Written Answers Nos. 33-64
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of times in this jurisdiction the EU Dublin Regulation has been enforced per annum since September 1997; the number of escorted deportations that have occurred since 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8158/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the State is required to examine the application of anyone who presents at the borders of the State, or is in the State, and indicates that they wish to make an application for international protection. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law and the Government takes those commitments very seriously. My Department is taking all necessary steps to manage the international protection process fairly, efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader Government response, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. Regulation (EU) No 604/2013 (Dublin III Regulations), came into force on 19 July 2013, and lays down the criteria and mechanisms for determining which EU country is responsible for examining an asylum application. The Dublin Regulation is based on the principle that the first Member State to facilitate entry to the EU should be responsible for examining the protection application. The making of a transfer decision under the EU Dublin Regulation is not a deportation order. The person is transferred to another EU MS to have their application for asylum determined. The International Protection Office considers whether applicants might have their cases considered under the Dublin Regulation. If the Regulation is deemed to apply, the applicant may appeal that decision to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT), apply for a judicial review or submit an application under Article 17 of the Regulation. In practice, and in keeping with the experience of all Member States, effecting transfers under the Regulation is challenging, and reforming these arrangements therefore forms a key part of the ongoing discussions at EU level with respect to agreeing a new Migration and Asylum Pact. A decision to transfer made under the Dublin III Regulations expires after six months. This extends to 18 months if the applicant has absconded. If an appeal is launched, a Dublin III decision expires six months from the date the appeal decision is given.
The widespread consensus across the EU is that the Regulation has not been effective and agreeing its reform has been a key focus of negotiations under the Asylum and Migration Pact.
The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) which will replace the Dublin III Regulation, provides, inter alia, for streamlined criteria and reduced timeframes for determining the Member State responsible for determining an asylum application as well as revised rules on transferring responsibility and addressing evasion. This will significantly improve the current Dublin system by reducing the administrative burden on the Member States seeking to transfer a person to the Member State. It will also extend the period by which a transfer must be carried out from 18 months to 3 years, thereby seeking to address evasion of the process by absconsion. I intend to bring a Memorandum to Government shortly for a decision on opting-in to the Pact, which will allow for work to begin so a formal application to opt-in can be made in a timely manner. The table below details all Dublin iii Transfers from the State from 2018.
|
Year |
Dublin iii Transfers |
Escorted Deports enforced by GNIB |
|
2018 |
22 |
85 |
|
2019 |
30 |
155 |
|
2020 |
15 |
43 |
|
2021 |
4 |
5 |
|
2022 |
3 |
26 |
|
2023 |
3 |
52 |
|
2024 |
1 |
10 |
34. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice how many minors or people aged under 18 years have been charged with possession of a controlled drug for personal use for each of the year 2017 to 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8324/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) which includes the recording of information on, and the maintenance of, the PULSE system.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of charges created for juvenile offenders where the offence was ‘Possession of Drugs Contrary to section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977', for the years 2017 up to the end of December 2023.
|
Charge Year |
Charges Created |
|
2017 |
53 |
|
2018 |
83 |
|
2019 |
89 |
|
2020 |
109 |
|
2021 |
114 |
|
2022 |
107 |
|
2023 |
120 |
This is operational data taken from PULSE on 16 February 2024 and is liable to change.
It should be noted that these are unique charges rather than unique individuals. A person may be charged multiple times for the same offence during a given year.
35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of people currently in Gaza who have permission to remain in Ireland, or who have a visa to live, study or work in Ireland; the steps being taken by her Department to assist them in exiting Gaza; the details of any engagement between her Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in this regard since October 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8203/24]
View answerI am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department is working closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes their work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance. My Department is in regular contact with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel regarding a number of visa applications, from residents of Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The Embassy are actively engaging with the applicants to gather the required documents to ensure that the Visa Division of this Department have everything needed progress these applications. My Department have no information or statistics on the number of people currently in Gaza that may have permission to live in Ireland or a visa to travel to Ireland. Any person that is issued a visa to travel to the State to live, study or work may travel at any time between the dates of validity shown on the visa sticker. They do not have to inform my Department of their intended date of departure or destination. I understand from colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs that a small number of Irish citizens or immediate dependants of Irish citizens remain in Gaza. That Department continues to advocate with the authorities in relation to those who have not yet been able to leave, including the immediate dependants of Irish citizens.
36. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice to indicate the efforts currently in hand to ensure an adequate number of gardaí by way of recruitment to ensure the adequate strength of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8247/24]
View answerAt the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that I have been absolutely committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources need to make sure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.
In 2024, I have provided a budget allocation of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána. This is a 25% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits this year.
At the end of December last, there were just under 14,000 Gardaí. This represents an increase of around 9% since 2015 when there were 12,816 Gardaí throughout the country.
The number of recruits in the Garda training college continue to increase, a total of 746 trainees entered the training college in 2023. This is the highest intake in any year since 2018.
As the Deputy will be aware, for the third year running, a new Garda recruitment competition was run in 2024 - from 15 January to 8 February. I am delighted to note that just under 6,400 applications were received, 32% of whom were women. Almost 40% of applicants for the 2024 competition were over 35.
It is particularly positive that the number of women applying to join An Garda Síochána remains high and the total percentage of female Gardaí stands at over 28%, which I am advised is above the European average. Work is ongoing to encourage and support a range of diversity across the whole Garda workforce.
The number of applicants is a significant almost 30% increase on the approximately 5,000 who applied last year, with 40% of applicants over 35. This very welcome level of interest follows the changes I made last year to increase the maximum age of entry to 50 and boosting the training allowance by 66% to €305 per week.
I would strongly encourage these prospective recruits to start their preparation now for the further stages of the competition which will follow on in the coming weeks - aptitude testing, competency based interviews, followed by physical competency and medical tests. There are useful resources to assist applicants on the Garda website.
I can advise the Deputy that there are currently three classes in training in the Garda College, having entered in 2023. These trainees are expected to attest in March, June and September of this year. Four further intakes are planned for April, July, September and December of this year.
This year’s classes have a target of 200 - 250 for each intake. Based on last year’s recruitment intakes, the total number of attestations in 2024 is likely to be between 600 and 700 increasing to between 800 and 1,000 in 2025.
The Garda Commissioner and I both fully recognise that policing is often difficult and challenging work, but also very rewarding work. I am sure the Deputy will agree that it is not for everyone but it is very much a job worth doing.
37. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Justice how many people received an adult caution for the possession of cannabis for personal use since cannabis was included in the adult caution scheme; how many people have been brought before the courts for simple possession of cannabis since the inclusion of cannabis under the adult caution scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8322/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Adult Caution Scheme is a non-statutory scheme agreed between, and administered by, An Garda Síochána and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Both the Garda Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions are independent in their functions and I, as Minister, have no role in the setting of criteria used when administering the Scheme.
However, I am advised that the Garda Authorities have published the policy documentation relating to the Scheme at the following link on the Garda website:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/adult-cautioning-scheme-policy-document-feb-21-.pdf
Offences under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (as amended) for possession of cannabis or cannabis resin, a controlled substance, were added to the Adult Cautioning Scheme from 14 December 2020. Only offences from that date were eligible for consideration of the issuance of a caution.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised of the following information. Figures supplied are taken from PULSE as of 16 February, are operational and subject to change.
From 14 December 2020 to 16 February 2024, 5,139 people were issued an Adult Caution for simple possession of cannabis or cannabis resin.
In the same period, 17,125 people were issued with a charge/summons for simple possession of cannabis or cannabis resin.
38. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice the current numbers of gardaí for each Cork division in February 2024; to confirm the number of gardaí in February 2023 for each Cork division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8314/24]
View answerThe unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion for 2023 and €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work. This funding allows for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.
It is anticipated that the number of Garda members will begin to grow steadily throughout 2024. Allowing for retirements and resignations, the number of Garda members is expected to reach between 14,300 and 14,500 by the end of 2024.
