Written Answers Nos. 993-1012
994. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to establish the drainage status of grassland peat soils in Ireland further to the findings of a study (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12134/24]
View answerI am committed to reducing the knowledge and data gaps evident in the land use sector by investing in the research needed to better understand greenhouse gas emissions and removals from our land. This is evidenced with investments by my Department over recent years in the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory, soil mapping projects and the Irish Soil Moisture Monitoring Network.
More recently, I announced funding of twenty research grants worth just over €24 million to support research across sixteen institutes. My Department’s 2023 Thematic Research Call will support research across the agri-food, forest, and bioeconomy sectors.
As part of this research call, I awarded over €1.5m to a project led by Teagasc titled “Geospatial drainage status detection mapping of organic rich soils for National Inventory Reporting and policy support needs”. This much needed project will select and classify lowland peat soils on grassland across several sites, roll out technologies, create on the ground validation and monitoring datasets and conduct a SWOT analysis of these technologies to identify a way forward to produce a national drainage status map for Ireland.
There is a recognition that estimates in the greenhouse gas emission inventory rely on untested assumptions regarding the extent, nutrient status, and drainage status of these soils. This strategic investment by my Department will offer an opportunity to drastically improve emission estimates in the sector and provide for more informed and justifiable policy regarding the management of such soils, benefiting Irish agriculture and society at large.
995. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No.449 of 20 February 2024, if he will supply the information sought specifically by the three districts covering County Cork, as requested in the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12137/24]
View answerAs advised in Parliamentary Question No. 449 my Department collates information on licences by county and therefore provided the information for County Cork on that basis.
An applicant that is not happy with a decision by my Department may seek a review or appeal of the decision.
996. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal under the Brexit blue economy enterprise development scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12166/24]
View answerThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) fund aimed to provide financial support to those most affected by Brexit in order to deal with the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union.
In line with the recommendations of the Seafood Task Force, I launched 16 schemes with a combined budget allocation of over €300 million in supports to fishers, to the aquaculture sector, to fish processors and to operators in the blue economy around our coastal communities. Included in those schemes was the Brexit Blue Economy Enterprise Development Scheme, which was administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and had a budget of €12 million. Almost 390 beneficiaries were supported under this scheme.
In the case of the applicant in question, an asset was purchased and paid for by the applicant ahead of their application to BIM for funding under the scheme. Such expenditure is disallowed under the scheme. The applicant lodged an appeal on 30 November 2023. That appeal was unsuccessful for the reasons outlined above and the applicant was notified of the outcome of the appeal on 4 December 2023.
The scheme closed on 31 December 2023.
997. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in what areas of the country is the greyhound racing industry one of the few meaningful sources of employment, as claimed in an industry-commissioned report published in 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12199/24]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
998. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department changed space for nature percentages for Eco scheme applications online after the applications were submitted, when the criteria to be followed and the pre-determined Departmental calculations for space for nature had allowed the Eco scheme applications to pass all checks and balances prior to submission online, this IT issue has been the source of much frustration to FAS advisors and scheme applicants, who await payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12225/24]
View answerDuring 2022, my Department produced “indicative Space for Nature” percentages for all farmers by mapping features such as hedges, stonewalls, groves of trees, scrub etc and attaching a space for nature estimate to them. These "indicative Space for Nature" estimates were launched on iNet in September 2022 in advance of the national ploughing championships and 6 months in advance of iNet opening for BISS 2023 applications in February 2023.
Farmers and FAS Advisors were advised to review the Space for nature estimates to ensure that features that my Department had identified and mapped on farms existed on the ground and/or where features were missed the farmer or FAS Advisor could edit maps online to include any features omitted.
My Department's indicative estimates identified that c. 90% of farms had more than 10% Space for Nature which is the AP 1 enhanced requirement and counts as two Eco-Scheme actions. The required threshold for Eco-Schemed AP1 standard requires the farmer to have above 7% Space for Nature and this standard threshold counts as 1 Eco-Scheme action.
The Department identified a Space for Nature calculation error in late April 2023 where there was a scrub exclusion within a parcel(s). This issue was corrected in May 2023 and impacted FAS Advisors and individual farmers who had already submitted their 2023 BISS and Eco application were informed and advised what they needed to do.
Almost 70% of the 1,118 herds written to in May 2023, have already been paid their 2023 Eco-scheme. My Department is continuing to process the outstanding herds in this category and is in regular contact with FAS Advisors on this and all other matters relating to Eco-schemes.
999. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the IT systems and algorithms used to compute, compile and process 2023 farm payments for ACRES, BISS and Eco scheme is fit for purpose; the reason his Department and FAS advisors are unable to finalise farm payments due to applicants within the timeframes promised by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12227/24]
View answerThe IT systems that my Department uses to support farm payments have undergone significant redevelopment in recent years to facilitate the multitude of new support schemes under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP).
To manage these new schemes, completely new systems were developed which had to cater for new requirements many of which involved dealing with features on farm that had never been mapped before. One such example was hedgerows under Space For Nature within the ECO scheme. My Department mapped all relevant features on farm to assist farmers and advisors. This was particularly important as it gave farmers the opportunity to get credit for the many ecologically important features that exist and which are maintained on farm.
