Written Answers Nos. 103-122
103. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of the Garda roads policing unit fleet that are aged between 0-2 years old, between 3-6 years old, between 7-10 years old and over 10 years old, in tabular form. [15552/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes the management of the Garda Fleet. The purchase and allocation of Garda vehicles is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions, however, I am assured that the allocation of resources is reviewed on a continual basis.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. Information supplied is as of 8 April 2024, and is operational and subject to change.
Roads Policing Fleet Age Profile
|
Years of Age |
No. of vehicles |
|
0-2 years |
46 |
|
3-6 years |
162 |
|
7-10 years |
108 |
|
10+ |
16 |
|
TOTAL |
332 |
104. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of knives seized by gardaí in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [15553/24]
View answerWe are all very conscious of the effect that knife crime can have on the quality of life for local communities. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to supporting An Garda Síochána to tackle this issue.
There are many complex, interlinked and variable causes for the use of knives in the commission of offences. As a result, there are no quick-fix solutions to tackling knife crime. Long term, evidence-based strategies are needed that address knife crime as part of a wider strategic response to anti-social behaviour, street violence, youth offending and domestic violence.
As the Deputy will be aware, an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was established 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 specific issues including one on knife crime. I intend to bring proposals to Government in relation to knife crime in the near future.
The attached table shows the number of knives seized by Garda Division. Information supplied is operational and subject to change and is as of 20 March 2024, the latest date for which figures are available.
