Written Answers Nos. 606-626
606. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status assigned to non-coursing greyhounds born in the Republic of Ireland on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system 42 days after their last trial or race; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15326/25]
View answer607. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status assigned to non-coursing greyhounds born in the six counties of Northern Ireland on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system 42 days after their last trial or race; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15327/25]
View answer609. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of non-coursing greyhounds currently with an active status on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system, broken down by year of birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15329/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606, 607 and 609 together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
608. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if non-coursing greyhounds born in the six counties of Northern Ireland, who have had at least one race or trial in the Republic of Ireland, are included in the figures given for non-coursing greyhounds with an inactive status on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/25]
View answerReply not received from Department.
610. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licensed horse trainers in Ireland in each year since 1 January 2020; the number of Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board inspectors; the number of unannounced inspections; whether each trainer has had unannounced inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15380/25]
View answer611. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the controls his Department and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have in relation to the operation of unlicensed trainers; whether further legislation is planned on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15381/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The role of the IHRB is provided for under the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 and subsequent Statutory Instruments, however the body itself remains a private entity.
Under the Act, the IHRB is solely and independently responsible for making and enforcing the Rules of Racing and licensing all participants including Trainers.
The IHRB has informed my Department that there are three categories of Trainers’ licences issued by the body:
• a Trainer is a person who holds a licence to train horses granted by the IHRB
• a Restricted Trainer is a Trainer who is also licenced but shall only be permitted to have such number of horses as specified by the IHRB Licensing Committee
• a Hunter Chase Licence permits the holder to run a horse with a Hunter’s Certificate in specified races (Hunters Steeplechase)
The IHRB has provide the table below which sets out the number of licences issued each year to both Trainers and Restricted Trainers in the period 2020 – 2025.
No. of Licences Issued to Trainers and Restricted Trainers 2020 – 2024 and to date in 2025
|
|
2025* |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
|
Trainers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Category |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Hunt |
79 |
98 |
94 |
83 |
68 |
80 |
|
Flat |
28 |
52 |
36 |
36 |
30 |
32 |
|
Dual (National Hunt & Flat) |
188 |
220 |
265 |
246 |
265 |
237 |
|
Total |
295 |
370 |
395 |
365 |
363 |
349 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted Trainers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Category |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Hunt |
87 |
112 |
117 |
125 |
117 |
101 |
|
Flat |
12 |
29 |
17 |
10 |
14 |
15 |
|
Dual (National Hunt & Flat) |
51 |
64 |
81 |
80 |
83 |
72 |
|
Hunter Chase |
11 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
6 |
8 |
|
Total |
161 |
218 |
227 |
225 |
220 |
196 |
*2025 figures to end of February
The IHRB has informed my Department that a Trainer’s Licence is required to enter a horse into a race and, as such, the category ‘unlicensed trainer’ is not provided for in the Rules of Racing. The Rules of Racing provide that IHRB officials may enter any licensed training establishment for the purposes of inspecting facilities and premises and any relevant documentation or records, or for the purposes of inspecting, examining or testing horses on the premises. Additionally, the IHRB currently has a team of 10 Authorised Officers who, under the relevant legislation, can access, inspect and take samples from any thoroughbred at any location, not just on licensed training establishments.
The IHRB has further informed my Department that it has conducted in the region of 700 inspections at 495 different premises since 2020 – details of the number of inspections is set out in the table below.
No. of Inspections Carried Out 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025
|
- |
2025* |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020** |
|
IHRB Equine Premises Inspections |
40 |
150 |
161 |
197 |
141 |
8 |
*2025 figures to end of February
**2020 figures reflect a cessation of all non-essential inspection activity due to Covid-19 restrictions.
612. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any public body or publicly funded body under his Department’s aegis procured from outside the EU any professional services in excess of €25,000 in relation to accountancy, pensions, architecture or legal, in each year from 1 January 2020 to end 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15383/25]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response issue within 10 days.
613. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board took in 2022, 2023 and 2024 to advise the public or those working in the sector of complaint procedures around poor stable facilities or the ill treatment of horses under their authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15384/25]
View answerThe Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) is the regulatory body for all horseracing in Ireland. The role of the IHRB is provided for under the Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 and subsequent Statutory Instruments, however the body itself remains a private entity.
Under the Act, the IHRB is solely and independently responsible for making and enforcing the Rules of Racing and licensing all participants including Trainers.
The IHRB has informed my Department that equine anti-doping and welfare are top priorities for the body and they have no tolerance for any rule breaches in this regard.
