Written Answers Nos. 1098-1117
1098. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be taken regarding the proposal to ban surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1322/25]
View answerThe Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced in April 2024 that it had updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to prohibit veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. However, this new prohibition does not apply to greyhounds, as the practice is provided for in legislation under the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations 2005.
The report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, which was approved by Cabinet in March 2023, and has been published online atwww.gov.ie/en/publication/0d6d7-working-group-on-control-of-dogs/#report-of-the-working-group-on-the-control-of-dogs, includes a recommendation that surgical artificial insemination in canines ought to be prohibited, where the word canine encompasses all breeds of dogs, including greyhounds.
In 2024, I held a public consultation on whether the practice of carrying out surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned or not. This public consultation has now closed, and will contribute to the legislative process.
My Department is closely examining this issue and will be providing advice on an appropriate course of action in the near future
1099. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected publication date for the results of the public consultation on trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, which closed in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1327/25]
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.
1100. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding or schemes available to deal with cutting and clearing ash dieback from a residential premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1331/25]
View answer1109. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the number of landowners nationwide who have trees which are non-commercial plantations impacted by ash dieback adjacent to public roads; if he has assessed the associated potential risk to road safety; if he would consider a scheme to help landowners with the cost of removal of their impacted trees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1395/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1100 and 1109 together.
Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support to owners of ash plantations impacted by ash dieback disease, currently through the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 and the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme.
My Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees or trees outside of forests, but has published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”). This publication provides information on how to identify trees that have ash dieback and outlines specific issues related to health and safety in tree work. It also gives practical guidance to those working with chainsaws taking out hazardous trees. My Department produced this publication in partnership with the Tree Council of Ireland and it can be found on my Department’s website.
As a matter of law, the care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the roadside trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
In relation to roadside trees, Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out the responsibility of landowners to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on their land are not, or could not become, a danger to people using a public road or interfere with the safe use of a public road or the maintenance of a public road. This responsibility includes the preservation, felling, cutting, lopping, trimming or removal of any such tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation' in question.
It is thus advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this. The implementation of the legislation on the management or removal of dangerous roadside trees is the responsibility of the local authority, in its capacity as the relevant road authority.
1101. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 323 of 17 November 2022 and 601 of 22 November 2022, the additional measures that have been implemented to ensure that there is an adequate inspection programme concerning maintenance of forests, both in public and private ownership; if the Forestry Standards Manual 2015 was reviewed and updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1337/25]
View answer1102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will convene as a matter of urgency a working group comprising of officials from his Department and other Departments and statutory agencies to deal with the recurring problems of fallen trees causing damage to ESB transmission lines, resulting in power outages and huge inconvenience, costs and hardship to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1338/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1101 and 1102 together.
There are in place long standing forest design requirements and legislation to protect the electricity network where it interacts with forestry land, at different scales of supply, and protection of utilities is considered and applied during afforestation approval processes.
Under Section 98 of the Electricity (Supply) Act 1927, as amended by Section 45 of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, the ESB and its representatives, taking due care and attention to avoid unnecessary damage, are empowered to lop or cut any tree, shrub or hedge which obstructs or interferes with electrical wires or to do the same where the tree, shrub or hedge interferes with the erection or laying of any such electrical wires or with the survey of the proposed route of any transmission or distribution lines. Such works are a matter between the ESB and anyone acting on their behalf, and the landowner in question, and do not require a felling licence from my Department.
These works may also be subject to terms of the agreement entered into between the Irish Farmers’ Association / ESB agreement in September 1992 (or any successor thereto) as regards ESB lines interacting with grant-aided forest areas.
As set out in the revised Forestry Standards Manual 2023 (www.gov.ie/en/publication/640f49-forestry-standards-manual/) it remains the case that whilst such ESB corridors are intended to be left unplanted at the initial afforestation stage where naturally regenerated trees do colonise the area, the trees are not to be allowed to grow to a height of more than 3 metres above the ground and the landowner is responsible for cutting or lopping the trees to ensure this. The landowner is also responsible for keeping a minimum corridor of at least 4 metres in width totally clear of regenerating trees for ESB maintenance access.
The cutting or lopping of naturally regenerated trees inside these corridors to the required height and the removal of naturally regenerated trees to maintain totally clear the 4-metre-wide access for ESB maintenance are de facto conditions of all initial afforestation consents and licences and thus not subject to any requirement for a Tree Felling Licence. All grant-aided afforestation is subject to an inspection regime during the payment period.
My Department will be engaging with the ESB to see if any further measures are required.
1103. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the age profile of those employed in agriculture; the measures he has put in place to encourage younger people into farming and the outcomes of those measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1353/25]
View answerThe challenge of attracting young people into a career in farming is widely recognised, both at national and EU level. Demographic challenges for the agricultural sector are not unique to Ireland with 4.35% of farmers under 35 years of age, and over 37% of farmers over 65, similar to the EU average.