There is no doubt the range of scheme has put pressure on not only Department IT systems, but also farmers, advisors and the staff of my own Department. The aim always is to maximise the number of farmers paid while still ensuring that the required regulatory checks are carried out.
As evidenced by the recent payments under ACRES my Department will continue to work on the relevant IT systems to ensure farm payments will issue in a timely manner and I am confident that 2024 will see improvements in terms of payments and overall system performance. As with new CAP changes the first year is the most difficult but as systems bed in and people become more familiar with requirements the level of payments made at advance and balancing time will increase in the coming years.
1000. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who developed the agrisnap app for recording information on farms; the amount the app cost to set up; if all the IT issues and difficulties with transfer of information from the app have been fixed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12230/24]
View answerThe AgriSnap™ was developed as a geotagged photo app, part of an EU initiative - New IACS Vision in Action (NIVA) project and in response to a H2020 call – H2020-RUR-14-2018 – Digital solutions and e-tools to modernise the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
This IT development was a collaboration between the Department, the Walton Institute and stakeholders (farmers, advisors and Department staff), in the design and vision of the app.
In November 2022 AgriSnap™ was taken under the Department’s control.
In 2023 the geotagged functionality to capture Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Scorecards in the field was added to the app.
Any issues that arose in the early use of this functionality in 2023 were dealt with promptly and resolved. There are no known issues or bugs related to AgriSnap™.
Almost 166,000 ACRES scorecards were submitted over a 16-week period through the newly developed scorecard feature on the AgriSnap™ app. Almost 9000 of these were submitted during weekends, highlighting the flexibility and stability of the app, and rates rose as high as 4000 or more scorecards submitted within a 24hr period on several occasions.
More than 500,000ha of land was scored and due to its in-built location accuracy AgriSnap™ ensured that 100% of users were present at the correct location before completing the scorecard.
The cost to the Department to date for the development of the AgriSnap™ app is €299,444 incl vat.
1001. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources were allocated to deal with the IT issues arising from the 2023 BISS, Eco scheme, CRISS and ANC application period for 2024; if the 2024 BISS application period will have the IT issues that were experienced during the 2023 schemes period; if additional resources were allocated to clear the backlog in 2023 payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12231/24]
View answerIn 2023 under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), my Department introduced a wide range of new schemes to assist Irish farmers, including the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), ECO scheme and ACRES. These schemes were designed to directly support farm incomes and also to reward farmers for undertaking actions that were of benefit to the climate and the environment. These schemes were also complimented by a range of national schemes that were designed to further help farmers to meet the challenges facing Irish Agriculture.
The introduction of the such a range of new schemes in 2023 was a significant administrative challenge for officials in the Department, farm advisors and farmers. The range of schemes and the data required to underpin the various payments required that significant develop of IT systems had to be carried out. Much of this work required bespoke development of systems and engagement with the EU Commission to ensure that the systems were capable of managing the applications, administrative checks and payments.
To date under the 2023 schemes nearly €2 billion has been paid out to Irish farmers. Schemes such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) have in excess of 99% of eligible applicants paid at this point. While no doubt there have been challenges in ensuring payments issue in a timely manner, my Department has consistently been one of the earliest Member States to make payments.
One of the benefits of the multi-annual nature of the CSP is that while 2023 saw a large amount of change 2024 will, from a scheme perspective, be relatively stable with development work carried out in 2023 being available for use again in 2024. It is therefore expected that 2024 will be easier on all parties.
Online applications for the BISS/CRISS/ECO & ANC Schemes opened as scheduled on 20th February 2024. Scheduled downtime occurred in 2024 to facilitate the introduction of additional functionality for the ECO Scheme and to facilitate the introduction of functionality for the Multi Species Sward Measure (MSSM) and Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM) Schemes. My Department allocated additional IT resources to complete the development. The online application was initially opened with additional features added throughout the application period.
The Departments online applications are developed in line with internationally accepted best practices and have a rigorous testing programme. Whilst it is not possible for the Department to give guarantees that IT issues will not be experienced in the future, the Department can confirm that applications are continuously monitored in the application period, and that any issues that may arise will be dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
1002. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers who are not participating in ACRES are receiving interim ACRES payments of €5,000 in their bank accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12232/24]
View answerACRES General payments commenced on December 15th 2023, and approximately 19,719 farmers have been paid a total of €88.356 million to date.
Due to the additional complexity associated with payments to Co-operation Project (CP) participants, it was agreed to make an interim payment to all the remaining applicants who had not received an ACRES payment. The first interim payment run of €4,000 for ACRES General participants and €5,000 for ACRES CP participants was paid on the February 28th 2024, and came to a total of €113,617,000. A second run totalling €5,923,000 was processed last week and is arriving in bank accounts this week.
Including the payments processed last week, 44,780 participants will have received ACRES payments totalling €207.8 million.
The Department is aware of a small number of cases that were issued a payment in error due to an administrative error. This has now been rectified.
