Written Answers Nos. 966-981
966. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total hectares of afforestation for each of the past ten years; the total area of afforestation planted with Sitka spruce in each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27981/23]
View answerThe table below shows the total hectares of afforestation for each of the past ten years, the area of afforestation planted with Sitka Spruce and the percentage of Sitka spruce planting as a percentage of the total.
The Deputy may be aware that over the past two years, comprehensive engagement and public consultation has taken place to gather views and opinions from society and stakeholders on the new draft Forest Strategy. It was clear across all strands of the consultation that trees and forests are important to people and communities and that they are very much aware of the multi-benefits that they provide at a personal, community, national and global level. There was commonality across all the consultation strands that Ireland needs more trees and forests, both in rural and urban areas and on private and publicly owned land.
Ireland should be ambitious in its targets and there is a broad preference for more mixed forests in the landscape and a wish to see more native and broadleaf trees established. The proposed Forestry programme reflects this with a target of 50% broadleaves for all newly afforested sites and a mandatory minimum of 20% broadleaf species component for all new forest types including Sitka spruce, supporting increased biodiversity and habitat linkages.
|
YEAR |
TOTAL HECTARES |
Sitka Spruce Hectares |
Sitka Spruce Percentage of Total Planting |
|
2013 |
6,252.06 |
3,902.66 |
62.42% |
|
2014 |
6,156.41 |
3,992.11 |
64.84% |
|
2015 |
6,292.81 |
4,230.75 |
67.23% |
|
2016 |
6,499.80 |
4,554.15 |
70.07% |
|
2017 |
5,535.75 |
3,854.64 |
69.63% |
|
2018 |
4,025.48 |
2,644.39 |
65.69% |
|
2019 |
3,549.89 |
2,377.38 |
66.97% |
|
2020 |
2,434.32 |
1,422.21 |
58.42% |
|
2021 |
2,016.48 |
1,018.02 |
50.49% |
|
2022 |
2,073.26 |
1,116.41 |
53.85% |
|
Overall |
44,836.26 |
29,112.72 |
64.93% |
967. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of establishing the Teagasc signpost advisory programme; the staffing levels and workforce plan of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27983/23]
View answerTeagasc operates as a non-commercial State body under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It has statutory responsibility for the provision of education, research, and advisory services to the agricultural sector, and develops its programmes in conjunction with clients and partners overseen by the Teagasc Authority, which is representative of the main stakeholders in the agri-food sector. Accordingly, the administration of individual Teagasc programmes is exclusively an operational matter for Teagasc.
In December 2022, Teagasc launched its Climate Action Strategy 2022-2030 ‘Supporting Farmers for Climate Action’ setting out how Teagasc plans to support the achievement of the targets in the National Climate Action Plan for the agriculture and land use sectors. As part of the Strategy, Teagasc proposes to establish a new targeted advisory service, the ‘SignPost Advisory Programme’ to accelerate action on farm in the areas of climate and sustainability.
As delivery of the SignPost Programme is an operational matter for Teagasc, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy on staffing and establishment costs.
968. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27994/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
The reference number presented for SCEP is based on historical data. This is the number of eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf on the holding in the years 2016-2021 inclusive. Applicants receive an average of the best three years of 2016-2021 as their reference number.
As the person named had data (i.e. had eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf) in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, they received a reference number of seven and a maximum payable area of 4.67 hectares.
As per the SCEP terms and conditions, a new entrant to suckler farming is an applicant that commenced suckler farming since 2021, i.e calved and registered an eligible calf for the first time since 01 January 2021. Therefore, the person named is not considered as a new entrant under SCEP.
A request to review the reference number of the person named was received on 22 May 2023. A letter has recently issued to that person with the outcome of the review and informing him of his right to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
969. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that the North Tipperary Horse Show had to cancel this year's show due to rising insurance costs; and the steps he is taking to ensure that insurance is available and affordable for country shows. [28003/23]
View answerI wish to acknowledge the important role that horse shows and agricultural shows play in rural Ireland, showcasing all that is good about horse breeding, farming and farm families. The matter of escalating insurance costs and the difficulties experienced by country shows in obtaining insurance is a common and concerning challenge across the country among all community and sporting organisations. The matter of insurance costs was subject to Dáil debate last month. My colleague, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath noted that neither he, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as per the EU Solvency II Directive insurance framework. As such, the Government faces constraints in seeking to address this matter. Nonetheless, the Government continues to prioritise reform via the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. Minister McGrath also met with the CEOs of the major insurers operating in the domestic Irish market and outlined Governments expectation that they will pass on the savings and broaden their risk appetite, including to sporting and community-based groups arising from the implementation of the reform programme.
