Written Answers Nos. 1281-1300
1281. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policy of his Department to ensure that Irish based businesses and SMEs, in particular, are not prevented from tendering for Government and State business; the measures that he has put in place to ensure that Irish businesses are supported in tendering for Government or State business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37889/23]
View answerEU and national rules promote a transparent, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. My Department has a dedicated Procurement Unit that provides advice and support to staff procuring goods and services to assist them in meeting their various procurement obligations, including those aimed at encouraging SME participation.
My Department ensures that there is an appropriate focus on good practice in procurement and that procedures are in place to ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation.
Furthermore, as part of the Public Service Reform Plan, the Government established the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) to drive a new consolidated and integrated approach to public procurement. In the context of its ongoing commitment to ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are fully engaged with public procurement and the opportunities presenting, the OGP has undertaken a review of Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 10/2014.
Earlier this year, Circular 05/2023 replaced Circular 10/2014 and has introduced initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement. It is designed to further enable SMEs in competing for public contracts and applies to all public sector bodies.
1282. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason woodland on a farm is not recognised in the new acres scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37912/23]
View answerThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is an agri-environment climate measure under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. ACRES is designed to deliver significant long term environmental improvement through the participation by a significant number of farmers on the most appropriate land.
To be eligible to participate in ACRES, an applicant must be an ‘active farmer’ in accordance with the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme who, if approved into ACRES, commits to delivering certain actions which go beyond conditionality.
As stated in Section 8.12 of the ACRES Terms and Conditions, “Except for Barn Owl boxes, the parcel selected on which a General Action is to be delivered must have an MEA/eligible hectare greater than zero in year of application”. An ‘MEA’ is the maximum area within a digitised parcel that can be claimed under BISS, with an ‘Eligible Hectare’ being an agricultural area with an agricultural activity and land that is at the farmer’s disposal.
While an eligible hectare is firstly an agricultural area that is used for an agricultural activity, it can also contain other areas. Beneficial Features may occupy up to 50% of the reference parcel. These features can be scattered throughout the reference parcel or can be confined to a particular area within the parcel. However, beneficial features will be deemed part of the eligible hectare once they are less than 50% of the reference parcel area minus deductions for any artificial features and water bodies. Woodland is one of the main beneficial features.
The location of the action undertaken as part of the ACRES contract must comply with the requirements and specifications for that action. If a parcel is declared as Woodland on an applicant’s BISS and the MEA of that parcel was equal to zero then the only ACRES action payable on that parcel in ACRES is Barn Owl Box.
It should be noted that if an applicant for Tranche 1 of ACRES was a participant in the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme or GPC 11 (Agro-forestry) by the closing date for applications for that Tranche, they were eligible for Tier 2 priority entry to the General scheme.
The Terms and Conditions and Specifications for Tranche 2 of ACRES will be made available in advance of its opening for applications later this year.
1283. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding the suckler carbon efficiency programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37916/23]
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.
As stated in the Terms and Conditions of the programme, “New Entrants to suckler farming” shall mean an applicant that commenced suckler farming in 2021, i.e. calved and registered an eligible calf for the first time since 1st January 2021. The person named applied for SCEP on 19 April 2023 and was considered a new entrant as she only commenced suckler farming in March 2021.
As part of the online application process on agfood.ie applicants and/or their FAS advisors were clearly advised to set their Programme Reference Number to reflect the number of eligible suckler cows that they know/estimate will produce an eligible calf on the holding in Scheme Year 1, which runs from 1st July 2022 – 30th June 2023.
A programme reference number of 51 was declared on the application, indicating that the applicant expected to have 51 eligible suckler cows calving down and producing an eligible suckler calf before 30 June 2023.
In late July 2023, my Department commenced validating the actual number of eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf in all SCEP herds categorised as "new entrants".
