Holly Cairns
Question:1058. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the current level of gardaí and Civil Service staff in each Garda station, by rank, in tabular form. [2027/25]
View answerAn Garda Síochána
Questions (1058)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware, under Section 33 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.
I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
In the interest of transparency, the number of Garda members nationwide at the end of December 2009 up to 31 October 2024 (the latest date available for figures) broken down by Division, District and Station are published on my Department's website. Please be advised that these figures are operational and may be subject to change.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
The tables at the following link, which were provided to me by the Garda authorities, set out the number of Garda members and Garda staff who were assigned to Garda stations nationwide on 31 October 2024, the latest date for when figures are available.
The Government is committed to supporting Garda recruitment. In Budget 2025, over €2.48 billion has been allocated to An Garda Síochána. This is a 27% increase since 2020 and will allow for the sustained recruitment of new Garda recruits through the year.
Level of Gardaí and civil service staff in each Garda station
Departmental Contracts
Questions (1059)
Holly Cairns
Question:1059. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of any public contracts in her Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2039/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will appreciate that, arising from the Single Market and in line with the EU Procurement Principles of equal treatment, transparency and open competition, it is permissible for companies and individuals who are tax resident outside of Ireland to participate in public tender competitions.
Competitive tendering is used by my Department for the procurement of goods and services in accordance with the EU Public Procurement Directives and associated National Statutory Instruments. This includes providing information of each tender competition on the eTenders website and on the Official Journal of the European Union, where appropriate.
It is a condition of a contract award that successful tenderers shall for the term of such contracts, comply with all EU and domestic tax laws. My Department also requires that payments to suppliers above the required thresholds are only made following tax clearance verification from the Revenue Commissioners. Tax clearance verification does not provide my Department with information as to the tax residency of suppliers. The specific information sought by the Deputy is not held by my Department.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (1060)
Holly Cairns
Question:1060. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide details of any public contracts issued to a company (details supplied) over the past ten years, including the value of the contract and the purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2057/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can inform the Deputy that my Department has no record of any contracts awarded to the companies in question in the last 10 years.
Work Permits
Questions (1061)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:1061. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice if a person who is on Stamp 1G critical skills permit is allowed a grace period if made redundant or dismissed after six months' employment; the length of time that is the applicable grace period for the applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2084/25]
View answerWritten answers
I understand the Deputy is referring to a holder of a Critical Skills Permit and a stamp 1 immigration permission.
Where a person on a stamp 1 critical skills permit is made redundant, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's website provides detailed information on the issue of redundancy and the remedies available to those on an employment permit. This can be accessed at the following link:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/what-we-do/workplace-and-skills/employment-permits/redundancy/
Holders of an employment permit must notify the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment within four weeks of their redundancy on the prescribed redundancy notification form. Once the form is received and processed, they are then provided with up to six months from the date on which they were made redundant to find another job and be provided with a new employment permit.
If a person’s immigration permission is due to expire before the six-month period lapses, they should apply online for an extension of that immigration permission so that it coincides with the additional period of six months granted to find suitable alternative employment. They can do so using the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Customer Service Portal, portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
However, where the six-month period is within the period of their current immigration permission, then there is no need to do so.
When a person is issued with a new employment permit, they should apply online to renew their immigration permission.
Where a person is not successful in securing new employment and obtaining an employment permit, then they can contact the Domestic Residence Division of my Department. This can also be done using the ISD Customer Service Portal, where they should explain their current circumstances and set out their future intentions in the State.
Citizenship Applications
Questions (1062)
Pa Daly
Question:1062. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current waiting times for citizenship applications in the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2097/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that processing times are now decreasing year on year. The median processing time for a decision on an application in 2024 was 8 months, down from 15 months in 2023, and 19 months in 2022.
I expect that going forward, the vast majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year, however, it is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, particularly considering the current processing times. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some international checks can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely out of the control of the Immigration Service.
In just over two years the Citizenship Division of my Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year, to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023 and over 31,000 in 2024.
