Wednesday, 20 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1013-1032

Grant Payments

Questions (1013)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1013. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an issue with a farm payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12328/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 2023 Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) was announced on 14 June 2023.

The aim of the Scheme was to encourage and support farmers to maintain/increase the area grown to eligible tillage crops in Ireland in 2023.

This support was provided via two streams - a payment for newly converted tillage area in 2023 and a maintenance payment for those who received a payment under the 2022 TIS and continued to maintain their overall tillage area into scheme year 2023.

The person named had successfully applied for the Tillage Incentive Scheme in 2022.

He subsequently applied for the 2023 TIS on 20 June. Examination of his application indicated that he failed to maintain the overall tillage area of the holding into 2023 and therefore in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme was deemed ineligible for the maintenance option in 2023.

Departmental Staff

Questions (1014)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1014. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12343/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department facilitates severance and redundancy payments in accordance with the Terms set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Full details of severance and redundancy payments for former staff in my Department for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 were recently provided in PQ Reference 11008/24. Specifically related to severance and redundancy payments greater than €100,000 and less than €200,000 there was one such payment, details of which are shown in the table below:

-
Role in Department	Description of Payment	Year of Payment	Amount of payment
Special Advisor to Minister	Severance and Redundancy	2020	Severance €85,358.01Redundancy €15,876 Total: €101,234.01

The Question of redundancy payments to staff in the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the Bodies themselves. I will ask the State Bodies to reply directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (1015)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1015. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the structure of the Irish Pedigree Breeders Council under headings (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12471/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is responsible for the registration of breed societies in Ireland. However, the Irish Pedigree Breeders Council is not a breed society and therefore my Department does not regulate this organisation. My Department has no oversight in relation to the queries raised by the Deputy. The Deputy should contact this organisation directly.

The Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) is similarly owned by its shareholders and appointments to the board of ICBF and any expenses and remuneration are therefore a matter solely for ICBF.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (1016)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1016. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the IT issues that farmers and FAS advisors experienced with BISS, Eco scheme, CRISS and ANC applications in 2023; if a guarantee will be given that farmers and FAS advisors will not experience IT issues in the 2024 application period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12472/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

2023 was a challenging year for all those involved with the range of new schemes both under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), and those schemes that are fully nationally funded. FAS advisors play a critical role in communicating scheme requirements to farmers and submitting the relevant application forms for these schemes.

Throughout 2023 officials from my Department were in constant contact with Teagasc, ACA and with FAS advisors generally to update them on the various system updates and developments that were deployed throughout the year. While it was a challenging period, we are now in a position where more than 99% of eligible applicants are paid under the main support schemes such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), and the Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS).

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. In 2023 new systems were developed to cater for new requirements under the CAP. 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. 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.

Tax Exemptions

Questions (1017, 1018)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged with the Minister for Finance on the residential zoned land tax on behalf of farmers to ensure that farmers whose land is being actively farmed is excluded from this tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12486/24]

Claire Kerrane

Question:

1018. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether farmers whose land is being actively farmed should be excluded from the residential zoned land tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12487/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1017 and 1018 together.

Taxation policy is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance. However, both Departments work closely to ensure taxation policy is consistent with Government priorities for the agri-food sector.

The Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) was introduced in Finance Act 2021 and was designed to prompt residential development by owners of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced. It is an important measure in the context of the “Housing for All” strategy. Having listened to the concerns expressed by farmers and the farm bodies on the proposed operation of RZLT, especially around the mapping and rezoning process, I have engaged with the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this important issue.

I welcomed the announcement in Budget 2024 by the Minister for Finance that the tax liability would be deferred for one year so affected landowners have sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process to ensure a fair and transparent process is applied when local authorities consider what land should be on the RZLT maps.

Local Authorities published annual draft maps on 1 February 2024 identifying lands that fall within the scope of the tax and a public awareness campaign has been launched. The new date for annual draft map submissions for excluding land is 1 April 2024 and submissions for rezoning requests is 31 May 2024. Final maps will be published by local authorities on 31 January 2025. It is essential that all affected landowners engage with this process immediately.