As an additional support to shows, my colleague, Minister for Community and Rural Development, Heather Humphreys, allocated €700,000 to the Irish Shows Association in 2022 to assist with their increased running costs including insurance.
It is hoped these interventions will assist to reduce some of the burden of the costs incurred in these challenging times.
970. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any analysis which has been conducted in County Wicklow to determine the extent of the spread of Ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/23]
View answer971. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers and individuals in Wicklow who have availed of the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28008/23]
View answer972. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to expand the Ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28009/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 970 to 972, inclusive, together.
The Deputy may be aware that the first confirmed finding of Ash Dieback Disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineaus) in Ireland was made on 12th October 2012 at a forestry plantation site which had been planted in 2009 with trees imported from continental Europe.
The fourth cycle of Ireland’s National Forest Inventory (NFI) was completed in 2022. The purpose of the NFI is to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private, in a timely, accurate and reproducible manner. Results of the NFI show that Ash Dieback is now widespread and was noted to be present at 34,395 ha of forests visited.
In March 2013, a Reconstitution Scheme (Chalara Ash Dieback) was introduced 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) (RUS) was launched in June 2020.
The purpose of the RUS scheme was to clear all ash trees and replant with other species. Grants for site clearance and replanting to cover the costs associated with these operations were provided and premiums continued to be paid where the contracts were still in premium.
My Department has expended over €9 million to date on both schemes, covering almost 6,500 hectares of grant aided ash to date. There are 21 applicants availing of the scheme in County Wicklow.
In March this year, Minister Hackett introduced 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:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate from €1,000 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.
Unfortunately, Ash Dieback is now endemic in our countryside. As I have stated, to date, my Department has provided over €9m in support to landowners with infected plantations by removing and replanting their sites with alternative species. As we approach 10 years of these supports, I have listened to the concerns of landowners, and Minister of State Pippa Hackett has this week tasked an independent group to review existing Department Ash Dieback supports. The group will review the existing and previous supports available to landowners with ash plantations funded under the National Forestry Programme which are now infected with Chalara and will make recommendations on these supports to the Minister within three months.
The group will comprise three members of the Project Board overseeing the implementation of Project Woodland:
• Ms. Jo O’Hara, former CEO of the Scottish Forestry Commission
• Mr. Jerry Grant, former Managing Director of Irish Water
• Dr. Matt Crowe, former Director of the EPA
Jo O’Hara, Jerry Grant and Matt Crowe have been immense assistance in helping to deliver Project Woodland and I am grateful for their willingness to take on this additional task.
It’s important with the upcoming introduction of a new Forestry programme that farmers continue to have confidence in the Forestry schemes and this review will be very timely. Consultation with stakeholders will be an essential part of the Review and the Group will be in direct contact with stakeholders to ensure that their voice is heard. I expect to receive the group‘s final report by 15 September after which I will fully consider its recommendations.
973. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to provide funding to local authorities to address safety concerns surround Ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28010/23]
View answerI am well aware that as ash dieback disease progresses nationally and within individual ash plantations, the potential health and safety risks associated with forest plantations, roadside and parkland ash trees will become an issue of increasing importance for landowners, workers and visitors.
As with any other health and safety matter, site-specific issues together with any measures, including any risk assessments required, are in the first instance the responsibility of the individual landowner. Forestry contractors are well aware of the risks in felling trees and the precautions required and their health and safety responsibilities when working or managing others who work in forests. The HSA has also provided comprehensive guidance and information notes on this subject, including the following: Chainsaw Felling of Large Trees - IFSG 307 (2018); Mechanical Harvesting - IFSG 603 (2018); Extraction by Forwarder - IFSG 503 (2018); Cross Cutting and Manual Stacking - IFSG 304 (2018); Felling and Manual Takedown - IFSG 302 (2018); Chainsaw Safety Training Advice Information Sheet (2015); and Information on the Health and Safety responsibilities of Forest Land Owners and Managers who intend to fell their trees (2014).
