Written Answers Nos. 428-442
428. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost to Greyhound Racing Ireland of sponsoring the Greyhound Derby quarter-finals, semi-finals and final on a television channel (details supplied) on 19 and 26 August and 2 September 2023, respectively; the viewership figures for each respective broadcast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46325/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department intends to introduce a ban on a substance (details supplied) being used due to concerns that it may be carcinogenic and do other environmental damage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46357/23]
View answerPesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are approved centrally at EU level. Thereafter, plant protection products containing approved active substances are subsequently authorised for specific uses nationally using robust scientific evaluation and decision-making criteria.
The EU process to decide whether or not the current EU-approval of glyphosate can be renewed is ongoing. The current approval is due to expire on 15 December 2023.
Comprehensive assessments and peer review of a very wide range of scientific data have been completed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as part of this process, including the input of Member State technical experts and stakeholders via public consultations.
ECHA reported that the available scientific evidence does not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogenic substance and no critical areas of concern were identified by EFSA covering the impact of glyphosate on the health of humans, animals and the environment.
Based on this detailed scientific assessment, the European Commission proposed legislation to renew the approval of glyphosate for ten years. This proposal was voted on by Member State representatives at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticide legislation on 13 October 2023.
Ireland supported the Commission’s proposal, based on the exceptionally detailed scientific assessments completed by EFSA and ECHA. However, there was no qualified majority support either in favour of or against the proposal, therefore the Commission will now refer the proposal for another vote by Member State representatives at an Appeal Committee in November.
The Department will continue to be guided by EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions in this regard.
430. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a TAMS 3 application (details supplied); when is it likely a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46402/23]
View answerThe 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 of TAMS 3 at almost four times the average number received per tranche under TAMS 2.
The person named submitted an application for dairy equipment under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme. This and other applications under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme are currently undergoing administrative checks. 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.
All eligible applications will then proceed to further detailed processing, with approvals issuing to successful applications once that process is complete.
431. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE accountants directly employed by Rasaíocht Con Éireann in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [46476/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
432. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the highlighting pathways to empower rural women to have sustainable and equitable livelihoods in farming, HER-SELF, research project; when it is envisaged same will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46501/23]
View answerIn September of last year, my Department launched "The Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call" for proposals for several research projects, one of which focused on “Women in Farming – Examining the visibility, equality and status of women in farming in Ireland”.
The "Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable & Equitable Livelihoods in Farming" (HER-SELF) project was selected as the successful proposal.
The study aims to:
• Analyse existing data on farm income, payments, and capital investments.
• Gain insights on the daily lives of women farmers and women working in the agricultural sector of all ages.
• Identify barriers and enabling factors experienced by women training and working in the agricultural sector.
• Identify any geographical differences by region or county in the participation levels, incomes and experiences of women involved in agriculture.
• Establish a baseline position on women in farming and the agriculture sector, providing evidence for future policy interventions and strategies to enhance the role of women in the sector going forward.
Related objectives of the study include:
• To draw on existing literature and data on the roles and experiences of women in agriculture, challenges, and enabling factors/conditions.
• To undertake interviews and focus groups to better understand the differential experiences of women in agriculture across various demographics.
• To review existing skills gaps, dissemination and facilitation methodologies and propose technical knowledge transfer applications.
• To document the levels of female representation in agricultural organisations and underlying reasons for same.
• To map the female experience in agriculture to ensure any geographical differences that might exist are subject to a more targeted policy response.
• To produce future policy recommendations based on the findings at national/local levels.
HER-SELF commenced in May of this year, with the first stakeholders meeting taking place in early September. The final report is expected at the end of the 12-month period envisaged for the project, in Q2 2024.
433. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 20 June 2023, and in view of the criteria stated in the native woodland conservation scheme (details supplied), if it is fair that this envisages the preparation and submission of the site-specific native woodland plan by a NPWS ecologist and NPWS forester to his Department prior to the clear-felling of the conifer forest taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46534/23]
View answer435. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 475 of 20 June 2023, if the Forestry Service has granted an approval for native woodland conservation under the private high forest category to anyone where the criteria under NPWS private high forest category listed on pages 3 and 4 of the scheme documents have not been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46566/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 435 together.
Under the Forestry Act, 2014, S.I. 191 of 2017, the replanting condition, and other statutory obligations, are determined as part of the granting of a felling licence. Any applicant, therefore, is obliged to have a replanting plan in place before the granting of a felling licence and it is not particular to the Native Woodland Conservation scheme to have a plan in place prior to the felling element of their application.
