Written Answers Nos. 504-523
504. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many farmers in County Donegal applied for the organic farming scheme under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6451/24]
View answer505. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many applications from farmers in County Donegal have been successfully accepted on to the organic farming scheme under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6452/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 504 and 505 together.
A total of 413 farmers are participating in the Organic Farming Scheme in Donegal under the new CAP Strategic Plan.
Five applications have been rejected as ineligible.
There are now 435 organic farmers (9% of scheme participants) in the Organic Farming Scheme in Donegal when those still participating in the organic Farming Scheme under the previous CAP are included.
506. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many farmers in County Donegal applied for the agri-environment scheme, ACRES, under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6453/24]
View answer507. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many applications from farmers in County Donegal have been successfully accepted on to the agri-environment scheme, ACRES, under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6454/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 506 and 507 together.
As the deputy may be aware, in 2022, my Department opened applications for Tranche 1 of ACRES, and at the closing date, over 46,000 applications had been received. I would like to confirm that there were 4,955 applications from Donegal, of which, 4,855 were approved into the Scheme.
Applications for Tranche 2 closed last December 2023, with just under 9,200 applications having been received. Tranche 2 of the scheme will see in the region of 4,000 approvals issued, bringing the total number of farmers supported under ACRES to the 50,000 maximum as outlined in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.
My officials are currently processing these applications for eligibility and further details will follow in due course.
508. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address and clarify the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied). [6456/24]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are the leading government authority in Ireland for the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). My Department has worked closely with DHLGH to ensure that the text of the NRL will deliver for the environment and climate whilst supporting all sectors of society, including farmers and rural communities.
The current drafting of the NRL includes several safeguards to protect food security and ensure compatibility with the CAP.
509. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much the aggregate total of payments to County Donegal farmers will change for each year of the current CAP due to convergence under the transition from the basic payments scheme to the basic income support for sustainability and the complementary redistributive income support for sustainability schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6469/24]
View answerThe attached table displays the total potential value for County Donegal entitlements from 2023 to 2027.
The figures provided in the table are calculated based on data from initial allocation figures from February 2023, and assume that all criteria for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme are met, that entitlements are activated, all inspections are clear, and all terms and conditions are adhered to.
A figure of €7.8 million was paid to eligible farmers in Donegal in 2023 under Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS). It is expected that a similar level of payment will be made in the years to 2027.
Capping (€60,000) on individual herds has not been applied, the figures are indicative of Entitlements values only.
Please note that the 2026 and 2027 figures are the same as convergence will not be applied in 2027.
|
Year |
Total Donegal Entitlements |
|
2023 |
€36,998,137.87 |
|
2024 |
€38,094,762.52 |
|
2025 |
€39,191,393.56 |
|
2026 |
€40,287,442.18 |
|
2027 |
€40,287,442.18 |
510. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Donegal that have applied for the areas of natural constraints scheme, under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6470/24]
View answer511. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Donegal that have been accepted on to the areas of natural constraints scheme, under the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6471/24]
View answer512. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how much the aggregate total of payments to County Donegal farmers will be under the areas of natural constraint scheme, for each year of the current CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6472/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 510 to 512, inclusive, together.
The Areas of Natural Constraints ("ANC") scheme provides payments to people farming land in designated areas that face significant hardship from factors such as remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems, and poor soil conditions.
The table below outlines the information requested by the Deputy for ANC scheme year 2023.
|
County |
Number Applied |
Number Accepted |
Number Paid |
Gross Paid |
|
Donegal |
8,831 |
8,831 |
8,286 |
€23,933,395 |
It should be noted that applicants accepted and remaining unpaid have not met scheme eligibility criteria and are therefore ineligible for payment.
ANC scheme eligibility criteria include:
• Hold ANC designated land in accordance with the provisions of Article 32 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013, as provided for under Article 71 of Regulation (EU) No 2021/2115.
