Richard Bruton
Question:1301. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current amount of land being used in biomass production. [38271/23]
View answerRenewable Energy Generation
Questions (1301)
Written answers
Biomass covers a wide range of materials and processes, including purpose-grown energy crops, forest thinning, waste material and timber by-products.
Ireland's forests provide the main source of biomass. Our forest estate covers 11.6 % of the land surface and amounts to over 808,848 hectares. A significant amount of this area will produce biomass over its lifetime when forests are managed for commercial purposes. Some forests managed for amenity and biodiversity will not produce any biomass. My Department does not retain figures for exact areas of biomass production and reports timber production and its assorted products based on national projections.
The Council for Forest Research and Development (COFORD) provides estimates of forecast supply of Wood Fibre. It states that there is potential to produce wood energy from biomass in Ireland and estimates that the latter will rise to 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 biomass from thinnings where they support the sustainable management of forests.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (1302)
Paul Donnelly
Question:1302. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of external companies that provide hospitality staff and security staff at Shelbourne Park greyhound track; the amount that Rásaíocht Con Éireann have paid those companies for such staff in the years of 2022 and to-date in 2023; and when the current contract that provides for these staff is next due to expire. [38304/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rásaíocht 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.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (1303)
Martin Browne
Question:1303. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are capital funding streams available for the development of classrooms at a college (details supplied); if his Department is aware that the college has developed a strategic plan to reinforce its position as an educator in agriculture in the Midlands and as such, has compiled a 5-year strategic plan involving the proposed development of a new classroom block; if his Department is aware that the college is registered as a charity and any monies it received from Teagasc do not extend to capital projects; and if he will consider outlining the streams of funding that would be available to the college. [38355/23]
View answerWritten answers
Gurteen agricultural college is one of three privately owned colleges that deliver education courses on behalf of Teagasc. Each private college has its own governing body and is autonomous from Teagasc with respect to operational matters etc.
My Department is aware that Gurteen Agricultural College propose to build a new classroom block on the college grounds. This is a private venture by the college. My Department does not provide direct funding to the private agricultural colleges in the Teagasc network.
Significant exchequer funding is being made available annually to aid Teagasc activities across its research, advisory and education directorates. It enables Teagasc to provide financial support to the private agricultural colleges in the form of operational grants, small capital grants and subvented staff.
This funding forms a significant proportion of the funding streams of each private college, which also generate additional income from other sources, activities, and collaborations.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1304)
Alan Dillon
Question:1304. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending TAMS 3 to include grants for digger equipment for the cutting and trimming of hedges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38358/23]
View answerWritten answers
TAMS 3 is a demand led scheme with significant budgetary constraints. As a result, it is not possible to consider adding additional items such as specific investment items for the cutting and trimming of hedges to the comprehensive list of investment items already available under TAMS at this time.
However such investment items may be included for consideration when evaluating further updates to the TAMS 3 investment lists.
Animal Welfare
Questions (1305)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:1305. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the investigation launched into the alleged breaches in animal welfare regulations at cattle marts and during the live export of calves made by a recent television programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38404/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department requested the television company provide all of the footage available, and any other information it had in relation to the allegations outlined in the programme. Following receipt of this material in relation to the allegations, my Department is now investigating the matter fully and will take action, as appropriate.
I am unable to comment on individual cases which are under investigation.
Health and Safety
Questions (1306)
Carol Nolan
Question:1306. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the application of an organisation (details supplied) for a working time derogation with respect to the haulage of grain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that the Road Haulage Association has sought a temporary derogation from the Department of Transport on rules on driving times, breaks and rest periods for drivers involved in the transporting of grain this harvest. I understand that the Road Haulage Association sought the derogation on the basis that recent wet weather conditions impacted this year’s harvest and the need to transport grain to drying facilities promptly due to higher moisture contents.
My Department does not have responsibility in this area. My Department does not have any information on real time grain moisture levels across the country or the transport and logistics issues faced in moving high moisture grain.
The Road Haulage Association’s application for the temporary derogation was refused by the Department of Transport.
I understand that the Road Haulage Association subsequently appealed this decision.