The number of knives seized by gardaí in 2023 and to date in 2024
|
Region/Division |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
**2024 |
|
Dublin Region |
||||||||||||
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
32 |
46 |
32 |
35 |
31 |
66 |
77 |
76 |
51 |
55 |
46 |
* |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
140 |
131 |
144 |
98 |
169 |
189 |
185 |
203 |
188 |
201 |
285 |
74 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
95 |
83 |
96 |
86 |
113 |
185 |
170 |
151 |
126 |
210 |
185 |
40 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
105 |
112 |
144 |
128 |
176 |
195 |
208 |
257 |
187 |
204 |
238 |
74 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
78 |
90 |
85 |
100 |
72 |
96 |
129 |
134 |
93 |
83 |
113 |
14 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
148 |
113 |
119 |
100 |
120 |
169 |
194 |
184 |
167 |
159 |
152 |
32 |
|
Eastern Region (NEW) |
||||||||||||
|
Kildare Div |
25 |
21 |
25 |
32 |
46 |
64 |
52 |
73 |
45 |
57 |
60 |
16 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
33 |
26 |
29 |
35 |
49 |
71 |
47 |
59 |
71 |
86 |
51 |
* |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
43 |
57 |
61 |
47 |
67 |
72 |
98 |
92 |
60 |
72 |
89 |
21 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow |
86 |
111 |
61 |
67 |
79 |
98 |
85 |
117 |
100 |
111 |
129 |
21 |
|
Wexford Div |
19 |
24 |
45 |
30 |
37 |
36 |
48 |
43 |
35 |
68 |
46 |
* |
|
Wicklow Div |
58 |
33 |
64 |
31 |
24 |
29 |
24 |
41 |
24 |
37 |
27 |
* |
|
North Western Region |
||||||||||||
|
Donegal |
15 |
21 |
24 |
17 |
31 |
28 |
43 |
46 |
40 |
42 |
54 |
12 |
|
Galway Div |
42 |
43 |
38 |
42 |
76 |
49 |
89 |
84 |
70 |
105 |
93 |
18 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
62 |
90 |
67 |
74 |
80 |
117 |
163 |
140 |
106 |
211 |
135 |
22 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
22 |
27 |
41 |
42 |
41 |
63 |
117 |
65 |
47 |
61 |
54 |
11 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
27 |
43 |
27 |
21 |
43 |
42 |
38 |
51 |
28 |
19 |
30 |
* |
|
Southern Region (NEW) |
||||||||||||
|
Clare/Tipperary |
69 |
48 |
55 |
39 |
79 |
72 |
75 |
96 |
71 |
61 |
96 |
17 |
|
Cork City |
90 |
68 |
65 |
66 |
97 |
101 |
121 |
172 |
118 |
129 |
99 |
28 |
|
Cork North |
25 |
25 |
29 |
20 |
49 |
41 |
56 |
47 |
44 |
58 |
38 |
* |
|
Cork West |
25 |
17 |
10 |
* |
13 |
26 |
16 |
15 |
35 |
19 |
14 |
* |
|
Kerry |
24 |
34 |
21 |
26 |
25 |
39 |
37 |
28 |
35 |
39 |
39 |
* |
|
Limerick |
79 |
81 |
79 |
67 |
102 |
86 |
74 |
86 |
94 |
76 |
113 |
32 |
* Count less than 10
** Data to 20th March 2024 .
105. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian forensic photographers employed by An Garda Síochána in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15568/24]
View answerAs 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, including for the recruitment, training and allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities who have informed me that fewer than 10 WTE civilian forensic photographers were employed by An Garda Síochána during the years requested.
I am advised by Garda authorities that it is not the policy of An Garda Síochána to further report on numbers that are fewer than 10. In cases where the requested figures are fewer than 10, the personnel referenced may be identifiable to the general public, thus posing a potential risk to their safety. Furthermore, An Garda Síochána, along with fellow Government Departments and public bodies, is bound by existing Data Protection legislation; the release of figures fewer than 10 has the potential to compromise the protection and privacy of individuals employed by An Garda Síochána and moreover constitute a breach of this legislation and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
106. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if all divisions within DMR are covered by crime prevention officers; if not, the divisions currently without a crime prevention officer in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15569/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 9 April 2024, there are no Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) vacancies within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). Every Division within the DMR has a CPO.
Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of over €2.3 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles. This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, supporting the recruitment of 800 to 1,000 Garda members this year, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. The new model will see larger divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.
For the Deputy's information, contact details for Crime Prevention Officers can be found on the Garda website and the following link: www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/.
107. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of competitions held for sworn gardaí to apply to join the Garda band in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15570/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. This responsibility extends to members of the Garda Band. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that, as of 14 March 2024, there are 25 Garda members attached to the Garda band at the ranks of Inspectors and Gardaí. I am further advised by the Garda authorities that no competitions were held for sworn Gardaí to apply to join the Garda band in 2023 and to date in 2024.
108. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí, by rank, attached to DMR north central divisional drugs unit as of 4 April 2024; if she will provide the same figures as of 31 March 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15571/24]
View answerAs 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, including managing the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to keep people safe. An Garda Síochána has been allocated unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for 2024 representing a 25% increase since 2020. This funding will allow for the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 31 March 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 14,059 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of almost 10% since the end of December 2015. In addition, the provision of Garda staff has freed up almost 900 Garda members from back office work for front line policing work since 2015.
I am also advised by the Garda authorities that at the end of March 2024 there were 320 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide. This includes 274 Gardaí, 39 Sergeants and 7 Inspectors. This represents an increase of over 38% since the end of December 2019 when there were 231 Garda members assigned to these units.
The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda members attached to Divisional Drugs Unit in the DMR North Central on 31 March 2022 and on 31 March 2024.
|
Drug Unit DMR North Central |
Inspector |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
31/03/2024 |
1 |
2 |
22 |
25 |
|
31/03/2022 |
1 |
3 |
20 |
24 |
Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.
109. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda mountain bikes allocated to DMR north division as of 4 April 2024; if she will provide the same figures as of 1 April 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15572/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all decisions about Garda equipment. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions, and have no role in the issuance of contracts for purchase of Garda equipment, which are governed by standard Government procurement guidelines.
I have been advised by Garda management that the table below sets out the number of mountain bikes attached to the DMR North Division on the April 2021 and on 1 April 2024.
|
DMR North - Mountain Bikes |
01/04/2021 |
01/04/2024 |
|
Coolock |
17 |
16 |
|
Ballymun |
12 |
15 |
|
Raheny |
14 |
20 |
|
Balbriggan |
8 |
9 |
|
Total |
51 |
60 |
110. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the projected cost of every twenty five additional community gardaí; the cost of an additional two dedicated community sergeants; the estimated cost of a 25% increase overall; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15573/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. The Garda Budget is now at its highest ever level. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána for 2024 will allow for sustained recruitment of between 800 to 1,000 new Garda recruits in 2024.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána, and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model which is currently being rolled across the country and is fully commenced in thirteen Garda divisions.
