Written Answers Nos. 586-605
586. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the balance for 2023 and the total outstanding amount for 2024 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in respect of the ACRES payment scheme. [14976/25]
View answer590. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine the case of a person (details supplied). [15067/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 586 and 590 together.
The person named was accepted into ACRES General Tranche 1, with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2023. An advance payment of €6,214.23 issued to the herd owner in December 2023 in respect of their participation in the Scheme in 2023.
My Department has identified the cause of the issue that has been preventing this case from passing the required validations for the balancing payment for 2023, and a solution is currently being put in place. Once the payment claim for 2023 is finalised, the case will then progress to validation checks for the 2024 advance payment. Further pay runs, to participants in both tranches, are continuing every 10 days as cases pass all required validation checks.
I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.
587. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the implementation of the all-island protected geographical indicator status for grass-fed cattle, including how the North of Ireland’s participation is being facilitated; any progress since approval by the European Commission; any outstanding issues affecting full recognition and benefits for food producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/25]
View answerIrish Grass Fed Beef PGI was registered by the European Commission on 27th November 2023. The PGI is on an all-island basis representing farmers and processors north and south, with Bord Bia as the applicant on behalf of producers and processors here, and their counterpart the Livestock and Meat Commission as the applicant in Northern Ireland.
Since registration, my Department and Bord Bia have engaged with processors who have expressed an interest in using the registered name. The EU rules require that operators must comply with the product specification to be eligible to use the PGI and that this must be verified by the Competent Authority before it is placed on the market.
My Department is the competent authority responsible for verifying compliance with the product specification and has verified five processing plants to date and a number of other processing plants are pending approval.
My officials maintain regular engagement with the relevant Northern Ireland authorities on our four cross-border geographical indications including the Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI. Since the application process, Bord Bia have been engaging with the Livestock and Meat Commission who are establishing a similar verification process in Northern Ireland.
The first placing of Irish Grass Fed Beef PGI product on the European market took place in Milan on 19th March 2024 attended by the then Minister alongside representatives of the Irish processor supplier, the Italian retailer, Bord Bia and farming organisations. Bord Bia’s promotional activities for the PGI have targeted European markets, in particular the Italian market, where there is strong consumer recognition of PGI status.
The PGI is an important tool for our producers to market their products, and consumers can be assured that the distinctive characteristics of the product are linked to Ireland’s pasture-based production system.
588. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify a compensation issue for a person (details supplied). [15035/25]
View answerMy Department provides a variety of extensive supports as part of the Bovine Viral Diarrheal (BVD) eradication programme.
Among these are financial supports to farmers in respect of herds that disclose one or more animals with BVD test positive or inconclusive test result.
The financial support available is:
- For Dairy breeds animals: €160 if the dairy female or dairy cross animal is removed within 10 days of positive or inconclusive BVD test. €30 if the dairy female or dairy cross animal is removed between day 11 and 21 of the first positive or inconclusive BVD test €30 if the dairy bull is removed within 14 days of the positive or inconclusive BVD test.
- For Beef breeds animals: € 220 if the animal is removed within 10 days of the first positive or inconclusive test. € 30 if the animal is removed between Day 11 & 21 of the first positive or inconclusive test.”
In addition to the above supports my Department also provides supports for adversely affected farms where at least 12% of the number calves born in a given year are affected as detailed below:
- Beef Herds - min removed animals to be at least 12% as a proportion of total births in 2024, with first two animals removed at standard rate, and subsequent animals support at double the support payment referred to above
- Dairy Herds - min removed animals to be at least 12% as a proportion of total births in 2024, with first seven animals removed at standard rate, and subsequent animals removed at double the support payment referred to above.
589. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an emergency fund for farm buildings damaged during the recent storm as a matter of extreme urgency, and take into consideration that farmers have suffered huge financial losses, that these works need to be carried out now, that a number of farmers do not have insurance and many more are not in TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15048/25]
View answerIn acknowledgement of the urgency of support required following Storm Eowyn, I opened a new TAMS 3 tranche for a three-week period to deal specifically with storm-related damage on farms. This tranche opened on 7 March 2025, and closed on 28 March 2025.
The specific items in respect of which applications were accepted over this three-week period are as follows:
• Backup PTO Generators (this covers all types of generators irrespective of the drive mechanism),
• Sheep, Bovine and Equine Fencing,
• Wood / Biomass Chippers and Mulchers.
TAMS currently provides grant aid for investment in new structures rather than repair of existing structures. However, in order to ensure that farms are more resilient in advance of future weather events, I recently announced plans to introduce grant aid support under TAMS for replacement of roofs. The application process for this specific investment will be available later this year. In the meantime, I would urge farmers to carry out a structural assessment of their farm buildings.