The IHRB has further informed my Department that since 2015, the body has operated a confidential phone line and encourages anyone, whether within the industry or among the general public, who knows anything which they believe might compromise the integrity of the sport in any way to speak confidentially to an IHRB official. The confidential phone line is publicised through the IHRB website and by way of printed notices positioned at appropriate locations around racecourses.
614. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress of the efforts by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to retrieve ghost gear (abandoned nets, and so on); the amount of material retrieved in each year since 1 January 2020; how successful these efforts have been; the cost of same; whether a new central scheme for all waterways is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15385/25]
View answerBord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) implements the Clean Oceans initiative, which follows on from the previous 'Fishing for Litter' programme which has been in place since 2015.
Under the Clean Oceans initiative fishers participate voluntarily in the retrieval of marine litter that they encounter while at sea, and the disposal of same in designated facilities. As part of that programme, abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear may be collected during the course of fishing activities. There is no scheme in place to specifically retrieve only abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear. My Department supports BIM to administer this valuable initiative. Funding is provided to ports to support the costs of skips for the removal and disposal of the material retrieved under this initiative. A sum of €5,000 per year is available to each of the 12 ports taking part in this programme.
The following table provides further detail on the volumes of material collected over the timeframe specified:
|
Year |
Material Collected (in tonnes) |
|
2020 |
163 |
|
2021 |
181 |
|
2022 |
215 |
|
2023 |
155 |
|
2024 |
120 (estimated) |
|
TOTAL |
834 |
*please note that specific figures on ‘ghost gear’ collected are not available.
In terms of any central scheme for all waterways, I do not have the remit for environmental management of inland waterways. Queries related to that would be best addressed to Waterways Ireland (which operates under the overall policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (which is under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage).
615. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to produce guidelines around coastal magnet fishing; if his Department will support the removal of metal waste from the Irish foreshore while protecting the State’s interests; if his Department will discuss the matter with other responsible Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15386/25]
View answerAs so-called "magnet fishing" does not involve the harvesting of marine biological resources, it does not come within my remit as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, which comes within the remit of my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, is the body responsible for granting marine licences for specified activities, including the removal of any substance or object from the sea or seabed.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that my Department assists in the collaborative effort to help in keeping our oceans clean and healthy and launched the Clean Oceans Initiative in January 2019. The Clean Oceans Initiative is managed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to help protect marine life from the harmful effects of plastic and other pollution. A number of activities form part of the initiative including ‘Fishing for Litter’ which encourages fishers to collect any litter or debris they come across while working at sea. I can inform the Deputy that Ireland’s fishing sector has collected more than 1,000 tonnes of marine litter as part of its ‘Fishing for Litter’ activities from its inception to date.
616. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any public bodies or publicly funded bodies under his Department's aegis are not compliant with Part V of the Disability Act 2005; if Part V applies to all subsidiaries of such bodies; whether, in cases where it does not, he has the power to extend such a requirement, either through Ministerial order or through funding requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15490/25]
View answerThe current compliance report sought by the Deputy is published by the National Disability Authority (NDA) and can be found on the NDA website. This report covers the year 2022. The more recent returns from State Bodies cannot yet be shared as they have yet to be published by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It is envisaged that the Part 5 report for 2023 will be published by the NDA by the end of Q2 2025.
Under Section 49 of the Disability Act 2005, the National Disability Authority (NDA), with the permission of the relevant Minister can ask a public body that has not met the minimum statutory employment target, for two consecutive years, for further information regarding measures they may have in place during that two year period. This is to determine if a public body is compliant or non-compliant under Part 5. In 2022 all public bodies under the remit of my Department were deemed compliant under Part 5.
Three State Bodies under the remit of my Department did not reach the 3% disability target in 2022. The % of employees reporting a disability for these were; Bord Bia 1.4%, the National Milk Agency (NMA) 0% and the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) 0%. I would like to highlight that the NMA only has 5 employees and the VCI 11.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 does not refer to subsidiaries of public bodies or Minister’s responsibilities or powers to extend such a requirement regarding compliance of same, either through Ministerial order or through funding requirements.
617. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the increase in the cost of production of milk products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15566/25]
View answerAt the outset I will state, as Minister for Agriculture I do not have a role in setting or controlling prices for any commodity. My Department does however, as part of its role in supporting the sector, monitor developments in prices received and costs borne by Irish farmers. The Central Statistics Office reports in Agricultural Outputs, trends in prices paid to farmers for their produce, and Agricultural Input, prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services, on a monthly basis.
Over the 12 months to January 2025, the overall Agricultural Output Price Index (i.e. prices) rose by over 20%. The first monthly indications for 2025 are positive with Output Prices rising by 2% compared to the previous January and input costs falling by almost 5%.