The new model will provide more front-line Gardaí, increased Garda visibility, and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within division into four functional areas, one of the most important areas being Community Engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions.
The Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a ‘Community Garda’ where that person is allocated to a Community Policing Team (CPT) and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem–solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality of life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement. Examples of this engagement are working with Neighbourhood Watch, Community Alert, or local business fora.
As you will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including all matters relating to recruitment and training. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the estimated annual payroll cost of twenty-five additional Community Gardaí is approximately €1.62m.
I am further advised that the estimated annual payroll cost of two additional Community Sergeants is approximately €153,000.
I am informed that the estimated annual payroll cost of a 25% overall increase based on the headcount at 29 February 2024 headcount is approximately €11.24m.
I am advised that salary costs are calculated using the midpoint of the current Garda Salary pay scale and include fixed allowances which the member is entitled to. An estimate of Employer’s PRSI is also included. Allowances for unsocial hours and any potential overtime payments in excess of standard briefing time are not included. Future pension costs are not included.
111. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15574/24]
View answerMy Department ensures that procurement of goods and services is carried out in compliance with Directive 2014/24/EU and in line with National Procurement Guidelines published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). All areas of expenditure are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.
As the Deputy may be aware, under procurement circular 05/2023 a public tender is only required for any procurement with a value over €50,000 excluding VAT. This threshold was increased from €25,000 during 2023.
Under Department of Finance Circular 40/02, my Department makes an annual return to the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) in respect of contracts above the applicable threshold which are awarded without a competitive process. These are detailed in my Department's annual Appropriation Accounts as published by the C&AG, and is subject to scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee.
It is important to note that contracts awarded without a competitive process are not necessarily non-compliant with procurement guidelines. Examples of the exceptions provided for include sole supplier scenarios, proprietary goods or services, licensing renewals and instances where specialist knowledge/previous experience is essential or where urgency is a factor.
In 2023, 47 such contracts were awarded without a public tender, a reduction of five on 2022.
Details have been provided in the annual return to the C&AG and will be published in the usual way as part of my Department’s 2023 Appropriation Account.
My Department applies standard qualifying criteria in line with OGP advice. As appropriate and depending on the specifics of the requirement, suppliers are required to provide tax clearance details, evidence of insurance cover, details of previous experience and technical and/or economic capacity. In line with the EU Procurement Directives, OGP guidance and circular 05/2023, the Department applies qualification criteria that are proportionate and appropriate to the requirements.
112. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on Garda operation Irene; the number of persons arrested and charged under this operation during 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15575/24]
View answerAs 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, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Operation Irene is implemented every year throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
I am further advised that this is a multi-agency operation with the key objective to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour, combat underage alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public places through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol. The aim of the operation is to enhance community safety and confidence.
An Garda Síochána works in conjunction with the various Local Authorities across Dublin and other stakeholders including the transport authorities, local residents associations and local businesses to identify key areas where people congregate during the summer months. These areas are policed by both high visibility patrols and plain clothes Gardaí to ensure the public’s safety and peaceful enjoyment of local amenities.
I am also advised that there is no dedicated budget for Operation Irene, and that there is no structured reporting available in PULSE for associated activity such as incidents, arrests and charges.
As such, An Garda Síochána are unable to provide the specific information requested by the Deputy.
114. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15541/24]
View answerThe forest owner number supplied does not correspond to the felling licence application number supplied. However the felling licence application referred to, this felling application was approved in 2021.
115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. reference 1188 of 17 January 2024, the reason the accounts still have not been published for HRI and IHRB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15543/24]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The Irish Horse Racing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for horse racing in Ireland. The role of the body as the regulator of horse racing is provided for in legislation however the body itself remains a private entity.