All applications received for the Native Woodland Conservation scheme are assessed based on the outlined criteria of the category for which they are applying and the terms and conditions of the scheme must be adhered to. Approvals for this Scheme have not yet started to issue following the recent agreement with the Commission of Ireland's Forest programme.
Under the Forestry programme 2023 – 2027, the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan, Intervention 7 (Climate Resilient Reforestation), Element 2 outlines the option for replacement of existing conifer stands at reforestation stage with the most appropriate native forest type(s) appropriate for that site, using the Native Woodland Scheme framework and the six scenarios outlined therein.
The strategy implementation plan can be found on my Departments website here: gov.ie - Forest Strategy Implementation Plan including the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 (www.gov.ie).
434. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of all agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; if a dedicated Oireachtas email address is available for each; if not, if he will direct that such a dedicated email address be established to facilitate more efficient communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46537/23]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is laid out in the attached table.
436. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average waiting times for receipt of bovine TB compensation in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46569/23]
View answerAs part of the Bovine TB eradication programme, there are four financial aid schemes available to herd-owners affected by a TB breakdown.
The principal compensation measure is the "On Farm Market Valuation" scheme which aims to compensate affected herd owners up to the market value for their animals being removed under the scheme (subject to scheme ceilings).
In addition to the main compensation scheme, there are three supplementary schemes available to eligible herds. The Income Supplement scheme provides financial assistance to herds who lose 10% or more of their herd in a single breakdown. The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme available to herds who retain animals during winter restriction and the Depopulation grant is available to those herds who are partially or wholly depopulated as a result of disease
In order to fully process payments made under each of the schemes, herd-owners are required to submit various forms of documentation (factory dockets, cleansing and disinfection forms, tax clearance etc) which confirm compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme(s).
In the table below please find the total payments made in 2021, 2022 and 2023 (to September 30th) and the timeframe in which they were paid from the date of last document received. In the case of payments made 3 weeks + these are largely due to those with unresolved discrepancies (e.g. animals on herd profiles unaccounted for) and deceased herdowner's estates.
2021
|
Grant Type |
No of payments |
Within 3 weeks |
3 weeks + |
|
OFMV |
5311 |
90% |
10% |
|
Income Supplement |
4430 |
93% |
7% |
|
Hardship Grant |
2868 |
95% |
5% |
|
Depopulation Grant |
20 |
85% |
15% |
|
Grand Total |
12629 |
92% |
8% |
2022
|
Grant Type |
No of payments |
Within 3 weeks |
3 weeks + |
|
OFMV |
4,921 |
84% |
16% |
|
Income Supplement |
3,820 |
89% |
11% |
|
Hardship Grant |
2,440 |
86% |
14% |
|
Depopulation Grant |
29 |
76% |
24% |
|
Grand Total |
11,210 |
86% |
14% |
2023 - to 30th September
|
Grant Type |
No of payments |
Within 3 weeks |
3 weeks + |
|
OFMV |
4,921 |
84% |
16% |
|
Income Supplement |
3,820 |
89% |
11% |
|
Hardship Grant |
2,440 |
86% |
14% |
|
Depopulation Grant |
29 |
76% |
24% |
|
Grand Total |
11,210 |
86% |
14% |
437. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for compensation for bovine TB to be expedited in some cases; what technology or mechanisms are used in the calculation of compensation for bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46570/23]
View answerUnder the Bovine TB Eradication programme, the principal compensation scheme available to herds who experience a TB breakdown is the "On Farm Market Valuation" scheme. The scheme compensates affected herd owners up to the market value of their animals being removed under the scheme (subject to scheme ceilings).
In order to ensure that accurate market values are awarded as part of the scheme, my Department provides affected farmers with a list of independent livestock valuers operating in their region to choose from, The chosen independent valuer visits the farm and assesses each reactor animal individually on their merits.
My Department provide Valuers with the "Summary of Market Prices" (SMP) on a weekly basis. Technical officers from my Department record sales data from a variety of sales nationally, this is then analysed and compiled into the SMP to ensure that values awarded under the scheme are reflective of current open market pricing.
To date in 2023 approximately €21.9m has been paid to 4,237 herds in respect of 20,823 animals under the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme.
In order to ensure that payments can be made as efficiently as possible to affected herd owners, my Department introduced a number of technology solutions which allow farmers to interact instantly with their Regional Veterinary Office. This includes the online facility on Agfood.ie where herdowners can digitally sign and submit their form ER26X (terms and conditions for the scheme), as well as online acceptance/rejection of their valuation via the digital V8 facility.