The previous backlogs in application processing in Citizenship had arisen largely due to the paper based nature of the applications, and the legacy of restrictions imposed on staff attendance in the office during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The below table shows the total number of applications received from 2019 to 2024, and the median application processing time for each respective year.
|
Year |
Total Applications Received |
Median Processing time |
|
2019 |
12,280 |
10 |
|
2020 |
10,785 |
12 |
|
2021 |
11,973 |
24 |
|
2022 |
17,188 |
18 |
|
2023 |
23,114 |
15 |
|
2024 |
27,376 |
8 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue; however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
Human Trafficking
Questions (1063)
Barry Ward
Question:1063. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons trafficked into Ireland in each year for which figures are available since 2015; her views on whether these figures are an accurate reflection of the amount of human trafficking in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2108/25]
View answerWritten answers
The prevention, detection and prosecution of the abhorrent crime of human trafficking is a priority for me as Minister for Justice and for the Government.
A number of significant measures have been taken to combat human trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims, and to raise awareness and provide training for those who need it.
In order to encourage victims to come forward and access supports, in November 2023, the Third National Action Plan was launched. The Plan which aims to prevent and combat human trafficking, runs until 2027.
Key actions include:
• Establishment of a new National Referral Mechanism, which will make it easier for victims to come forward, be identified and access support. It will ensure that victims can come forward to a range of agencies and not just An Garda Síochána, as is currently the case. This is in recognition of the fact that victims may, due to experiences in their own countries, not trust police services.
• New and widespread training for all who may come into contact with victims of human trafficking across Departments and State agencies. This will include the Border Management Unit of my Department, as well as health and social care professionals, professionals in contact with children, and working on child-related matters, and Civil Registration Services staff working in the HSE.
• Ongoing development of training, through NGOs, targeting front line staff in industries such as hospitality, airline and shipping who may come into contact with trafficked persons
• Ensuring effective anti-trafficking screening measures are in place at point of entry to the State
• Establishing dedicated accommodation for victims of trafficking, ensuring that victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation are provided with gender-specific accommodation
This Strategy is underpinned by legislation which was recently signed into law by President Higgins. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 will put the revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for the identification and support of victims of human trafficking on a statutory footing.
Preparatory work is required on operational aspects before provisions relating to the NRM can be commenced.
It is envisaged that this Strategy will identify more victims of human trafficking and bring them to safety. One of the main aims of the new Strategy is to encourage victims to come forward and access supports.
The number of victims of human trafficking recorded in the Department's Trafficking in Human Beings reports for each year from 2015 to 2023 is as follows:
|
2015 |
62 |
|
2016 |
75 |
|
2017 |
75 |
|
2018 |
64 |
|
2019 |
42 |
|
2020 |
38 |
|
2021 |
44 |
|
2022 |
42 |
|
2023 |
53 |
Misuse of Drugs
Questions (1064)
Barry Ward
Question:1064. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice her views on the estimation by An Garda Síochána of the market value of the most commonly found substances prohibited by regulations made under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2109/25]
View answerWritten answers
Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a top priority for the government and my Department.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters.
An Garda Síochána continue to target those involved in the distribution of illicit drugs in Ireland through operational initiatives such as Operation Tara, a nationwide operation which is implemented with the focus of disrupting, dismantling and prosecuting drug trafficking networks at all levels, nationally, internationally and at a local level who are involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production and local sale and supply of illicit drugs.
I am advised by Garda authorities that drug pricing valuations are based on the current retail market value of illicit drugs on the retail drug market. The value assigned to illicit drugs represents what that substance is estimated to sell for on average in Ireland in its lowest denominational street deal. The most credible approaches used to determine set prices on the retail market is via test purchase operations, from intelligence sources; and through evaluation and comparison of the experiences of officers in drugs policing nationwide. Based on all three sources, prices are calculated systematically.
The figures below, provided by Garda authorities, provide pricing examples from the main drug types below:
- Cannabis Herb - €20 per gram;
- Cannabis Plants* - €800;
- Cannabis Resin - €6 per gram;
- Cocaine - €70 per gram;
- Diamorphine - €140 per gram.
