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Thursday, 30 Jul 2020

Written Answers Nos. 949-973

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (949)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

949. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals for an early retirement scheme in the new CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20247/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In recent years, the priority of my Department has shifted to the encouragement of generational change for farmers by assisting the development of our young farmers. There is a range of supports in place, including specific agri-taxation measures to incentivise this generational change. These agri-taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers include 100% stock relief on income tax for certain young trained farmers and stamp duty exemption on transfers of land to young trained farmers. 

Under the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, there is also an enhanced capital investment scheme for young trained farmers under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes. This Scheme provides them with grant aid at a rate of 60% of the cost of the investment, compared to the standard grant rate of 40%, and I believe it is an important support and encouragement to young farmers starting in agriculture for the first time.

Generational renewal continues to be a priority for my Department and will form an important part of the CAP post-2020. My Department and I are actively engaging with other Member States and the EU on these issues during the current negotiations on new CAP proposals. We can then consider in more detail when we have the final EU Regulations as part of the wider consideration of all proposals for the next CAP.

Agriculture Industry

Ceisteanna (950)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

950. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farms that availed of the nitrates directive derogation by county in each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In December 2017, Ireland secured a renewal of its nitrates derogation for the period 2018 – 2021 on the basis of a strengthened set of water protection measures. There is an obligation to review Ireland's Nitrates Regulations in 2021 and the Nitrates derogation will be considered as part of this review.   

Ireland conducted a voluntary interim review in 2019 to examine further opportunities for derogation farmers to improve efficiencies and continue to reduce their environmental footprint with particular regard to water, climate and air quality. The measures in Ireland’s nitrates derogation take account of the growing numbers of derogation farmers who are farming at intensive stocking rates and also environmental objectives for water, climate change and ammonia which Ireland must achieve. Furthermore, opportunities for large savings on farms through better grassland management and improved timing and application of fertiliser are taken into account.

All derogation farm holdings are subject to strict controls.

Attached is a record of nitrate derogation applications per county from 2016 - 2020 inclusive.

Number of Nitrate Derogation Applications per County in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020

County

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Carlow

92

93

95

95

89

Cavan

133

132

112

107

94

Clare

60

64

55

56

50

Cork

2,239

2,272

2,219

2,145

2,076

Donegal

115

115

108

103

90

Dublin

3

3

4

2

1

Galway

172

169

156

146

141

Kerry

419

420

338

385

370

Kildare

63

74

72

67

66

Kilkenny

460

491

516

513

496

Laois

221

231

240

241

237

Leitrim

7

5

1

1

2

Limerick

363

380

376

354

329

Longford

20

22

20

19

15

Louth

80

86

80

82

78

Mayo

59

55

49

44

41

Meath

158

165

167

166

165

Monaghan

330

315

309

275

279

Offaly

113

118

127

126

131

Roscommon

14

13

14

16

18

Sligo

20

20

19

20

18

Tipperary

793

827

844

861

820

Waterford

376

392

385

390

372

Westmeath

58

63

62

61

62

Wexford

350

381

393

383

382

Wicklow

86

89

86

82

79

Total

6,804

6,995

6,897

6,750

6,501

Beef Industry

Ceisteanna (951)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

951. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will pursue a certification for carbon-neutral beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20249/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While there is currently no specific carbon neutral beef standard, my Department is progressing a range of actions aimed at improving the environmental sustainability of agri-food production in general. and beef production in particular. Current schemes, such as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme-Sucklers (BEEP-S), are focused on permanently improving the carbon efficiency of the beef herd. 

The Programme for Government includes commitments to work with farmers to address the climate and biodiversity crisis, while rewarding farmers for adapting to more sustainable farming methods.  

Harbours and Piers

Ceisteanna (952, 953, 954)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

952. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a deep water quay at Ros A Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre, County Galway; his plans to pursue the development of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20251/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

953. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the planning permission for a deep water quay at Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre will expire; if the project will be developed prior to expiration of permission; if an application will be made to extend planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20252/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

954. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the cost-benefit analysis commissioned by his Department and conducted by a company (details supplied) on a deep water quay at Ros A Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre, County Galway concluded that it was a worthwhile project; the cost of this report; his proposed actions on foot of the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20253/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 952, 953 and 954 together.