At present, the current trends for dairy farmers are positive with regard to input prices and output prices. Milk experienced a significant Agricultural Output Price increase of 33.6% in the 12-month period to January 2025. In the same period, the price of agricultural inputs fell by 3.7%, with notable reductions in the prices of electricity at over 8%, feed at over 7% and fertilisers at almost 7%.
The value of Agricultural Output rose by 8% to 12.2bn in 2024. This was driven mainly by a 17% increase in milk prices as milk accounts for one-third of the value of Agricultural Output overall.
These trends can however change, and my Department closely monitors them reflecting the volatile nature of input and output prices in the agri-food sector.
I will continue to work with dairy farmers and industry stakeholders and our state bodies, including Teagasc and Bord Bia, to address current and future challenges in the development of the sector and to create new and diverse market opportunities for dairy produce.
618. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide figures relating to overall Irish agri-food exports to the USA and the EU, broken down by food type, during 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [15581/25]
View answerAccording to the most recent Central Statistics Office trade statistics, the US accounted for 10.3% of Irish agri-food exports by value in 2024, up from 8.7% in 2023. EU countries accounted for 33.7% of agri-food exports by value in both 2024 and 2023. Total agri-food exports are estimated at €19.239 billion for 2024, an increase of an increase of over €1 billion, or 6%, on the €18.137 billion achieved in 2023.
Central Statistics Office trade statistics for the US and the EU, full-year 2023 and full-year 2024 by category, are provided in the tables below. All figures provided for 2024 are preliminary and are subject to adjustment in 2025.
In addition to agri-food export categories, exports of Irish Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) - value-added foods and beverages - to the US amounted to €133.1 million in 2024, an increase of 4% by value on the €127.9 million achieved in 2023. PCF exports to the US accounted for 3.8% of total PCF exports in 2023 and 3.7% of total PCF exports in 2024. For both years, the top 3 PCF US export categories were Chocolate-based preparations, Other Food Preparations and Extracts, Sauces and Soups.
Additionally, exports of Irish Prepared Consumer Foods to EU countries amounted to €928.5 million in 2024, a decrease of 0.5% by value on the €933.6 million achieved in 2023. PCF exports to the EU accounted for 28% of total PCF exports in 2023 and 26% of total PCF exports in 2024. For both years, the top 3 PCF export categories by value were Meat preparations, Other Food Preparations and Sugar-based products.
620. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an Eco scheme and hardship payment will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15628/25]
View answerIn 2023 an Eco-Scheme Application was received by the persons named via a partnership identifier which was subsequently terminated, and replaced with the new identifier number provided in this question. This has caused the delay in payment of the 2023 Eco-Scheme. This payment has now been prioritised for issue with urgency.
The farm partnership number provided received their 70% Eco-Scheme payment on the 20th October 2024 with the balancing payment of 30% on 9th December 2024.
My Department has also checked records for applications for the TB hardship grant for the herd numbers provided. No record of an application for Hardship Grant under any herd number associated with the individual has been received. If the person named would like to make an application, they can contact the Regional Veterinary Office to make an application under the Hardship Grant scheme by email to CorkNorthDVO@agriculture.gov.ie or Tel: (021) 4851400.
621. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the recent investigation by an organisation (details supplied); if he will take action on the animal rights violations it exposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15697/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government places an emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.
My Department takes its responsibilities for protecting animal welfare most seriously and strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals. It should be noted that we have robust legislation in this country to protect the welfare of all animals and in the case of pigs there is sector specific legislation in place which is based on existing EU rules. It is my Department’s policy to investigate all allegations of illegal or criminal behaviour and to pursue legal action where appropriate.
I can confirm that my Department received footage from the organisation named in the details supplied during the week of March 10th, regarding a number of pig farms they had investigated. I can confirm also that my Department is reviewing the footage and that action will be taken to fully investigate and follow up any evidence of breaches of the pig welfare legislation. My Department does not comment on individual investigations.
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 e-mail 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
622. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of reports of abuse on several pig farms (details supplied); if his Department is investigating these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15764/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government places an emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare.
My Department takes its responsibilities for protecting animal welfare most seriously and strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals. It should be noted that we have robust legislation in this country to protect the welfare of all animals and in the case of pigs there is sector specific legislation in place which is based on existing EU rules. It is my Department’s policy to investigate all allegations of illegal or criminal behaviour and to pursue legal action where appropriate.
I can confirm that my Department received footage from the organisation named in the details supplied during the week of March 10th, regarding a number of pig farms they had investigated. I can confirm also that my Department is reviewing the footage and that action will be taken to fully investigate and follow up any evidence of breaches of the pig welfare legislation. My Department does not comment on individual investigations.
