Written Answers Nos. 472-486
472. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement his Department has had with a premises; the plans, if any, his Department has to meet with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29163/23]
View answerMy Department met with the person named on 8th September 2022 in the regional veterinary office with senior, regional and central veterinary management in attendance. All issues raised were addressed and a further meeting was scheduled; however the person named declined to meet officials at that particular time. I encourage the named person to meet with officials from my Department and to arrange such a meeting.
473. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, given there is a strong view among the environmentalist community that different stages of afforestation in a particular area are of benefit to protected species, he, his Department or the Minister with responsibility for this area have any plans to run a pilot programme on such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29172/23]
View answerI understand that the Deputy's question may be referring to the hen harrier. The relationship between hen harrier and forests of different ages is well researched and is complex.
The National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently preparing a hen harrier threat response plan. My department is represented on both the Inter-Departmental Group and the wider Consultative Committee. The hen harrier threat response plan is to synthesise the key scientific evidence for the Hen Harrier population decline, outline the views and concerns presented by the relevant sectors (including the forestry sector), and lay out a set of actions that address the identified issues, in order to improve the long-term prospects for the species.
I understand that external services have been contracted by the NPWS to support the strategic environmental assessment, appropriate assessment and public consultation on the draft hen harrier threat response plan. The statutory scoping stage for the Strategic Environmental Assessment closed on the 4th April 2023. Work on the Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement are ongoing. The timeline for completion of the Plan is the end of 2023.
474. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with reference to his Department's PV panel installers registration form, and with further reference to the requirement to have completed a training course in solar photovoltaic panel installation, to outline the training courses recognised; whether or not certification is required; if so, the details of same; to further outline the recognised training providers mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29205/23]
View answerA Solar Photovoltaic (PV) installer is required to submit a completed solar PV Installer Registration form and a certificate of public and employers liability Insurance in relation to being included on my Department's Solar PV Registered Installer List.
With regards to the Safe Electric registered electrician who will sign the Inspection, Testing and Commissioning Report for the solar PV installation, confirmation of the Qualified Certifier Number provided by Safe Electric Ireland or a Safe Electric card that confirms the individual’s business registration by Safe Electric Ireland, is required.
It is a requirement that the electrician has completed training courses in 1) Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Implementation, and 2) Electrical Installation of Micro-Generators, and certification is required. QQI Award Certification (for training modules 6N0306 and 6N0307) or equivalent is acceptable.
There are a number of training providers nationwide for these courses.
475. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications for the native woodland conservation scheme in situations pertaining to the conversion of existing conifer forest to native woodland must be lodged with the Forestry Service before the clear felling or final harvesting of commercial sitka spruce takes place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29260/23]
View answerThe Native Woodland Conservation Scheme was offered under the Forestry Programme 2014-2022, and it is proposed to offer a version of the Scheme under the next Forestry Programme 2023-2027. 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.
Forestry in Ireland, including any proposed Schemes, operates within a legal and regulatory framework. This is necessary to protect forests and also to ensure that forestry operations and activities are carried out in compliance with the principles of sustainable forest management.
Tree felling licences carry an obligation to replant the area felled. Reforestation after felling is essential to prevent deforestation, which would otherwise counteract the benefits of the initial afforestation. The obligation to replant felled trees is required under the Forestry Acts, associated regulations and is not related to an individual Forestry Programme.
All projects under the Native Woodland Conservation scheme must promote the appropriate native woodland type (or types) identified for the site being applied for, based on soil type, existing woodland, ground vegetation, elevation etc.
An application for a Felling licence ideally should be submitted prior to or in tandem with the Native Woodland Conservation application form. For this reason, The Native Woodland conservation Form 1 includes a Tree Felling Licence application alongside the template for the Native Woodland Plan.
If an applicant hasn't already applied for a felling licence they should submit the above applications which will be considered together.
A replanting plan is set out in the application for a felling licence and is considered as part of the application assessment. If an applicant already holds a valid felling licence they may apply for another Forestry Scheme for the same plot of land, and subject to meeting the conditions attached to that scheme may seek to amend their felling licence and replanting plan, which will be considered by my Department. The Forestry division should be contacted at the earliest opportunity in such circumstances.
476. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will be sending a representative to the Global Congress on Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes in Geneva. [29288/23]
View answerMy colleague the Minister for Health has responsibility for public health policy, and his Department is responsible for the issue raised. I have been informed that the Department of Health is unable to send representation to the meeting referenced by the Deputy taking place in Geneva in June 2023, because of other diary commitments.
The Department of Health has also advised that it endorses the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes and that the HSE Breastfeeding in a Healthy Ireland Action Plan is the framework for progressing supports for breastfeeding in Ireland. One key action in the framework is to strengthen compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions. A HSE Policy for staff on the Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes came into effect in October 2021. It requires that all services comply with the WHO Code.
Article 10 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 sets out the requirements for promotional and commercial practices for infant formula. These measures are designed so that the marketing and distribution of infant formula does not interfere with the protection and promotion of breastfeeding.
My Department is responsible for the supervision of the Infant Formula manufacturing sector in Ireland. This is done through a programme of risk based controls to verify that the sector has effective food safety management systems in place. One aspect of this control system is oversight by my Department of the labelling requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2016/127 . These requirements include restrictions on the use of nutrition and health claims, requirements regarding composition, and other mandatory labelling information regarding the superiority of breastfeeding.
477. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his response to the data on future needs relating to total job openings (details supplied), by occupation, in Ireland in 2022 to 2035, provided by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, which shows that Ireland is set to lose 10,600 jobs in farming and related work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29312/23]
View answerFarming and the agri-food sector are hugely important to our economy and our society. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector employs over 101,000 people, representing 4% of total employment in the country, but a far greater proportion in rural and coastal areas. The produce of these farms, forestry and fishers directly generate a further 64,000 downstream jobs for a total almost 165,000 people working in the agri-food sector, representing close to 7% of total employment.
According to the CSO's Labour Force Survey, the number of people employed in agriculture has been decreasing. In 2000, there were 128,875 people employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing. By 2020, numbers employed had dropped to 107,025. In 2022 the figure was 101,200. However, it should be noted that the Labour Force Survey (LFS) from the CSO, which generates official employment data, include a person’s main employment only and not a secondary part-time employment.
Around 57% of farm holders or their spouse have an off-farm employment which is likely considered as their main employment, and therefore their work on the farm is not included in the official LFS. According to the CSO 2020 Agricultural Census, there were 278,580 family and regular non-family workers on Irish farms, indicating that many farm holders and their family members work part -time on the land in addition to their main employment. This number has actually increased from each of the two previous agriculture censuses, with 272,016 family and regular non-family workers in 2010 and 257,948 in 2000.
While the estimates produced by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) reflect existing trends, CEDEFOP states “detailed estimates are subject to possibly large and uncertain margins of error. They should not be taken literally but suggestive of indicative trends and patterns. As a rough rule of thumb, any cell containing fewer than 10,000 people should be regarded with caution. Cells with fewer than 1,000 people should be regarded with considerable scepticism”.
Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the future of the agri-food sector, includes goals to “Improve the Social Sustainability of Primary Producers”, including the critically important issue of generational renewal, and to “Attract and Nurture Diverse and Inclusive Talent”. I will continue to work closely with the sector to help ensure that there is a vibrant workforce available to ensure the sustainable development of the agri-food in Ireland, despite the challenges posed by having close to full employment.
478. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will introduce grants to assist non-organic farmers to install rainwater harvesting systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29354/23]
View answerThere are a number of rainwater harvesting investments currently available for grant aid in TAMS 3 under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and Tillage Capital Investment Scheme. Rainwater harvesting investments will also be available under the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme which is due to open shortly.
TAMS 3 provides funding for capital investments on farms and will be in place for five years with a budget of €370 million.
479. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide progress and a timeline for the announcement and implementation of the replacement scheme for BEEP; if measures are being taken to ensure the new scheme adequately addresses the concerns raised by farmers to sustain the suckler sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29368/23]
View answerThe importance of beef production enterprises to the overall agri-food sector and to a balanced regional economy is well understood by the Government. My Department has already rolled out two schemes this year that will provide significant benefits to the beef sector.
