Written Answers Nos. 1078-1097
1078. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to prioritise funding for the slipway at Renard Pier, County Kerry, to facilitate a larger ferry and the increasing number of visitors to Valentia Island; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46596/24]
View answerThe pier at Renard Point is owned by Kerry County Council and as such responsibility for its development and maintenance rests with that local authority in the first instance, and with its parent department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.
However, as part of the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department has, in previous years, provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between the years 2011 to 2021, Kerry County Council received funding of over €2 million from my Department in this regard.
Under the BALAMI Scheme 2022-2023 Kerry County Council received €2.4 million for five completed projects. The Scheme was funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to help fishing and coastal communities to address the impacts of Brexit through the delivery of safe, accessible, lasting infrastructure and to support economic diversification.
The Renard Pier project consisted of two phases of works – structural repair works to the pier to facilitate fish landings and widening of the slipway to accommodate a larger ferry. The works to the slipway did not sufficiently demonstrate the benefits to the fishing community and so did not meet the Scheme criteria.
The pier repair works were approved by my Department under the BALAMI Scheme. However Kerry County Council encountered delivery challenges in relation to design methodology and supply chain issues that inhibited delivery of this project within the eligibility period of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. In view of the importance of this project to the local fish processing industry at Renard, I agreed to allocate Exchequer funding for it in 2024. The works were completed in December and a total of €1.66 million was reimbursed for eligible capital works.
In regard to the widening of the slipway to accommodate a larger ferry, I understand that the contract to provide the ferry service to Valentia Island was awarded by Kerry County Council and as such these are matters for Kerry County Council.
1079. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will bring to an immediate end the practice of pair trawling; if the six-mile limit will be reinstated (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46643/24]
View answerIn December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.
In February 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.
The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.
1080. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the processing of various agriculture schemes considering that, currently, where applicants that are approved pending planning permission and planning is subsequently refused, they then have to repay any grants and may also face additional penalties for non-compliance. [46763/24]
View answerAny application under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) that requires planning permission is deemed invalid if evidence of full planning permission is not provided at time of application.
The terms and conditions of TAMS 3 state that, where planning permission is required, the Department will not accept an application as valid unless documentary evidence of (i) a grant of full planning permission, (ii) revised planning, where required, or (iii) a declaration of exemption for the proposed works, issued by the relevant Local Authority, accompanies the application.
1081. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the grants awarded and paid to an organisation (details supplied). [46877/24]
View answerThe grants for projects funded by my Department in 2024 to the named organisation amounted to €170,076.27.
1082. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether there is a compensation scheme available for farmers who suffered losses during the recent storms, including loss of stock, destruction of land by landslides, collapsed bridges, damaged culverts, etc.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46878/24]
View answerAt present the Department does not have funding allocated or schemes of supports planned for farmers with damage linked to the recent period of poor weather.
In cases where damage to buildings results from storms or weather events, property insurance is the normal primary avenue for assistance or compensation.
1083. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next ACRES payment run for the year 2023 will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46891/24]
View answerThe next ACRES payment run in respect of the 2023 scheme year is currently being finalised, and it is expected that payments will reach bank accounts in the coming days.
1084. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a list will be provided of all persons appointed to State or semi-State boards under his remit since 1 November 2024. [46921/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
State Body |
No of Appointments |
Basis of appointment |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
1 |
Appointed by the Minister following nomination by a prescribed organisation. |
|
Agri-Food Regulator |
0 |
|
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
0 |
|
|
Marine Institute |
0 |
|
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
0 |
|
|
RCE |
0 |
|
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
2 |
Appointed by the Minister under Section 4 8 (1) (h) of the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 following a competitive process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). |
|
Irish National Stud |
0 |
|
|
Bord Bia |
0 |
|
|
Coillte |
1 |
Re-appointment by Minister of State Hackett |
|
National Milk Agency |
15 |
11 re-appointments; 4 new appointments (5 elected and 10 nominated by representative bodies) |
|
Teagasc |
1 |
Re-appointment |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
0 |
1085. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to address the issue of unchipped horses wandering in urban settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1005/25]
View answerThe extent of straying equines has reduced significantly and consistently in recent years. Almost 5,000 horses were seized in 2014, reducing to 288 in the period January - September 2024, with figures for 2024 due to be finalised in the first quarter of 2025.
Where equine animals are located, including straying animals, my Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportionate approach. Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified time frame before issuing a compliance notice where necessary.
The Control of Horses Act is currently under review within my Department. My Department undertook a limited stakeholder consultation in late 2023 which will feed into the legislative process.
I am fully committed to supporting sustainable initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025 and I continue to support urban horse projects nationwide. These projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds. There are currently eight live projects and in October 2023, my Department hosted a seminar dedicated to the promotion of the urban horse projects.