There are currently around 14,000 Garda members across the country. This represents an increase of around 9% since 2015. 388 new Gardaí attested in 2023 and were allocated to Garda stations nationwide. The Deputy may also be interested to know that 746 trainee Gardaí entered Templemore in 2023, the highest number to enter Templemore since 2018.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that at the end of December 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there were a total of 1,304 Garda members assigned to Cork. Of this total, 699 Garda members were assigned to Cork City Division, 322 to Cork North Division, and 283 to Cork West Division. At the end of February 2023, there were a total of 1,318 Garda members assigned to Cork. Of this total, there were 705 Garda members assigned to Cork City Division, 329 to Cork North Division, and 284 to Cork West Division.
The Deputy may be aware that there was very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with almost 6,400 applications. The recruitment process is continuing to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period. Furthermore, the Garda Commissioner has confirmed that he has requested the Public Appointments Service to undertake a Garda Reserve competition at the earliest possible date.
39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to reduce overcrowding in the Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7783/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Prison Service must accept into custody all people committed to prison by the Courts. As such, the Irish Prison Service has no control over the numbers committed to custody at any given time.
Where the number of people in custody exceeds the maximum capacity in any prison, the Irish Prison Service make every effort to deal with this through a combination of inter-prison transfers and appropriate use of structured Temporary Release.
The criteria for participation in the Community Return and Community Support Schemes were reviewed last year and additional prisoners are now eligible for assessment for suitability to participate on these structured and supported schemes.
A Prison Overcrowding Response Group has been established, with officials from across the Department, the Irish Prison Service, Probation Service, Courts Service, and An Garda Síochána to examine proposals to address overcrowding.
While focused on rehabilitation and reducing offending, we will also continue to invest in our prison estate, to ensure that it is modern and fit for purpose and has the capacity to accommodate those committed to prison by the courts.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government has made significant capital funding available to the Irish Prison Service in order to enhance the existing prison infrastructure and to provide additional capacity - with over 200 new spaces brought online in recent years.
Plans have also now been outlined for 4 new capital projects at Castlerea, Cloverhill, the Midlands and Mountjoy prisons which can accommodate up to 620 prisoners and I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to progress this.
40. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice her plans to tackle the increasing number of SLAPP cases being taken against media outlets in Ireland. [8242/24]
View answerThe Government is conscious that powerful individuals and companies can attempt to misuse defamation laws to prevent journalists reporting in the public interest on their activities, and indeed to target public participation more broadly.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation – known as SLAPPs – are recognised, both here and internationally, as a significant challenge to press freedom, given the chilling effect they have on investigative journalists in their work.
Effective public participation must be safeguarded and journalists must be allowed to hold powerful individuals and organisations to account. The Report of the Defamation Review, which I obtained Government approval to publish in March 2022, already drew attention to this issue, and recommended the introduction of concrete measures to address the threat posed by SLAPPs.
On 28 March 2023, Government approved publication and priority drafting of the General Scheme of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill.
The General Scheme sets out targeted new measures to identify and tackle SLAPPs in defamation proceedings, while protecting access to the courts for all. This underlines that Ireland values public interest journalism, and is committed to maintaining it.
The proposed measures take account of best practice internationally and in other jurisdictions, and target internationally recognised hallmarks of SLAPP proceedings, such as a deliberate generation of maximised legal costs and delays to threaten and silence public interest reporting, often using greatly exaggerated or unfounded claims.
In particular, the Scheme includes specific measures against the bringing of SLAPP defamation cases, including, but not limited to:
• A new procedure for early dismissal of defamation proceedings that are shown to be a SLAPP
• Security for costs: the court can make an order at any stage requiring the SLAPP plaintiff to provide security for the defendant’s costs
• Award of costs: where a court is satisfied that defamation proceedings against public participation constitute a SLAPP, the plaintiff in those proceedings will bear all the defendant’s costs on a full indemnity basis.
The Government Legislation Programme for Spring 2024 provides for the priority publication of the Defamation (Amendment) Bill during the current Dáil Session. The Bill will ensure a balanced approach to protecting the right to freedom of expression, the right to protection of good name and reputation, and the right of access to justice.
41. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide extra capacity at the old Cork Prison site to offset any overcrowding in the new block; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8157/24]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the former Cork Prison facility was built in the early 1800s and operated as a prison from 1972 to 2016.
