Written Answers Nos. 995-1017
995. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given to allowing fodder support scheme applications from farmers who did not participate in the 2022 scheme, given there are young farmers who were unable to apply for the 2022 scheme and who were locked out of the scheme in 2023 and subsequent years due to eligibility rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14722/24]
View answerFollowing the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, in June 2022 I announced the launch of a €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) over the 2022 winter and 2023 spring.
Following the success of this 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, in November 2022 I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
Both schemes were a recognition of the impact of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact that had in terms of access to imported animal feed and on the price of agricultural inputs, especially chemical fertiliser. There are no current plans to reopen the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
Over recent months, there has been exceptionally poor weather, and to aid farmers with fodder shortages I have announced a Fodder Transport Measure on the 9th April. This measure will further assist farmers through a transport subsidy where they are facing fodder shortages on their farms. Full details of this scheme are available on my Departments website at gov - Fodder Transport Support Measure (www.gov.ie).
996. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System as exported to Great Britain in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14738/24]
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.
997. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how an Irish greyhound (details supplied) with total prize money of €82,755 is registered on Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System following reports of his export to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14739/24]
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 Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a copy of the Members’ Agreement entered into, on or about the date of 11 November 2021, between three organisations (details supplied), including any subsequent amendments to that agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14761/24]
View answerI would like to ask the Deputy to directly contact the organisations named in the question in relation to any specific information sought.
The organisations named are private entities, including a State Body. As this State Body was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988, day-to-day operational matters, such as partnership agreements, are the responsibility of the company.
I can, however, confirm that my colleague, Minister Hackett, together with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform at the time, gave consent for the State Body’s involvement in this initiative in October 2021.
999. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an individual (details supplied) is currently listed with Rásaíocht Con Éireann as the registered owner or part-owner of any non-coursing greyhound(s); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14772/24]
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.
1000. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made in the application submitted for the fodder support scheme by a farmer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14780/24]
View answerThe 2023 Fodder Support Scheme built on the success of the 2022 Scheme and only successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme, which closed at midnight on the 5th of December 2022. An advance payment of 57% issued to all 2023 Fodder support scheme applicants in December 2022 with balancing payment issuing in December 2023.
Since farmers applied for the scheme based on lands declared in 2022, my Department allowed for an amendment facility to allow farmers to change their land details for this scheme in 2023 - farmers may not have had access to the same land in 2023 compared to 2022. The amendment facility closed on the 12th September 2023.
My officials have examined the relevant records and have confirmed that a draft amendment for the Fodder Support Scheme 2023 was created by the applicant on the 08th September 2023 but was not fully submitted. In this case, staff in my Department will check the relevant records for this farmer and it is anticipated that a balancing payment will issue to these herds in the coming weeks. My officials have been in contact with the herdowner via the scheme email address FSS@agriculture.gov.ie and advised him accordingly.
Over recent months, there has been exceptionally poor weather, and to aid farmers with fodder shortages I have announced a Fodder Transport Measure on the 9th April. This measure will further assist farmers through a transport subsidy where they are facing fodder shortages on their farms. Full details of this scheme are available on my Departments website at gov - Fodder Transport Support Measure (www.gov.ie).
1001. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will personally intervene in the case of a farmer (details supplied) waiting on a payment under the young farm payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14805/24]
View answerAn application from the above named individuals was submitted on 17 May 2023 under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) and ECO scheme.
ANC payment issued on 17 October, with balancing payment made on 12 January 2024. The advance BISS and CRISS payments were made on 24 October, with the balancing payment following on 18 January 2024. ECO advance payment issued on 25 October with balancing paid on 24 January 2024.
Presently there are outstanding payments to issue under the CISYF plus a top-up on the BISS payment due to a successful application under the National Reserve. Unfortunately these outstanding payments are held due to a technical issue with the payment programme. Officials from my Department are working to resolve this and are hopeful that a fix can be deployed in the coming weeks to allow payments to issue.
1002. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 153 and 154 of 6 March 2024, to name the contractors/employees named as part of the management team in the tender submitted by the Irish Horse Board in April 2022 for sport horse-marketing services; the qualifications, QQI Framework Level of said qualification and name of institution awarding such qualification, of each contractor/employee identified as delivering said contract if successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14811/24]
View answerThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
The Request for Tender required that "the proposed team must include at least one member or contractor with a qualification in Marketing, Business Studies, or Business Management or other relevant disciplines at Diploma/ Certificate/Degree level".
I am satisfied that the Irish Horse Board met this requirement in their tender submission.
