Written Answers Nos. 463-476
463. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive payment under the fodder scheme for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42153/23]
View answerMy Department has examined the relevant records and have confirmed that, in line with the terms and conditions of the scheme, an inspection was carried out in this case as part of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme application. Following the outcome of this inspection, the applicant requested a review of the original decision made by the inspector. Payment was held pending the final decision of this review.
This process has now been completed and the applicant’s file has been finalised. Payment is scheduled to issue shortly.
466. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm that under the deer tree shelter, hare and deer fencing scheme that alder is eligible as an additional broadleaf, ADB (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42164/23]
View answerThe Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme (DTS) opened for applications from 25 September, 2023.
The scheme assists applicants to protect forests which may be susceptible to damage by deer in the vicinity. Alder, however, is not palatable for deer to eat and therefore is not susceptible to deer damage. For this reason Alder was not eligible under the previous Forestry Programme and is also ineligible to enter the DTS in this Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027.
467. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an extension to the grazing season under the ACRES scheme on geese and swan lands and breeding wader lands for one month to 1 November 2023 due to the dramatic impact of summer flooding in the Shannon and Suck Callows; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42169/23]
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 of a significant number of farmers on the most appropriate land. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration.
As many of our wintering waterbirds start utilising inland sites from October onwards, such lands would not be compatible with an extension of grazing beyond this time.
Based on this, I can confirm that there will not be an extension granted in relation to extending the grazing season into October under the ACRES scheme for geese and swan lands or breeding wader lands.
468. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if further flexibility will be provided regarding the announced extension to the slurry spreading deadline, with consideration of weather conditions and engagement with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42170/23]
View answerIn accordance with the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations, (S.I. No. 113 of 2022, as amended), the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in consultation with me, last year agreed and published criteria to determine whether the period for slurry spreading could be extended beyond the 30th of September up to the 15th of October.
These scientific criteria were developed to ensure that any risk to water quality would be considered and that any delay in the closed period would only be granted where an assessment of the criteria indicates that such a delay will not represent a threat to water quality. The criteria are published at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f44d-good-agricultural-practice-regulations-exemption-criteria-for-the-closed-period-and-shallow-cultivation/
Following a review of the published criteria, on the 21st of September Minister O'Brien and I agreed to extend the slurry spreading season for an additional seven days to conclude on the 7th of October.
My Officials continue to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and it is noted that weather conditions are to improve this week.
469. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all non-coursing greyhounds presented to race on Rásaíocht Con Éireann-licensed tracks must be registered on the RCÉTS; if this includes dogs registered to owners normally resident outside the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42171/23]
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 questions raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to the body for direct reply.
470. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the greyhound track attendance figures for Shelbourne Park for the semi-finals and the final of the 2023 Derby, with a breakdown of the figures into paid and complimentary entry and entry by adults, children, greyhound owners and trainers, bookmakers, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42172/23]
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 posed by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, it has been referred to the body for direct reply.
471. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on his Department's approach to map acres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42210/23]
View answerA reply is currently being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly once finalized.
472. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a case (details supplied); if the Minister is aware that since the identification of TB reactors in their herd, they have been unable to trade and are experiencing extreme financial hardship; the reasons they have been informed by the Department that they cannot claim any TB support payments; what financial support schemes are made available to goat milk farmers to assist in reducing the burden and costs associated with TB breakouts on such farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42221/23]
View answerThere is no statutory surveillance or control programme for TB in goats in Ireland, as there is in cattle. Whilst there is a compensation scheme available to eligible herdowners of bovines in the event of a TB outbreak, funded in part from disease levies collected on milk supplies and and bovines slaughtered or exported live, there is no compensation scheme available to or collection of disease levies from goat owners.
A goat herd keeper who is supplying milk, including for trade, to consumers must test his/her herd for TB however and have a TB control plan in place. This is a public health requirement. This plan is subject to re-submission every three to five years.
It may also be necessary to test goat herds for TB as part of an epidemiological investigation into, or as part of controlling, a bovine TB breakdown in an area.