The prison was deemed no longer appropriate for use as prison accommodation due to the condition of the facilities, the size of the cellular accommodation and the lack of in-cell sanitation.
The facility was closed in February 2016 following the construction of new prison facilities on a site opposite the old prison as part of the Irish Prison Service modernisation programme and capital plan for the prison estate, and the old prison was decommissioned.
Since that time the facility has remained vacant and fallen further into disrepair.
Given the current trend in prisoner numbers and the pressure on the prison capacity across the estate, the site of the former Cork prison remains of significant strategic interest to the Irish Prison Service. In late 2023, engineering consultants were engaged by the Irish Prison Service to carry out a detailed assessment of the old Cork Prison facility and to provide a feasibility report on the site with various options for its use.
This report is expected to be completed later in 2024.
42. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice what measures are being considered under the expert forum on antisocial behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8315/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in line with a Programme for Government commitment, I established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in 2020. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of ASB on community morale and quality of life. The forum has established four sub-groups to consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to ASB impacts on housing complexes managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) and to review the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
Updates from each of the sub-groups are outlined below:
• The knife crime subgroup assessed available evidence to inform policy on knife crime and produced a policy paper with recommendations to inform both legislation and community safety policies, programmes and practices.
• The subgroup to consider the issues of Anti-Social Behaviour that are arising within Approved Housing Bodies' accommodation complexes have completed a Local Leadership Programme (LLP) in a trial location and will be rolling out LLPs in more locations moving forward in collaboration with local authorities, AHBs and the Department of Housing. The recommendations of this subgroup could include possible pilot approaches to address this issue in one or more geographical areas.
• The subgroup to review Garda powers has produced a policy paper with recommendations focused on offences under the Public Order Acts, but not serious crime, such as drugs and organised crime, and not low-level nuisances such as litter, graffiti, etc. for which Gardaí do not have responsibility.
• The scramblers subgroup delivered a community-based approach to tackling misuse of these and similar vehicles, with my Department providing funding to Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs). €190,000 was allocated in 2022, and a further €190,000 in 2023. For 2024, almost €149,000 in funding has been allocated. My Department welcomes additional applications from other YDPs and is working with a number to support them in developing additional local scrambler initiatives.
Other subgroups may be established to tackle additional specific issues as required.
48. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his attendance at a meeting (details supplied). [1699/24]
View answer51. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his attendance at a meeting (details supplied). [1697/24]
View answer73. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his attendance at a meeting (details supplied). [1698/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 51 and 73 together.
I was pleased to accept the invitation to address the recent AGM of the Irish Farmers Association as is custom and practice for Ministers for Agriculture. I was accompanied by my Ministerial colleagues in the Department, Ministers of State Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon where we addressed the meeting on a wide range of relevant topics including Funding for the CAP Programme, support for the individual sectors, new schemes for farmers, the new Forestry Programme and of course improving the sustainability credentials of Irish agriculture.
Engagement with stakeholders has been a priority of mine since becoming Minister and I will continue to use every opportunity to engage. Farmers are frontline in producing the food we eat and the backbone of Ireland’s largest indigenous economic sector. Dialogue is always important between Government and farmers and our door is always open. Inevitably there will be disagreements on occasion, but on the whole we have a common set of objectives and the kind of mutual respect upon which constructive relationships can be built. We both want the best for the Irish Agri food sector in the long term and I am certain that we will achieve far more by working together in a positive way.
I also took the opportunity at the AGM to highlight how we must continue to be ambitious for the sector and positive about its future. I noted that despite the challenges of Brexit, the Pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Agriculture sector has performed reasonably strongly over the past few years. I also brought attention to the support provided by this Government in particular how we secured the highest ever funding for an Irish CAP programme with just under €10 billion being provided directly to farmers and rural communities up to 2027. All of the schemes and initiatives that will flow from this investment are an investment in the future of Irish farming. My Department’s budget for 2024 is almost €2 billion and over €3 billion when direct payments are included.
I also spoke at the AGM about our ongoing efforts to improve market access for Irish products. I will continue to lead trade missions linking Irish businesses with customers overseas and building official and political links with key influencers in those markets and to tell the story of Irish agriculture.