*Cannabis plants are valued based on the potential yield of the plant. An actual market value can only be applied when plants are fully mature and ready for sale. Charges contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act (as amended) are not applied in relation to nursery plants or plants that are not fully mature.
Question No. 1065 answered with Question No. 955.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1066, 1126)
Barry Ward
Question:1066. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the acquisition of large tracts of mountain land, by the State, with a view to afforesting them, particularly with slow-growing, bio-diverse, indigenous, deciduous woodland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/25]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:1126. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will amend afforestation programmes to specifically incentivise planting on mountainous land or less productive agricultural land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2110/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1066 and 1126 together.
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation by offering attractive and diverse options for planting, especially for farmers. This government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year.
The Afforestation Scheme offers landowners a choice of 12 Forest Types which cover a broad range of planting options including Native Woodland, Continuous Cover Forestry and Emergent Forests. It provides generous incentives to farmers in particular, to re-engage with forestry. These include increases in premium rates ranging from between 46% to 66%, along with a longer premium term of 20 years for farmers, compared to 15 years for non-farmers, across most Forest Types. These generous financial incentives are available to all landowners who successfully apply to the Afforestation Scheme.
I have no plans to acquire large tracts of mountain land for forest creation but will continue to promote and encourage both private and public landowners to engage with forestry. In this regard, Forest Type 3 ‘Forests on Public Lands’ has been specifically created to enable planting of new native woodlands on suitable publicly owned bare land.
The State Aid approval for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 contains environmental requirements for afforestation which impact on the land types that are suitable for the Afforestation Scheme. These requirements fully align the licence application and assessment process for afforestation with both environmental legislation and with the State Aid conditions underpinning the new Forestry Programme.
I am committed to undertaking a mid term review of the current Forestry Programme in 2025. This will be conducted in consultation with all stakeholders. it remains the case that any such propose changes must comply with State Aid rules.
I am acutely aware of the need to increase our levels of afforestation but I am also conscious that this needs to be done in a legally compliant, environmentally sustainable and silviculturally appropriate manner and all applications will continue to be assessed individually.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1067)
Brian Stanley
Question:1067. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to connect the schemes of payment between ACRES and organic subsidy schemes, as some farmers are having difficulty receiving payments. [46175/24]
View answerWritten answers
Farmers participating in ACRES may also participate in, and draw down payment under, the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), but may not claim payment under the OFS for certain ACRES actions, in order to ensure that no double funding takes place. Further information is provided within the terms and conditions of both schemes.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1068)
Robert Troy
Question:1068. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department ran new technical agricultural officer competitions in 2024, when there were existing candidates on the 2023 panel who had not been offered a position; and whether, when a new competition is launched in this way, candidates who have previously been placed on a panel receive consideration. [46182/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. To achieve this, workforce planning is utilised in identifying and addressing the needs across all our locations.
Recruitment is currently underway in the Department and posts continue to be filled through several mechanisms, including advertisements by Public Jobs and by my Department’s Human Resources Division.
A TAO competition was undertaken by Public Jobs in 2023 on behalf of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) and a nationwide panel was formed from this competition.
In line with business needs, my Department’s HR team continue to engage with Public Jobs to offer opportunities to candidates remaining on panels from the 2023 competition.
Additionally, my Department engaged with our colleagues in Public Jobs to identify locations where there may not be sufficient successful candidates to meet the anticipated vacancies over the lifetime of the 2023 panel.
DAFM subsequently undertook an additional TAO competition in order to address any such anticipated shortfall in candidate availability in a number of locations, mitigating against potential delays to filling posts in locations where candidates were not available from the 2023 panel.
When a new competition is launched, it is open to all interested candidates to apply.