Farm Structure Survey 2023 – Age of farm-holders
|
All farms |
133,171 |
|
|
< 35 years |
5,791 |
4.3% |
|
35 - 44 years |
14,940 |
11.2% |
|
45 - 54 years |
26,864 |
20.2% |
|
55 - 64 years |
35,184 |
26.4% |
|
65 + years |
50,392 |
37.8% |
It should be noted that these figures refer to farm-holders only. The recent CSO Farm Structure Survey 2023 results also show that 299,725 people worked on farms in Ireland, including farm holders, family workers and regular non-family workers. This is an increase of approximately 30,000 (+11.2%) workers in the 10-year period since 2013. No breakdown by age is available for these agriculture labour force figures.
Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, highlights the challenge of generational renewal and proposes several actions, including maintaining the current strong level of support, the promotion of succession planning & land mobility, and increased education and promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Under Ireland’s CSP 2023-2027, I am providing substantial investment in achieving generational renewal and measures include:
• A Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ Scheme, to help young farmers establish their farming businesses. Payments under 2024 CISYF commenced in early December 2024. To-date almost 6,000 applications have been cleared for payment and payments totalling €33m issued.
• The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer. Payments of some €2.7 million have issued in respect of 2024 scheme year.
• Additionally, under the TAMS capital investment measure, a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers continues to be available.
• A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme provides financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
• A Succession Planning Advice Grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.
There are also strong taxation measures to facilitate succession and encourage inter-generational transfer of farms. These measures include Agricultural Relief and Stamp Duty exemptions. Investment and access to land are supported by 100% Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers, 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers and Income Tax Relief for Long-Term Leasing. In addition, the Succession Farm Partnership Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to further assist the transfer of land within a partnership structure.
On access to finance, the €500m Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme provides low-cost, long-term investment loans up to ten years. This scheme is a viable source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security. One of the unique characteristics of the scheme is loans up to €500,000 are unsecured.
In addition, Teagasc Education and Knowledge activities focus on equipping young farmers with necessary expertise to build long and successful careers in farming.
Last October, I established a Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming. I intend to make generational renewal a central feature of our preparations for the new CAP, post 2027. The Commission is adopting an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved that contribute to the age demographics in the sector. The Commission is committed to engaging with stakeholders and recently launched a public consultation. Their report is due to issue before the end of June this year.
1104. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the priorities of the Government in relation to negotiations on the next Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/25]
View answerThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the original common policies of the EU, with its objectives set in the Treaties. For Ireland, the Common Agriculture Policy combined with a strong CAP budget and robust operation of the single market has supported farmers and rural development over many decades. Currently, the CAP is being delivered in Ireland through the CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027 with a budget of €9.8 billion over those five years.
Detailed European Commission proposals for CAP post-2027 are expected to be published in mid-2025. In anticipation of these proposals, my Department has commenced a range of preparatory work to ensure Ireland is well positioned to engage effectively in upcoming negotiations. My Department will also be engaging with the new Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, on his ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’, which is due to be published in February.
I believe that we must ensure that CAP post 2027 continues to act as an important source of support for farmers, underpinning sustainability, rural development and environmental stewardship.
A well-funded CAP is essential to supporting farm incomes and food security, while contributing meaningfully to wider EU objectives, including on climate, biodiversity and innovation. As set out in the draft Programme for Government, the next Government will continue to advocate for a well-funded CAP which can deliver upon the multiple objectives of the sector.
1105. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 277 of 24 October 2024, to provide an update on the appointment of a deer management programme manager and the establishment of local deer management units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1365/25]
View answerThe tender process for the appointment of a deer management programme manager and the establishment of local deer management units is currently being finalised with the evaluation of tenders now complete. The next step in the process is to engage with the successful tenderer and finalise the contractual details. I can confirm my department is in contact with the successful tenderer in relation to this. I expect the contract to be completed and signed shortly.
1106. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out a welfare check on horses at a location (details supplied). [1380/25]
View answerMy Department is following up on the information provided by the Deputy.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect, for investigation.
The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address – animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
1107. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce a scheme to support farmers who have suffered non-residential property damage during the storm period in early January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1381/25]
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.
1108. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he can provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1390/25]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the ACRES General stream and was approved into Tranche 2 of the scheme.
The 2024 advance payment claim associated with this herd has not yet cleared all the necessary validations. As is the case with all EU co-funded schemes, all ACRES applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. The cause of the validation fail has been identified and work on resolving the issue is ongoing.
