Written Answers Nos. 298-306
298. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the programme that will be put in place for the fisheries local action groups under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, to replace the previous programme; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7197/24]
View answerIn the years 2021 to 2023 funding of over €216 million for the seafood sector was provided under the schemes which were put in place following the report of the Seafood Task Force, and funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Schemes were also in place during that period, funded under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
As such, the implementation of the EMFAF during 2021 - 2023 has focused predominantly on ensuring continued support for the work programmes of the marine agencies (Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority) and Bord Bia.
This has been done by means of a process whereby the agencies submit applications to my Department for approval in principle. It is intended to progress the finalisation of implementation plans for all of these work programmes, and their adoption by the EMFAF programme Monitoring Committee, over the coming months. Work is also underway now to finalise implementation plans for schemes, including the Fisheries and Local Action Group Scheme, to support industry, and we expect that the first number of such schemes will be in place in the first quarter of 2024, with further schemes to follow.
299. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of cattle from controlled finishing units in the State slaughtered in Northern Ireland in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. [7236/24]
View answer300. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the number of cattle from feedlots in Northern Ireland, similar to controlled finishing units in this jurisdiction, slaughtered in this State in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. [7237/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.
The Department defines certain herds as Controlled Finishing Units (CFUs) in the context of the Bovine TB Eradication Programme. This definition is unique to that programme and does not necessarily mirror the use of the term "feedlot" by the public and/or other institutions.
CFUs are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures as part of the TB Programme and can only sell direct to slaughter. DAFM does not collect data on the number of animals from CFUs in the state which go direct to slaughter in Northern Ireland (NI).
The Department’s Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system captures data on bovine imports from NI but not on the herds from which they originate outside the state.
Import statistics are included in the Annual Bovine Statistics Report and those reports can be accessed at the following link.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/d5dc1-aim-bovine-statistics-reports/
The latest 2022 data shows that approximately 3,400 cattle were imported from NI for direct slaughter in this jurisdiction.
Statistics in respect of 2023 are expected to be available in May.
Additionally, a wide range of AIM data, excluding import information, is published on the Department's website at the following link.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/467e3-cattle-aim/#bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports
301. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that is available for SNP testing for 2024, for ponies previously MS tested and new foals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7341/24]
View answerIn 2023, My Department provided funding for SNP genomic testing of adult breeding sport horses through the National Equine Breeding Initiatives (NEBI) administered by Horse Sport Ireland, my Department also paid a contribution to the cost of SNP testing of foals under the Equine Technical Support (ETS) Scheme. While the SNP testing under NEBI will continue in 2024, the numbers and associated funding is being finalised with the HSI. Projects submitted under the ETS Scheme, including SNP testing of foals, are currently being assessed by my Department and this assessment will be completed in the near future.
302. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has tested wild deer in the Kilcolgan and Kinvara area of County Galway for TB over the past five years; if so, the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7391/24]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
303. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has tested badgers in the Kilcolgan and Kinvara areas of County Galway for TB over the past five years; if so, the results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7392/24]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
304. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on recruitment for the community neurological team in CHO4. [7192/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
305. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide in tabular form the current number of children on all waiting lists under the Children Disability Network Teams (CDNT), including initial assessment and waiting lists for all therapies available under CDNT in counties Roscommon and Galway. [7249/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
306. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to advise if he has received a request for funding (details supplied); the status of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7256/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
