Louise O'Reilly
Question:400. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided. [50827/23]
View answerDepartmental Contracts
Questions (400)
Written answers
The Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security and has attained the industry security standard ISO27001 certification since 2019. The Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities including the National Cyber Security Centre. For operational and security reasons, the Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details which could, in any way, identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental Cybersecurity arrangements
Cybersecurity Policy
Questions (401)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:401. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a policy and plan in place to address a ransomware attack and restore his Department's IT systems. [50845/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security and has attained the industry security standard ISO27001 certification since 2019. The Department has in place comprehensive arrangements to support ICT security and receives regular advice on these matters from the relevant authorities including the National Cyber Security Centre. For operational and security reasons, the Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details which could, in any way, identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental Cybersecurity arrangements.
Forestry Sector
Questions (402)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:402. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the fact that only 42 forestry licences have been granted in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50912/23]
View answerWritten answers
The new Afforestation Scheme under the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 opened on the 6th September and existing applications are being migrated over to this scheme as the applicants opt in. DAFM have now started issuing licences under this scheme. This accounts for the 56 forestry licences (533 hectares) issued to date under the new programme. In addition to the above, my Department have also processed 59 (558Ha’s) of applications already approved under Forestry Programme 2014 – 2020 that hadn’t commenced planting and have now opted in to the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027.
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 to encourage participation in the new programme.
The new Programme also contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is our objective to increase and encourage interest in small-scale planting, and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting. This Native Tree Area Scheme opened for applications on 4th October with 7 applications approved to date (7 hectares).
Finally, approvals under the new Reconstruction of Ash dieback scheme (RADs) have begun with 47 approvals amounting to 243 Ha’s.
In addition to the figures outlined above and in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue, pending the launch of the new Programme, earlier this year, my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme, an Interim Forest Road Scheme and an interim Ash Dieback Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme via General De Minimis.This ensured that those with valid afforestation licences issued before the end of 2022 could avail of the current planting season under the higher grant and premium rates proposed under the new Programme. Likewise, those with valid road licences and approvals under the Ash Dieback Scheme at the end of 2022 could avail of the higher grants and enhanced payment rates as proposed under the new Programme.In 2023, a total of 288 applications were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme, representing 1,750 hectares. Under the interim roads scheme, 159 approvals have issued representing 70,222 metres, while under the interim RUS scheme, 28 approvals have issued in respect of 110 hectares.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I am confident that the diverse range of forest types on offer, coupled with attractive grants and premiums in the new Forestry Programme, will support an increase in forestry afforestation and support scheme applications. A comprehensive and well-subscribed forestry programme has the potential to deliver lasting benefits for not just for climate change, but for biodiversity, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
Departmental Staff
Questions (403)
Catherine Murphy
Question:403. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE earth observation specialists employed by his Department in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [50934/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department uses workforce planning processes to identify the critical resource needs required to deliver its business goals. Workforce planning is a key tool in enabling my Department to forecast its current and future staffing needs. The Workforce Plan aims to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which my Department aims to have the right people, with the right levels of talent and skills, in each location and Division, doing the right thing at the right time.
My Department operates in a rapidly changing environment and none more so than within the IT sector of the Department. Overall staffing levels and required skill sets are continually monitored to ensure business needs are met (subject to the limits of the annual estimates process, the usual budgetary constraints and approvals by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. To support the Department's business needs, a competition is currently underway to fill an Earth Observation Specialist post. The primary purpose of this role will be to support the Department in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy Regulations. The table below provides further details on the numbers of Earth Observation Specialists employed by my Department during the years referenced by the Deputy.
|
Year |
Number Assigned to Earth Observation Specialist Posts |
Overall number serving in Earth Observation Specialist Posts |
|
2022 |
2 |
4 |
|
2023 (to 16/11/2023) |
0 |
3 |
Departmental Staff
Questions (404)
Catherine Murphy
Question:404. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to appoint additional WTE fisheries attaché to the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. [50935/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department supports the Government initiative "A Career for EU”, Ireland’s strategy to increase Irish representation in the European Union's Institutions and Agencies to make sure Ireland maintains its influence within the EU’s institutions for years to come. The success of my Department's diplomatic representation abroad in assisting in the retention, expansion and securing of access to markets is directly related to the support and additional work carried out in my Department’s line divisions at home.