In November 2024, I announced the allocation of €6 million in funding to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. Of that figure, just over €3.4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
1086. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the online portal launched in July 2023 which allows members of the public to check whether an equine is recorded on the central equine database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1006/25]
View answerThe online equine chip checker can be found at:
equine-chipcheck.apps.services.agriculture.gov.ie/
This portal allows members of the public to check whether an equine UELN (passport number) or an equine microchip number is valid and listed on the central equine database. All equines habitually resident in Ireland should appear on the chipchecker. Successful searches will return non-personal information including the breed, gender, colour, approximate age, and food chain status of the animal.
The portal can assist where an animal is discovered lost or straying as it will provide the details of which Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) the horse is registered with which will enable faster identification of the keeper or owner.
The portal is also crucial in the assessment of equines presented for export. Only those horses whose food chain status on their passport matches the food chain status on the chipchecker are certified for export. Ensuring that equine ID documents contain the most accurate and up to date information is essential to protecting the food chain. The portal can also be accessed by competent authorities in other jurisdictions who might wish to confirm the food chain status of a horse.
1087. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding provided to Limerick City and County Council for the control of horses in each of the years 2019 to 2024, in tabular form. [1007/25]
View answerThe funding provided to Limerick City and Council by my Department in support of the control of horses in each of the years 2019 to 2024, is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2024 |
€13,650 |
|
2023 |
€10,400 |
|
2022 |
€10,200 |
|
2021 |
€12,650 |
|
2020 |
€18,625 |
|
2019 |
€29,300 |
1088. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses that were seized and-or impounded for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation by county in each of the years 2015 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/25]
View answerUnder the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.
In dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation, my Department’s policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach. Authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified time frame.
My Department provides financial support to help local authorities with these seizures. Figures with respect to the number of animals involved are outlined in the table below. The figures for 2024 are still being finalised and the only data currently available is for the period January – September 2024. Detailed information in relation to the reasons for the seizures rest with the local authorities.
|
Horses Seized by Local Authority |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Authority |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 Jan - Sep |
|
Carlow Co. Council |
69 |
76 |
24 |
13 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
|
|
Cavan Co. Council |
21 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
Clare Co. Council |
47 |
11 |
18 |
14 |
47 |
29 |
6 |
4 |
15 |
13 |
|
Cork Co. Council |
155 |
91 |
87 |
63 |
75 |
35 |
22 |
21 |
42 |
28 |
|
Cork City Council |
54 |
47 |
39 |
33 |
23 |
12 |
38 |
16 |
16 |
27 |
|
Donegal Co. Council |
10 |
19 |
13 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dublin City Council |
145 |
193 |
120 |
183 |
90 |
42 |
76 |
43 |
38 |
9 |
|
Sth Dublin Co. Council |
231 |
266 |
227 |
147 |
83 |
23 |
45 |
28 |
30 |
32 |
|
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Co Council |
25 |
29 |
7 |
13 |
15 |
43 |
11 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
Fingal Co. Council |
145 |
161 |
155 |
86 |
41 |
22 |
19 |
18 |
23 |
21 |
|
Galway City Council |
81 |
64 |
34 |
35 |
15 |
35 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway Co. Council |
94 |
40 |
40 |
66 |
70 |
16 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
|
Kerry Co. Council |
24 |
28 |
12 |
22 |
16 |
29 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
9 |
|
Kildare Co. Council |
273 |
155 |
145 |
91 |
103 |
60 |
16 |
9 |
10 |
6 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Council |
75 |
52 |
21 |
21 |
18 |
49 |
19 |
4 |
21 |
7 |
|
Laois Co. Council |
111 |
66 |
49 |
64 |
35 |
5 |
19 |
15 |
25 |
27 |
|
Leitrim Co. Council |
26 |
16 |
10 |
8 |
10 |
128 |
2 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
|
Limerick City & County |
343 |
206 |
166 |
206 |
109 |
33 |
91 |
89 |
101 |
54 |
|
Longford Co. Council |
41 |
19 |
21 |
13 |
11 |
6 |
22 |
9 |
7 |
3 |
|
Louth Co. Council |
43 |
23 |
38 |
37 |
11 |
1 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
3 |
|
Mayo Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Meath Co. Council |
40 |
80 |
57 |
25 |
19 |
0 |
7 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Monaghan Co. Council |
35 |
29 |
11 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Offaly Co. Council |
101 |
66 |
60 |
16 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
|
Roscommon Co. Council |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo Co. Council |
14 |
19 |
6 |
9 |
4 |
69 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
152 |
129 |
97 |
105 |
88 |
76 |
44 |
30 |
45 |
25 |
|
Waterford City & County Council |
39 |
32 |
18 |
28 |
31 |
17 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
|
Westmeath Co. Council |
61 |
50 |
36 |
37 |
19 |
11 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wexford Co. Council |
86 |
89 |
39 |
50 |
33 |
30 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wicklow Co. Council |
138 |
65 |
45 |
57 |
43 |
32 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
|
Totals |
2679 |
2125 |
1603 |
1460 |
1050 |
819 |
477 |
326 |
432 |
288 |
1089. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the plans that are in place to eliminate wandering deer from roads in Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1133/25]
View answerI am aware of the importance of the sustainable management of our national deer population for agriculture, as well as for our nature ecosystems. The increased populations of deer in some parts of the country has led to a reduction in biodiversity and an increase in road traffic accidents. In response to this my Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has set up the Deer Management Strategy Group, which includes representatives of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NVPS) and my Department, and is led by an independent chair.
