Written Answers Nos. 455-471
455. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated current costs if his officials were present in the passenger terminal at Dublin Airport between the hours of 8am and 10pm, seven days a week. [32355/23]
View answerOfficials from my Department are available between the hours of 7:30am and 9:00pm, Monday to Sunday at Dublin Airport. They provide a range of essential services from inspecting imported animals and commodities to carrying out compliance checks on pets.
Senior Officials from my Department continually review the services provided by import controls staff at Dublin Airport. There are currently no plans to extend the operating hours. To do so would require an increase in staff numbers, to accommodate increased hours of service across a 7 day week roster. The current hours are considered cost effective based on existing demand.
I am advised that there have been a very small number of instances where pets have arrived outside the hours of operation. Persons travelling with pets are obliged to provide advance notification of arrival to my Department, to ensure the necessary checks can be arranged. Persons travelling with pets are advised to arrive within the hours of 7.30 am and 9 pm. Where arrivals occur outside these core hours, arrangements are in place to enable the compliance checks to be carried out using an on-call service provided by a private contractor.
456. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and breakdown by sex of all non-coursing greyhound deaths registered on Greyhound Racing Ireland Traceability System per year between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32405/23]
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.
457. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that Greyhound Racing Ireland's Drug Sampling Metrics has not been published since December 2022, their Control Committee Reports have not been published since August 2022 and the National Greyhound Laboratory (NGL) accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) under ISO 17025 was shut down in January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32406/23]
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.
458. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of unnamed non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021 registered as dead in Greyhound Racing Ireland's traceability system to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32407/23]
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.
459. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of BDGP herds that were also included in BEEP-S in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32415/23]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provided financial support to farmers for using technology and genomics to improve the national herd. Farmers had to meet standards on genotyped animals.
The objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler (BEEP-S) was to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data that is collected. This is done through the enhancement of the national herd dataset for genetic evaluations, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level.
There were a total of 15,530 herdowners who were in either BDGP I or II who also participated in BEEP-S in 2022.
460. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the drop-in BDGP participation in 2023 on 2022 figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32416/23]
View answerThe Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provided financial support to farmers for using technology and genomics to improve the national herd. Farmers had to meet standards on genotyped animals.
There are no participants in the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) in 2023 as the scheme ended in 2022. It has been replaced by the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) which will run from 2023 to 2027 inclusive.
461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of BEEP herds, by county in 2022 and to date 2023, by the number of herds with 15 cow/calf pairs or less; the number of herds with between 16-30 cow/calf pairs; the number of herds with more than 30 cow/calf pairs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32417/23]
View answerThe objective of Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler (BEEP-S) was to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data that is collected. This was done through the enhancement of the national herd dataset for genetic evaluations, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level.
BEEP-S targeted the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves through the collection of the live weights of cows and progeny in the herd of each participant; improving the welfare of suckler calves at the time of weaning through vaccination and meal feeding; and controlling liver fluke in adult suckler cows.
The information requested by the Deputy for 2022 is set out in the tables below. Supports for the suckler sector have been re-configured from 2023 onwards so there are no corresponding BEEP-S figures for 2023.
|
15 pairs or less |
||
|
County |
Applicants |
Scheme |
|
CARLOW |