My Department currently has two officers in Attache (First Secretary) roles who are serving in Brussels through secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs, one of whom is serving in a Fisheries specific Attache role in the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. The Department's team is led by our Agriculture and Fisheries Counsellor. The demands of servicing the EU policy agenda, including fisheries policy, are under continuous review, including in the context of Ireland's next Presidency of the EU, which will take place in 2026. Any decision taken to increase my Departments oversea representation will be with due consideration to ensuring that our presence abroad supports the national interest, enhances market access and delivers on the expected benefits.
Harbours and Piers
Questions (405)
Colm Burke
Question:405. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to confirm what the funding applications were for in respect of the applications made by Cork County Council to his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2022 and 2023 for the Old Pier at Keelbeg, Union Hall, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50970/23]
View answerWritten answers
I have previously advised the Deputy of the current funding scheme, the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. This scheme is proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and is designed specifically to address the impacts of the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the seafood sector. Cork County Council is approved for €6.3m to fund 21 projects. Cork County Council applied for funding for one project at Union Hall under the scheme but the application failed to demonstrate how the project met the eligibility requirements.
Prior to the current Brexit-focused Scheme, my Department provided funding to carry out small scale projects for the development and repair of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Over the period 2017-2021, Cork County Council received funding of €183,000 for seven various safety improvement works at Union Hall. The attached table provides detail of the applications since 2017.
Any future supports that may be made available to support local authority capital investment in piers and harbours will have to consider the available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (406)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:406. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any funding available for agricultural related flooding (details supplied); the supports that are in place; if the emergency flood relief scheme can be accessed in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50984/23]
View answerWritten answers
At present there are no plans for my Department to put in place a scheme for farmers affected by the recent flooding in County Louth.
The Emergency Flood Relief Scheme is operated by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Details of the scheme may be obtained from the Irish Red Cross website, www.redcross.ie/flood-support-scheme/ and any questions regarding the scheme should be directed to them.
Forestry Sector
Questions (407)
Michael Lowry
Question:407. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plots and plantations (details supplied) are eligible for the ash dieback grant aid scheme; if the owner needs to secure a felling licence for the non-ash broadleaf species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51006/23]
View answerWritten answers
All grant-aided private forest owners with Ash dieback are eligible to apply for the Reconstitution of Ash dieback scheme.
Through the Reconstitution Scheme financial support can be made available for:
a. Site clearance: This involves the clearance of ash trees and associated operations in order to present the site for reconstitution.
b. Reconstitution: This involves the replacement of ash trees with alternative species following ash clearance.
The exemption for felling licences will apply for ash only under this scheme in accordance with article 19(1) c (i) of the Forestry Act 2014, therefore an owner will need to secure a felling licence for the felling of non-ash species.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (408)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:408. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAMS applications currently on hand that are not processed by his Department; the length of time these applications are on hand, broken down by three-month intervals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51023/23]
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.
Tranche 1 of TAMS 3 closed on 30th June 2023, A total of 8,241 applications were submitted. To date, administrative checks have been conducted on 6,298 applications. Applicants and their agents have been contacted where irregularities have been found. Of the 1,943 applications still to be processed, 211 were received between February and April 2023 and the remaining 1,732 between May and June 2023.
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 allowed farmers who require the construction of slurry and manure storage facilities, or urgent animal welfare related investments required for the winter of 2023/2024, to apply for priority approval.
Tranche 2 of TAMS 3 is currently open for applications. All applications submitted under Tranche 2 will be assessed following the closing date of the tranche.
It is anticipated that approval letters for Tranche 1 applications will issue shortly, starting with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (409)
Paul Murphy
Question:409. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company; and if so, the value of those contracts. [51038/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not have any current contracts with any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
Departmental Data
Questions (410)
Paul Murphy
Question:410. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any of its agencies are involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company. [51056/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is not involved in any exercise, operation, training or research which includes involvement by any Israeli state agency, any Israeli-based company or any company based elsewhere in the world which is owned or part-owned by any Israeli state agency or by any Israeli-based company.
As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (411)
Brendan Griffin
Question:411. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2023 area of natural constraints will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51138/23]
View answerWritten answers
An application for participation in the 2023 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme was received from the above named applicant on the 4th April, 2023.
Following completion of all the relevant administration checks by this Department, full payment under the 2023 ANC scheme will issue to the person named and will be lodged to their nominated bank account on the next scheduled payment run.
The next scheduled payment run is due to commence on December 1st, 2023.