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), which will run from 2023 to 2027, is designed to support farmers in improving the environmental sustainability and genetic merit of the suckler herd. The scheme is a successor to the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) but also incorporates the weighing measure from the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme -Suckler (BEEP-S) and aims to build on the gains achieved through the BDGP and the BEEP-S.
Additionally, last March, I launched the National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme (NDBWS) to facilitate the integration of the dairy and beef sectors by supporting farmers rearing progeny from the dairy herd for beef production.
The SCEP has attracted some 20,000 applications while over 14,000 farmers have applied to join the NDBWS. The high level of uptake for both schemes signifies that farmers see the benefits of those schemes in sustaining the sector.
My officials are currently working on refining the operational aspects of a further one-year, Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funded scheme to be known as the National Beef Welfare Scheme (NBWS). The policy objective of the NBWS is to further increase economic efficiency and enhance animal health and husbandry on suckler farms.
While the terms and conditions of the scheme remain to be finalised, it is expected that applications will open in late July / early August 2023 and close in mid-September 2023, with payments commencing in December 2023. Scheme details and requirements will be announced in due course.
Through these supports and other interventions, I am continuing to strongly support Irish beef production and sustain the farmers whose livelihoods depend on it.
480. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the number of farmers who have applied to join the newly introduced suckler carbon efficiency programme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29369/23]
View answerThe objective of the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is to provide support to suckler and 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 online applications system for SCEP opened on 20 March 2023 and closed on 22 May 2023. There is a 25-calendar day period after the 22 May 2023 closing date during which late applications are accepted with a reduction in payment of 1% per working day. Applications received after the 25 days period are ineligible.
As of 14 June 2023, there were 20,684 applications received under SCEP.
481. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on the specific criteria farmers need to meet in order to join the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme and thereby be eligible for participation in the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29370/23]
View answer482. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm the estimated time duration involved in obtaining certification under the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme, from the initial application to the final approval; how long the certification process typically takes for farmers interested in joining the scheme, including those in the SCEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29371/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 482 together.
As the Deputy is aware, I introduced a new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) in March 2023 which is the replacement for the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP).
My Department has published the eligibility requirements applicants must meet. Membership of the Bord Bia Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) is required as the carbon footprint generated following the SBLAS audit will be used to measure changes over the course of the contract. Applicants to SCEP have until October 16th to achieve certification to the SBLAS.
The Bord Bia Sustainable Quality Assurance Scheme is run and operated by Bord Bia. I am advised that applications to join the SBLAS can be made over the phone by contacting the Bord Bia service office on 062 54900. I am further advised that the application process requires the producer to provide their herd number and contact information. Once registered with Bord Bia, the time duration to obtain certification is dependant on the degree of collaboration by the applicant with the auditors.
In terms of agreeing a date for the audit, I am advised that Bord Bia advises that farmers should allow for a period of approximately six weeks following the date of the audit to certification: this is allowing for a 28 day close out period for farmers should any non-compliances be raised during the audit, and then two weeks for the completion of the review and certification process.
New applicants for SBLAS are being prioritised by Bord Bia in terms of audit scheduling, but applicants are encouraged to agree the earliest possible audit date when contacted.
A Helpdesk is available to support farmers through the full SBLAS process and can be contacted on 01 5250410 from 9am until 8pm, Monday to Friday.
483. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the implementation of Circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of his Department; if he will provide, in tabular form, by State agency, the compliance with each of the standards and timelines set out in responding to Oireachtas Members’ queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29468/23]
View answerMy Department has robust processes and procedures in place to support State bodies under its aegis with respect to compliance with corporate governance requirements.
Relevant liaison divisions as well as our Corporate Affairs Unit oversee the Department’s governance of State Bodies and, in particular, for monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and with associated Circulars. The Head of Business Unit reports directly to a member of the Department’s Management Board on all matters relating to corporate governance compliance.
In relation to the ‘Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices’, my Department ensures that all State bodies are made aware of the requirement to put arrangements in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas.
Oireachtas contact details, per requirements as set out by this circular are included in the attached table and are already readily available to Oireachtas Members.