I will continue to engage with all stakeholders on this important issue.

Question No. 1018 answered with Question No. 1017.

Local Authorities

Questions (1019, 1020)

Colm Burke

Question:

1019. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider developing a national initiative in view of the success of a recent free trees initiative by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12508/24]

Colm Burke

Question:

1020. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider in conjunction with local authorities and other relevant stakeholders (details supplied) the establishment of a nationwide free trees initiative, in view of the success of a recent frees trees initiative by Cork City Council during Tree Week 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12509/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1019 and 1020 together.

My Department has already established an ambitious national Strategy and secured the largest investment in tree planting in the history of the State. It does not provide additional funding for free trees or foresee another national initiative outside of the State Aid approved Forestry Programme.

Extensive work has been undertaken to date in the development of a new national future for forestry in Ireland. Ireland has now for the first time a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of comprehensive public consultation and engagements. This vision in turn has informed the development of our new Forestry Strategy for Ireland, which was published in September last year. The new €1.3 billion funded Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is the means by which we implement this Forest Strategy to 2030.

Recent changes to State Aid rules have resulted in the fact that public bodies, including County Councils, may now avail of grants and premia for all forest types, subject to meeting the conditions of the Scheme. Forest Type 3 ‘Forests on Public Lands’ has been specifically created to encourage the planting of new native woodlands on suitable publicly owned bare land. In addition to the establishment grant and fencing grant and premia that are offered for all 12 Forest Types, Forest Type 3 offers payments for Trails, Seats and Signage and Forest Playground Equipment. A Derelict Site Grant can also be availed of support specific operations necessitated by the site’s status as a former landfill or brownfield site.

The annual broadleaf target for this Programme has also increased from 30% to 50% of total annual planting. This is reflected in a substantial increase of 66% in premium rates for the establishment of a native forest with €1,103 per hectare available to plant native forests and €1,142 per hectare payable for native forests for water over a period of 15 or 20 years.

In addition, the programme contains a new Native Tree Area Scheme, which builds on a recent amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 that removed the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. This aims to increase and encourage interest in small-scale planting and offers premiums of up to €2,284 for 10 years.

The “Call for Proposals for Forestry Promotion Projects” is also a funding mechanism contained within the Programme, designed to encourage farmers and other landowners to plant and to raise the profile of forestry as a public good and a commercially viable enterprise. The Department invites applications for funding for various projects and approaches, to help support and highlight the multiple benefits of Forestry. While applications for the 2023/2024 period have now closed, new calls will open periodically over the duration of the programme. To date 42 projects have been selected to receive €1.6 million in funding to promote forestry through a variety of approaches. This call and associated funding have been brought to the attention of the project in question.

Further details of the schemes available under the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027 are also available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/en/publication/e384e-forestry-grants-and-schemes/

Question No. 1020 answered with Question No. 1019.

Pigmeat Sector

Questions (1021)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1021. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on revelations during the week in relation to pig farming (details supplied), and how he will respond to this. [12513/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Neglect or causing unnecessary suffering to any animal is unacceptable in our society and Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare.

I can confirm that the material referenced by the Deputy, has been received by my Department and is currently being reviewed by my Department officials.

Follow-up inspections of the relevant pig farms were carried out and as the matter is subject to investigation, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time.

I can confirm to the Deputy that pig farms across the country are subject to animal welfare inspections, as part of official controls under the EU Pig Welfare Directive. In addition, my Department carries out additional inspections under the Pig Welfare-Intact Tails Inspection Programme, which aims to improve pig welfare in general.

My Department is fully committed to the ongoing promotion of high animal welfare standards and is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.

Official Travel

Questions (1022, 1023, 1024)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1022. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of his engagement with South Sudanese officials as part of his St. Patrick's Day visit. [12526/24]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1023. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of any discussions he or his officials had with South Sudanese officials in relation to trade opportunities and/or the potential export of milk and non-milk powder; and if such discussions took place, if a human rights and environmental impact assessment has taken place in relation to those exports. [12527/24]

Holly Cairns

Question:

1024. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Irish businesses he met with during his trip to South Sudan. [12528/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1022 to 1024, inclusive, together.