In this case, the Programme Reference Number was reduced from 51 to 27 reflecting the verification checks my Department carried out. This verification process identified that in this specific case, the number of eligible suckler cows that produced an eligible calf on the holding between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 was 27. The herdowner concerned was issued a letter at this stage confirming that her reference number was 27.
Genomic tags were issued on the basis of 70% of the applied for reference number of 51 i.e. 35. As the actual reference number is 27, the requirement for genomic tags is amended to 18 i.e. 70% of 27. The person named will be liable for the cost of 18 genomic tags only.
1286. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application by a person (details supplied) under the national liming programme 2023 will be decided upon; when successful farmers will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37987/23]
View answerAll eligible applicants have been sent their approval letters for the Liming Programme 2023.
My Department's records indicate that the person named should have received an approval letter. Attempts to contact the person to confirm receipt of the letter have been unsuccessful, but the individual can contact my Officials in my Department if they have any queries.
Payments will be made later in the year, when administrative checks have been completed. The deadline for receipt of claims for payment under the Programme is the 31st of October 2023.
1287. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm receipt of correspondence from a team (details supplied); the way the team can avail of Government funding to send two teams to the Culinary Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I am in receipt of correspondence from the named party and the request for support was examined.
While the achievement of the Irish team in reaching the Culinary Olympics is laudable, the matter of provision of funds from my Department for this international culinary arts competition is outside the scope of my remit.
It is a wonderful achievement by the Young Chefs of Ireland Culinary Team to have won the World Cup Bronze Award and to qualify to compete in the Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2024. I wish them every success.
1288. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to move away from large-scale monoculture of fast-growing species such as sitka spruce towards mixed, diverse forestry, with a wider range of forest types such as short rotation, longer rotations, agroforestry and semi-wild; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38050/23]
View answerIreland has now, for the first time, a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests until 2050. The Vision is informed by extensive consultation with the public and with stakeholders, and has in turn informed the development of a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland, which I was delighted to publish last week.
The Strategy is an ambitious one, and acknowledges the wishes of those consulted to see more diverse types of forests established. It will result in a more heavily forested country with multi-functional and diverse forests delivering multiple benefits for climate, nature, wood production, people, communities, the economy and rural development.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will be the primary means through which the Vision and the Strategy are delivered in the short term, with a funding commitment of €1.3 billion.
Under the Programme, the Afforestation Scheme 2023-2027, which opened on 6th September, will offer landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options. The annual broadleaf target has also increased from 30% to 50% of total annual planting. This is reflected in a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of a native forest, as well as five additional years of premiums for farmers across most Forest Types.
A 20% broadleaf species component is now mandatory for all mixed forest types, including Sitka spruce, thus supporting increased biodiversity and habitat linkages. Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) is also now being mainstreamed and offered as a Forest Type, meaning that landowners who decide to plant can establish forests in accordance with CCF principles.
Agroforestry was first introduced to Ireland’s forestry support schemes in 2015, and the new Afforestation Scheme will increase the period for premiums from five to 10 years. To date support has targeted the establishment of 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.
Emergent Forest is a further new Forest Type offered under the Afforestation Scheme. This will support the retention and appropriate management of suitable areas of ‘scrub’, which represent an important biodiversity feature within the landscape, with the potential for delivering many ecosystem services.
I am confident that the diverse range of forest types, coupled with attractive grants and premiums, will support landowners to plant trees in a manner that will provide lasting climate, biodiversity, wood production, employment and wider societal benefits.
1289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if will consider an emergency support package for the tillage sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38061/23]
View answerI am acutely aware and appreciate the many challenges that tillage farmers have experienced this year. It is because of these challenges that I established the Food Vision Tillage Group which held its first meeting in May of this year. The Tillage Group is made up of a wide range of stakeholders from across the industry and is tasked with setting out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector. I will consider their recommendations when they are forwarded to me in due course.