I am confident that my Department adheres to the principles of fairness, equality and transparency in their recruitment processes.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1069)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:1069. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of civil servants in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in his Department and in agencies under the aegis of his Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am satisfied that my Department properly implements the provisions of Circular 4/2013 in respect of staff returning from career breaks. Staff returning from career breaks are included in workforce planning considerations with a view to filling any appropriate existing or forthcoming vacancies in my Department. The Department has reassigned any staff returning from career breaks during this period without any undue delays. Any extensions to career breaks granted were requested by staff members.
The information requested in respect of staff on career breaks in 2023 and 2024 is set out in tabular form below.
Staff who commenced Career break prior to 2023 but who were still on career break in 2023/2024:
|
Grade |
Career Break Length (yrs) |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
5 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
5 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
2 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
|
Assistant Harbour Master |
2 |
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3.6 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
3 |
|
General Operative |
5 |
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
3 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
5 |
|
Research Officer |
8 |
|
SUPERINTENDING VETERINARY INSPECTOR |
10 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
Staff who commenced Career break in 2023/2024 by month, grade and career break length:
|
Year of Career Break |
Career Break Start Month |
Grade |
Career Break Length (yrs) |
|
2023 |
Jan |
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
||
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
||
|
Feb |
Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Mar |
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
|
|
Apr |
General Operative |
1 |
|
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1.6 |
||
|
May |
Clerical Officer |
1.6 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
||
|
Jun |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
3.5 |
||
|
Jul |
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
1 |
|
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1.6 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1.6 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
Aug |
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
3 |
|
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
2 |
||
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
||
|
Sep |
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
|
|
Senior Research Officer |
1 |
||
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
3 |
||
|
Veterinary Inspector |
8 months |
||
|
Oct |
Clerical Officer |
6 months |
|
|
Nov |
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
Dec |
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
1.5 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
2024 |
Jan |
Clerical Officer |
3.9 |
|
Feb |
Principal Officer |
3 |
|
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
General Operative |
1 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
Apr |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
May |
SUPERINTENDING VETERINARY INSPECTOR |
5 |
|
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
Jun |
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
|
|
SEROLOGICAL ASSISTANT |
1 |
||
|
Jul |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
Aug |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
||
|
Sep |
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
|
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
0.8 |
||
|
Oct |
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
1.8 |
|
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
Nov |
Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
|
Dec |
Laboratory Analyst |
0.6 |
|
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
||
There are no officers in my Department who fall within the parameters of being on a career break for longer than five and six years in 2023 and 2024.
I am satisfied that my Department properly implements the provisions of Circular 4/2013 in respect of staff returning from career breaks. Staff returning from career breaks are included in workforce planning considerations with a view to filling any appropriate existing or forthcoming vacancies in my Department. The Department has reassigned any staff returning from career breaks during this period without any undue delays. Any extensions to career breaks granted were requested by staff members.
The information requested in respect of staff on career breaks in 2023 and 2024 is set out in tabular form below.
Staff who commenced Career break prior to 2023 but who were still on career break in 2023/2024:
|
Grade |
Career Break Length (yrs) |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
5 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
5 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
2 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
|
Assistant Harbour Master |
2 |
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
1 |
|
Clerical Officer |
4 |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
|
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
3.6 |
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
3 |
|
General Operative |
5 |
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
3 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
5 |
|
Research Officer |
8 |
|
SUPERINTENDING VETERINARY INSPECTOR |
10 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
Staff who commenced Career break in 2023/2024 by month, grade and career break length:
|
Year of Career Break |
Career Break Start Month |
Grade |
Career Break Length (yrs) |
|
2023 |
Jan |
Clerical Officer |
3 |
|
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
3 |
||
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
5 |
||
|
Feb |
Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
|
|
Mar |
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
|
|
Apr |
General Operative |
1 |
|
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1.6 |
||
|
May |
Clerical Officer |
1.6 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
||
|
Jun |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
3.5 |
||
|
Jul |
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
1 |
|
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1.6 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1.6 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
Aug |
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
3 |
|
|
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL |
2 |
||
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
||
|
Sep |
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
|
|
Senior Research Officer |
1 |
||
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
3 |
||
|
Veterinary Inspector |
8 months |
||
|
Oct |
Clerical Officer |
6 months |
|
|
Nov |
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
Dec |
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
1.5 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
2024 |
Feb |
Principal Officer |
3 |
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
General Operative |
1 |
||
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
Apr |
Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
|
May |
SUPERINTENDING VETERINARY INSPECTOR |
5 |
|
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
Jun |
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
|
|
SEROLOGICAL ASSISTANT |
1 |
||
|
Jul |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
Aug |
Clerical Officer |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
||
|
Sep |
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
1 |
|
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
0.8 |
||
|
Oct |
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER |
1.8 |
|
|
Laboratory Analyst |
2 |
||
|
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR |
1 |
||
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
||
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
||
|
Nov |
Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
|
Dec |
Laboratory Analyst |
0.6 |
|
|
HIGHER EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
2 |
||
|
TECHNICAL AGRICULTURAL OFFICER |
1 |
There are no officers in my Department who fall within the parameters of being on a career break for longer than five and six years in 2023 and 2024.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1070)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:1070. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in his Department, and in agencies under the aegis of his Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46202/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all our grade streams and locations, aiming to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which current and future staffing needs are addressed.