78 |
BEEP-S |
|
CAVAN |
628 |
BEEP-S |
|
CLARE |
848 |
BEEP-S |
|
CORK |
689 |
BEEP-S |
|
DONEGAL |
935 |
BEEP-S |
|
DUBLIN |
17 |
BEEP-S |
|
GALWAY |
1258 |
BEEP-S |
|
KERRY |
603 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILDARE |
67 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILKENNY |
116 |
BEEP-S |
|
LAOIS |
142 |
BEEP-S |
|
LEITRIM |
703 |
BEEP-S |
|
LIMERICK |
270 |
BEEP-S |
|
LONGFORD |
367 |
BEEP-S |
|
LOUTH |
66 |
BEEP-S |
|
MAYO |
1475 |
BEEP-S |
|
MEATH |
167 |
BEEP-S |
|
MONAGHAN |
450 |
BEEP-S |
|
OFFALY |
145 |
BEEP-S |
|
ROSCOMMON |
771 |
BEEP-S |
|
SLIGO |
630 |
BEEP-S |
|
TIPPERARY |
238 |
BEEP-S |
|
WATERFORD |
64 |
BEEP-S |
|
WESTMEATH |
234 |
BEEP-S |
|
WEXFORD |
148 |
BEEP-S |
|
WICKLOW |
105 |
BEEP-S |
|
16 to 30 pairs |
||
|
County |
Applicants |
Scheme |
|
CARLOW |
116 |
BEEP-S |
|
CAVAN |
438 |
BEEP-S |
|
CLARE |
795 |
BEEP-S |
|
CORK |
644 |
BEEP-S |
|
DONEGAL |
325 |
BEEP-S |
|
DUBLIN |
18 |
BEEP-S |
|
GALWAY |
1052 |
BEEP-S |
|
KERRY |
405 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILDARE |
103 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILKENNY |
179 |
BEEP-S |
|
LAOIS |
199 |
BEEP-S |
|
LEITRIM |
259 |
BEEP-S |
|
LIMERICK |
251 |
BEEP-S |
|
LONGFORD |
268 |
BEEP-S |
|
LOUTH |
57 |
BEEP-S |
|
MAYO |
759 |
BEEP-S |
|
MEATH |
196 |
BEEP-S |
|
MONAGHAN |
304 |
BEEP-S |
|
OFFALY |
203 |
BEEP-S |
|
ROSCOMMON |
574 |
BEEP-S |
|
SLIGO |
321 |
BEEP-S |
|
TIPPERARY |
392 |
BEEP-S |
|
WATERFORD |
95 |
BEEP-S |
|
WESTMEATH |
279 |
BEEP-S |
|
WEXFORD |
191 |
BEEP-S |
|
WICKLOW |
119 |
BEEP-S |
|
Greater than 30 pairs |
||
|
County |
Applicants |
Scheme |
|
CARLOW |
102 |
BEEP-S |
|
CAVAN |
178 |
BEEP-S |
|
CLARE |
369 |
BEEP-S |
|
CORK |
324 |
BEEP-S |
|
DONEGAL |
104 |
BEEP-S |
|
DUBLIN |
14 |
BEEP-S |
|
GALWAY |
437 |
BEEP-S |
|
KERRY |
151 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILDARE |
82 |
BEEP-S |
|
KILKENNY |
217 |
BEEP-S |
|
LAOIS |
203 |
BEEP-S |
|
LEITRIM |
55 |
BEEP-S |
|
LIMERICK |
149 |
BEEP-S |
|
LONGFORD |
110 |
BEEP-S |
|
LOUTH |
51 |
BEEP-S |
|
MAYO |
189 |
BEEP-S |
|
MEATH |
190 |
BEEP-S |
|
MONAGHAN |
97 |
BEEP-S |
|
OFFALY |
155 |
BEEP-S |
|
ROSCOMMON |
210 |
BEEP-S |
|
SLIGO |
76 |
BEEP-S |
|
TIPPERARY |
295 |
BEEP-S |
|
WATERFORD |
117 |
BEEP-S |
|
WESTMEATH |
221 |
BEEP-S |
|
WEXFORD |
182 |
BEEP-S |
|
WICKLOW |
120 |
BEEP-S |
462. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise the number of BEEP herds, by number of cows in each, ranging from one to 100 cows, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32498/23]
View answerThe objective of Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler (BEEP-S) is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd though improvement in the quantity and quality of performance data that is collected. This is done through the enhancement of the national herd dataset for genetic evaluations, with a view to supporting the adoption of best practice and more informed decision making at farm level.
BEEP - S targets the weaning efficiency of suckler cows and calves through the collection of the live weights of cows and progeny in the herd of each participant; improving the welfare of suckler calves at the time of weaning through vaccination and meal feeding; and controlling liver fluke in adult suckler cows.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below:
|
NUMBER OF COWS |
NUMBER OF HERDS |
|
1 |
134 |
|
2 |
231 |
|
3 |
354 |
|
4 |
533 |
|
5 |
642 |
|
6 |
776 |
|
7 |
864 |
|
8 |
903 |
|
9 |
914 |
|
10 |
997 |
|
11 |
988 |
|
12 |
1016 |
|
13 |
970 |
|
14 |
931 |
|
15 |
921 |
|
16 |
839 |
|
17 |
816 |
|
18 |
769 |
|
19 |
802 |
|
20 |
720 |
|
21 |
647 |
|
22 |
552 |
|
23 |
537 |
|
24 |
489 |
|
25 |
501 |
|
26 |
411 |
|
27 |
396 |
|
28 |
372 |
|
29 |
323 |
|
30 |
345 |
|
31 |
286 |
|
32 |
281 |
|
33 |
280 |
|
34 |
237 |
|
35 |
212 |
|
36 |
222 |
|
37 |
161 |
|
38 |
174 |
|
39 |
158 |
|
40 |
164 |
|
41 |
141 |
|
42 |
117 |
|
43 |
128 |
|
44 |
123 |
|
45 |
95 |
|
46 |
100 |
|
47 |
82 |
|
48 |
102 |
|
49 |
66 |
|
50 |
62 |
|
51 |
62 |
|
52 |
53 |
|
53 |
69 |
|
54 |
70 |
|
55 |
55 |
|
56 |
48 |
|
57 |
45 |
|
58 |
45 |
|
59 |
38 |
|
60 |
43 |
|
61 |
38 |
|
62 |
33 |
|
63 |
25 |
|
64 |
31 |
|
65 |
29 |
|
66 |
33 |
|
67 |
22 |
|
68 |
20 |
|
69 |
21 |
|
70 |
27 |
|
71 |
21 |
|
72 |
25 |
|
73 |
13 |
|
74 |
15 |
|
75 |
12 |
|
76 |
16 |
|
77 |
21 |
|
78 |
9 |
|
79 |
19 |
|
80 |
10 |
|
81 |
10 |
|
82 |
9 |
|
83 |
6 |
|
84 |
8 |
|
85 |
7 |
|
86 |
2 |
|
87 |
14 |
|
88 |
9 |
|
89 |
6 |
|
90 |
10 |
|
91 |
9 |
|
92 |
5 |
|
93 |
7 |
|
94 |
6 |
|
95 |
6 |
|
96 |
9 |
|
97 |
4 |
|
98 |
5 |
|
99 |
5 |
|
100 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
23996 |
463. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the meetings held by his departmental officials from assistant principal level upwards with representatives of the food industry in relation to the issue of infant nutrition in Ireland from June 2022 to date, including the issue of infant formula; the dates, attendees and the matters that were discussed at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32501/23]