My Department is continuing its work to expedite ACRES payments for issue in June.
1003. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 10,914 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021, and registered on RCETS at microchipping stage, have been exported to the UK to date, as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12260/24]
View answer1004. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 10,914 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021, and registered on RCETS at microchipping stage, have been recorded as 'Export International' on RCETS to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12261/24]
View answer1005. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 9,468 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2022, and registered on RCETS at microchipping stage, have been exported to the UK to date, as recorded on RCETS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12262/24]
View answer1006. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how many of the 9,468 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2022, and registered on RCETS at microchipping stage, have been recorded as 'Export International' on RCETS to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12263/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1003 to 1006, inclusive, together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1007. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reinstate the restrictions on vessels over 18 metres in length from operating within both the baseline and the six nautical mile (nm) limit (details supplied); if he will implement additional restrictions on commercial fishing practices within the Kenmare River as it is designated as a special area of conservation and received no protection from unsustainable fishing practices to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12267/24]
View answerFive years ago, in December 2018, a transition to a ban on vessels over 18 metres in overall length trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced following a previous public consultation. This ban had a strong support base but was overturned following legal challenge. In view of changes in activity and issues concerning the marine space since then, I think it is important that this issue is reviewed and reflected on in an open, inclusive process.
To inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone, I launched a public consultation which will last for 8 weeks beginning on February 13th. This consultation will close at 1pm on April 12th.
Up-to-date scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara on trawling in the waters inside the six nautical miles has been published along with a consultation paper which sets out potential options and provides information on issues to consider.
I am conscious of the dependence of our inshore fleet, compared to larger vessels, on fishing resources within the six nautical mile zone. Other issues that need to be reflected on include balancing the management of our fisheries with the needs of the marine ecosystem but also the changes that have come with Brexit, the Energy Crisis and the Climate Crisis. The policy context is greatly changed from 2018. I encourage all interested parties to read the consultation documents and to reflect on those in making any submissions.
1008. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 407 of 7 February 2024, when the nitrogen level per tonne of chicken litter was changed; whether and how this change has been communicated to farmers; and the implications this change has. [12271/24]
View answerThe nitrogen (N) content of "broilers/deep litter" poultry manure increased from 11 kg to 28 kg N per tonne with effect from the 11th of March 2022 following the introduction of SI No. 113 of 2022. This change was made to reflect the poultry manure values published in Teagasc's Major and Micro Nutrient Advice for Productive Agricultural Crops which was last updated in 2020. The values published by Teagasc are derived from the most up to date research conducted on manure types.
The proposed change was publicised as part of the public consultations regarding the current Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). Following finalisation of the current NAP, and introduction of SI 113 of 2022, my Department published a press release in March 2022 referring to the introduction of this legislation. In addition, Department Officials facilitated a webinar open to all Farm Advisory Service advisors on the 30th of March 2022 to give an overview of the changes under the current NAP. Department Officials also presented a summary of the key changes during a Teagasc Signpost webinar open to the public in May 2022. Separately, the Nitrates Explanatory Handbook was updated to reflect the changes and published on www.gov.ie/nitrates
The implications of this increase in the N content per tonne of "broilers/deep litter" poultry manure are:
• a higher nutrient value per tonne reflecting the latest scientific research,
• less of this manure can now be applied per hectare of land compared to the situation prior to the 11th of March 2022, thereby reducing the risk to water quality arising from excess nitrogen application.
• there may be changes in the volume of this manure that must be exported off a holding to comply with the limit of 170 kg livestock manure N per ha.
1009. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a progress update on the plan to provide supports to the Forgotten Farmers; if he can provide a definite schedule for its implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12298/24]
View answerI have long supported the cohort of farmers known as the forgotten farmers and have committed to supporting them.
My Department developed a preliminary outline of a proposal to provide support to the forgotten farmer group. Work continues on addressing a number of issues, such as the funding required, consistency with public expenditure and state aid considerations before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants under the scheme can be finalised. Details of the scheme will be made available as soon as this process has been completed.
I am committed to delivering for these farmers, many of whom find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own, at the earliest opportunity.
1010. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the welfare status and location of a 20-month-old greyhound (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12302/24]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1011. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of matings in the greyhound racing and coursing industries that involved surgical artificial insemination in each of the years 2019 to 2023, in tabular form; the number of those matings that involved the use of semen obtained from a sire deceased at the time the surgical artificial insemination occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12306/24]
View answerThe Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
Below are the figures in tabular form for the years 2019 to 2023 as provided by the ICC.
|
- |
Surgical Implant Matings |
Total Implants from Deceased Sires |
|
2019 |
139 |
36 |
|
2020 |
142 |
49 |
|
2021 |
133 |
30 |
|
2022 |
90 |
45 |
|
2023 |
33 |
28 |
1012. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any adverse analytical findings for prohibited or illicit substances were detected in samples taken from greyhounds during a 2023 competition (details supplied) from 28 October 2023 to 25 November 2023 at Limerick Greyhound track; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12307/24]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