My visit to South Sudan, the first ever by a Cabinet Minister since their independence in 2011, provided an opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate our continued support for the people of South Sudan. Ireland’s support includes assistance through Irish Aid, through partnerships with NGOs and through multilateral agencies such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It was part of a visit to East Africa, the primary focus of which was to engage with WFP in advance of a new Strategic Partnership Agreement. I started my visit in Kenya, where I announced a funding commitment of €105m to WFP from Ireland for 2025 to 2027, a 40% increase on the previous three-year period. The funding will be provided by my Department, which is the lead for Ireland’s engagement with the WFP and FAO. During my visit to Ethiopia, I announced that of that commitment, €30million is earmarked specifically for the Horn of Africa, a region of extreme need because of drought, conflict, and the ongoing impacts of climate change.In South Sudan, people are predominantly pastoralists and I saw farm projects in Warrap State where WFP are supporting projects to diversify agri-food systems, including helping people, particularly women, to grow vegetables all year round with the use of purpose-built ponds. Also, WFP and FAO are providing support to grow climate-resistant crops such as cassava, improving resilience and food security, and reducing the need for food assistance. I also visited Molboor cattle camp in Juba, where I spoke with the community of pastoralists. I also met with NGOs, UN representatives, and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, strengthening the relations which began with South Sudan’s independence in 2011. While Ireland is of course open to trade with South Sudan, there were no specific trade talks during my visit there.

Question No. 1023 answered with Question No. 1022.

Question No. 1024 answered with Question No. 1022.

Forestry Sector

Questions (1025)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

1025. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of access information on the environment requests have been submitted to the forestry section in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12553/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 133 of 2007), gives legal rights to those seeking access to information on the environment from public authorities. These Regulations came into effect on 1 May 2007, repealing the previous legislation, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 1998. S.I. 662 of 2011, S.I. 615 of 2014 and S.I. 309 of 2018 revised these regulations further. These Regulations are currently under review.

An unofficial consolidation of the Regulations is available here:

www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/1e52cb-access-to-information-on-the-environment-aie/#aie-legislation

The Regulations provide a definition of environmental information and outline the manner in which requests for information should be provided to public authorities.

Information relating to the environment held by, or for, a public authority must be made available on request to any person subject to certain exceptions.

Since 2019 there has been a marked increase in the number of AIE requests received by my Department and in particular on Forestry. The table below outlines the number of requests received by DAFM overall and the number of those that relate to Forestry..

Year	Total AIEs recvd by DAFM	Total Forestry AIEs	Total Internal reviews recvd by DAFM	Total Forestry Internal reviews
2019	69	37	8	7
2020	142	98	19	10
2021	290	163	68	43
2022	32,297	30,630	378	352
2023	656	573	248	221
2024	209	187	75	64

The Forestry Division has developed a dedicated unit to respond to the increase in AIE requests. Currently, there are 8.5 full time staff engaged in this unit, ensuring that my Department meets it’s statutory obligations under the AIE regulations.

The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications publish the annual statistics of all AIE requests received by all public bodies in Ireland, which can be found here: National AIE Statistics

Animal Welfare

Questions (1026)

Thomas Gould

Question:

1026. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who holds responsibility for the welfare of sick or dead animals on public roads. [12573/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department is fully committed to the ongoing promotion of high animal welfare standards and also, along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.

The owners/keepers of animals are responsible for their health and welfare, and for the disposal of such animals if they die. The relevant local authority has responsibility for the removal of unidentified dead animals on public roads.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (1027)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1027. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12624/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm that the person named applied for Tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), under the Co-operation approach, but the application did not progress due to a request being made by the person named for a change to the herd number, during the approval process.

My Department has been in contact with the person named and will be writing to them shortly to invite them to apply for Tranche 2.