Furthermore, my Department, last year, published guidance on the subject of roadside trees - “A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”. This publication, which can be accessed on my Departments website, was produced in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland and outlines specific issues related to health and safety in tree work and gives practical guidance to those working with chainsaws taking out hazardous trees.
974. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the use of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28148/23]
View answer975. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the importation of products containing pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28149/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 974 and 975 together.
The strict licensing of veterinary medicinal products for use in Ireland is the competence of the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and is continually under review where any adverse reaction or event is reported. All veterinary medicinal products containing pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) which are currently authorised for use within Ireland are only supplied under prescription by a veterinary practitioner under whose care the treated animals are kept. Veterinary professionals only prescribed this licensed medicine once they have determined that it is the best possible course of action for animal health purposes.
If there are alternative products containing PMSG seeking importation to Ireland due to a licensed product shortage and where the need for such importation is due to an animal health situation, applications are sent to the Department of Agriculture. Department Officials then rigorously investigate the need for the importation.
976. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding given to each greyhound track from the horse and greyhound racing funds from 2016 to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28161/23]
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.
977. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff seconded to his Department from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the title and/or role they filled; and the duration of same. [28174/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy my Department has not had any staff seconded from company (details supplied) in the last ten years.
978. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of instances in which his Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the costs of same; the number of contracts between the company and his Department; and the duration and costs of same. [28190/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there have been no instances in which my Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date.
979. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the European Commission has reverted to his Department with any questions or requests for further information in relation to the forestry programme application which was submitted in April; if so, the dates on which such requests or questions occurred; if any such questions or requests have been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28314/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines from the EU Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
The Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission over the last few months in order to secure approval. Once it is received, we will be in a position to launch new forestry schemes, subject to finalization of the Strategic Environmental Assessment.
The position at the moment is that the Commission is reviewing our State Aid Notification and will decide whether the aid proposed under the new Programme is compatible with EU rules. To this end, I can confirm that my Department received further correspondence relating to our application from the Commission on Tuesday the 6th of June which will require a response. My Department will now respond to this correspondence comprehensively in as efficient a timeframe as possible.
Not all schemes under the Programme require State Aid approval under the Guidelines and on 24th April 2023, 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 forestry activity to continue, and pending the launch of the new Programme, my Department also engaged with the Commission last December to secure an interim solution which has led to the introduction of an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis. This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme.
Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.
I would like to assure you that the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for everyone in the Department and all efforts are directed towards its early introduction.
980. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the projected timeline for the completion of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) attaching to the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28315/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022.
The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and our overall climate and environment.
The new Programme is subject to State Aid approval under the Guidelines in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas from the European Commission. It is also subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process, which is well advanced.
My Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission in order to secure this approval . The position at the moment is that the Commission is reviewing our State Aid Notification and will decide whether the aid proposed under the new Programme is compatible with EU rules. To this end, I can confirm that my Department received further correspondence relating to our application from the Commission on Tuesday the 6th of June which will require a response. My Department will now respond to this correspondence comprehensively in as efficient a timeframe as possible.
Once State Aid approval has been granted, the Strategic Environmental Assessment can be finalised, after incorporating any relevant outcomes of this process.
The launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority, 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.
981. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that there are no differences in the procedure or process through which private tree felling licences and Coillte tree felling licences are administered by the Forest Service of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28316/23]
View answerAlong with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, it is my aim to deliver a licensing system which meets the needs of all those who apply for forestry licences. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual who wishes to plant trees, a forest owner who wishes to fell their crop, or Coillte who wishes to supply sawmills with product from their estate. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy where the timber is harvested, transported and processed and the Department strives to maintain a healthy balance between Coillte and private applications. Coillte currently supply around 75% of sawlog to sawmills and will, for the foreseeable future, remain an important part of our forestry mix.
The equal treatment of all licence applications is borne out by the figures from 2023 and 2022. To date in 2023, my Department has issued 629 Coillte licences and 773 private felling licences and (45%/55% respectively). As regards the issuing of Coillte versus private felling licences last year, we received 3,293 tree felling licence applications, split between 1,686 Coillte and 1,607 private applications (51%/49% respectively).