The tillage sector is dynamic, sustainable and world-class and I want to see it grow and flourish in the years ahead. In recent years, I have introduced several proactive and innovative measures to support it. The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) has paid €19.5m to tillage farmers since it was launched as a pilot in 2021 and I have committed to pay a further €16.2m for SIM this year. The Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) launched in response to the invasion of Ukraine has resulted in payment of €10.9m to scheme applicants in 2022. The Tillage incentive Scheme is continuing this year.
In the new CAP Strategic Plan, I secured an increase in the annual budget of the Protein Aid Scheme from €3m to €7m. The successful addition of the Straw Incorporation Measure and the Protein Aid Scheme in the CSP results in a total budget of €85M for tillage between 2023 and 2027. Our new Agri-Environmental Scheme (ACRES) includes a broad range of actions that are relevant to tillage farmers while the new Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under TAMS contains a broader range of investments and a higher investment ceiling of €90,000.
The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry, and its importance is recognised in the Food Vision 2030 strategy and in the Climate Action Plan. I want to put this industry on a firm footing going into the future and I assure the Deputy that I will continue to support the industry to deliver on its potential.
1290. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the necessary funding to purchase additional food detection dogs to be deployed at airports, ports, etc., as currently there is only one food detection dog nationwide. [38081/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continuously reviews its various arrangements regarding import control checks, of which the use of food detector dogs is only one part. Extensive manual checks and scanning equipment are also used at ports and airports to monitor for illegal imports of food products.
1291. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that attended each day of the recent Galway horse racing festival; and if he will provide the same figures for 2022, in tabular form. [38082/23]
View answerHorse 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.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1292. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the plans, if any, to reform the Forestry Act 1988 and the remit of Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38125/23]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to address Coillte's mandate and how it relates to the implementation of Government policy both as a commercial semi-state organisation and of course on our land-use and environmental priorities.
As a company, Coillte's role has evolved over time to reflect its important role in addressing the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the forestry sector and our rural economy. It was established under the 1988 Forestry Act to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate. The focus at that time was to put the estate in the charge of a company which would realise its potential and primarily support wood production. These are still important functions, but much has changed since then, both in terms of public policy and in terms of Coillte's own activities and remit.
The current Programme for Government includes commitments to embark on an ambitious programme of afforestation on state-owned lands and to ensure that Coillte’s remit supports the delivery of climate change commitments and the protection of biodiversity. These commitments were outlined to Coillte in the last Shareholder Letter of Expectation issued by Minister of State Pippa Hackett and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in June last year.
In it, the company was specifically tasked with delivering actions which would help to achieve the goals outlined in the Climate Action Plan and the National Biodiversity Strategy. It was also asked to continue to provide safe and sustainable public access to the nation's forests, and to invest in the creation of further recreational areas in support of local communities and tourism. The letter also highlighted the need for Coillte to be viable, and to supply wood products to grow the bio-economy.
This letter is published on my Department's website so that all interested stakeholders are aware of its contents and so that the mandate outlined is transparent to all.
Coillte has responded to this in its new Strategic Vision. In this Vision, it has indicated that its afforestation ambition is to enable the creation of 100,000 hectares of new forests by 2050, providing a carbon sink of 18 million tonnes of CO2.
Coillte will also manage the existing forest estate to capture an additional 10 million tonnes of CO2 by 2050. The intention is to increase the area of forest being managed primarily for nature from 20% to 50% in the long term, by enhancing and restoring biodiversity and planting new forests, half of which will be native woodlands.
Coillte now has a division, Coillte Nature, solely devoted to managing the delivery of nature and biodiversity initiatives within Coillte forests. These initiatives include planting native woodlands, restoring important biodiversity areas, regenerating urban forests for the benefit of people and nature, and rehabilitating ecosystem services on sensitive lands, such as peatlands. Today 90,000 hectares of the forest estate is managed primarily for biodiversity.
