Tuesday, 25 Jul 2023

Written Answers Nos. 923-937

State Bodies

Questions (923)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

923. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the board vacancies in organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36217/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are currently three vacancies on the Foras na Mara/ Marine Institute board and no vacancies on the board of Bord Iascaigh Mhara. 

All appointments to the State Bodies falling under my remit, are made both in accordance with the Code of Governance for State Bodies and the relevant parent legislation governing each of the State Bodies. All relevant vacancies are advertised on the State Boards website and administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Some positions, such as a workers' representative, are reserved for a representative of a stakeholder group and these would not be advertised or processed through PAS. 

Aquaculture Industry

Questions (924)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

924. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36258/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department considers applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997, the Foreshore Act 1933(as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation.  The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application, including issues identified during the statutory and public consultation phase.  Every effort is being made to expedite determinations in respect of these applications having regard to the complexities involved.

As this licence application is under active consideration as part of a statutory process, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the matter at this time.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (925)

Carol Nolan

Question:

925. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address concerns that the introduction of the residential zoned land tax will have an adverse impact on farmers in terms of their ability to retain land for agricultural use; the discussions he has had with relevant Cabinet colleagues on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36300/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Taxation policy is the primary responsibility of the Minister for Finance. With regard to the introduction of Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), I have discussed with my colleague the Minister for Finnance the concerns expressed by farmers and their representative bodies on this issue.

The RZLT was introduced in Finance Act 2021 and was designed to prompt residential development by landowners of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced.  

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on the RZLT in June 2022, which provided guidance on identifying the land which is in scope for the tax.

The tax applies to land that is:

• zoned suitable for residential development whether it be solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses, including residential use, and

• serviced (that is: reasonable to consider may have access, or be connected, to public infrastructure and facilities, including roads and footpaths, public lighting, foul sewer drainage, surface water drainage and water supply, necessary for dwellings to be developed and with sufficient service capacity available for such development).

Draft maps were published on 1 November 2022. Where land was identified on a draft map, there was the opportunity for a landowner to make a submission to the local authority regarding the land, setting out why they believe the land does not meet the criteria for inclusion. Several exclusions are set out in the legislation, and owners of permanently occupied residential properties included in residential zonings on the map are not liable for RZLT.

It is acknowledged that this will impact landowners who may be using the land for non-residential use such as farming. However, the land may still be zoned residential as it has been subject to investment by the local authority and the State to enable housing development to accommodate constant supply in the most suitable locations.

In identifying in-scope lands for the tax, local authorities first look at the zonings contained in their development plan. The plan identifies expected population growth to be accommodated over a six-year period. The local authority subsequently determined the level of land in hectares required to provide housing for the expected population increase, adjusting accordingly.

It is important to note that landowners were afforded the opportunity to make submissions to their local authority and to request a change to the zoning of their land. The deadline for submission was 1 January 2023. Decisions on whether to amend zonings because of submissions were a matter for the relevant local authority only and they provided landowners with a written determination on whether the land should stay on the map or be removed from it on or before 1 April 2023. If the landowner disagreed with the determination, they could appeal to An Bord Pleanála on or before 1 May 2023.

Supplemental zoned land maps, identifying additional zoned and serviced land identified at draft maps stage, were prepared, and published by local authorities by 1 May 2023. Submissions to local authorities could be made up to 1 June 2023.

Agricultural land which is zoned solely or primarily for residential use meets the criteria set out within the legislation and therefore falls within the scope of the tax. These zonings are considered to reflect the housing need set out within the core strategy for the relevant local authority area and landowners within such zonings may fall within the scope of the tax, in the interests of ensuring an appropriate supply of housing on zoned lands.

I will continue to engage on these issues with the Minister for Finance.

Question No. 926 answered with Question No. 910.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (927)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

927. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 5 July 2023, if he will seek the financial information under headings, (details supplied), in tabular form.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36355/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

With reference to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 5 July 2023 and additional information sought by the Deputy, the details requested 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.

Question No. 928 answered with Question No. 904.

Coillte Teoranta

Questions (929)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

929. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the pension rights of a person (details supplied) will be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36367/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As the Deputy may be aware Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and as such is operationally independent from from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. 

I have referred the matter, which pertains to a former employee, to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.

Any pension increases granted are at the discretion of Coillte and are subject to the approval of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.  

A request for such consent is being considered at present.

Question No. 930 answered with Question No. 904.

Forestry Sector

Questions (931)

Colm Burke

Question:

931. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what steps his Department is taking to promote agroforestry and its integration into agricultural practices for sustainable land use through the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which is due to commence in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36377/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agroforestry is recognised as a land use option that is positive for animal welfare, improves biodiversity, can off-set emissions, and can prevent nutrient runoff when planted in strategic locations. In addition, it is possible to grow quality timber with little impact on existing agricultural production.  

Therefore, the new Forestry Programme has been designed to reflect the positive role farmers  who use  Agroforestry systems can play in reaching our sustainable land use and afforestation goals. 