As business needs arise, staff are allocated to support organisational priorities within my Department. Overall staffing levels and required skills are monitored to ensure business needs are met. Requirements are continually addressed in order to minimise the duration for which a post remains vacant. Our records do not readily lend themselves to retrospectively identifying the number of vacancies on a specific historic date. Consequently, the number of vacancies broken down by month and grade as existed in 2023 and 2024 is not available.
Vacancies within State Agencies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1071)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:1071. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, they have been placed on a redeployment panel; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46220/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is committed to providing a work-life balance and flexibility to its staff, including by considering applications from eligible individuals under the Career Break Scheme in the Civil Service.
It is also committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all our grade streams and locations, aiming to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which current and future staffing needs are addressed.
In addressing the filling of vacancies within my Department, consideration is given on a continual basis to upcoming career break returns, to identify potentially suitable posts. My Department recognises the importance of supporting our colleagues in their return to the workforce and aims to facilitate such returns with minimum delay.
In relation to staff in my Department on career break, there are currently no officers on record whose career break has been extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in the Department.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1072)
Michael Lowry
Question:1072. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances are available to a person (details supplied); if allowances are given in such circumstances for minor discrepancies; if this case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46279/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department received a request for a review from this herdowner in December, and a detailed reply issued to him on the 15th of January 2025.
In this case, the penalty was upheld on review. The review decision letter has informed the herdowner of his right to appeal to the Agricultural Appeals Office if he is unhappy with my Department's decision.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (1073)
Michael Lowry
Question:1073. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances are available to a person (details supplied); if allowances are given in such circumstances for minor discrepancies; if this case will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46280/24]
View answerWritten answers
A request for a review has been received from this herdowner's agricultural adviser.
My Department has been in contact, by phone and by letter, with the herdowner to request further information in order to complete the review.
All review cases are dealt with on an individual basis and this case will be finalised once the information sought is received.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1074)
Alan Kelly
Question:1074. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated WTE costs to recruit two additional senior archaeologists grade 1 to his Department. [46295/24]
View answerWritten answers
The annual cost of recruiting two additional senior archaeologists to my Department is approximately €137,976 (non-PPC) or €145,022 (PPC), excluding employer costs.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1075)
Carol Nolan
Question:1075. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications made to the climate action performance payment (CAPP) scheme; the number of disallowed or refused applications and the amount paid out in total since the CAPP scheme was opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46339/24]
View answerWritten answers
A Climate Action Performance Payment, totalling €5,000 per hectare will be paid in three instalments to grant aided ash forest owners who clear their sites and replant through one of the Department’s Ash Dieback Reconstitution Schemes.
My Department has received 264 applications for the first instalment of the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme since this scheme was launched in August 2024. Of these, none have been disallowed. There are additional ongoing queries in relation to twenty applications. A total of €2.34 million has been paid on 244 applications representing more than 936 hectares.