With regard to the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF), a large number of applications were submitted in respect of the CISYF scheme. Processing of these applications is ongoing, but there are some remaining eligibility and verification checks to be carried out. The CISYF section will correspond with the person named in due course to confirm the outcome of the application once it has been fully processed.
1110. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the TB supports in place for farmers affected when the higher rates of compensation will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1543/25]
View answerMy Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm.
The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings. In addition to the compensation package for eligible reactor animals that are removed during a TB breakdown, my Department operates three supplementary compensation schemes that assist farmers with the indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on their farm
The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where full Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown and that have more animals than the same period in the previous year. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.
Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.
As part of the ongoing work of the TB Forum, agreement was reached at the Financial Working Group, a dedicated group comprising of Department officials and Key stakeholders, on a number of enhancements to the suite of compensation measures available to farmers who experience a TB breakdown,
The agreed enhancements to the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, Hardship Grant and Depopulation Grant are in place for all herds. Those entering into restriction will be eligible for the new Income Supplement rates.
The necessary additional arrangements to calculate balancing payments for those herds who received the old rates of Income Supplement whilst restricted when the new rates were applied are being finalised to ensure balancing payments issue as soon as possible.
1111. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department have policies on the use of artificial intelligence, AI, within the Department and those agencies; whether training has been provided to staff on the use of AI; if his Department has used AI, including large language models, in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/25]
View answerMy Department has an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy in place. The AI policy has been communicated to all staff. My Department continues to comply with guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on the use of and application of AI, including Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). Training on the use of AI is in development and will be provided to staff in due course.
The use of AI including large language models has not been approved for use in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is currently blocked from use within the Department, precluding it's use in business activities.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1112. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on farm payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1648/25]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream, and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme. An interim payment of €5,000 issued to the person named in February 2024.
The balancing payment claim associated with this herd has not yet cleared all the necessary validations. Department officials are actively examining the case to allow the payment to be made as quickly as possible.
1113. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of all farm payments paid out to farmers in each county since July 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/25]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
1114. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full address and Eircode of each property that is directly occupied by his Department where that address is located in Dublin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/25]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question, please see the following table, setting out the address and Eircode of each property that is directly occupied by my Department.
It should be noted that with regard to two of the properties - Bow Street, Dublin 7 and International House, Dublin Airport - these are not solely occupied by my Department. The remaining office space in these buildings is occupied by other tenants.
|
Name |
Address |
Eircode |
|
Agriculture House |
Kildare Street, Dublin 2 |
D02 WK12 |
|
Dublin Airport BCP |
Cargo 3, Corballis Road, Dublin Airport |
K67 F5K7 |
|
Dublin Port - T10 |
Wincanton, Tolka Quay Road, Dublin Port, Dublin 1 |
D01 A9R9 |
|
International House, Dublin Airport |
Corballis Park, Dublin Airport, Swords, Co Dublin |
K67 K5D0 |
|
Dublin Port - T9 |
Crosbies Yard, Tolka Quay Road, Dublin Port, Dublin 1 |
D01 K7T3 |
|
Dublin Port-T7 |
Promenade Road ,Dublin Port, Dublin 1 |
D01 X6C7 |
|
Dublin Port Yard 2 |
Calor Gas, Dublin Port, Dublin 1 |
D01 V2N3 |
|
Sandyford Stores |
90/91, Furze Road, Sandyford Business Park, Sandyford, Dublin 18 |
D18 CK84 |
|
Backweston Farm |
Backweston, Leixlip, Co.Dublin |
W23 AE3V |
|
Bow St. |
35 Bow Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7 |
D03 X2P2 |
|
Howth Harbour Master Offices |
No 1 West Pier, the Aqua Building Howth, Fishery Harbour Centre, Howth |
D13 A3Y0 |
|
Howth Workshop Building |
Howth Boat Yard |
D13K6YN |
1115. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment of the €100 per ha tillage assistance payment to tillage farmers. [1805/25]
View answerBudget 2025 saw the allocation of €30m in funding to support a Tillage and Horticulture payment for crops planted for the 2024 harvest.
Payment is expected to issue in Q1 2025.
1116. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to consider reinstating the grant aid for dribble bar technology under TAMS. [1806/25]
View answerAt present it is not intended to review the options for LESS spreading technologies available under TAMS 3. My Department recently changed the terms and conditions of the scheme to make all farmers who have a stocking rate of less than 170kg N/ha eligible to apply.
In TAMS 3, Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment will continue to have its own standalone investment ceiling and an enhanced grant rate of 60%. This is compared to a lower rate of 40% in respect of investments in TAMS II, which will more than offset the potential higher cost of the trailing shoe compared to the trailing hose (dribble bar).
1117. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a schedule of all foreign travel undertaken by him and his accompanying officials in 2023 and 2024, including flight, hotel, transfers and other miscellaneous costs. [1854/25]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when it is available.