I am advised that as part of the appeals process, the Department of Transport consulted widely with stakeholders to establish if there were any reports or experienced any instances this harvest where the inability to have high moisture grain transported to grain driers/storage due to insufficient grain haulier capacity, has adversely affected grain quality and compromised feed or food safety. The Department of Transport also asked stakeholders if there had been any instances of higher moisture grain not being accepted or downgraded from food / malting grade to feed grade due to delivery delays related to insufficient haulier capacity and does a shortage of grain haulier capacity combined with recent, wet weather present an urgent and exceptional risk to grain quality and food and feed safety this harvest.
I am further advised that the Department of Transport did not receive any clear evidence on foot of this question, and on this basis refused the appeal.
Question No. 1307 answered with Question No. 1293.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1308)
Martin Browne
Question:1308. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of delayed payments payable to farmers such as BISS and ANC; the reason for the delays; the date such payments will be made categorised by individual schemes; the measures that were taken to avoid such delays in anticipation of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38471/23]
View answerWritten answers
I know how crucial all payments are to our farm families and I am committed to delivering all payments associated with my Department as quickly as possible.
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.
The new CAP represents a significant evolution of the policy compared to previous iterations. It needs to be clearly understood by all stakeholders that the new CAP introduced a whole new delivery model and established several new schemes. In 2023, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is replaced by the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
While payment will still be paid based on Payment Entitlements, there are substantial changes to the BISS compared to the BPS, including very positive changes to land eligibility and a new active farmer check.
The land eligibility rules have changed from the previous CAP, to allow scheme payments on greater areas of scrub and other areas deemed beneficial for the climate and environment. The active farmer check is being introduced to ensure the person receiving the scheme payments is the person farming the land. These are all important changes, which will benefit farmers. An advance payment for BISS is expected to be paid on 24 October 2023, in line with the mid-October payment date in previous years.
In addition, the mechanisms used by my Department to check the scheme requirements for many of the schemes are also changing in 2023, especially with the mandatory introduction of the Area Monitoring System as required under EU regulations. The Area Monitoring System has many significant benefits for Irish farmers including a reduction in the number of on-farm physical inspections and the introduction of warning alerts to farmers so as to minimise the occurrence of non-compliances, allowing farmers to correct mistakes and giving farmers and advisors more time to respond to queries with no impact on their payment. I am also mindful of the substantial workload of advisors in 2023, including the ACRES scorecards, over the summer months.
It should also be noted that the closing date for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes applications (including the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme) was Monday 29 May 2023, two weeks later than previous years and thereby provided farmers and advisors more time to submit their applications before the closing date.
The timelines for all schemes, including the planned payment dates, have been set taking account of the impact of introducing a whole suite of new schemes, new applications systems, new monitoring systems, new validation and processing systems and new payment systems.
A letter issued earlier to farmers in March this year regarding the revised payment dates for 2023, and a further letter reconfirming these dates will be delivered to farmers later this week. These revisions have been made as a result of the changes brought about under the new CAP, and a detailed schedule is provided below.
I am very aware of the importance of these advance payments for farmers and In line with commitments given at meetings of the Charter of Rights for Farmers earlier this year, my Department is committed to bringing 2024 payment dates back in line with the previous programme when the technological and administrative challenges brought about by the new CAP programme have been fully addressed.
Schedule of 2023 Payment Dates
• ANC (commonly referred to as DAS or headage) Advance Payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 17 October 2023
• BISS & CRISS Advance Payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 24 October 2023
• ECO Scheme Advance Payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 31 October 2023
• Balancing Payments across all the above four schemes and the CISYF payment will commence issuing to cleared cases in December 2023
• Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) – payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 20 November 2023
• National Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme – payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 4 December 2023
• Protein Aid Scheme - payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 6 December 2023
• Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) – payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 11 December 2023
• National Beef Welfare Scheme – payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 11 December 2023
• Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) – payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 11 December 2023
• Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) - payments commence issuing to cleared cases from – 13 December 2023
Fishery Harbour Centres
Questions (1309)
Alan Kelly
Question:1309. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates to date in 2023 that he has visited each fishery harbour centre under the remit of his Department; the purpose of each visit, in tabular form; and the fishery harbour centres under the remit of his Department that he intends to visit again before the end of the year. [38478/23]
View answerWritten answers
All my visits and meetings are a matter of public record. To date I have made the following visits to the Fishery Harbour Centres:
|
Date of Visit |
Fishery Harbour Centre |
Purpose of Visit |
|
24/02/2023 |
Ros An Mhíl |
Official “Makes Ground” of the €30 million Deep Water Quay |
|
02/03/2023 |
Howth |
Official naming of the €10 million “Fishing Pier” |
|
28/04/2023 |
Killybegs |
Attendance at meetings |
I was pleased to be able to meet with stakeholders at both of these events and hear directly from harbour users and other coastal community stakeholders. Both of these are significant capital projects to allow the fishing industry to deliver and maximise the opportunities for primary and secondary processing and ensure a strong Irish seafood processing industry as reflected in the Government’s Food Vision 2030 policy.