My officials continue to explore digital mechanisms which will further enhance farmer interactions with their Regional Veterinary Offices in the event of a TB breakdown on their farm.
438. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, if he will provide a schedule of functions of his Department that have been devolved in full or in part, or are in the process of being devolved in full or in part; the date on which the devolutions commenced; and if he will indicate whether any function was returned to the Department subsequently. [46576/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy, in the context of the Local Government Reform Act 2014, that no functions of my Department have been devolved in full or in part, or are in the process of being devolved in full or in part.
439. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the white mushroom production sector and the vast majority of Irish strawberry growers are excluded from the new horticulture support scheme. [46674/23]
View answerI am acutely aware and fully appreciate the many challenges that horticulture growers have experienced in 2023 as a result of continued high costs of production and reduced output prices. These challenges were further compounded by the unfavourable weather conditions throughout the 2023 growing season. In recognition of these challenges I secured €2.382 million under the EU Agricultural Reserve for the horticulture sector.
While it is recognised that all horticulture growers have been impacted by the challenges facing the sector the available evidence indicated that the sectors eligible for the scheme (high-wire glass house grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, brown mushrooms, field vegetables (excluding potatoes) and field grown salad crops, energy reliant protected crops (heated strawberries and vertically grown greens) and apples) were most significantly challenged in terms of economic viability, while the potato, white mushroom and unheated strawberry sub-sectors continued to be financially viable.
Given the limited fund allocation it was not possible to support all horticulture sub-sectors and as a result the fund is targeted at those sub-sectors whose economic viability is compromised due to the continued challenges encountered. The scheme is designed to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of these sub-sectors.
The Horticulture Crisis Fund is open for applications until 1 November 2023.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I want to see this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, continues to explore a number of avenues to help the sector overcome the challenges it currently faces.
440. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine a bespoke scheme for the challenged horticulture sector as we move to the increased €12.70 minimum wage (details supplied). [46675/23]
View answerI am acutely aware and fully appreciate the many challenges that horticulture growers have experienced in 2023 as a result of continued high costs of production and reduced output prices. These challenges were further compounded by the unfavourable weather conditions throughout the 2023 growing season. In recognition of these challenges I secured €2.382 million under the EU Agricultural Reserve for the horticulture sector.
The Horticulture Crisis Fund is now open for applications until 1 November 2023. It targets the horticulture sub-sectors most at risk due to losses incurred as a result of a combination of high input prices (including cost of labour), low output prices and reduced yield.
The horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme are high-wire glasshouse grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, brown mushrooms, field vegetables (excluding potatoes), field grown salad crops, energy reliant protected crops (heated strawberries and vertically grown greens) and apples. The Scheme will provide a once-off payment to eligible applicants. The scheme seeks to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of growers in these sub-sectors.
My Department also provides a range of other significant supports to the horticulture sector, including the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector and the EU Producer Organisation Scheme for fruit and vegetables.
In recognition of the challenges growers faced as a result of Brexit, additional specific supports of over €9 million were made available to the mushroom and potato sectors this year.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I want to see this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, continues to explore a number of avenues to help the sector overcome challenges it currently faces.
441. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether an external review into the discrepancies identified in accounts of the IHRB (details supplied) will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46677/23]
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 Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The IHRB is a company limited by guarantee. The Turf Club and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee transferred the regulatory functions together with related assets and liabilities to the company under a business transfer agreement on 1 January 2018. While the role of the IHRB as the regulatory body for horseracing is provided for in legislation, the body itself remains a private entity.
Relevant legislation also provides for a funding mechanism to be in place under which the costs of integrity services provided by the IHRB are guaranteed by HRI based on an agreed annual budget. A significant amount of the annual funding allocated to the IHRB from HRI, is derived from funding HRI itself receives from my Department via the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (HGRF). Formal oversight of the IHRB is maintained by HRI.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
442. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the forestry licensing plan for the remainder of 2023 and 2024, given the new forestry programme received approval several weeks ago and his Department has had more than nine months to have a plan ready; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46705/23]
View answerMy Department has received final approval of the new Forestry Programme 2023 -2027, including State Aid approval from the European Commission and the conclusion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment processes.
The Programme has now been approved by Government, and both the afforestation and forest roads schemes are open to applications. My Department has begun to issue afforestation and roads licences under the new Programme, while felling licences continued and continue to issue as normal.
The issuing of licences is demand-led, and the level of demand is indicated by the number of licence applications made. Given we are now in a position to issue all licences, we will shortly publish a new Forestry Licensing Plan. Training of staff and foresters is taking place and full guidance for each of the schemes is being published.