1003. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 155 of 6 March 2024, the reason an official from his Department is listed on a website (details supplied) as the FOI contact for the Irish Horse Board; what measures to comply with freedom of information (FOI) have been taken by the Irish Horse Board; if he has trust in the organisation's ability to comply with FOI and further GDPR regulations; if he has sought a report on the measures taken by the Irish Horse Board since January 2023 to comply with FOI and GDPR legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14812/24]
View answerI have been informed that the contact details on the FOI website of the Irish Horse Board are outdated. Accordingly, officials in my Department have instructed the named organisation to arrange to have the website amended to reflect the correct contact details.
The Irish Horse Board is a Co-operative Society and compliance with legislation pertaining to both the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are a matter for the Irish Horse Board.
I have not requested a report on this matter.
1004. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024, the number of panel members involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender; to provide the names of any public/civil servant and names of external persons involved in reviewing or scoring the equine marketing tender undertaken by his Department in April 2022; the names and grade of any other civil servants present or attending the evaluation meeting(s); any memberships held by members, or memberships of equestrian bodies held by family associates of the equine marketing tender evaluation panel; the qualifications and institute where such qualifications were awarded of each member of the panel; any other "necessary skills" he considers each member of the panel to have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14813/24]
View answer1005. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024, to provide the names/confirm the officials and names of external persons involved in reviewing or scoring the equine marketing tender undertaken by his Department in April 2022; any memberships held by members, memberships of equestrian bodies held by family associates of the equine marketing tender evaluation panel; the qualifications and institutes where such qualifications were awarded to each member of the panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14814/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1004 and 1005 together.
Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector.
Procurement processes for the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
The evaluation process comprised of 2 stages as follows:
1) a compliance check where applicants can pass or fail, and
2) evaluation of the submissions of those applicants that pass stage 1.
The compliance check (stage 1) consisted of three Department officials at Higher Executive Officer, Agricultural Inspector and acting Assistant Principal levels. This stage involved assessing if the required documentation and other compliances as outlined in the RFT has been met/submitted with the submission, for example, receipt before closing date, eESPD document received, etc. The personnel carrying out the compliance checks had no other role to play in the subsequent evaluation, review or scoring of the submissions.
The adjudication panel (stage 2) in respect of the tender competition for the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector in Ireland consisted of Chair at Principal Officer level and two outside panellists. The independent evaluation panel were selected for the individual skills and professional expertise they could bring to the process.
I am satisfied that all members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of the procurement procedure and had the required experience and knowledge to carry out the evaluation.
All members of the evaluation team properly completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms.
1006. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024, the reasons for awarding a contract given a separating score of 1.1% between two bidders; if he will provide a full objective assessment of the comparative strengths and weaknesses of all tenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14815/24]
View answerPQ 1045 refers
Following a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, it was agreed between my Department and the Commission that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector.
A Public Procurement process for the provision of Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector was accordingly carried out by my Department, in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
The Request for Tenders specified a number of criteria against which tenders meeting the eligibility criteria were assessed.
This assessment was carried out in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines by an independent assessment panel.
Each eligible tender was required to meet a minimum (pass) mark and, following assessment, the highest overall scoring tender was deemed successful, in accordance with the Guidelines. Accordingly, the contract was awarded to the highest scoring tender, submitted by the Irish Horse Board.
1007. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024, if he will publish all tenders submitted in the public interest; if he will publish elements not deemed commercially sensitive; if he will seek consent from bidders to publish their respective tenders in full; in failing to publish any of tenders received, if he will publish the table of contents of each bid received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14816/24]
View answerThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector (as referred to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024) was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
In accordance with clause 2.16 'Freedom of Information', my officials have consulted with the two Tenderers about the confidentiality or commercial sensitivity of their submissions and the release of this information as requested.
1008. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a series of procurement processes undertaken by Government (details supplied); if he is satisfied that correct procedures have been adhered to throughout the processes; what verifications he has that such adherence is independently verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14817/24]
View answerPQ 1047 refers
Following a complaint that was lodged with the European Commission in March 2018, it was agreed between my Department and the Commission that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services namely, studbooks, national breeding and marketing.
Following the tendering process the successful tenderers were as follows:
- National Breeding Services – Horse Sport Ireland,
- Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector – Irish Horse Board, and
- Provision of Studbook services – Horse Sport Ireland (3 lots).
I am satisfied that the procurement processes for each of the tenders listed were carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines, including with regard to the management of potential conflict of interests. I am also satisfied that the tender evaluation teams were suitably qualified to carry out their work.
The recruitment of staff is a matter for the Board and the CEO of the organisation named.
1009. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 6 March 2024, if, given that no reasons were provided, he will now provide the reasons for awarding an approximate €4 million marketing contract to an organisation with no marketing staff, no website, no social media presence and no history of marketing experience at the time of the award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14818/24]
View answerThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
The Request for Tender (RFT) provided details of the award criteria and each tender was evaluated based on the information supplied. The contract was awarded on the basis of the tender meeting the specified criteria in the RFT and being deemed the most economically advantageous tender.