Forestry Sector
Questions (1076)
Carol Nolan
Question:1076. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a compensation payment made under the climate action performance payment, CAPP, scheme is subject to taxation; if representations have been made to him by forestry or farming organisations regarding exempting the compensation from taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46340/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) of €5,000 per hectare, is available to current owners of grant-aided ash forests whose sites have been cleared and replanted with an alternative species through either one of the preceding Ash Dieback Reconstitution Schemes or the current Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023 to 2027.
The Climate Action Performance Payment is therefore exempted from income tax by virtue of section 232(2) of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) but may be subject to USC & PRSI.
Departmental Staff
Questions (1077)
Paul Donnelly
Question:1077. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff employed by his Department at each grade of executive officer and above, by gender, in tabular form. [46402/24]
View answerWritten answers
The figures below were extracted as per the 06/01/25, and includes each grade of executive officer (including Salary equivalents) and above, by gender, in tabular form as requested.
|
Date of Data Extracted: |
06-01-25 |
||||
|
Gender Breakdown for Grade EO, equivalent and above for DAFM as per date above: |
|||||
|
Female |
Male |
Other |
Unknown |
TOTAL |
|
|
Totals |
1319 |
1619 |
1 |
49 |
2988 |
|
Administrative Officer |
19 |
20 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Advisory Counsel Grade 2 |
1 |
||||
|
Advisory Counsel Grade 3 |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Agricultural Inspector |
35 |
62 |
|||
|
Area Superintendent |
1 |
13 |
|||
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
88 |
107 |
2 |
||
|
Assistant Chief Engineer |
1 |
||||
|
Assistant Harbour Master |
1 |
||||
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
88 |
97 |
|||
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
5 |
|||
|
Chief Analyst |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Deputy Chief Analyst |
2 |
1 |
|||
|
District Superintendent |
9 |
81 |
|||
|
Engineer Grade 1 Civil |
1 |
6 |
|||
|
Engineer Grade 2 Civil |
2 |
5 |
|||
|
Engineer Grade 3 Civil |
3 |
5 |
|||
|
Engineer Technician Grade 1 |
3 |
||||
|
Engineer Technician Grade 2 Civil |
1 |
||||
|
Executive Officer |
391 |
228 |
9 |
||
|
First Assistant Solicitor Agriculture |
1 |
||||
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 1 |
1 |
14 |
|||
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 2 |
13 |
||||
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
8 |
34 |
1 |
||
|
Harbour Constable |
2 |
||||
|
Harbour Master |
1 |
4 |
1 |
||
|
Head Of Agricultural Laboratories |
1 |
||||
|
Higher Executive Officer |
204 |
154 |
3 |
||
|
Higher Seed Analyst |
1 |
||||
|
ICT Apprentice |
6 |
1 |
|||
|
Laboratory Analyst |
97 |
36 |
1 |
||
|
Laboratory Attendant |
3 |
6 |
1 |
||
|
Librarian |
1 |
||||
|
Principal Officer |
27 |
22 |
|||
|
Professional Accountant |
2 |
||||
|
Quality Manager |
2 |
2 |
|||
|
Research Officer |
15 |
7 |
|||
|
Secretary General |
1 |
||||
|
Senior Inspector |
2 |
14 |
|||
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
35 |
7 |
|||
|
Senior Research Officer |
7 |
9 |
|||
|
Senior Seed Analyst |
1 |
||||
|
Senior Serological Assistant |
1 |
||||
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
5 |
6 |
|||
|
Serological Assistant |
12 |
7 |
|||
|
State Solicitor |
1 |
1 |
|||
|
Statistician |
3 |
||||
|
Superintending Senior Research Officer |
2 |
3 |
|||
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
23 |
30 |
|||
|
Supervising Serological Assistant |
2 |
||||
|
Supervisory Agricultural Officer |
20 |
149 |
|||
|
Technical Agricultural Officer |
62 |
327 |
19 |
||
|
Veterinary Inspector |
141 |
117 |
9 |