Throughout 2023, I have met with fishing industry representatives on a regular basis including the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and the Producer Organisations in a variety of settings, allowing me the opportunity to hear industry concerns and priorities. As part of these regular, productive meetings, I have updated the fishing industry representatives on the implementation of the support schemes recommended by the Seafood Sector Task Force, and advance preparations for 2024 fishing opportunity negotiations.
Additionally, a Harbour User Forum is held annually by my Department for each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres which are accommodating an ever-increasing amount of diverse marine commercial businesses all of which complement the critical economic activity generated by our fishing industry and help to maintain the vitality of these coastal communities. At these meetings users have the opportunity to raise any issues, concerns or suggestions for the management and development of the Fishery Harbour Centres with the teams running the Fishery Harbour Centre concerned.
I have other visits planned before the end of the year, however, as these may be subject to change, I am unable to confirm any dates for my future engagements at this time.
Capital Expenditure Programme
Questions (1310)
Alan Kelly
Question:1310. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capital works projects within his Department that received EU funding in 2022 and to-date in 2023; and the amount of EU funding received per capital works project, in tabular form. [38479/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information as requested is set out, in aggregate form and for the timeframes as requested, in the table below.
|
- |
Funding Amount €M* |
No of Projects |
|
Capital Works Projects that received EU funding in 2022 |
||
|
Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme |
55.3 |
164 |
|
LEADER |
30.2 |
587 |
|
Pilot Soil Analysis Programme |
4.6 |
|
|
Traditional Farm Building Scheme |
0.6 |
|
|
Burren Program |
0.2 |
|
|
Capital Works Projects that received EU funding in 2023 (to date) |
||
|
LEADER |
2.4 |
86 |
|
Pilot Soil Analysis Programme |
0.4 |
|
|
Burren Program |
0.2 |
|
|
Traditional Farm Building Scheme |
0.05 |
*rounded to nearest 1 decimal place
The Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023 gives effect to one of the recommendations of the Seafood Sector Taskforce which I established to identify how to address the impacts of Brexit on the seafood sector. In total the Scheme has approved 164 project for funding of up to €55.3m.
Details of the funding allocated under the BALAMI Scheme is available online at the link below;
assets.gov.ie/241680/424d4a04-6c7a-455b-ae50-fedd99c17212.pdf
The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched in 2021, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. It is a multi-annual programme for rural development co-funded by the EU through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
As part of this LEADER supports projects for capital investment in rural Ireland. In 2022 and to date in 2023 there were 673 capital projects approved for funding in excess of €33.4 million.
Further details with respect to the LEADER Programme are available online at the link below
www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1311)
Seán Canney
Question:1311. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeframe for approval for applications under TAMS 3 which closed on 30 June 2023; if there are delays in the approval process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38522/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
The scheme has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received under Tranche 1 (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).
To help with the processing of the huge number of applications, I have decided that farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, may apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023.
Applications received across all of the measures in Tranche 1 are currently being processed. Once the initial processing is completed all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all TAMS 3 applications. Due to the unprecedented level of interest, it is intended that approvals will issue by scheme, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1312)
Brendan Griffin
Question:1312. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38529/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Agri-climate, Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is my Department’s flagship agri-environment scheme under the new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The Scheme will support farmers in their efforts to tackle the challenges in climate, biodiversity, and water quality. ACRES Co-operation Project (CP) introduces a “whole farm approach”, which means the entire holding is part of the scheme for its duration. All owned forage land is included in the application, and any owned or leased land may be included if it is under the herd owner’s control for the five-year contract.