1010. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 160 of 6 March 2024, if, given the overall value of the tender in questions and other tenders (details supplied), the tender processes in question was notified to the Official Journal of the European Union; if the tender notification required notification to the Official Journal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14819/24]
View answerIn January 2022, the threshold beyond which any tender for goods/services must be published in the Official Journal of the EU was revised to €140,000 (ex VAT).
Accordingly, requests for tenders in respect of National Equine Breeding Services and the Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector in Ireland were published in the Official Journal of the EU, as follows:
RFT 206629 - National Equine Breeding Services
A Contract Notice (OJEU Notice number 2022/S 025-062734) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in respect of this tender competition as the estimated value was in excess of the threshold applicable at the time of publication.
RFT 207932 - Marketing Services for the Sport Horse Sector in Ireland
A Contract Notice (OJEU Notice number 2022/S 035-089112) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in respect of this tender competition as the estimated value was in excess of the threshold applicable at the time of publication.
Finally, no Contract Notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Union in respect of the Studbooks Tender competition, as the estimated value was below the threshold applicable at the time of publication.
1011. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 6 March 2024, if he will consider appointing his full cohort of three directors to the Board of Directors of the Irish Horse Board, including directors with international marketing expertise and governance expertise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14820/24]
View answerI am aware that, as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I may appoint up to three Directors to the Board of the named organisation. Currently one Ministerial nominee has been appointed and I have no plans to make any further appointments to the Board.
1012. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to explain how a company with a stated objective within its constitution/rules to promote one studbooks above all others won a tender to promote all Department-approved studbooks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14821/24]
View answerThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines.
The Constitution of the Irish Horse Board was last consolidated in 2011. It lists 22 objectives for the organisation. Several of these objectives are both relevant to the wider Sport Horse industry and the provision of Marketing Services, including, inter alia:
- "to increase the prosperity of those engaged in the horse industry in Ireland by co-operative action in all aspects of the industry including promotion and marketing",
- "to identify markets and help define breeding goals which best serve these markets; to promote the Irish Horse in these markets".
1013. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 6 March 2024, the terms of such exit agreement to a named member of staff within a named organisation (details supplied); the costs to his Department of such agreement; if the named individual was named as part the management team/project team of a series of tenders submitted to his Department during a period under which the person was exempt from competing against their former employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14822/24]
View answerMy Department provides funding to the named organisation for the purpose of supporting the sport horse sector.
Operational matters are determined by the Board and the CEO of the named organisation. I am advised that, during 2021 and up to January 2022, a HR matter involving the named individual was under active management by the then Board of the named organisation. I am further advised that the matter was brought to a resolution by the named organisation in January 2022 within the budgetary provision made available by my Department.
I can confirm that the named individual was not referred to in the tender submission/s by the second named organisation.
1014. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 6 March 2024, the number of engagements or interactions undertaken by his Department with industry stakeholders, including studbooks either face-to-face, event or by video platform during 2023 regarding the sport horse sector; if he will provide details of the various officials involved in such interactions; their grade; each individual organisation that was interacted with, in tabular form; if similar information can be provided for each organisation delivering equine services under contract to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14824/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is included in the attached file.
|
Date |
Name of Organisation/Stakeholder |
Engagement or interaction Face to face/event/video |
Grade of Dept Official |
|
17/01/2023 |
ETS Applicants |
Webex |
Acting Assistant Principal, Agricultural Inspector. |
|
31/01/2023 |
Irish Cob Breeders |
Face to Face |
Agricultural Inspector |
|
7/02/2023 |
WSI |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
|
8/02/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Face to Face |
Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer X 2, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Agricultural Inspector, Contractor |
|
21/03/2023 |
WSI |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
|
22/03/2023 |
Leisure Horse Ireland |
Webex |
Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer X 2, Higher Executive Officer X 3, Agricultural Inspector, Contractor |
|
04/04/2023 |
Connemara Pony Breeders Society |
Webex |
Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer X 2, Higher Executive Officer X 3, Agricultural Inspector, Contractor |
|
15/06/2023 |
ETS Applicants |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Agricultural Inspector, Higher Executive Officer. |
|
17/07/2023 |
Kerry Bog Pony Co-op Society |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Executive Officer, Contractor X 2 |
|
17/07/2023 |
Warmblood – Studbook Development Ireland Ltd |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Executive Officer, Contractor X 2 |
|
19/07/2023 |
Connemara Pony Breeders Society |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Contractor |
|
19/07/2023 |