My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHC), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.

Funding is made available on an annual basis by my Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres, including Ros an Mhíl, via the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. A phased programme for the infrastructural development of Ros an Mhíl FHC has been progressed over the last number of years, which has seen a significant investment. In total, approx €31m has been invested in capital developments at Ros an Mhíl FHC between 2000 and 2019. In addition, in excess of €1.5m has been allocated for capital works in the harbour in 2020.

The possibility of a deep-water berthing project at Ros an Mhíl FHC has been mooted for some time. The Department commissioned DKM consultants to conduct a Cost Benefit Analysis into the development of a deep water quay at Ros an Mhíl. A draft report was submitted to the Department in June 2017. While positive, the Department had reservations with the report and never formally accepted it. The cost of this report was €28,500.

Since the report was drafted, there have been changes to some of the fundamentals underpinning the original analysis. In 2018, the Department subsequently commissioned engineering consultants to undertake a review of the design solutions, scoping options and operational aspects of a possible future project. An interim draft of the Quay Wall Peer Review Report was received in April 2019. This report identified the need for additional site investigations to be carried out in Ros an Mhíl.

These site investigation works were carried out in August/September 2019 and have now been completed. The final Quay Wall Peer Review report was received on 27th July 2020. The Department will now consider the final report including the site investigation results to inform a future assessment of possible design solutions and scoping options, which will, in themselves, inform any future decisions on progressing this project.

Planning permission had been obtained for this project, this permission has been extended to April 2023.

As is the case with all developments in the six Fishery Harbour Centres generally, any future decision with regard to formally initiating this project in Ros an Mhíl, will only be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and competing national priorities.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (955)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

955. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds his Department received from the EU MFF in respect of pillar 1 in each year since 2010; the expected return for 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20254/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the deputy is set out in the table below.  

Year

Programme

Amount (in millions)

2010

EAGF 2007-2013

1,305

2011

EAGF 2007-2013

1,298

2012

EAGF 2007-2013

1,285

2013

EAGF 2007-2013

1,231

2014

EAGF 2014-2020

1,219

2015

EAGF 2014-2020

1,215

2016

EAGF 2014-2020

1,098

2017

EAGF 2014-2020

1,228

2018

EAGF 2014-2020

1,222

2019

EAGF 2014-2020

1,193

2020*

EAGF 2014-2020

1,237

* Pillar 1 Expected Receipts 2020 for the full year are projected to be €1,289m

It can be noted that Pillar 1  (EAGF ) Funds actually received  from the  EU  vary year-to-year due to a variety of reasons including the timing of payments realative to the recoupment claim dates, the flexible nature of market measures and also take account of relevant monies due from the member state to the Commission  e.g. in respect intervention stock trading, various exclusions  or where certain  levies were payable,  particularly  the milk super levy up to 2016.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (956, 958)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

956. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds his Department expects to receive based on the agreement of the European Council from the EU MFF in respect of pillar 1 in each year of the next MFF in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20255/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

958. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds his Department expects to receive based on the agreement of the European Council from the EU MFF in respect of pillar 2 in each year of the next MFF in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 958 together.

Ireland’s key objective throughout the negotiations on the post-2020 EU budget has been the retention of a sufficient budget for CAP post-2020.

Notwithstanding the challenging negotiations, the overall outcome is a positive one.  Ireland has succeeded in the objective to maintain the CAP budget for the 2021-2027 period for the farming sector and rural development.  The Commission's original proposal for the CAP included a 15% cut in rural development expenditure and a 4% cut in direct payments.  These planned cuts have now been reversed.  

The negotiation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) took place in constant 2018 prices.  The CAP 2021-2027 will be €343.944 billion including the allocation of €7.5 billion for the EU Next Generation Fund.  There are a number of elements to the overall package and a detailed examination is ongoing. 

CAP payments made to farmers will be spent in current prices which will bring this funding to some €386 billion, in comparison to €375 billion for the current CAP allocations for the EU 27 and in comparison to the Commission Proposal which would have resulted in a CAP budget of €365 billion.  Annual allocations by Member State have not yet been published by the Commission.      