TAMS 3 is open to all farmers who hold a Department identifier and have a minimum of five hectares declared under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
591. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline for the ending of the practice of pair trawling (details supplied), which is having a devastating impact on marine life in Dingle, Kenmare Bay and all along the Kerry and Irish coastline since the practice was first reintroduced. [15136/25]
View answerIn 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings resulting in the measure being overturned in 2023.
In 2024, over a period of eight weeks, the Minister held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place without prejudice.
The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,500 - were received. These submissions will be considered in the review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made.
592. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the eligibility for the women in agriculture grant via TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15208/25]
View answerThe Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme is one of ten measures in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
A standard grant rate of 40% is provided for all eligible investments in TAMS 3, with an enhanced 60% rate available to women farmers who meet the eligibility criteria under the Scheme.
The eligibility criteria for women farmers include:
• aged more than 18 and under 67 years of age at date of application;
• have a minimum of 5 hectares of eligible land which has been declared under the Basic Payment Scheme/Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), or equivalent, in the year of application, or preceding year.
The applicant must be named on the herd number pertaining to the holding and have submitted an application on BPS for the 2022 Reference Year, either as an individual/Registered Farm Partnership or Company. In circumstances where the Reference Year requirements are not met, applicants must fulfil the requirement regarding occupational skill and competence.
In situations where a woman farmer is farming with others, a declaration is required that the woman farmer exercises effective and long-term control over the partnership or legal person in terms of decisions related to management, benefits and financial risks, either solely, or jointly with other members of the partnership.
In the case of a company, any or all women farmers must be a director in the company and have at least a 20% shareholding. When farming with others, a declaration that they have effective and long-term control of the holding is required. In circumstances where a woman farmer is farming as part of a joint venture, both applicants must meet the eligibility criteria.
The full details of the eligibility criteria for the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme are available on my Department's website.
593. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for update on a grant application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15223/25]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2024 Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers scheme. This application was selected as part of the required 10% of applications where an on-the-spot-check is carried out to verify that the young farmer applicant can demonstrate full financial and managerial control of the agricultural holding, as required under the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.
The on-the-spot-check process in this case is currently being finalised and the person named will be notified of the outcome in the coming days.
594. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of ACRES payments (details supplied), and when the balance of payment due for 2023 is expected. [15226/25]
View answerThe person named was accepted into ACRES General Tranche 1, with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2023. I can confirm that all ACRES payments in respect of 2023 have been finalised for this participant.
The advance payment claim associated with this herd in respect of 2024 has not yet cleared all the necessary pre-payment validation checks. My Department is actively working to progress these checks as a matter of urgency. As is the case with all EU co-funded schemes, all ACRES applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. Further pay runs, to participants in both tranches, are continuing every 10 days as cases pass all required validation checks.
I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.
595. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of storm Éowyn, whether his Department has changed policy on planting distances from roadsides and overhead cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15250/25]
View answer596. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the setback distance from the roadsides and near overhead wires before storm Éowyn, and now on licences issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15251/25]
View answer619. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is committed to undertaking a review of the Forestry Standards Manual given the impact of recent storms on public roads, utilities and powerlines, especially the setback distances from overhead powerlines; and if his Department will consider the introduction of a separate felling licence application system to facilitate urgent management of the setback distances from powerlines. [15582/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 595, 596 and 619 together.
My Department officials are in regular contact with the ESB, particularly in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. On 5th February 2025, a decision was made by Government to request ESB Networks to develop a Winter 2025 Grid Resilience Plan.
A key component of this plan will be the requirement to safeguard the electrical network that passes through forests. In this regard ESB have engaged with my Department, Coillte, Department of Environment Climate and Communications and I understand they are also engaging with the Irish Farmers Association.
I understand that amongst other items, a commitment to review forestry setbacks and corridors in relation to the safeguarding of the electrical network will form part of the plan. I understand, any new agreement on corridor widths will inform my Department in updating their forestry related requirements.
Public road setback distances are set out in my Department’s Forestry Standards Manual as regards roads. A setback strip of 10 metres for broadleaves and 20 metres for conifers, measured to the surfaced edge of the public road, applies. In Conifer forest, the strip 10 metres to 20 metres from the road may be planted with broadleaves or groups of broadleaves.
Power line corridor widths are also set out in my Department’s Forestry Standards Manual which provides guidance on how to deal with ESB lines interacting with new forests. The document outlines that for a 10 kv to 38 kv powerline this requires a 20m corridor, a 110 kv line requires a 61 metre corridor, 220kv line requires a 68m corridor and a 400kv line requires a 74m corridor. These corridors are based on an agreement between the ESB and the IFA which also included other requirements regarding access.
597. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a union dispute in the forestry section of his Department is affecting the licensing process, or whether it is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15252/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to meeting the Farmers' Charter timelines for the processing of all forestry applications, namely, that applications will be completed within six months in the case of files screened out from environmental assessment, and within nine months in the case of those screened in for environmental assessment.
My Department has issued 527 licences so far this year. Last week, the total issued was 49, which was comprised of 16 private felling licences, 11 Coillte felling licences, three road licences and 19 afforestation licences.
As part of its continuing efforts to further improve the licensing process, my Department is engaging with staff and union representatives to bring greater efficiency to the way in which applications by private landowners for felling licenses are processed. This work is ongoing.
598. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how often a census is undertaken of the Irish fishing fleet; and to provide a breakdown of the current fleet, by boat size. [15254/25]
View answerIn accordance with section 3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the Register of Sea Fishing Boats is maintained by the Registrar General for Sea Fishing Boats and is publicly available online at: gov.ie - Sea Fisheries Administration (www.gov.ie). The register is updated every two weeks. In addition, the EU Commission publishes annual fleet reports including Ireland which are also available online at: https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/rules/fishing-fleet-capacities_en.
These reports typically identify the number of vessels in a variety of lengths similar to the information sought by the Deputy.
Please see below breakdown by size of the vessels registered as of 26th March 2025. These figures can vary from day to day.
|
Equal to or less than 6m |
622 |
|
Greater than 6m and less than or equal to 10m |
859 |
|
Greater than 10m and less than or equal to 15m |
282 |
|
Greater than 15m and less than or equal to 24m |
76 |
|
Greater than 24m |
97 |
|
Total Registered vessels as of 26/03/2025 |
1936 |
599. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether it is his intention to reexamine the proportion of the mackerel and herring quota allocated to small fishers and inshore fishers; whether he has met with representatives of small fishers and inshore fishers on the issue of the quota since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15255/25]
View answerIn Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel and Herring, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management, conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. It is managed as a public good that ensures that property rights are not granted to individual operators. This is seen as a critical policy in order to ensure that quotas are not concentrated into the hands of large fishing companies whose owners have the financial resources to buy up such rights. In Ireland, any movement towards privatisation and concentration of rights into the hands of large companies would seriously risk fishing vessels losing an economic link with Ireland’s coastal communities and undermining the socio-economic importance of the fishing industry in the coastal communities dependent on fishing.
The result of this long-standing policy is that the Irish fishing fleet involves a balanced spread of sizes and types of fishing vessels who have retained a strong economic link with our coastal communities and have delivered economic activity including vital employment in these communities, where there are very limited alternative economic activities.
The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas.
Any amendments or changes to the overarching policy on management arrangements are determined by the Minister following detailed analysis and full consultation with stakeholders, in particular the fishing industry.
A limited review of the 2012 Herring Management Policy, which involved a full public consultation, was carried out in 2023. Following this limited review, the then Minister approved a modification to the 2012 Policy which provides for a set quantity of North West Herring quota (350 tonnes) to be made available for vessels less than 20 metres in length overall, without track record, of which 95% will be allocated to vessels less than 15 metres in length overall, where Ireland's quota for for this stock in the Total Allowable Catch and Quota Regulation is less than 7,000 tonnes.
The Mackerel policy was last amended in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.
In order to consider any review of the Mackerel or Herring policies, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of a policy, it will require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel or Herring quota allocation for any group of vessels, it must be taken from other groups within the fleet.
There are a number of opportunities for vessels to target Mackerel and Herring stocks which are open only to smaller 'inshore' fishing vessels. For example, an allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metres) fishing for Mackerel by Hook and Line was set down in Policy in 2010.
In February, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley TD, met with representatives of the seafood sector, including representatives of the inshore sector - the National Inshore Fishermen's Association (NIFA), the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The Minister of State asked the representative groups to highlight the priority issues for their members and he will examine these issues in his ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders.
600. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how he plans to prioritise improvements in farmer mental health and well-being supports, recognising the unique challenges faced by those in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15293/25]
View answerThis Government is prioritising farm safety, health and wellbeing through the appointment of a Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae T.D. with specific responsibility for the area and a Programme for Government that includes a specific focus on farm safety, mental health and well-being.
I secured dedicated funding of €2.5 million in Budget 2025 to build on previous efforts to improve the safety, health and wellbeing of our farming community. This funding will be used to deliver a range of initiatives, including ones focussing on farmer mental health and well-being, this year.
My Department, along with the HSE and the Department of Health, are continuing to co-fund a farmers physical and mental health awareness programme called ‘On Feirm Ground 2’. This programme is providing training for agricultural advisors, vets, Department staff and other professionals, to signpost farmers to supports in relation to health and wellbeing.
Last year, I supported twenty farm safety, health and wellbeing projects under an Open Call, over half of which focused on farmer's mental health and wellbeing. The 2025 Open Call is being finalised and will include a call for projects focussing on mental health and wellbeing supports.