• Meet the minimum stocking requirement of 0.10 livestock units per forage hectare
The aggregate payment amount for applicants in Donegal for ANC 2023 scheme year is €23,933,395.
The ANC scheme is an annual scheme and must be applied for each year using the online Basic Income Support for Sustainability (“BISS”) application. Applications for future ANC CAP years i.e. 2024-2027 can be made from February in the scheme year an applicant is applying for. As such, the DAFM are currently unable to reliably forecast the payments for these years.
513. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their ACRES payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6538/24]
View answerThe persons named were approved into Tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2023.
I can confirm that the ACRES claim for the persons named is progressing through the necessary validation checks, and officials are working to facilitate payment as soon as possible.
I fully appreciate the frustration felt by farmers experiencing payment delays and their concern regarding uncertainty of payments, and I want to reassure you that everything is being done to pay all ACRES applicants as a matter of priority.
However, given that a further period of time is required to complete this work, I have taken action to issue an interim, nationally funded payment, to farmers affected across ACRES General and Co-operation.
514. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to providing financial compensation to farmers for sheep culled as a result of maedi visna; what measures are in place to limit the disease and support flock owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6542/24]
View answerMaedi Visna (MVV) is a viral disease of sheep, affecting the respiratory system and the mammary gland (udder) of sheep.
The disease is not listed in EU Animal Health Law. Trade in live sheep in the EU takes place without the need for any official attestation regarding MVV, however it is a private industry requirement in several EU member states and the UK for imported breeding sheep to be free of MVV. MVV is not a condition which requires health certification for intra-EU trade in sheepmeat, however it is a condition for trade in sheepmeat to a number of third countries.
MVV is a notifiable disease in Ireland, recognising its low prevalence in order to signal any change in risk to farmers and as a support to international trade. The Department carries out an annual survey of cull ewes to provide evidence of disease freedom and to support trade assurances. There is no statutory control programme or compensation scheme for any affected flocks in Ireland, nor are there any plans for such.
In relation to supports to maintain freedom from MVV, breeding sheep imported into the country are tested for MVV and the owners are advised to cull or return any positive animals.
My officials are currently reflecting on the possible development of an accreditation programme for MVV in the context of a wider sheep health programme to provide further assurance to those pedigree breeders who wish to export their sheep to the UK and Europe.
515. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend a 2023 Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme grant approval for a fisherman (details supplied) in County Kerry to allow them to submit the requested information to draw down the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6571/24]
View answerThe Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme 2023 provided assistance to inshore fishers in adjusting their business operations as a result of the impacts of Brexit. The scheme had a budget of some €3.5 million and supported almost 740 beneficiaries at a cost of €2.44 million. The deadline of 31 December 2023 is set out in the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) Regulation .
I am informed by BIM that it is no longer possible to determine grant approvals or make further payments under the scheme. Regrettably the fisher in question was not in a position to submit the required scheme information within the BAR reference period.
516. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a query in respect of farm payments (details supplied). [6582/24]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2023 Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme was received from the named applicant on the 11th of May, 2023.
Following completion of all the relevant administration checks by the Department, it should be noted that the application has met all scheme eligibility requirements for payment under the 2023 ANC scheme.
However, based on the application review there remains an unprocessed land error. This error is currently being resolved by the Department and once processed, payment should issue to the herd owner and any penalties applied incorrectly will be reversed.
The estimated time frame for the resolution of this error is three weeks.
517. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the successful applicants for work under the 2024 Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme will be published. [6605/24]
View answerOn the 25th of January, I announced the allocation of €12.7 million for 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects. Details of the announcement and project allocations are available in tabular form online at gov - Minister McConalogue announces funding of €12.7million for Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie) These projects were previously put forward by the local authorities under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023.