The proposal for the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework launched in 2018 and negotiations have been ongoing since that time.  This agreement at European Council level brings this process another step forward.  The final stage will be agreement with the European Parliament which is hoped to be reached in October 2020.   The Government’s position has always been that a strong and properly funded CAP is a fundamental requirement if we are to continue to support the sector. I therefore welcome this agreement which represents a positive outcome for Ireland.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (957)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

957. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funds his Department received from the EU MFF in respect of pillar 2 in each year since 2010; the expected return for 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20256/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below  

EAFRD Receipts 2010 to 2020 Pillar II

Year

Programme

Amount (in  € millions) RDP 2007-2013

Amount (in € millions) RDP  2014-2020

2010

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)

295

 

2011

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)

330

 

2012

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)

326

 

2013

2013-2007 RDP (Includes   Leader)

257

 

2014

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)/

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

0

0

2015

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)/

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

0

382

2016

2013-2007 RDP (Includes Leader)/

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

123

276

2017

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

 

255

2018

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

 

319

2019

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

 

324

2020*

2014-2020 RDP (Includes Leader)

 

198

* Receipts to June 2020.  Receipts for 2020 are expected to amount to  €295m in total for DAFM and DRCD 2020 in respect of Leader

The amount of Pillar 2 (EAFRD) funds received per annum is primarily based on the eligible expenditure in the relevant period with funds generally received from the EU in the quarter after the expenditure by the Department.  However, it can be noted that no pillar 2 receipts were received in  2014.  This is because the first receipts in respect of 2014-2020 RDP schemes were not paid by the Commission until formal approval of RDP in 2015 while, as per regulation, the payment by EU of last 5% of receipts for the 2007-13 programme was delayed until formal closure of RDP in 2016.

Question No. 958 answered with Question No. 956.

Tillage Sector

Ceisteanna (959)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

959. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of acres per county which were planted with rye in each year since 2010 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20258/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested is currently being compiled and a reply will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
Please see below the data in tabular form as requested. It should be noted that the figures below represent the hectarage declared as planted under the Single Payment Scheme/Basic Payment Scheme for the years in question.

YEAR

COUNTY

HECTARES CLAIMED

2010

DONEGAL

11.54

2010

WESTMEATH

7.7

2010

WICKLOW

6.59

2011

DONEGAL

9.44

2011

LOUTH

12.44

2011

MEATH

2.34

2011

WESTMEATH

7.7

2011

WEXFORD

0.89

2011

WICKLOW

1.37

2012

DONEGAL

12.5

2012

WEXFORD

3.85

2013

DONEGAL

7.88

2013

WEXFORD

3.85

2013

WICKLOW

2.2

2014

CORK

9.92

2014

DONEGAL

9.97

2014

LOUTH

12.44

2014

WEXFORD

4.01

2015

CORK

4.2

2015

DONEGAL

9.95

2015

KILDARE

6.82

2015

KILKENNY

17.26

2015

LOUTH

4.52

2015

MEATH

10.11

2015

WATERFORD

4.9

2015

WESTMEATH

4.56

2016

DONEGAL

21.19

2016

KILKENNY

17.06

2016

LOUTH

11.44

2016

MONAGHAN

0.2

2016

WESTMEATH

5.41

2017

CARLOW

1.6

2017

CORK

7.54

2017

DONEGAL

25.01

2017

DUBLIN

8.13

2017

KILKENNY

8.74

2017

LOUTH

9.01

2017

MEATH

15.69

2017

WESTMEATH

5.41

2017

WEXFORD

69.67

2018

DONEGAL

15.61

2018

KILKENNY

6.61

2018

LOUTH

74.46

2018

MEATH

5.83

2018

WEXFORD

79.36

2019

CORK

29.79

2019

DONEGAL

23.07

2019

KILDARE

14.05

2019

KILKENNY

61.17

2019

LOUTH

144.67

2019

MEATH

26.57

2019

MONAGHAN

0.46

2019

TIPPERARY

39.98

2019

WEXFORD

112.71

2019

WICKLOW

10.78

2020

CARLOW

9.93

2020

CORK

27.15

2020

DONEGAL

5.96

2020

KILDARE

43.58

2020

KILKENNY

36.07

2020

LOUTH

97.38

2020

MEATH

28.5

2020

MONAGHAN

1.37

2020

TIPPERARY

97.48

2020

WATERFORD

36.33

2020

WEXFORD

83.1

2020

WICKLOW

9.68

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (960)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

960. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application by a person (details supplied) for a BEAM scheme payment will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20325/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application under the BEAM scheme was submitted under appeal by the person named on the 19th August 2019 as they believed they had animals eligible for payment under the scheme.  The tag numbers provided by the person named as part of the appeal were reviewed by officials from my Department and it was determined that they did not meet the eligibility criteria for payment under the scheme. 