The proposed Afforestation Scheme under the next Forestry Programme offers increased grants and premiums for Agroforestry at €8,555 per ha for the establishment grant and €975 per ha annual premium for 10 years. Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015 and the measure mainly targeted silvopastoral systems which combine forestry and pasture, including grazing and the growing of fodder. It is proposed to expand this in the next Forestry Programme with pilot schemes for silvoarable and forest gardening systems.

This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income and also to help diversify farm income streams alongside helping to meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives. My Department has developed the Scheme so that land parcels declared as Agroforestry on a BISS application will qualify for an Organic Farming Scheme payment at the drystock rate. This allows a farmer to claim an Agroforestry Premium, Organic Farming Scheme payment and BISS on their land.

We plan to engage in a comprehensive promotional campaign for the new forestry programme, including the promotion of agroforestry. This will include a national advertising campaign, local radio campaign, direct messaging to farmers, promotional activities in conjunction with Teagasc, other stakeholders events, a major focus on forestry at the National Ploughing Competition and a call for proposals concentrating on promotion of the programme.

Forestry Sector

Questions (932, 933)

Colm Burke

Question:

932. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what measures will be implemented by his Department to promote sustainable forestry practices and minimize the environmental impact of the forestry industry in Ireland through the Forestry Programme 2023-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36378/23]

Colm Burke

Question:

933. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an overview of the funding specifically allocated to forest conservation and management programmes in Ireland; how these funds are utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36379/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 932 and 933 together.

The new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 which is currently being assessed for State Aid approval will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. My Department intends to offer attractive supports through the Programme to forest owners to assist them in the creation, management and conservation of their forests. Over €90 million has been budgeted for support measures relating to management and conservation of forests between 2023-2027 including for the development of skills that allow owners and their foresters to sustainably manage their forests.

 These proposed measures include but are not limited to:

The Woodland Improvement: Continuous Cover Forestry Scheme which supports the conversion of forests to Continuous Cover Forestry, an alternative forest management approach where the forest canopy is maintained at one or more levels without clearfelling

The Woodland Improvement Thinning and Tending Scheme for broadleaves aims to improve the quality and value of retained trees by removing poorer quality stems and redirecting growth onto better quality ones.

A new iPLAN scheme for Forest Management Plans which will promote more active forest management resulting in forests that have greater capacity to deliver eco-system services, climate resilience, roundwood value and forest health vitality than those that are not subject to forest management planning practices.

Forestry Knowledge Transfer roups (KTGs) whose aim is to increase the level of forest management activity amongst participating forest owners. The target group are those forest owners that require additional knowledge to help them undertake one or more management activities in their forests. KTGs provide the mechanism for gaining this expertise and empower them to manage their own forest over its rotation.

Climate Resilient Reforestation Scheme will offer supports to forest owners at reforestation that incentivise species diversity and structural diversity.

The Native Forest Conservation Scheme aims to conserve existing native woodland and help to convert conifer stands to native woodland at key locations.

The sustainable management of our existing forests has the potential to make an effective contribution to climate change mitigation and resilience. I am confident that the proposed supports that my Department intends to offer will encourage forest owners to adopt optimum forest management and conservation practices.

Question No. 933 answered with Question No. 932.

Animal Welfare

Questions (934)

Holly Cairns

Question:

934. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will consider the introduction of an anonymous portal for the reporting of animal welfare concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36397/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department continues to operate a confidential animal welfare helpline and email through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect.

These reports and complaints are made on a strictly confidential basis. No data on complainants can be accessed outside my Department. This system has operated very successfully, with 1,251 complaints dealt with in 2022. 

All case of alleged neglect or cruelty are investigated and appropriate actions, up to and including prosecution, may be taken.

The e-mail address and Helpline number for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches are as follows:

Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379 or at [e-mail].

Question No. 935 answered with Question No. 917.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (936)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

936. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has received the 2022 Annual Report from Horse Racing Ireland; and when same will be published online. [36517/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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.

Section 13 of the Horse and Greyhound  Racing Act 2001 requires the annual financial statements of HRI to be audited by Comptroller and Auditor General  (C&AG). HRI submits its annual report together with its audited financial statements to my Department.  

The C&AG audit of HRI’s 2022 financial statements is ongoing.   When this process is complete HRI will submit its 2022 annual report together with the audited financial statements for that year to my Department. On the completion of the consideration of the report and statements by my Department, the documents will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and will be publicly available.  

Departmental Policies

Questions (937)

Bríd Smith

Question:

937. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how he intends to interpret the text of Amendment 74 as adopted by the European Parliament on 12 July 2023 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on nature restoration; if Amendment 74’s references to making the best use of market-based instruments and green budgeting tools will result in the approval of further sitka spruce plantations and the granting of further dairy subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36531/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The amendments accepted in the Parliament plenary vote on the 12th July reflect the Parliament's position on the proposed Nature Restoration Regulation in advance of trilogue negotiations amongst the EU institutions.

It remains to be seen whether Amendment 74 or any other amendment is integrated into the final adopted legal text for the Regulation. As such it is premature to provide an interpretation of this or any other such amendments at this point.