Recognising the link between fatigue and farm safety, health and wellbeing, the HSA’s ‘Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work’ booklet will be distributed in the 2025 BISS packs.
Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for me and my colleague Minister Healy-Rae. This Government will continue to invest in supporting the health and wellbeing of farmers for their benefit, the benefit of their families and the rural communities in which they work and live in.
601. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to address issues with the ACRES payment; if he will make an interim payment to help farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15294/25]
View answer602. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny impacted by delays to ACRES payments to date; the number who still have not been paid; the reason for such delays; when payments are expected to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15295/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together.
I can confirm that a total of 542 farmers with holdings in County Carlow are currently active participants in ACRES. Of this total, 197 farmers are currently awaiting their 2024 scheme year advance payments, of which 14 are also awaiting finalisation of 2023 payments.
With regard to County Kilkenny, 760 farmers are currently active participants in the scheme, with 212 participants currently awaiting finalisation of 2024 scheme year advance payments, 37 of whom are also awaiting finalisation of 2023 payments.
A total of €248 million has been paid to 43,032 participants, or 96% of all ACRES participants, in respect of their participation in the Scheme in 2023. A further 1,876 farmers have yet to receive their final payments for 2023. Of these, 1,603 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000 respectively, which in many instances will cover the entire payment due.
Advance payments totalling €193.5 million have now been paid to 44,939 farmers in respect of their participation in ACRES in 2024. This number of recipients represents 83% of all ACRES participants. Advance payments in respect of scheme participation in 2024 have still to be made to 9,316 ACRES participants across the two tranches.
Certain issues such as transfers of contracts, late or non-submission of scorecards, and alignment of ACRES information with data held by the Department on other IT systems, have contributed to the delay in the making of those payments. My Department is actively resolving the remaining issues through, for example, the development of the required IT functionality, the re-allocation of resources and the investigation of issues associated with specific contracts. In some cases, action is required by the participant to progress the payment claim.
My focus remains on getting all of the outstanding payments processed as quickly as possible, rather than diverting that focus away to the generation of interim payments which, in many cases, would result in overpayments to farmers and the recoupment by my Department of monies paid.
My Department's intention is to have the outstanding payments made by June 2025. As cases are resolved, they are added to the next scheduled pay run. In addition, my Department will continue to issue regular online updates over the coming period on the progress being made.
603. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to recruit and retain young people into farming, given the many challenges the sector currently has; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15296/25]
View answerThe new Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland.
Demographic challenges for the agricultural sector are not unique to Ireland and the challenge of attracting young people into a career in farming is widely recognised, both at national and EU level, including in the recent EU Commission Vision for Agriculture and Food.
Under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (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 payments totalling €36.1 million have issued.
• The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer. Payments of some €3.1 million have issued in respect of the 2024 scheme.
• 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 to provide financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
• The Succession Planning Advice Grant provides financial support towards the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice for older farmers about succession planning.
As well as the supports available under the CSP, there is a strong suite of national taxation measures, access to finance supports and comprehensive education & training. In addition, Teagasc’s annual “Transferring the Family Farm Clinics” guide farmers on succession.
Despite these significant supports, the age demographics of farm holders is not improving. The most recent figures show that only 4.35 % of farm holders are under 35 years of age, and over 37% of farmers over 65.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. Last October, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. The Commission is adopting an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved. It is engaging closely with stakeholders, including a public consultation. As part of the Food Vision process, a report is due on policy options before the end of June this year.
I look forward to receiving that report, which will ensure that we have an objective analysis of the issue in advance of preparations for the next CAP.
604. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider tax reliefs on training fees for those looking to get involved in a horse partnership or syndicate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/25]
View answerWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister of Finance, I work closely with him on taxation issues relating to my direct areas of responsibility.
Tax reliefs on training fees for those looking to get involved in a horse partnership or syndicate is not something I am considering at present.
605. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average annual CAP payments received by farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny from 2021 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15310/25]
View answerThe table below details average payments to farmers in Carlow and Kilkenny for full years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Payments consist of direct and capital payments, including payments provided under Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
County |
Average Farmer Payment Rounded to nearest €500 |
Average Farmer Payment Rounded to nearest €500 |
Average Farmer Payment Rounded to nearest €500 |
Average Farmer Payment Rounded to nearest €500 |
|
Carlow |
€18,500 |
€21,000 |
€17,500 |
€20,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
€19,500 |
€21,000 |
€16,500 |
€19,000 |
|
State |
€15,000 |
€16,500 |
€13,500 |
€17,500 |
Figures for previous years and all counties are published in the relevant Annual Review and Outlook publications which are available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/91e7e-annual-review-and-outlook-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-2020/.
