlined in our Food Vision 2030 strategy. I underlined that Ireland is a global leader in terms of safety, sustainability and traceability of our production systems, both on-farm and in our processing sector.
I confirmed that Ireland's approach to food systems and food security is underpinned by high animal health and welfare standards, the application of technology at farm level, the latest breeding and genetics in livestock and crop sectors, and the application of strict public health controls along the whole food chain.
This Trade Mission has confirmed that there is a strong demand in China for the high-quality, safe and sustainably produced agri-food products which our farmers, fishers, and food and drink companies are producing.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (177)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:177. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the difficulties that Irish farmers are facing as a result of having to meet climate targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25231/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the agriculture sector was assigned a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030. It is a challenging and ambitious target but is one that farmers and the industry are committed to achieving. It is also a target that is reflective of the unique position of agriculture in the context of the overall economy.
My Department has several ambitious policies and strategies in place to ensure agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed.
Delivering the reduction in GHG emissions required to meet the targets for agriculture will require a significant transformation in Ireland’s agriculture and food production system. Ensuring that Irish farmers, foresters, and fisheries are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable throughout the period of transformation and beyond is critical. Supporting farmers in this transformation of the Irish agri-food production system will require significant resources and is of the upmost importance to the government.
Farmers and industry stakeholders are committed to meeting the challenge of improving the environmental sustainability of Irish agriculture and reducing agricultural and land use GHG emissions.
Irish farmers are incredibly committed to ensuring that they farm in a sustainable way. This commitment will contribute to a vibrant rural economy for generations to come. Irish farmers are innovative, resilient, and already committed to working together to find solutions in the face of this enormous challenge.
The significant actions for agriculture in the Climate Action Plan 2023 provide a viable pathway to meet our climate targets. The Government has a number of supports already available that will help assist Irish farmers to meet the outlined targets.
Financial aid has been and will continue to be put in place to support farmers in their transition to adapting more farming practices that will reduce emissions.
There is a five-fold, or 500%, increase in funding for Organic Farming to €256m to triple the area of land farmed organically to 7.5%. Organic farmers are also eligible for support of 60% in the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) and had priority access to the 2023 Agri-Climate Rural environmental Scheme (ACRES).
Nitrogen reduction is continually supported through the aid for Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) Equipment. Funding for this LESS measure has increased from 40% to 60% in the new TAMS 3 scheme. The TAMS 3 scheme furthermore includes a Solar Capital Investment Scheme which has also seen the grant aid increased for farmers from 40% to 60%, with a €90,000 investment ceiling, assisting farmers to generate renewable energy for use on their farms.Overall, the CAP Strategic Plan has seen a significant increase in national co-funding, bringing the total budget to almost €10 billion. This represents a significant increase in funding compared to the previous Rural Development Programme and includes €1.5bn for the new agri-environmental scheme – ACRES.DAFM provided funding of €3m to a Methane related research project almost five years ago.
I recently announced a world-first scientific breakthrough in animal breeding that can enable the reduction of methane from the Irish cattle herd through animal genetics – we are starting to see results from research funded projects as this breakthrough is a result of funding supplied by my department almost five years ago.Reducing slaughter age of cattle is a key recommendation of the Food Vision Beef and Sheep group I established. To deliver on this measure a Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme was introduced in 2023 with an overall allocation to this scheme of €260 million and is designed specifically to improve the environmental sustainability and genetic merit of the suckler herd.The Climate action plan recognises the positive impact that forests and forest products make in sequestering and storing carbon. Late last year I announced investment by the government of €1.3 billion in Irish forestry. The funding will be for the next National Forestry Programme and represents the largest ever investment by an Irish Government in tree-planting.
Irish farmers are known for being innovative and their capacity to adopt new sustainable practices to benefit their farm and environment. I will continue to support farmers at every step on this journey.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (178)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:178. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the age profile of Irish farm holders and the difficulties associated with succession and attracting younger people into the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25232/23]
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The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level. I am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation take over the farm when the time is right to do so.
Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector also recognises the importance of generational renewal and proposes a number of actions. There are a range of measures in place at present, both in the new CAP and at national level, that support younger and older farmers and facilitate generational renewal.The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 reaffirms our commitment to generational renewal, reflecting the need for skilled and innovative young farmers to respond to societal demands for quality food and environmental public goods. Measures include:
• The new Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF) has a significantly increased financial allocation of 3% of the direct payments ceiling. An amount of €35.5 million will be provided in support of young farmers each year from 2023 to 2027, which will result in payments of an average of €175 per hectare, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, over the five years of the scheme. This is an almost threefold increase on the level of payment to successful applicants under the previous CAP.
• Higher grant rates of 60% under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS) are available for capital investment for young farmers to invest in and futureproof their farms.
• Under the National Reserve, young farmers will be supported as a priority category under the National Reserve to provide for an allocation of payment entitlements at the national average value on eligible land for which the young farmer holds no entitlements, or the topping up of low value entitlements held by the young farmer to the national average entitlement value.
• My Department also continues to support and further develop collaborative farming models, with grants available for registered farm partnerships. A new initiative for older farmers, providing financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice about succession planning and navigating a pathway to retirement, is also being considered.
At national level there are a number of taxation measures, both to facilitate succession and to support the establishment of young farmers.
• Succession and the early transfer of family farms is supported by Agricultural Relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and Stamp Duty exemptions.
• Investment and access to land are supported by 100% Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers, 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers and Relief for Long-Term Leasing (which in particular provides a route to retirement for older farmers). In addition, the Succession Farm Partnership Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist the transfer of land within a partnership structure to encourage earlier transfer of family farms.
On access to finance, one of my priorities is to ensure adequate availability and access to long-term investment finance for young farmers. The recent Future Growth Loan Scheme saw strong demand, with approximately 1,600 loans to the value of €237m sanctioned to farmers. A new €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme for long-term investment, with terms of up to 10 years, will launch later this year.
In addition, Teagasc agricultural education activities continue to focus on equipping young farmers with the necessary knowledge to build successful careers.
I want to ensure that the agri-food sector remains strong and sustainable into the future, and will continue to engage with stakeholders to find the best approaches to support all farmers.