On foot of a recommendation of the strategy group, a public consultation on the management of deer was launched late last year. This was the first major public consultation on the impact of deer and it received over 1,500 submissions.
A report was published by the Group in December 2023. The report made recommendations across a wide range of issues, from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The 16 recommended actions are presented in the form of short and medium-term implementation targets. The Deer Management Strategy Group continues to meet regularly to progress these recommendations towards implementation.
Two of the main recommendations are the appointment of a deer management programme manager and the establishment of local deer management units, in respect of which a procurement process is currently being finalised.
The issuing of licences for the control of deer is an operational matter for the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Finally the management of Killarney National Park is an operational matter for the NPWS
1090. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on the public consultation on trawling activity inside the six-nautical-mile zone is due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1145/25]
View answerIn December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone was announced. A significant part of the objective of this measure was to manage the fishing effort on sprat stocks which are primarily targeted within inshore waters. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings the outcome of which, received last year, is that the ban has been overturned.
In February 2024, I held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place over a period of eight weeks and closed on Friday 12th April. This consultation took place without prejudice.
The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise me of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,000 - were received. These submissions will be used to inform my review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. My Department is in the process of analysing the submissions. All relevant issues must be carefully considered before a decision can be made.
1091. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on a compensation scheme for forestry affected by a disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1203/25]
View answerThe causal agent for the dieback and death of Japanese larch is an organism named Phytophthora ramorum which was first detected on Japanese larch in Ireland in 2010.
My Department is currently considering the matter raised by the deputy, having regard to the available funding, State Aid rules and other relevant factors.
1092. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will ensure that logs will be debarked coming from Scotland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1240/25]
View answerFollowing the finding and identification of three large larch bark beetles (Ips cembrae), by my Department officials, in an insect trap at the port of Passage West, Co. Cork in August 2024 the trade in coniferous roundwood from the Pest Free Area (PFA) of Scotland ceased on a precautionary basis.
Since then, my Department has retained close engagement with the Scottish authorities on the matter and has kept stakeholders informed. There has been no change in the status of this trade and it remains the case that there has been no exports of logs from the Scottish PFA into Ireland since August 2024.
EU plant health legislation* sets out the regulatory requirements for the exportation of coniferous roundwood into Ireland.
Specifically coniferous roundwood cannot be exported from Scotland into Ireland unless:
• It is accompanied by an Official Statement (Phytosanitary Certificate) certifying that the wood originates from an area known to be free from the pest or
• The wood is free of bark or
• The wood has been kiln dried to <20% moisture content and marked KD
*The legislation referred to above is the Implementing regulation 2019/2072 (establishing uniform conditions for the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and the Council) Annex X Points 39-43(b).
1093. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured in racing and trials in 2024 and to date in 2025, with a breakdown into type of injury; the date and location where they occurred; the number killed outright or euthanised by track vets; the number and causes of additional racing fatalities; and the results of any related post-mortems. [1312/25]
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.
1094. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the greyhound track attendance statistics for 2024, covering both Greyhound Racing Ireland tracks and private tracks; and the breakdown of the figures, by attendance at each track, type of entry, that is, paid entry, free entry, entry by adults, children, staff, owners and trainers, bookmakers, press, and so on, and type of event, that is, racing, trials, sales, and non-racing events, in tabular form. [1313/25]
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.
1095. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out by Horse Racing Ireland in 2024 to hunts in point-to-point racing grants, by name of hunt and exact amounts. [1314/25]
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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1096. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of thoroughbred horses slaughtered in 2024; the reasons for the slaughters; and the locations of the killings. [1315/25]
View answerMy Department maintains the central equine database and records the movement of horses to approved slaughter plants as these movements occur.
As per the central equine database, 641 thoroughbred horses were slaughtered in 2024 in the only approved equine slaughter plant at that time in Straffan, Co. Kildare. The central equine database does not record the reason for slaughter.
1097. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will follow the example of New Zealand and phase out greyhound racing in Ireland in light of the ongoing injuries and deaths at tracks and the annual killing of thousands of greyhounds who do not make the grade. [1316/25]
View answerGovernment policy in Ireland has been to support the sector on the basis of its economic and social contribution, and to require that at least 10% of public funding to be used to support welfare and integrity.
While my Department is aware of the recent decision to ban greyhound racing in New Zealand, there are no plans for a similar ban in Ireland.