With regards to the compliance and timelines for response of State Bodies, each must include a statement of compliance with the Code of Practice in the Chairperson’s Comprehensive Report in addition to all other reporting requirements outlined in the Business and Financial Reporting section of the Code.
My Department had not formally included an annual report of compliance of this specific circular on its website but will examine the scope for same in the near term.
The details of any implementation plans are an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves and as such I have referred this query to the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly on the matter.
|
Name of State Body |
Oireachtas contact details |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
Oireachtasqueries@alab.ie |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
Oireachtas.queries@bim.ie |
|
Marine Institute |
Oireachtas.queries@marine.ie |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
oireachtasqueries@sfpa.ie |
|
Greyhound Racing Ireland (Rásaíocht Con Éireann ) |
oireachtasqueries@grireland.ie |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
oireachtas@horseracingireland.ie |
|
Irish National Stud |
pq@irishnationalstud.ie |
|
Bord Bia |
info@bordbia.ie |
|
Coillte |
info@coillte.ie |
|
National Milk Agency |
oireachtas@natmilk.ie |
|
Teagasc |
Oireachtas@Teagasc.ie |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
info@vci.ie |
484. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will, given the historical treatment of our forests, invest more money in protecting our forests and planting more trees. [29648/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a 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. My Department has been engaging proactively and intensively with the Commission over the last few months in order to secure approval which will allow new forestry schemes to be launched.
The next Forestry Programme will be the best funded Programme to date and will reflect the feedback received from the extensive public consultation undertaken for the new Forest Strategy which is due to be published shortly. Proposed premium rates for afforestation have increased between 46% and 66% and farmers will now receive 20 years of premiums rather than 15.
I am pleased to report that the Programme also proposes to offer attractive supports to forest owners to assist them in the sustainable management of their forests. These supports include a Continuous Cover Forestry Scheme which helps to diversify the management of existing forests.
We plan to introduce a new iPLAN scheme for Forest Management Plans which will promote more active forest management resulting in forests that have greater capacity to deliver ecosystem services, climate resilience, roundwood value and forest health vitality than those that are not subject to forest management planning practices. We will support this by paying forest owners €1,200 towards the cost of their Forest Management Plan.
In the past three years my Department has made payments in excess of €200 million to thousands of forest owners in Ireland. I recognise the key role that forestry can play in our fight against climate action and in supporting the economy of rural Ireland. I am confident that the financial supports offered through the next Forestry Programme will demonstrate my commitment to investing in the creation of new forests and the protection of our existing estate.
485. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide information on his Department’s key policies around manure management and relevant publications on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29694/23]
View answerThe management of livestock manure is regulated under Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations known as the ‘GAP Regulations’ (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended). These regulations provide legal effect in Ireland to the Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC as amended) and to our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) is the lead authority responsible for Ireland's NAP and the GAP Regulations. My Department works closely with them in this regard.
The purpose of the GAP Regulations is to provide measures that ensure the protection of waters, including drinking water sources, against pollution caused by nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural sources. They include measures safeguarding against possible harmful impacts of nutrient losses that could arise from farmyard management of manures and/or the application of manures, including chemical fertilisers, to land.
The GAP Regulations are available on both the DHLGH and my Department’s websites. A nitrates Explanatory Handbook has also been published and is available on my Department’s website. It communicates the GAP Regulations directly to farmers and agricultural advisors in a clear and straightforward way.
In addition, a Nitrates Information Leaflet is also available on my Department’s website. This publication highlights the key changes that have occurred under the 5th NAP (2022-2025).
The documents mentioned above set out the Government policies in this area. They are available at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b87ad-nitrates-directive/
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9563-rural-environment-sustainability-nitrates/#nitrates-derogation
486. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can provide any form of funding, one-off or recurring, to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29778/23]
View answerSocial farming is the practice of offering, on a voluntary basis, farming and horticultural participation in a farming environment as a choice to people who avail of a range of therapeutic day support services. These operations are run in a number of settings ranging from working family farms, local community initiatives through to more institutional frameworks.
Funding is available under my Department's Rural Innovation & Development Fund for Social Farming Model Projects. There are currently four projects being funded under contract following a competitive procurement process in 2021. It is anticipated that the next request for tenders will issue at the end of 2025/early 2026.