Of course I did not shy away from the challenges that the sector faces acknowledging that 2023 was a challenging year particularly with poor weather which caused pressures on farm incomes. Thankfully the Teagasc outlook for 2024 is more positive for all of the dairy, livestock and tillage sectors and we will continue to monitor matters closely.
There are other challenges on sustainability also and water quality is high on that list. As I commented at the meeting, all of our combined efforts now must go into retaining the Nitrates Derogation from 2026 onwards. We cannot be complacent and I was forthright in outlining the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in on this issue. To secure the renewal of the derogation, we must work collectively and take credible measures now to improve water quality.
Finally, I also used the occasion of the AGM to welcome the new President and note the election of the first ever female Deputy President of the IFA, Alice Doyle. Just last month I published an ambitious Action Plan for Women in Agriculture and improving the status and visibility of women at all levels in the agri-food sector is a key priority of mine.
50. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s efforts to increase the number of organic farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8385/24]
View answerMy Department is committed to achieving 10% of all land farmed organically by 2030.
A key element of this is providing the infrastructure and support to both those farmers that convert to Organic and those who are thinking of converting.
There has been a very strong uptake in the Organic Farming Scheme over the last three years, most recently in December 2023, when a further 1,000 farmers joined the Scheme. This means that, this year, there will be more than 5,000 organic farmers in Ireland farming approximately 5% of the land.
My Department, through the aegis of the Organic Strategy Forum, has conducted a review of the 2019 - 2025 Organic Food Sector and Strategy. This demonstrated that most actions have now been delivered, and have stimulated a renewed interest in, and focus on, organic farming.
In order to build on the progress made to date, and to ensure that momentum is maintained, a new National Strategy for the Organic Sector 2024 to 2030 is being developed. This will be published during Quarter 2 of 2024. Once published, an implementation plan will be put in place and will measure progress across key performance indicators. It is intended that this will be published on a quarterly basis.
52. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of land afforested in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and the Government's target for afforestation in 2024. [7872/24]
View answerAs Deputies will be aware there has been a decline in afforestation in recent years. In 2020 2,434 hectares of land were afforested, with 2,061 hectares and 2,273 hectares in the years 2021 and 2022 respectively. In 2023, there were protracted negotiations with the EU Commission to secure State Aid approval for the new Forestry Programme, which was launched in September. This had an affect on afforestation rates with a total of 1,651 hectares planted.
The new Forestry Programme aims to reverse this decline by offering attractive and diverse options for planting, especially for farmers. This government has committed €1.3 billion to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year. So far 2,154 hectares have been approved for planting under the new Programme and applications for payment are now being submitted and paid on a weekly basis. The new Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options including Native Woodland, Continuous Cover Forestry and Emergent Forests. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premium rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premium term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types. Afforestation is a voluntary land use choice for landowners and building confidence among landowners of the benefits of forestry will be key to increasing afforestation rates on recent low trends. In order to encourage uptake we have engaged in extensive promotion of the forestry options available including funding 42 stakeholder projects. These projects will promote the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches and will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests as a source of biodiversity, enjoyment and inspiration. A targeted media campaign has been underway across all media and will continue throughout 2024.
In addition more than 1,000 people attended 20 Teagasc-led in-person meetings for the public on the new afforestation scheme throughout the country and Teagasc will continue to promote forestry. In addition, we are meeting regularly with professional foresters to provide information and any training needed to apply for the new afforestation scheme and have set up an Afforestation Technical Working Group to address any issues arising.
My Department has the capacity to issue sufficient licences to meet the annual target of 8,000 hectares and we have put additional resources in place to do so. I recognise that planting at this scale is a challenge but believe that it is in all our interests to work towards this target. It will require a concerted and united effort from all those interested in forestry across communities, public bodies, the forestry sector and farmers to make this a reality. I am committed to working closely with all stakeholders to do so and will shortly convene a Forest Strategy Consultative Committee to facilitate further momentum towards increased planting.
55. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for continuing delays in advance payments for participation of ACRES in tranche 1 under general ACRES and co-operation ACRES; the rationale on interim payments being made to participants; to provide a timeline for when calculations will complete to issue full payments due to farmers under ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8312/24]
View answerAs the deputy is aware, there was unprecedented demand under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Tranche 1. This is a reflection of the interest amongst farmers in taking on actions to address climate, biodiversity, and environmental issues. In response to this ambition by farmers, I ensured that all eligible Tranche 1 applications were approved, with just under 46,000 active contracts now in place.
ACRES payments commenced on December 15th, with payments issuing in the initial payment run to two-thirds of all ACRES General participants. Further payments have been made in 2024 to additional ACRES General participants that had cleared payment validations. Over €88 million has now issued to almost 20,000 ACRES General participants.
ACRES is also an ambitious scheme, with results-based actions - for the first time under any large-scale environmental programme - constituting an important element. This is in line with the objective of delivering the maximum possible environmental benefit under the scheme. This however brings with it new challenges and new complexities - particularly in relation to the Co-operation Project stream, and also in relation to commonages - which have to be fully addressed before all payments can issue.
Every effort continues to be made to ensure that all of these payments can be issued as quickly as possible. This work is ongoing and is a priority, but is likely to take a further period to complete. In these circumstances, I have decided to make an interim, nationally-funded, payment to those farmers affected across ACRES General and Co-operation.
I can confirm that the rate of this interim payment will be €4,000 for those in ACRES general and €5,000 for those in ACRES Co-operation Projects. It is my intention to have this interim payment delivered to those farmers affected across ACRES General and Co-operation by the end of this month.
Intensive work will continue on the calculation of the full payments due to farmers under Tranche 1 of ACRES, and when this work is completed, the final payments issued to farmers - which will take place in June - will take into account the interim payments already made to the relevant participants.
56. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the new UK import controls are impacting small Irish agrifood businesses. [8374/24]
View answerI acknowledge that the new UK requirements represent a significant change for Irish businesses trading with Great Britain and the additional burdens they impose on this vital trade. My Department has had extensive engagement with all stakeholders in the agri-food sector on these changes. This has included detailed training sessions for businesses trading with the UK and direct engagement by local Department teams with the food businesses they supervise.
As the Deputy is aware, on 31 January, the UK introduced new import controls on goods from the EU, including Ireland which included:
1. a requirement for full UK customs import declarations to be lodged on the UK customs systems in advance of all goods entering GB.
2. the pre-notification of imports of all animal products and all high and medium risk plant products to GB on the UK’s food and feed import system (IPAFFS)and
3. the provision of an export health certificate for Animal and plant products which have been categorised as high or medium risk by the UK.
These new UK import requirements are a further outworking of consequences of Brexit and do present significant changes for Irish exporters to GB, their logistics partners and their customers in GB.
My Department has worked extremely closely with Irish agri-food businesses to support them in preparing for these changes. This has included:
• extensive information campaign raising awareness of the changes through a series of information webinars, engagement with stakeholder groups and circulation of information and guidance to over 1,000 businesses involved in the agri-food sector supply chain;
• the provision of detailed training programmes for food businesses on export health certification requirements and processes;
• the assignment of additional resources through recruitment and redeployment to support export certification;
• intensive direct engagement between the Department's local supervisory teams and individual food businesses to agree processes to meet UK requirements.
I believe the extensive preparations undertaken by all actors in Ireland to GB agri-food supply chains have ensured that the new UK requirements are, for the vast majority of food businesses, large and small, trading with GB, being met in a effective manner since 31 January.
I want to assure the Deputy that my department will continue to engage with food businesses to carefully monitor and manage any risks and impacts arising from the new UK requirements, in particular associated with the delivery of export health certification.
This will ensure that the systems and processes supporting certification are refined on an ongoing basis in partnership with businesses with a view to delivering a sustainable and efficient certification service in the long term.
59. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on the sheep improvement scheme and whether affected hill flock participants identified in 2023 will have an option open to them for 2024 to select new actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8313/24]
View answerThe Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector and builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS), which has now come to an end.
The first year of this 5-year scheme ran from the 1st February 2023 to the 31st of December 2023 with Year 2 running from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024.