Animal Passports

Questions (1028)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

1028. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce an electronic system with full traceability of all horses, such as the AIM system for cattle, that would provide data on the number of horses in Ireland, horse ownership details, track the movements of every horse through its life and record if they are exported to another jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12684/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

EU Regulation 2016/429, the Animal Health Law, which sets down the EU rules on animal traceability, recognises that effective traceability systems for each species must reflect the reality of how those animals move throughout their lifetime. Frequent movement is intrinsic to the horse sector and in recognition of this, Regulation 2016/429, bases equine traceability on the concept of a horse’s “habitual residence”. This concept is not employed for other species and therefore, replicating the bovine traceability system for equines would not be appropriate.

Notwithstanding this, improving equine traceability is a priority for my Department and, to that end, I have introduced a number of initiatives, including: an annual census providing data on all equines and their habitual residence; A chipchecker portal, which allows members of the public to confirm the identity of micro-chipped equines; the provision of funding to support an e-passport system to facilitate improved traceability, including in particular the movement of equines involved in racing or competition.

Departmental Funding

Questions (1029)

Robert Troy

Question:

1029. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12713/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The list of NGO's funded by my Department and level of unding for the years in question is set out in the attached table.

Grant Payments

Questions (1030)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1030. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12732/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The herdnumber provided has had their Eco-scheme application processed and payment will be in the farmers bank account in the coming days.

Departmental Meetings

Questions (1031)

Carol Nolan

Question:

1031. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied) including its representatives from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12733/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There have been a number of engagements between the body in question and my Department during the period outlined. Myself and an official from my Department, along with Ministers of State Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon, met with the National Women’s Council on 15th September 2021. The meeting agenda was to discuss the National Women’s Council submission on the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland also made a submission to the public consultation on Food Vision 2030.

A representative from the National Women’s Council of Ireland telephoned my Department on 30th July 2021, to discuss work on gender equality in farming.

My Department is a member of the Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls of which the National Women’s Council of Ireland is a member. In the period from 1st January 2019 to 21st February 2022, the Committee met on eight occasions, three in-person and five in virtual session.

My Department also engaged with a representative from the National Women’s Council in October and November 2022, regarding their participation in an evaluation panel of proposals submitted under Topic 2 (Women in Farming – Examining the visibility, equality and status of women in farming in Ireland) of the Department’s 2022 Policy and Strategic Studies Research Call.

As regards the 13 state bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested in relation to their engagement with the National Womens Council of Ireland is a matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to these bodies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.

Wildlife Protection

Questions (1032)

Peter Burke

Question:

1032. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to restrict the importation of non-native sub-species, hybrid honeybees and queens into the State; what strategies are being devised to protect the Irish honey business and keep the native species free from disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12758/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The movement of bees within the Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the Union. The importation of honeybees into Ireland is allowed under these Regulations and a statutory ban on non-native bee imports into Ireland may constitute a restriction on trade.

Import data from the past three years shows a decline in the number of honey bees imported into Ireland from 1285 in 2021 to 388 in 2023.

In October 2023 my Department entered into a 12 month research contract with the National University of Ireland, Galway to provide an independent scientific assessment to investigate the threat to and adverse impact upon biodiversity and the ecosystem arising from the introgression/crossing/cross-breeding of the native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera with non-native species or sub-species of and/or strains derived from Apis mellifera imported to Ireland. It is important that this work concludes before deciding whether or not to introduce legislation banning the importation of non-native honey bees into Ireland.

My Department provides a range of supports and initiatives to encourage and assist beekeepers and the national beekeeping associations. These supports include funding to carry out applied research through the National Apiculture Programme, grants to national beekeeping associations and grant aid to fund capital investments for beekeepers.

My Department provides a bee health service, free of charge, which facilitates the early detection of pests and pathogens which is key to maintaining healthy stock of bees in Ireland. My Department also operates the Sentinel Apiary Programme along with volunteer beekeepers throughout Ireland. The aim of the programme is to ensure the early detection of three exotic pests, Small Hive beetle (SHB), Tropilaelaps spp . and the Asian Hornet.