The herd in question has had a number of TB reactors and the local regional veterinary office is working with the herd owner in managing this unfortunate disease outbreak.
473. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the awareness of his Department of the ongoing assessment for oyster trestles along the Quay Shore, Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, and the plans to potentially cultivate oysters in Lough Swilly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42223/23]
View answerMy 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.
It is open to any person to apply for an aquaculture licence and there are a number of licensed aquaculture sites already in Lough Swilly. There are also a number of applications which are being processed. In relation to the area of Quay Shore referred to by the Deputy, my Department has received aquaculture and foreshore applications for a new site in this area. This application is in the initial assessment phase as part of which my Department has organised for an Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment to be undertaken. I am advised that this assessment is ongoing at present.
Once an application has been accepted and passed through the initial assessment process the legislation provides for a period of public consultation. This will be commenced by the applicant placing a notice in a locally circulating newspaper and the application documentation will also be available for viewing on the Department's website and a local Garda Station at this time. The newspaper notice will give all relevant information and at this time any interested party may make a submission on the application as set out in the notice.
Details of all licensed sites are publicly available on the Departments' section of the www.gov.ie website and on the Aquaculture Information Management System (AQUAMIS).
474. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown by county of the €10.9m paid out under the tillage incentive scheme (TIS) in 2022 in tabular form as well as payments made to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42234/23]
View answerPayments under the 2022 Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) commenced in December 2022 for all applications which were cleared at that time.
Payments continued to issue into calendar year 2023 as further cases were cleared.
The table below outlines details of all payments made under the 2022 Tillage Incentive Scheme in calendar years 2022 and 2023.
|
2022 Tillage Incentive Scheme |
Payments issued in calendar year 2022 |
Payments issued in calendar year 2023 |
|
Carlow |
€287,208 |
€78,632 |
|
Cavan |
€26,748 |
€6,116 |
|
Clare |
€13,304 |
€12,000 |
|
Cork |
€1,306,808 |
€466,192 |
|
Donegal |
€323,908 |
€85,160 |
|
Dublin |
€246,564 |
€29,916 |
|
Galway |
€252,100 |
€72,364 |
|
Kerry |
€224,308 |
€85,608 |
|
Kildare |
€319,972 |
€68,800 |
|
Kilkenny |
€469,880 |
€169,024 |
|
Laois |
€329,412 |
€59,008 |
|
Leitrim |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Limerick |
€155,312 |
€48,052 |
|
Longford |
€72,776 |
€15,200 |
|
Louth |
€413,724 |
€30,652 |
|
Mayo |
€53,520 |
€13,944 |
|
Meath |
€775,736 |
€76,884 |
|
Monaghan |
€69,308 |
€18,464 |
|
Offaly |
€366,476 |
€160,516 |
|
Roscommon |
€28,380 |
€13,524 |
|
Sligo |
€24,448 |
€5,464 |
|
Tipperary |
€747,276 |
€231,540 |
|
Waterford |
€345,044 |
€90,980 |
|
Westmearh |
€276,628 |
€119,480 |
|
Wexford |
€1,222,592 |
€280,380 |
|
Wicklow |
€288,472 |
€69,916 |
475. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be paid the monies they are due and owing and if he can provide an explanation as regards the ongoing delay in payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42239/23]
View answerThe person named was approved to GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2017. GLAS payments have issued to this herd for scheme years 2017 to 2022, inclusive.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within my Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Processing of the outstanding payments in relation to the Farmland Habitat action for the person named is currently at an advanced stage.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
476. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 12,483 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between January 1st 2021 and December 31st 2021 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only, taking onboard that under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, the Irish Coursing Club is obliged to furnish this information to Rásaíocht Con Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42270/23]
View answer477. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 11,698 non-coursing greyhounds born and registered with the Irish Coursing Club between January 1st 2022 and December 31st 2022 that were registered to owners normally resident in the Republic of Ireland only, taking on board that under the terms of the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, the Irish Coursing Club is obliged to furnish this information to Rasaíocht Con Eireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 477 together.
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.