Habitats identified on the holding in the first half of 2023 will be scored over the summer and early Autumn. The score achieved will dictate the payment rate for Year 1, as set out in Annex 2b of the Scheme Terms and Conditions, indicating the reduced rates for those also in the Organic Farm Scheme.
A maximum payment of €10,500 annually is available to ACRES CP participants (€7,311 for those in the General approach). Seven thousand euro is ring-fenced for results-based payments, with the additional €3,500 set aside for Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and/or Landscape Actions (LAs). Therefore, a total of €52,500 is potentially payable to a participant in ACRES Co-operation project over the five years of the Scheme.
The purpose of NPIs and LAs is to improve the quality of habitats and, accordingly, the scores achieved. My Department is, with the assistance of the Co-operation Project Teams (CP Teams), currently compiling a list of NPIs. Participants in the CP Zones will have the assistance of CP Teams, who will meet and discuss with farmers how best to use NPIs on their holding in order to ensure that they can secure the full €10,500 payment per year.
The person named was approved into ACRES earlier this year, with their letter setting out the parcels in their application, including their approval for the Conservation of Rare Breeds action.
Information and Communications Technology
Questions (1313)
Catherine Murphy
Question:1313. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of A.I., and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38560/23]
View answerWritten answers
In June 2023, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) issued guidance to all Government Departments with advice on the cyber-security aspects of the use of Generative AI. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is responsible for advising and informing Government and the public, amongst a broader set of stakeholders, regarding current threats and vulnerabilities associated with network information security.
AI is used in the following situations within my Department.
• Predicting the likelihood of TB outbreaks.
• Image analysis of crops claimed under CAP schemes.
• Image analysis for identifying species susceptible to H5N1 (Bird flu).
• Customer Segmentation analysis for developing Agri-Food policies.
• Analysis for identifying risk factors for Microbial Food Safety.
• Smart Text analysis to prevent and contain data breaches.
All current and future use of AI are subject to human review, data protection and governance considerations.
The project for ‘Predicting the likelihood of TB outbreaks’ formed part of the Future Tech Challenge coordinated by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) in partnership with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The project won services to the value of €100,000 from IBM & DPER to fund innovation in the Public Service in AI, and was therefore cost neutral to the Department.
The ‘Image Analysis’ project is associated with the Area Monitoring System (AMS) and uses some aspects of AI, namely Machine Learning and Deep Learning to classify satellite imagery as required by EU regulations to verify CAP scheme requirements. The associated costs are part of an overall AMS service contract
‘Smart Text analysis to prevent and contain data breaches’ was delivered as a Proof of Concept under an existing contract on a cost neutral basis to the Department.
All other cases listed above were delivered using a combination of Department staff and cost neutral graduate resources.
My Department has not consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1314)
Seán Canney
Question:1314. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a forest owner who fells an ash plantation that has been affected by ash dieback will have to return his forestry payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38621/23]
View answerWritten answers
In response to the impact of ash dieback on forestry plantations nation-wide, my Department offers support to owners under the Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme, details of which are found at this link on gov.ie:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/15355-reconstitution-ash-dieback-scheme-2023-2027/
If an owner does not wish to avail of the reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme and wishes instead to convert to another land use, they should submit a felling licence application along with a case for conversion. When received my Department can then examine the context of the application and engage with the applicant. In such cases, if successful, the landowner / applicant would normally have to:
a. Refund any payments received from the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme under which the forest was planted;
b. Comply with the Department’s requirements, as they currently are, regarding the afforestation of alternative lands in lieu of the lands deforested.
In addition, the application would need to be consistent with my Department's Felling and Reforestation Policy document which is linked here:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/96814/4830fc08-0227-4504-83fa-2fd90a7942f2.pdf#page=null
Departmental Funding
Questions (1315)
Niall Collins
Question:1315. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can confirm whether or not his Department ever made a submission or application for funding for a grant aid scheme for digestor farm waste units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38652/23]
View answerWritten answers
I assume the Deputy is referring here to the action in the Climate Action Plan 2023 to seek financial opportunities for capital support for the development of a Biomethane sector in Ireland. This is an action led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and is linked to the development of a National Biomethane Strategy aligned with bioeconomy development which is being co-led by this Department and DECC.