View answerMy Department’s dairy inspectorate carries out frequent risk-based official controls at Infant Formula establishments involved in the manufacture and packing of Infant Formulae and Follow-on formulae which are intended for placing on the market in EU Member States or for export to non-EU countries. Controls are carried out to verify that infant formula composition and labelling is compliant with the requirements of EU and National legislation. In addition, comprehensive sampling programmes implemented by my Department’s officials at infant formula establishments ensure that these products meet the various microbiological and contaminant criteria outlined in legislation.
These control programmes are subject to external audit and are regularly scrutinised by other authorities, including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, EU authorities and non-EU competent authorities. My Department’s official controls are carried out to ensure compliance by the industry with their regulatory requirements, and in particular labelling requirements which support breastfeeding. Further details of these mandatory requirements can be found on the FSAI website at www.fsai.ie/enforcement-and-legislation/legislation/food-legislation/foods-for-particular-nutritional-uses/infant-formulae-and-follow-on-formulae
In the context of official controls and regulatory requirements, officials at Assistant Principal level and upwards have meetings with food business operators under the regulatory control of my Department on an on-going basis.
464. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the horticultural exceptional payment scheme (HEPS) will be opened for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32590/23]
View answerThe Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) was a support measure introduced in 2022 with a budget of €2.8 million. The Scheme was launched as part of a package of support measures announced by the EU Commission providing for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in the agricultural sectors.
HEPS provided a once-off payment to growers in those horticulture sub-sectors most affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The subsectors at most risk and included under the Scheme included commercial growers in the glasshouse high-wire crops, field vegetable, mushroom and apple sectors.
My Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of measures. The National Exchequer funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector has an increased budget of €10 million and is currently open for applications. The 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Energy Efficiency, Automation and Processing for Commercial Mushroom Producers and the 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for Commercial Non-Primary Producers in the Mushroom Sector and for Peat Replacement by Commercial Mushroom Producers are two Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funded schemes which are currently open for applications with a total budget of €5 million. The BAR funded 2023 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and Chipping Potato Sector has a budget of €1.5 million to help develop these sectors. The EU funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables delivered €4.2 million in aid for the industry in 2022. Similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
To address some of the challenges being faced across the horticulture sectors, the recently published National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 identified eight Key Strategic Actions the implementation of which aim to support the long term viability of the horticulture industry.
My Department continues to engage with the sector in relation to current challenges.
465. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications to the horticultural exceptional payment scheme (HEPS) in 2022; the number of successful applications and the number refused; the average payment made under HEPS in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32591/23]
View answerThe Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) was a support measure introduced in 2022 with a budget of €2.8 million. The Scheme was launched as part of a package of support measures announced by the EU Commission providing for exceptional adjustment aid to producers in the agricultural sectors.
HEPS provided a once-off payment to growers in those horticulture sub-sectors most affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The subsectors at most risk and included under the Scheme included commercial growers in the glasshouse high-wire crops, field vegetable, mushroom and apple sectors.
A total of 149 applications were received under the Horticultural Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS) in 2022. 134 applicants received payment under the Scheme with the remaining 15 being deemed ineligible for payment for varying reasons. Payments to growers in the sectors of high-wire crops, field vegetables and apples were made on an area basis (per hectare) for crops grown in 2022. For mushrooms, payments were calculated on the level of mushrooms sold and were based on the quantity (weight in kilograms) of mushrooms sold over the period from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2022.