I believe that the current legislation governing the mandate of Coillte together with Government policy, along with Coillte's own Strategic Vision, ensures that climate actions and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity are integral to its role and operation. I therefore have no plans to reform the Forestry Act 1988 and the remit of Coillte.
Our collective focus should now be on the achievement of these targets and I will continue to work intensively with Coillte on their achievement.
1293. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline, following EU approval for the afforestation scheme, when the scheme will be open for new applicants to apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38129/23]
View answer1307. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the element of the proposed forestry programme that remains subject to European Commission-approval; the timeline expected to complete the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38470/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1293 and 1307 together.
My Department has now received State Aid approval for all the Schemes and measures proposed in the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. In addition, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes relating to the Programme have concluded, and the Programme has been approved by Government.
The Afforestation Scheme opened for applications on 6th September, 2023, and I would encourage all land-owners, particularly farmers, to consider the diverse and well-funded forestry options on offer, as there is something to suit all land types and size of holding.
1294. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what funding was in place for the 2022 BISS scheme; what funding is in place for the 2023 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38148/23]
View answerThe Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), and its predecessor scheme, the Basic Payment Scheme are both fully EU funded direct payments schemes with overall funding levels specified in EU Regulations.
In 2022, the direct payments funding for Ireland was €1.186bn. This funding ceiling saw some €814m allocated to the old BPS scheme, with €355m allocated to the greening payment, with the balance of the ceiling allocated to Voluntary Coupled Support (Protein aid) and the Young Farmers Scheme.
In the period 2023-2027, the annual direct payments funding for Ireland will continue to be €1.186bn. New EU CAP regulations and their implementation through Ireland's CAP strategic plan have seen changes in the distribution of funding among schemes. The amount allocated to BISS is €728m. Some €297m is allocated to the Eco-scheme, €118m to Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS, often referred to as front loading), and the balance of the fund distributed among Coupled Income Support (Protein aid) and Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF).
1295. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for the fodder scheme 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38152/23]
View answerMy Department has examined the matter and has confirmed that no application was received from the person named in relation to the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme, either by the person himself or by an advisor acting on his behalf. The 2023 Fodder Support Scheme opened for online applications on 2 November 2022 and closed for applications on 5 December 2022.
No new applications are being accepted.
A request for Internal review of the matter can be submitted by post to: FSS Internal Review Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise Co. Laois. Alternatively, it can be emailed to fss@agriculture.gov.ie with the words “Internal Review” in the subject line.
1296. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes brought about by the Windsor Framework to the handling of SPS goods entering Irish ports from Britain and destined directly for Northern Ireland; the effect of these changes in facilitating more trade from Britain through this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38188/23]
View answerThe controls that have applied to the imports of consignments requiring Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks (live animals, animal products, regulated plants and plant products and certain foods of non-animal origin) at border control posts operated by my Department (Dublin Port, Rosslare Port, Dublin Airport and Shannon Airport) are the same regardless of whether the consignment is destined for a premises in this State or in Northern Ireland.
These controls consist of documentary, identity and physical checks. Consignments must be in compliance with the requirements of EU legislation before the consignment may be released from the border control post (BCP) for onward transport to the destination. Consignments that are not in compliance with EU rules must be rejected. Operators may choose to return rejected consignments to the non-EU country of origin or may opt to have the consignment destroyed.
Consignments arriving at ports and airports in Northern Ireland and destined for premises in the republic of Ireland, must be subjected to the same controls as apply at the BCPs operated by my Department. As applies at the BCPs operated by my Department, consignments that are not in compliance with EU regulations must be rejected and either destroyed or returned to the country of origin (GB in the case of consignments from GB).
The Windsor Framework will not bring about any changes to these rules. The Windsor Framework is designed to ease controls on consignments arriving from GB and destined for premises in Northern Ireland only. Consignments from GB requiring SPS checks, arriving at any Irish port or airport, and destined for premises in this State, will continue to be subject to the same rules that apply today. These controls also apply to consignments arriving at Irish ports and airports from other non-EU countries.