A letter detailing this decision issued to the person named on 7th October 2019 informing them of their right to appeal this outcome to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, Kilminchy Court, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co Laois.  

GLAS Issues

Ceisteanna (961)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

961. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the GLAS scheme will reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20453/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are no plans to reopen the current GLAS scheme as it is fully subscribed and all funding is committed. This is also the case for our Rural Development Programme as a whole and all schemes therein are fully subscribed and the entire €4 bn budget is committed.

The Programme for Government has set out clearly our strategy for agri-environment policy including our ambition to allocate €1.5bn to a flagship environmental scheme under the next CAP. I have been very clear that the strong environmental ambition for the sector must be matched by a suitable CAP budget. This new scheme will be included in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan and we aim to pilot some elements of this in the transitional phase between the CAP programming periods as well as adopting the best elements of our existing agri-environment schemes.

I am particularly impressed, for example, with some of the early lessons from the locally-led schemes currently run by my Department and I know GLAS has delivered some really meaningful environmental results.  It is important therefore that we reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t worked in designing new measures. There are a number of variables still undecided which mean it is difficult to be definitive at this stage about the precise details of future schemes. These include agreement on the legislative framework, both transitional and next CAP.

We are pressing hard for the earliest possible adoption of the EU regulations to facilitate the operation of schemes during the transitional period as the first priority. This is to provide some certainty until such time as CAP regulations and associated funding arrangements are agreed. As soon as we have this legal certainty, we will provide clarity and engage with all the relevant stakeholders on next steps. 

This is priority work for me and my Department over the coming months. I attended my first meeting of our CAP consultative committee with the stakeholders recently and I see that forum as being key to the planning for our future policy on these issues.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (962)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

962. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the outcome of discussions at the recent EU Agriculture Council in relation to CAP funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I assume the Deputy is referring to discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework at the European Council. The retention of a sufficient budget for the post-2020 CAP has been a key objective of Ireland throughout the negotiations on the post-2020 EU budget.  The recent agreement at the European Council in July represents a positive outcome, as we have sought, in challenging negotiations, to reverse the original cuts proposed.  We have protected the CAP Budget for Ireland and successfully reversed the damaging cuts proposed.  I also welcome the inclusion in the EU Multiannual Financial Framework of a significant €5 billion Brexit adjustment Reserve to help those Member States most affected by Brexit.  

I welcome the outcome of the negotiations in respect of the CAP for Ireland.  Ireland has consistently rejected proposed cuts to the CAP budget post-2020, particularly given the additional environmental and climate demands being made of farmers, and the need to meet the higher levels of environment and climate ambition set out in the new EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. 

In recognition of the particular structural challenges facing our agricultural sector, the package agreed includes a special additional allocation of €300 million in 2018 prices - some €337 million in current prices - for Ireland. This national allocation has been made from the rural development element of the traditional MFF budgetary framework.  Detailed assessment of the overall proposal is ongoing and there are a number of elements to it.   

EU funding for CAP programmes will amount to some €386 billion in current prices, in comparison to €375 billion allocated for the current CAP for the EU 27 and €365 billion originally proposed by the Commission.  

At the recent Agrifish Council in July which considered elements of the new CAP green architecture, I highlighted the importance of the retention of an adequate CAP budget in light of the ongoing needs of farmers, including the requirements of higher levels of environment and climate ambition set out in the new EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies.  

GLAS Issues

Ceisteanna (963, 964)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

963. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average amount of hedgerows in hectares; and the average amount of scrubland in hectares per farm taking part in the GLAS scheme by county within bands of 100 hectares in tabular form. [20455/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

964. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average amount of hedgerows in hectares; and the average amount of scrubland in hectares per farm taking part in the GLAS scheme by county within bands (details supplied) in tabular form. [20456/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together.