I am aware of the issue that arose in 2023 which affected some hill flock participants, who normally scan in January each year and who selected the scanning action for the scheme. Following consultation with the farm organisations, my Department wrote to all affected participants in February 2023 affording them the opportunity to deselect scanning and select a different action for Year 1 of the scheme.
From Year 2, affected applicants can revert to scanning if they select to do so, as the remaining years of the SIS will run from the 1st of January to the 31st of December annually. This will mean this issue will be resolved for hill sheep farmers wishing to opt for the scanning option under SIS.
61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine about the delayed actions his Department is leading on as part of the climate action plan 2023; the proportion that are complete and the proportion that are delayed; if any are still outstanding from the 2021 climate action plan; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8337/24]
View answerAs part of the governance and oversight of the Climate Action Plan process, the Department of An Taoiseach publish, on a quarterly basis, progress reports on the status of the actions within the Climate Action Plan (CAP) for 2021 and 2023.
These reports are available online: www.gov.ie/en/publication/55fde-climate-action-important-publications
All actions assigned to the agriculture sector under CAP21 were completed and/or carried over to the CAP23. Similarly, the draft CAP24 which was published on December 20 2023 will build on the actions of CAP23 and/or carry forward any delayed actions. These actions will be progressed and monitored throughout the course of CAP24 as per previous plans.
Under CAP23, there were 53 actions assigned to my Department of which 45 have been successfully completed. The incomplete actions will be prioritised for completion as soon as possible.
62. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he provided additional funding for the protection of animal welfare during recent cold weather. [8367/24]
View answerMy Department provides considerable levels of funding each year through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme to registered animal welfare charities for the care and welfare of animals. Animal welfare remains a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government, and that is reflected in the funding provided.
On the 7th December last year, I announced record funding of €6 million to 101 animal welfare charities nationwide through the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. This is the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.
This funding is provided to these organisations to assist in the provision of all year round services and acknowledges the excellent work conducted by the charities, including during the challenging winter months.
Among other measures undertaken by my Department to support animal welfare is the continued operation of the Farmer and Animal Welfare Network (FAWN).
This multi-stakeholder group meets on a regional basis and facilitates early intervention in developing animal welfare situations, such as extreme weather events or other events which may have an impact on animal welfare.
In these cases, my Department in conjunction with stakeholders acts quickly and effectively to deal with any situation that is arising.
63. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will comment on agricultural sustainability in the context of the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8371/24]
View answerFood Vision 2030 aims to balance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of our agri-food sectors using a holistic food systems approach.
Aligned with Mission 1 of Food Vision, in 2022, Ireland secured an extension to our nitrate’s derogation covering the period to the end of 2025. This derogation allows farmers operate above a maximum stocking rate of 170 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare subject to compliance with stricter environmental conditions.
The Nitrates Directive sets down the criteria that may permit a nitrates derogation. In accordance with those criteria, Ireland’s unique grass-based livestock production systems, our climate, and our soils justify our nitrates derogation.
In 2023, approximately 7,300 Irish farmers sought to avail of a nitrate’s derogation.
Irish water quality is relatively good compared to other EU Member States. However, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), data shows nutrient levels are too high in many of our waters.
I acknowledge farmers have embraced a significant number of changes in 2022 and 2023 through the current Nitrates Action Programme. Unfortunately, the impact of these changes is not yet evident in Irish water quality data.
Irish water quality data contributed to the European Commission attaching increased conditionality to Ireland's current nitrates derogation.
With this in mind, under the Interim Review of the Nitrates Action Programme, the Government will shortly bring forward a number of measures with the objective of improving water quality.
I believe farmer engagement with these new measures, along with improved compliance with, and enforcement of, existing measures will be critical to
1. drive improvements in Irish water quality,
2. secure improved sustainability for Irish farming and
3. retain the maximum possible stocking rates under our nitrates derogation.
As a State, we all have to work together to reduce the levels of nutrients in our water. This responsibility extends to all farmers, as well as all of society, including private dwellings on septic tanks and Uisce Eireann who are also investing to improve water quality.