Irish Harness Racing Association |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Contractor |
|
19/07/2023 |
Leisure Horse Ireland |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Contractor |
|
05/09/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Higher Executive Officer X 2, Contractor X 2 |
|
20/09/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Webex |
Principal Officer, Assistant Principal Officer, Agriculture Inspector. |
|
23/10/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Event |
Principal officer |
|
6/11/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Event |
Assistant Principal officer |
|
9/11/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Event |
Assistant Principal Officer |
|
15/11/2023 |
ETS Applicants |
Webex |
Assistant Principal Officer, Agricultural Inspector, Higher Executive Officer. |
|
5/12/2023 |
Horse Sport Ireland |
Face to face |
Principal Officer, Assistant Principal officer |
|
8/12/23 |
IHRA |
Face to face |
Assistant Principal Officer, Agricultural Inspector |
Organisations delivering services under contract interactions – 2023
|
Date |
Name of Organisation/Stakeholder |
Engagement or interaction Face to face/event/video |
Grade of Dept Official |
|
6/1/23 |
HSI |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Acting Assistant Principal |
|
9/1/23 |
IHB |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Acting Assistant Principal |
|
13/1/23 |
IHB |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
|
23/1/23 |
IHB |
Webex |
Assistant Secretary General, Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Acting Assistant Principal |
|
22/2/23 |
HSI and breed societies |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
|
24/4/23 |
IHB |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
|
29/5/23 |
HSI |
Face to Face |
Assistant Principal, Higher Executive Officer, Executive Officer, Clerical Officer x 2 |
|
19/7/23 |
HSI |
Meeting |
Minister Mc Conalogue, Senior Inspector, Assistant Principal, Higher Executive Officer |
|
26/7/23 |
IHB |
Meeting |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal. |
|
27/7/23 |
HSI |
Meeting |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal. |
|
18/9/23 |
HSI and IHB |
Meeting |
Assistant Secretary General, Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal, Higher Executive Officer. |
|
28/9/23 |
HSI |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal |
|
28/9/23 |
IHB |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal |
|
2/10/23 |
HSI and breed societies. |
Face to Face |
Assistant Principal |
|
8/11/23 |
IHB |
Webex |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector and Higher Executive Officer |
|
14/11/23 |
HSI and IHB |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal and Higher Executive Officer |
|
5/12/23 |
IHB |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector, Assistant Principal |
|
7/12/23 |
HSI |
Face to Face |
Senior Inspector, Agricultural Inspector |
1015. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department, where it mistakenly placed an employee on too high a PRSI deduction for a lengthy period, will repay the over-deduction over the full period; and if not, if the refund will only apply to the four year period for which the Department of Social Protection will make repayments. [14835/24]
View answerNational Shared Services Office have responsibility for delivery of our Departments payroll and as such, related queries should be directed to NSSO at payrollcontact@nsso.gov.ie in the first instance. The NSSO engages with employees where overpayments arise and recoupment takes place in accordance with the overpayments Circular 7/2018 attached with this response.
1016. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14879/24]
View answerMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the Foreshore Act, 1933(as amended) and applicable National and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisors, as well as various Statutory Consultees.
Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all scientific, legislative, technical and public interest elements of each application.
As the application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on individual applications.
1017. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise what measures are being taken to address low planting levels in 2024 as a result of a low number of approvals for afforestation licences in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/24]
View answerMy Department has published a Forestry Licensing Plan which outlines our strong commitment to issuing licences in 2024 and we have put additional resources in place to achieve our targets. Afforestation applications would need to be around 1,000 applications per year to achieve 8,000 hectares. However, the number of licences issued ultimately depends on the number of applications received. My Department has capacity to issue sufficient licences in 2024 to plant 8,000 hectares.
The delay in receiving State Aid approval for the new Forestry Programme meant that we could not issue licences for grant-aided new forests until the introduction of the new Forestry Programme on 6th September, 2023 and this explains the lower than expected figures for approvals in 2023.
However, in recognition of the need for forestry activity to continue and pending the launch of the new Programme my Department introduced an Interim Afforestation Scheme. This allowed those with unused licences under the old Programme to use them by opting into a De Minimis scheme and availing of new and improved rates. In 2023 a total of 288 applications for 1,750 hectares were approved under the Interim Afforestation Scheme. Furthermore, those with licences under the old Programme, who did not opt for De Minimis, have the opportunity to opt into the new Afforestation Scheme. To date there have been 201 afforestation applicants, representing 1,635ha, that have availed of this option.
It is also worth noting that there is 2,757ha in total, currently available for planting under Afforestation Schemes. This is made up of approvals issued to new applicants since the Programme opened and those who applied or were approved under the old Programme, who have now opted-in to the new Programme.
I recognise that planting at the scale required is a challenge but believe that it is in all our interests to work towards this target. 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. I am confident that the attractive and increased rates under the new Programme, coupled with 20 year premiums for farmers, will encourage strong uptake of afforestation options.