Relevant legislation and the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies 2016 require the annual financial statements of both HRI and the IHRB to be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and submitted to my Department for consideration. The financial statements are subsequently noted by Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The 2022 audited financial statements for HRI were received by my Department on 21 December 2023, noted by Government on 5 March 2024 and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas on 8 March 2024.
The 2022 audited financial statements for the IHRB were received by my Department on 28 March 2024 and are currently under consideration.
116. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a food-related trade mission to Vietnam will occur in Quarter 2 of 2024. [15558/24]
View answerWhile an agrifood Trade Mission to Vietnam is not scheduled for Quarter 2 of 2024, my Department, in conjunction with Bord Bia, are currently developing plans for a trade mission to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, in Quarter 4 of 2024.
Ireland has a long history of engagement with Vietnam on agriculture development issues and this planned trade mission will provide opportunities to further enhance engagement on sustainable agriculture systems development.
In addition, Vietnam, with a population of 98 million and a growing middle class, is a market which has been identified by Bord Bia as having significant potential for expanded exports of Ireland's high quality, safe and sustainable Irish agrifood produce. The Trade Mission will also provide Irish agrifood companies with opportunities to develop business and realise market opportunities in Vietnam.
117. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding his Department received under the EU Adjustment Reserve in 2023; and how that funding was spent, in tabular form. [15559/24]
View answerThe list of financial allocations and expenditure under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) Fund from my department for 2023 is set out below.
Ultimately the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will determine which schemes form part of Ireland’s BAR claim which is due to be submitted in September 2024.
Table 1: 2023 BAR Allocation and Provisional Spend
|
Sector/Scheme |
2023 BAR Allocation €000 |
2023 BAR Provisional Expenditure €000 |
|
Meat and Bone Meal Disposal |
16,000 |
16,071 |
|
Horticulture |
9,850 |
4,706 |
|
Organic Promotion |
1,500 |
1,474 |
|
Beef |
31,000 |
31,247 |
|
Marketing and Processing |
5,500 |
8,756 |
|
Equine Supports |
1,000 |
934 |
|
Fisheries |
186,150 |
182,045 |
|
Development of Border Inspection Post at Rosslare Europort (paid to the Office of Public Works) |
63,906 |
63,906 |
|
Total |
314,906 |
309,139 |
118. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15567/24]
View answerThe Brexit Fish Processor Transition Scheme aimed to facilitate and underpin the short-term orderly transition of the processing sector post-Brexit through provision of transition funding and training. The scheme supported seafood processing plant enterprises with an approvals number issued by the SFPA – Processing Plant (PP) or Fresh Fishery Products Plant (FFPP). To be eligible for funding, beneficiaries must have be able to show a 15% or more reduction in turnover (in 2021 compared to their average turnover for 2018-2020) as a direct result of Brexit, and show that at least 55% of purchases of seafood by value made during the reference year came from an Irish port or from a UK port. The scheme had a budget of €7 million, and was administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
Scheme terms and conditions are available on the BIM website at the following link - BIM - Brexit Fish Processor Transition Scheme.
As part of the scheme Terms and Conditions, an applicant must:
‘1 Be able to show an actual reduction of at least 15% in turnover for the 12-month period from January to December 2021, compared to the average annual turnover for the 3 year period 2018-2020;
Note:
For the purposes of this scheme turnover can be calculated with reference to [1]. The applicant’s turnover of seafood stocks of species directly impacted by TCA quota cuts in the relevant periods; OR [2] the total turnover of the applicant for the relevant periods.
Turnover for the 3 year period 2018-2020 can be provided in either [1] all calendar years OR [2] all financial years. A mixture of calendar and financial years is not permitted.
Turnover for the 12-month period from January to December 2021 will be accepted in calendar years only.’
BIM has advised that in this application the approved grant amount was calculated on TCA species as per [1] above. As squid is not a TCA species it could not be taken into account.
119. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if mink farmers received compensation for the closure of mink farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15584/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2020 includes a commitment to bring forward legislation that prohibits fur farming in the State. The Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Number 4 of 2022) was enacted by the Oireachtas in April 2022. The Act makes provision, inter alia, for the prohibition on fur farming and the compensation of licensees under the Musk Rat Act 1933. There were three licensed farms in the State that previously bred and reared mink for the purposes of pelting for the fur industry. Statutory Instrument (SI) 650 Animal Health and Welfare (Fur Farming Compensation Scheme) Regulations 2022 makes provision for the compensation of those mink farm businesses affected by the prohibition. The assessor was appointed to determine compensation amounts in December 2022 and the work of the assessor is on-going in 2024. The compensation includes payments for income losses, non-income losses and costs incurred as a direct result of the ban. In 2023, approximately €2 million was paid to businesses in respect of the compensation scheme.
120. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15585/24]
View answerAdvance payments to organic farmers commenced on 7th December 2023. To date, approximately 97% of Organic Farming Scheme participants have received advance payments.
My Department is working to finalise payments for the remaining 3% of participants. The majority of these payments, including in respect of this case, will issue within the next 4 weeks.
121. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on his Department's performance for Q1 versus its licensing plan for Q1 2024, per licence and scheme type; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15618/24]
View answerMy Department has published a Forestry Licensing Plan which outlines our strong commitment to issuing licences in 2024. We are working towards the priorities, outlined in the plan. We estimate that we will issue 4,200 new licences in 2024, and we believe we now have the capacity to issue sufficient licences to meet the annual target of 8,000 hectares of new forests.
This is however contingent on receiving enough applications to achieve this goal. It is also worth noting that there is 2,757ha in total, currently available for planting under Afforestation Schemes.
The Forestry Licensing Plan provides for annual targets for the issuing of licences, rather than quarterly ones. However, I have set out below the relevant statistics for Quarter 1.
|
Licence Area |
Estimate to be received in Q1 2024 |
Received in Q1 |
Difference |
Projected to issue in Q1 2024 |
Issued in Q1 |
Difference |
|
Coillte Felling* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
325 |
212 |
-113 |
|
Private Felling |
250 |
239 |
-11 |
313 |
284 |
-29 |
|
Roads |
150 |
204 |
54 |
163 |
253 |
90 |
|
Afforestation |
250 |
183 |
-67 |
250 |
123 |
-127 |
|
Total |
650 |
626 |
-24 |
1,051 |
872 |
-179 |
* Coillte felling applications are usually received in two batches, one in Quarter 2 and another in Quarter 4.
Other approvals under the Forestry Programme since it commenced: Approvals under the new Reconstitution of Ash Dieback Scheme (RADs) are continuing, with 495 approvals issued representing 1,953 Ha’s. Under the Native Tree Area Scheme there have been 148 approvals processed to date, representing 155 Ha’s. Finally, there were 24 Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) approvals representing 141 Ha’s.
122. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fodder crisis that farmers are enduring; if urgent financial aid can be provided to help them purchase fodder during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/24]
View answer123. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a financial support package for farmers given the prolonged period of bad weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15660/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.
In March 2022 I established the National Fodder and Food Security Committee. The remit of the Committee is to prepare an industry response, contingency plans and advice to assist farmers in managing their farm enterprises through difficult periods.
In recognition of the ongoing and challenging weather conditions, I asked the Chairman to reconvene the Committee to establish the most up to date facts regarding the fodder and feed situation on farms and to provide advice to assist farmers through this challenging period.
The Committee, at it's meeting on the 29th March, concluded that notwithstanding the difficulties that some farmers are experiencing, there are sufficient fodder stocks in the country. While ground conditions are challenging, there is also a good supply of grass and Teagasc are advising farmers they should take any opportunities available, for instance using on-off grazing, to allow animals assess to grass.
I asked Teagasc to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who need fodder.
The National Fodder and Food Security Committee met again on 9th April to get an update on the current situation across the country. At that meeting I announced the introduction of a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions.
This measure resolves a key issue regarding the cost of transporting fodder between those areas where fodder is plentiful and those where it is scarce. A financial contribution is being provided to farmers to offset transport costs of Hay, Fodder Beet, Straw and silage for feeding, where this involves a distance of more than 75 km. I will continue to monitor the situation closely.