The majority of actions in GLAS must be delivered on a parcel with a reference area on IACS as per the scheme terms and conditions. Due to this, GLAS does not hold data on scrubland.

Furthermore, the hedgerow actions are measured in metres and not hectares as per the specifications. The below table provides the average amount of metres of hedgerow per county, planted under the GLAS scheme, within the bands specified.  

COUNTY

0-10m

10-15m

15-20m

20-25m

25-30m

30-35m

35-40m

40-45m

45-50m

50-55m

60-70m

70-80m

80-90m

90-100m

>100m

Carlow

0

0

0

0

0

0

38

0

0

54

66

78

0

94

292

Cavan

0

0

0

21

27

0

36

42

47

54

67

72

84

96

495

Clare

0

0

16

23

0

33

36

0

48

55

65

76

86

96

276

Cork

0

0

0

22

28

31

39

44

48

51

65

75

85

96

390

Donegal

0

11

0

0

0

30

0

43

47

53

65

76

85

97

242

Dublin

0

0

0

0

28

0

0

0

0

0

0

74

0

0

387

Galway

0

13

0

24

29

32

38

42

47

55

64

74

84

94

275

Kerry

0

10

18

0

28

31

39

0

46

54

64

77

82

96

324

Kildare

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

41

0

52

60

0

80

95

293

Kilkenny

0

0

0

0

0

0

38

0

0

59

65

75

87

93

472

Laois

0

0

0

20

26

35

0

42

48

53

64

76

86

95

328

Leitrim

0

13

16

22

27

0

35

40

48

54

64

75

84

94

367

Limerick

0

0

0

0

0

0

39

0

45

57

67

75

85

98

436

Longford

0

0

0

0

0

32

39

44

0

57

67

74

85

96

400

Louth

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

50

51

0

0

90

99

319

Mayo

0

0

0

20

28

32

37

42

47

54

64

75

85

96

222

Meath

0

0

0

0

28

32

0

42

48

55

64

75

85

94

329

Monaghan

0

0

0

23

0

0

37

0

47

54

66

75

85

96

458

Offaly

0

15

18

22

0

0

0

43

47

54

66

73

84

97

315

Roscommon

0

0

18

23

29

0

37

41

46

54

65

74

84

96

279

Sligo

0

0

0

20

0

34

0

42

45

55

68

74

84

95

260

Tipperary

0

0

0

0

0

31

37

41

46

53

65

77

85

95

450

Waterford

0

0

0

0

27

0

0

44

49

0

65

0

0

0

336

Westmeath

0

0

0

0

0

31

0

43

48

53

64

72

86

96

332

Wexford

0

0

0

21

0

0

0

40

47

55

64

75

84

95

408

Wicklow

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

50

55

0

75

84

100

297

COUNTY

0-100m

100-200m

200-300m

300-400m

400-500m

500-600m

600-700m

700-800m

800-900m

900-1000m

1000-1100m

1100-1200m

1200-1300m

1300-1400m

1400-1500m

1500-1600m

1600-1700m

1700-1800m

1800-2200m

2200-2300m

2300-2400m

>2400m

Carlow

72

179

244

345

453

545

650

737

0

940

1017

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Cavan

67

172

249

347

452

554

654

742

861

972

1070

1180

1254

1394

1411

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Clare

67

178

242

351

451

539

644

740

865

932

1051

1200

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Cork

66

182

237

351

441

546

655

744

852

958

1038

1176

1240

1368

1426

1565

1652

0

0

0

0

0

Donegal

69

181

239

350

448

547

629

730

841

991

1002

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Dublin

51

148

246

0

0

550

0

749

870

0

1096

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Galway

67

171

246

348

447

547

643

741

851

939

0

1118

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kerry

60

182

258

345

450

552

640

743

870

957

1065

1152

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

2233

0

0

Kildare

66

181

244

331

449

546

650

730

832

962

1021

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Kilkenny

78

173

245

346

444

547

655

741

847

971

1054

1157

1252

1389

1451

0

0

1730

0

0

2352

0

Laois

64

173

249

352

458

552

656

750

889

953

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1743

0

0

0

0

Leitrim

68

167

249

344

449

546

649

740

846

968

1072

1148

0

0

0

1528

0

1764

0

0

0

0

Limerick

72

172

252

352

449

545

646

744

842

955

1013

1171

1274

1360

1498

1579

1650

1719

0

0

0

0

Longford

72

174

249

346

437

551

649

743

855

946

1039

1172

0

1304

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Louth

73

173

255

364

453

580

637

0

895

0

1058

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Mayo

68

179

238

340

450

551

647

728

856

939

1032

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Meath

64

175

247

354

447

545

647

738

813

956

1024

1171

0

0

1489

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Monaghan

67

167

245

349

450

551

650

741

853

962

1037

1161

1255

1340

1500

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Offaly