For my part, and in acknowledgement that achieving 5.7 TWh of indigenously produced biomethane will require a significant and rapid scale up for an Anaerobic Digestion industry in Ireland, l have committed that elements of the carbon tax funds allocated to this Department will support this scaling up. For example, I announced earlier this year a €3 million investment in an integrated anaerobic digestion and green biorefining demonstration initiative.
In addition, I can confirm that the Department opened the Demonstration On-Farm Waste Processing Facilities Scheme in 2006, under which four anaerobic digestors were completed and paid grant-aid. A total of €1.6m in funding was paid out to the four projects. This scheme was operated by OFI Division, with the last project being paid in 2020.
Greyhound Industry
Questions (1316)
Paul Murphy
Question:1316. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he has concerns about Greyhound Racing Ireland partnering with a company (details supplied), considering the public funding that GRI is in receipt of, and the unethical practices of the company. [38676/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rásaíocht 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.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (1317)
Paul Murphy
Question:1317. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he and other Ministers visited a farm (details supplied), considering allegations; if he will investigate these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38722/23]
View answerWritten answers
I was taking the opportunity to highlight the critical importance of keeping dogs under control to ensure the safety of sheep, lambs and indeed people. Last year the then Taoiseach asked that I coordinate across government on this issue. I established a Working Group on the Control of Dogs, which delivered a report containing a number of recommendations. This report was approved by Cabinet and has been published online. Work is now ongoing to deliver on the recommendations of the report.
I continue to emphasise the importance of responsible dog ownership, to protect people and livestock.
Anyone with any evidence or suspicion of animal welfare abuse can report this to my Department which operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and email address. In dealing with complaints, where appropriate, Department officials collaborate with An Garda Síochána, local authorities, the ISPCA and DSPCA.
The Helpline number and e-mail address for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare breaches are as follows: 01 607 2379 or animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (1318)
Paul Kehoe
Question:1318. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been made aware of the concerns of many farmers in relation to the introduction of a national fertiliser database; if an extension of the timeframe is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38723/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 was signed into law in mid-July 2023 and the provisions relating to the registration of Professional Fertiliser End Users and Fertiliser Economic Operators came into effect on 1 September. It is a requirement under the legislation, inter alia, to be registered on the Department’s National Fertiliser Database in order to sell or purchase fertiliser in Ireland.
My Department has engaged with stakeholders at all stages of the development and rollout of the National Fertiliser Database (NFD). Significant efforts have been made to ensure that registration on the NFD is a very straightforward and simple process whereby farmers, or their agents, can register using www.agfood.ie.
Whilst many farmers will not purchase fertiliser at this time of year, there has been exceptionally strong level of farmer and other Professional Fertiliser End User registrations on the National Fertiliser Database. I am extremely pleased to note that as of the 5th of September over 96,000 farmers have registered for the Database. There are no plans to extend the timeframes under the legislation.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1319)
Michael Creed
Question:1319. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm receipt of a valid application from a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the TAMS grant scheme; when notification of approval can be expected in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38725/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
An application for grant aid was submitted by the named person on 31 May 2023, and is being processed together with all other applications submitted under tranche 1 of TAMS 3.
The scheme has proved very popular, with an unprecedented level of applications received (almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2).
Once the initial processing is completed, all applications will be subject to a ranking and selection process, which is a regulatory requirement for all TAMS 3 applications.
To help with the processing of the huge number of applications, I have decided that farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, may apply for priority approval up to 15 September 2023.
Tranche 1 applications are currently undergoing eligibility checks centrally, after which applications will undergo a thorough processing check at local office level. Due to the unprecedented level of interest, it is intended that approvals will issue by scheme, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (1320)
Martin Browne
Question:1320. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new fodder support scheme will open for new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38726/23]
View answerWritten answers
Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the Deputy will be aware that on the 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) to ensure Ireland did not have any animal welfare issues over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.
Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, on the 2nd November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
The 2023 Fodder Support Scheme was a continuance of the 2022 Scheme and only successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme, which closed at midnight on the 5th of December 2022.
I will continue to monitor the situation around the price of agricultural inputs and the availability of fodder supplies throughout 2023, but at this point I have no plans to re-open the Fodder Support Scheme to new applicants.