The BALAMI Scheme 2022-2023 approved funding up to €55.3m for 164 marine infrastructure projects located in 13 coastal local authorities. A number of projects approved under the scheme encountered delivery challenges including in relation to consenting, procurement, supply chain and weather windows for works. The projects approved for funding in 2024 have been selected on the basis of their capacity to be delivered in 2024 and having regard to their ongoing relevance to addressing the impacts of Brexit on Ireland’s fishing industry.
My Department is administering the scheme, and each local authority is responsible for governance and delivery of its own projects.
518. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to launch the native woodland conservation scheme as part of the new forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6645/24]
View answerI am pleased to say that the Native Woodland Conservation (NWC) Scheme was launched yesterday 12 February by my colleague Minister Pippa Hackett and is now open to new applications.
The scheme offers eligible private and public forest owners financial support for the appropriate restoration, conservation and enhancement of existing native woodland for sustainable forest management. This measure has been developed and implemented in partnership with Woodlands of Ireland, the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), the Heritage Council, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and other native woodland stakeholders.
Ireland’s native woodlands support a wide variety of ecosystem functions and services. They protect and enhance our biodiversity, and soil and water quality, while mitigating the challenges that we face through climate change. Through the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027, this new scheme supports forest owners to deliver these benefits. Increased grants of €6,000 per hectare for restoration and enhancement works have been introduced, along with an increased Payment for Ecosystems Services of €500 per hectare, paid over seven years. I am delighted that we can reward and support Native Woodland owners so that they can manage and conserve these forests for future generations to enjoy, and I encourage all native woodland owners to apply for the scheme to maximise the benefits of their forests.
Many of Ireland’s native woodlands have been under-managed. The NWC Scheme provides support to woodland owners to tackle such under-management, and to promote the sustainability of forest and woodland habitats, through appropriate restoration measures, which will be identified following a careful assessment of the woodland and its needs by an Ecologist and a Registered Forester.
The NWC scheme supports “close to nature” forest management that can bring environmental and climate benefits. It creates opportunities for implementing traditional forms of woodland management that form part of our countryside heritage, as well as for the provision of local amenities and opportunities for woodland interpretation and environmental education.
Those forest owners who applied for the Native Woodland scheme under the previous Forestry Programme 2014 -2020 , and who have not yet received approval, along with those with existing approvals under the previous scheme who have not commenced work, will receive correspondence advising them of their options in the coming week.
519. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date he intends to launch the revised ash dieback scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6646/24]
View answer521. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the awaited ash dieback strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6652/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 521 together.
A detailed Ash dieback action plan is being prepared by Minister of State, Senator Pippa Hackett for submission to Cabinet for approval in the very near future. This will outline comprehensive actions by my Department to deal with the issue of ash dieback. Detailed deliberations are taking place to ensure an efficient, appropriate and proportionate response.
As part of the Forest Strategy Implementation plan, the Minister is establishing a Forestry Strategy Consultative Committee (FSCC) to support this work. Members of the FSCC have been selected from a broad range of relevant stakeholders. This Committee will establish a range of sub-groups to inform its activities, and in this regard will convene a specific subgroup which will work as a task force to ensure a greater level of engagement and action on ash dieback and other forest health matters.
In July 2023 my Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback under the new Programme 2023-27 with the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027;Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years;
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
My Department continues to issue approvals under the Reconstitution scheme. Representing almost 1250 hectares, 319 approvals have issued, demonstrating increased demand for this scheme. I would urge ash owners who have not yet availed of the scheme to assist them in clearing their sites and replanting, to do so now. They will not be disadvantaged in relation to any further initiatives under the action plan.
520. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of clearfell and thinning licensed per county for 2024, 2025, 2026; the details that are available to him on the felling licence application provided by the applicants, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6647/24]
View answerFelling licences may have an operational period of up to 10 years, with timings for harvesting events, whether thinning, clearfell or both, contained at periods within that. The following information has been obtained from Departmental records and where a licence had both a thinning and clearfell event the hectares to be thinned or clearfelled are shown in their respective years:
|
County |
Harvest Type |
Hectares 2024 |
Hectares 2025 |
Hectares 2026 |
|
Carlow |
Clearfell |
119.98 |
159.48 |
20.53 |
|
Carlow |
Thinning |
51.65 |
131.88 |
137.21 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny |
Clearfell |
9.12 |
11.89 |
0 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
17.76 |
|
Carlow/Wexford |
Clearfell |
6.65 |
0 |
0 |
|
Carlow/Wexford |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
Clearfell |
107.64 |
143.89 |
16.68 |
|
Cavan |
Thinning |
999.23 |
71.42 |
529.09 |
|
Clare |
Clearfell |
827.65 |
800.36 |
264.55 |
|
Clare |
Thinning |
693.69 |
550.56 |
679.73 |
|
Clare/Galway |
Clearfell |
11.25 |
6.9 |
0 |
|
Clare/Galway |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
Clearfell |
824.67 |
1199.61 |
230.52 |
|
Cork |
Thinning |
1450.95 |
1543.03 |
1741.98 |
|
Cork/Kerry |
Clearfell |
15.99 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork/Kerry |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork/Tipperary |
Clearfell |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork/Tipperary |
Thinning |
0 |
23.5 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
Clearfell |
713.62 |
475.24 |
46.49 |
|
Donegal |
Thinning |
405.31 |
422.64 |
767.18 |
|
Dublin |
Clearfell |
94.56 |
60.93 |
15.04 |
|
Dublin |
Thinning |
43.31 |
0 |
102.49 |
|
Dublin/Wicklow |
Clearfell |
0 |
12.89 |
0 |
|
Dublin/Wicklow |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
Clearfell |
536.17 |
685.88 |
10.28 |
|
Galway |
Thinning |
681.88 |
317.07 |
357.46 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
Clearfell |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
46.48 |
|
Kerry |
Clearfell |
569.75 |
479.59 |
388.31 |
|
Kerry |
Thinning |
1194.89 |
848.06 |
1876.77 |
|
Kerry/Limerick |
Clearfell |
6.54 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kerry/Limerick |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
Clearfell |
49.84 |
115.25 |
6.18 |
|
Kildare |
Thinning |
125.2 |
245.92 |
450.53 |
|
Kilkenny |
Clearfell |
331.44 |
230.07 |
205.57 |
|
Kilkenny |
Thinning |
833.06 |
712.4 |
1011.86 |
|
Kilkenny/Laois |
Clearfell |
15.93 |
4.82 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny/Laois |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny/Tipperary |
Clearfell |
4.81 |
4.32 |
0 |
|
Kilkenny/Tipperary |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
Clearfell |
365.81 |
510.38 |
109.17 |
|
Laois |
Thinning |
583.62 |
634.05 |
443.79 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
Clearfell |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
Thinning |
10.47 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
Clearfell |
368.95 |
479.15 |
212.47 |
|
Leitrim |
Thinning |
729.44 |
327.6 |
453.54 |
|
Leitrim/Roscommon |
Clearfell |
0 |
6.19 |
0 |
|
Leitrim/Roscommon |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim/Sligo |
Clearfell |
34.88 |
0 |
0 |
|
Leitrim/Sligo |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
Clearfell |
336.5 |
427.71 |
194.7 |
|
Limerick |
Thinning |
863.39 |
1059 |
1156.98 |
|
Limerick/Tipperary |
Clearfell |
0 |
24.58 |
0 |
|
Limerick/Tipperary |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Longford |
Clearfell |
35.5 |
55.16 |
66.38 |
|
Longford |
Thinning |
246.1 |
114.92 |
378.57 |
|
Louth |
Clearfell |
9.16 |
0 |
0 |
|
Louth |
Thinning |
36.61 |
0 |
149.12 |
|
Mayo |
Clearfell |
443.7 |
319.03 |
142.32 |
|
Mayo |
Thinning |
396.97 |
395.2 |
549.62 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon |
Clearfell |
0 |
3.81 |
0 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo/Sligo |
Clearfell |
11.1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mayo/Sligo |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Meath |