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 e-mail 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
623. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the status of Cheeverstown House, Templeogue, Dublin 6W; if it is ultimately planned to wind down and close this facility, or whether it will it continue to be a much-needed centre for people with additional needs in the locality; if there are any plans to re-open the swimming pool and hall; whether the HSE have a long-term plan for the Cheeverstown House site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15772/25]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
624. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has undertaken an impact assessment of varying the accommodation recognition payment; and, if so, the findings of that assessment. [15829/25]
View answer690. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has undertaken an impact assessment of varying the accommodation recognition payment in respect of children and young people; and, if so, the findings of that assessment. [15830/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 624 and 690 together.
The proposal to reduce the payment has been brought forward following consultation with, and agreement by, the relevant Ministers, including the Ministers for Social Protection and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, as required by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, as well as the Minister for Justice. A draft order on the reduced payments must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas for consideration and approval before any such change can come into effect. The Deputy should note that the statutory functions relating to the Accommodation Recognition Payment scheme will shortly be transferred to the Minister for Justice.
In accordance with section 9(3) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, before making any such order, the Minister shall have regard to:
(a) the number of persons who avail of the financial contribution (including where the scheme termination date is extended in accordance with section 4 (2)),
(b) the number of temporary protection beneficiaries to whom accommodation is provided by persons referred to in paragraph (a), and
(c) the cost to the Exchequer of the payment of financial contributions under this Part, but shall not have regard to the costs to persons referred to in paragraph (a) of provision of accommodation to temporary protection beneficiaries.
The reduction seeks to mitigate any unintended impact on the private rental sector. It is a means of winding down the scheme in an orderly and gradual way in the context of the end of the Temporary Protection Directive in March 2026. It also reflects other policy changes which aim to ensure that temporary and timebound supports for people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are proportionate and equitable.
No separate impact assessment was carried out in respect of children and young people.
625. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of a case of Syrian refugees in Jordan who have Irish resettlement papers and are at risk of being deported back to Syria; if his Department will take any action on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14996/25]
View answerThere are currently 42 Syrian refugees in Jordan awaiting resettlement to Ireland from a group of over 250 people selected in 2021.
The resettlement of Syrian refugees from Lebanon, the beneficiaries of a subsequent selection mission in 2022, was prioritised last year due to the volatile security situation there.
There is ongoing monitoring of the situation in Lebanon and Jordan as well as engagement with both the UNHCR and International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to ensure the families in Jordan are kept updated with any developments in relation to expected travel to Ireland.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) will continue to work to make sure the families are brought to Ireland at the earliest possible opportunity.
626. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of individuals who had their reception conditions amended and IPAS accommodation withdrawn in 2024; the number who requested a review of the decision to amend their reception conditions; the outcomes of those reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15001/25]
View answer627. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of individuals to whom IPAS is currently providing amended reception conditions having withdrawn IPAS accommodation; the number of those who have requested a review of the decision to amend their reception conditions, excluding those who are unaccommodated on arrival; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15002/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.
There are approximately 33,000 people living in IPAS accommodation at this time, in about 320 accommodation centres located all over the country.
While residing in centres, residents are subject to 'House rules and procedures', intended to ensure the safety of all residents. Centre managers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the rules. These are set out for each resident, describing the services provided, the rules of the house, fire safety and how residents can contact IPAS if they have any concerns or complaints. These are available online on the Gov.ie website:www.gov.ie/en/publication/3b0e9-house-rules-and-procedures/.
While most complaints can be dealt with and resolved locally or with support from IPAS teams, under Regulation 6 (1)(b) and (c) of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, the Minister may decide to reduce or withdraw the relevant reception conditions provided to a recipient where “the recipient has committed, or is committing, a serious breach of the House Rules”, or “the recipient has engaged in seriously violent behaviour”.
IPAS teams work closely with both residents and accommodation centre management to work through and resolve problems that may arise in relation to the house rules. Of the approximately 33,000 people in IPAS accommodation by the end of 2024, 61 people had their material reception conditions amended in 2024.
Individuals for whom reception conditions are amended are entitled to access an increased daily expenses allowance of €113.80 per week as a form of alternative material reception conditions.
Under Section 20 (1)(d) of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, “a recipient who is dissatisfied with a decision to reduce or withdraw the relevant reception conditions” made under Section 6(1) may request an internal review of a decision to reduce or withdraw reception conditions.
To date, 30 individuals have requested for the decision to amend their Reception Conditions to be reviewed. Of these, 26 reviews were requested in 2024.
The outcome of a review is a private matter between the applicant and the Department. If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of this review, they may appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal as appropriate.