It is not anticipated that the implementation of the Windsor Framework will facilitate more trade from GB through this State. The biggest impediment to increasing trade from GB remains the fact that the UK is now outside the European Union.
1297. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify if supports exist for farmers who wish to purchase and install an anaerobic digester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38236/23]
View answerThe Anaerobic Digestion industry in Ireland has significant potential for development to benefit both the agriculture and energy sectors.
While energy policy formation, including renewable energy, is the direct responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), my Department continues to engage with DECC on all energy related matters from an agricultural perspective, including supports for the development of an Anaerobic Digestion industry.
The Micro-generation Support Scheme is one such DECC support for micro-digestors, and one of the key technologies included in this scheme is micro-combined heat and power. Micro-generation is the general term used to refer to the generation of electricity from renewable technologies, including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-wind, micro-hydro and micro-renewable combined heat and power (CHP). A payment, or Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), is available to all renewable generators that export to the grid, regardless of the energy provider with whom they have a supply contract.
My Department is engaging with DECC concerning the formation of a National Biomethane Strategy. The formation of the strategy will include careful and extensive research on scaling up the Anaerobic Digestion industry. This will assist in meeting the targets set out in the Programme for Government on sectoral emissions ceilings and the commitment to delivering up to 5.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030 under Ireland’s Climate Action Plan.
1298. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise the engagement his Department has had with other Government Departments on revitalising the Irish wool industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/23]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government I undertook a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool and wool based products and I delivered on this Programme for Government commitment with the publication of the Wool Review Report in July 2022.
The main recommendation of the Wool Review Report was that an independent Wool Council led by industry would be established. This independent Council would develop and promote Irish wool domestically and internationally and bring together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling activities in the wool sector.
The Independent Irish Grown Wool Council was officially launched on 5 April 2023. The launch was very well attended with representation from all sectors of the wool industry including primary producers, farming organisations and industry from both Ireland and Northern Ireland present on the day.
My Department does not hold a seat on the Council. Further details regarding the Irish Grown Wool Council, and any engagement they have had with other Departments as part of their work, can be obtained directly from the Council by contacting irishgrownwoolcouncil@gmail.com.
1299. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current level of biomass activity. [38269/23]
View answerBiomass covers a wide range of materials and processes, including purpose-grown energy crops, forest thinning, waste material and timber by-products. My Department supports the development of the biomass sector by providing a range of supports for the growing of biomass supply and wood mobilisation, in respect of which supports are included in the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.
Each year the Central Statistics Office carries out a number of surveys related to forest and wood removals. One of these is the Wood Input Purchases by Industry, which is based on data collected from the 2021 Wood Inputs Survey. The survey was designed to capture information on purchases of roundwood and non-roundwood forest products from forests in Ireland. As part of the survey, roundwood that is purchased to be used for energy purposes is recorded. For 2021, the roundwood for use as biomass was estimated at 622,000 cubic metres based on the latest available information from the Central Statistics Office.
1300. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the projected biomass activity by 2030. [38270/23]
View answerIn 2021, the National Council for Forest Research & Development (COFORD) produced an All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast for the period 2021-2040. The forecast predicts that the annual potential roundwood supply will increase from 4.7 million cubic metres in 2021 to 6.7 million cubic metres by 2030.
The roundwood production forecast also contains three main sources of raw material for wood energy – small roundwood, wood residues from the processing sector and harvest residues (including branches and some harvest loss material) on suitable sites. The use of post-consumer recovered wood (PCRW) is outside the scope of the report.
The forecast for Wood Fibre and its potential for wood energy in the Republic of Ireland is estimated to be 1.9 million cubic metres by 2030 - an increase from the forecast 1.5 million cubic metres in 2023.
My Department will continue to encourage policies, steps and measures to increase the use of wood and wood products in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