Clearfell |
16.51 |
9.1 |
8 |
|
Meath |
Thinning |
186.54 |
216.56 |
409.83 |
|
Monaghan |
Clearfell |
34.17 |
68.57 |
2.85 |
|
Monaghan |
Thinning |
132.73 |
90.56 |
74.78 |
|
Offaly |
Clearfell |
161.58 |
152.99 |
141.38 |
|
Offaly |
Thinning |
425.74 |
444.17 |
631.07 |
|
Offaly/Tipperary |
Clearfell |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly/Tipperary |
Thinning |
50.72 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly/Westmeath |
Clearfell |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly/Westmeath |
Thinning |
0 |
10.56 |
8.25 |
|
Roscommon |
Clearfell |
613.72 |
457.84 |
352.16 |
|
Roscommon |
Thinning |
721.65 |
595.1 |
772.34 |
|
Roscommon/Sligo |
Clearfell |
5.66 |
16.26 |
0 |
|
Roscommon/Sligo |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
Clearfell |
304.94 |
167.65 |
126.45 |
|
Sligo |
Thinning |
402.67 |
314.86 |
389.72 |
|
Tipperary |
Clearfell |
705.94 |
526.26 |
192.85 |
|
Tipperary |
Thinning |
1167.22 |
1415.89 |
1205.77 |
|
Tipperary/Waterford |
Clearfell |
0 |
2.62 |
0 |
|
Tipperary/Waterford |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
Clearfell |
489.22 |
419.37 |
103.8 |
|
Waterford |
Thinning |
586.88 |
726.49 |
742.35 |
|
Westmeath |
Clearfell |
155.57 |
89.23 |
28.97 |
|
Westmeath |
Thinning |
435.34 |
167.47 |
457.67 |
|
Wexford |
Clearfell |
194.26 |
95.66 |
89.57 |
|
Wexford |
Thinning |
364.96 |
326.11 |
607.66 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
Clearfell |
20.31 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
Thinning |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
Clearfell |
829.81 |
687.39 |
177.98 |
|
Wicklow |
Thinning |
965.4 |
718.98 |
842.55 |
522. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to funding for services (details supplied) if he will ensure that a tangible and fully sanctioned budget proposal to address the accumulated deficit and financial sustainability requirements is presented by the HSE no later than 8 February 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6303/24]
View answerA key ongoing objective for the Department and the HSE is to ensure that appropriate funding is available to provide stability to voluntary organisations that provide essential services for people with disabilities. Our focus is to protect and strengthen these vital services in the interests of meeting the needs of people with disabilities on an equitable basis across the country.
The financial challenges facing the voluntary sector are highly complex, arising from both historical issues around funding arrangements as well as emerging challenges due to changing profile of user need, higher safety and quality standards and general demographic pressures.
The Government is working to progressively address these challenges. The Disability Capacity review in 2021 was an important step in mapping out and acknowledging the levels of unmet need in the sector. The recently published Disability Action Plan sets out our ambition for reform and expansion of disability services over the next three years.
This Government has demonstrated its continuing commitment to people with disabilities with increasing levels of funding year on year and a record €2.9 billion being provided in 2024.
I can assure the Deputy that the HSE, backed by my Department, is committed to fully funding the organisation to meet all its service delivery obligations in 2024. This protects the continuity of services and ensures St John of God Community Services remains solvent and compliant with financial and accounting regulations.
523. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the final report is available on independent review of the ECCE programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6040/24]
View answerIn line with a commitment in First 5, my Department appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review was designed to assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and to identify any opportunities for enhancements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date.
The final report of the Review is nearly complete. Once it has been finalised, I will consider the findings from the Review and consider any policy changes that may need to be made to the programme.
A report of the findings from the Review will be published in the coming months.