The average payment on a per sector basis is outlined in the table below.
|
Sector |
Average Payment |
|
Glasshouse/Highwire |
€82,910 |
|
Field Vegetables |
€11,417 |
|
Apples |
€11,325 |
|
Mushrooms |
€31,299 |
466. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is developing value-enhancing alternative market avenues in the context of live exports and animal welfare, as per the Programme for Government commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32592/23]
View answerFood production and export is a major component of the Irish economy and the development and enhancement of new international markets for agrifood products remains an important part of the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with approximately 90% of the food produced in Ireland being exported.
Chief amongst this has been the Irish meat sector which has continued to access and develop market opportunities in both European and international markets. Diversifying and developing markets for beef, sheep meat, pig meat and poultry meat will continue to be a priority for me and the Government.
The resumption of beef exports to China earlier this year was an important development for the beef industry and my Department, in conjunction with our Embassy network remains in ongoing negotiations in a number of priority international markets in order to further access opportunities for Irish meat and meat products.
I have led trade missions to New Zealand and China in the first half of this year and hope to visit South East Asia later in 2023. In addition, I and Department officials have hosted visits at Ministerial and technical levels with a view to pursuing value-enhancing market opportunities for the agrifood sector.
These high-level political engagements are very important in fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to pursue value-enhancing market avenues, in the context of live exports and animal welfare.
467. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline what training the human resources disability officer in his Department has undertaken and is scheduled to undertake in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32635/23]
View answerMy Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides support, advice and guidance to staff and managers in ensuring staff with a disability have equal opportunities throughout their career in my Department. The Disability Liaison Officer also facilitates reasonable accommodations as appropriate for employees with disabilities.
The DLO has undertaken Disability Awareness Training provided by Ability Focus. Over the years, the DLO has attended numerous and varied seminars, information sessions and webinars organised by, for instance, the National Disability Authority, AHEAD (www.ahead.ie) and the Irish Human Rights Equality Commission in the area of establishing inclusive environments in employment for people with disabilities.
The DLO is a member of Civil Service DLO Network and attends the Network meetings, which are held quarterly. These meetings regularly feature presentations and talks from various organisations that advocate for and support people with different disabilities, for example, Autism, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia and
Mental Health issues. The Network also invites individuals to speak about their experiences of living with a disability. The DLO Network is also an excellent forum by which the DLO can discuss particular issues that arise outside of the formal meetings and learn from the experience of other DLOs across the Civil Service.
The DLO will continue to attend relevant seminars and networks to remain up-to-date with the latest learning to ensure the best service is offered to potential and current employees in my Department.
468. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if accrued carbon credits will remain with the respective farmer or forestry owner under the new forestry programme; if consideration has been given to how carbon credits will be added to contracts which were signed prior to the new forestry programme and how that will operate; if he will outline his engagement with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications on carbon credits within the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32797/23]
View answerIreland is obliged to report and account for all greenhouse gases in Ireland under our international obligations and this includes sequestration and emissions from forestry. This does not imply ownership but simply reflects the requirement for those reductions and emissions to be included in the State’s climate inventory. There is no such similar mandatory accounting framework for farmers or other private individuals. Forest owners and organisations can pursue voluntary initiatives in the trading of carbon and other corporate social responsibility mechanisms.
In November 2022, the European Commission proposed a new regulation to develop a framework for certifying carbon removals, which aims to offer incentives to farmers to upscale carbon farming within the EU. This initiative may be adopted by Member States on a voluntary basis.
The European Commission has set up an Expert Group to provide technical advice on the preparation of certification methodologies for carbon removals. These methodologies will set out how land-owners will be rewarded for removing carbon through their management activities. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) are representing Ireland on this Expert Group. My Department is monitoring developments at an EU level and engaging with DECC to develop Ireland’s position on any amendments to the framework proposed.
469. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the outstanding issue of delayed payments to the basic income support for sustainability and areas of natural constraints schemes; what progress his Department has made in ensuring these payments are made on time, given how critical the timely payment of these supports are to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32798/23]
View answerThe new CAP 2023-2027 has commenced this year and payments will issue in the fourth quarter of the year across a very broad range of schemes. With this being the first year of the new CAP Strategic Plan, a whole range of new schemes are being introduced along with substantial changes to existing schemes, over a relatively short time period.
I am fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. I know first hand the critical importance of these payments to all farmers. This commitment to farmers is evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes.
Almost €1.8bn will be paid to farmers across the country for 2023 schemes. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers expediently and in line with the legal requirements of relevant attendant EU Regulation, and will continue to do so.
Again, I am committed to ensuring the quickest possible issuing of payments to all our farmers.
470. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the details discussed on a programme (details supplied) on 23 May 2023 regarding the lack of services available to those with autism and their families; if he will make funding and resources available to these families who need support including supported living; and if he will outline the actions his Department is taking to provide the resolutions needed. [32414/23]
View answerAs the TD's query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
471. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date upon which a primary care autism assessment team will be operational in the Cashel area of County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32482/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