62

172

259

363

448

542

642

745

870

984

1090

0

0

0

1500

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Roscommon

69

173

237

348

451

553

642

742

860

971

1073

1159

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Sligo

72

173

245

335

448

551

650

734

0

0

0

0

0

0

1487

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Tipperary

70

171

247

348

451

546

653

740

845

961

1042

1171

1242

1347

1439

1578

0

0

0

0

0

0

Waterford

50

183

231

351

457

544

639

739

839

972

0

1174

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Westmeath

73

174

248

349

451

546

637

746

829

983

1060

1168

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Wexford

65

176

246

353

451

548

653

736

862

977

1051

1170

0

1322

1454

0

1623

0

0

0

0

0

Wicklow

74

179

242

345

479

553

630

735

820

999

0

1194

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (965)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

965. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for forestry approval by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was received; and the details of each stage this application went through following receipt of this application. [20469/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Applications for forestry licences are processed under a formal consent system and every application must be carefully assessed for its potential impact on the surrounding countryside and environment. The application for afforestation by the person named is near to some designated sites and potential impacts on those sites must be considered.  In this respect, the person named submitted a Natura Impact Statement on 16th July, 2020. 

In line with my Department's policy for those who submit a NIS, the file is now being given priority and has been returned to the Ecology Unit, where the NIS will be considered as part of the entire application under Appropriate Assessment (AA) procedures.  When the AA is complete, it will be returned to the Forestry District Inspector who will complete his assessment of the application.

Live Exports

Ceisteanna (966)

James Browne

Ceist:

966. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of live exports in each of the years 2015 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20536/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry.  It plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers.  The Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.

The value of Live animal exports between 2015 and 2019 in table below.

Note that the values for bovines include all cattle. The values are taken from CSO figures.

Year

Jan-Dec   2015

Jan-Dec   2016

Jan-Dec   2017

Jan-Dec   2018

Jan-Dec   2019

Value of Live Animal Exports

€000

€000

€000

€000

€000

Horses, Asses, Mules &   Hinnies

259,230

202,419

282,911

265,782

267,353

Bovines

89,791

68,499

85,213

97,067

111,661

Swine

67,364

55,792

65,329

61,237

66,685

Sheep & Goats

1,892

2,038

2,712

1,884

973

Birds

12,065

10,953

11,617

13,257

8,365

Other

166

276

470

550

350

Live Animals Total

430,508

339,977

448,252

439,776

455,388

 

Questions Nos. 967 and 968 answered with Question No. 912.

Rural Development Programme

Ceisteanna (969)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

969. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the rural development fund has been fully allocated; and the allocation made and to whom. [20555/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland’s Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 (RDP) represents a substantial investment, by both the EU and the National Exchequer, in the agri-food sector and in Irish farmers. The RDP is co-funded by the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development ( EAFRD) to a sum of €2.19 billion over the programme lifespan. This EU funding is supplemented by Exchequer funding bringing the total allocation to over €4 billion, a substantial vote of confidence in Irish farming.

The RDP includes a range of measures, including multi-annual schemes such as Green Low-carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS), Beef Data & Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which are now closed and are fully subscribed. Other schemes such as Areas facing Natural or Other Constraints (ANC) are applied for on an annual basis, and others such as Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) will continue to recruit participants in tranches until the end of the RDP. The allocations to the various measures are outlined in the attached table. I can confirm that the full €4 billion has been allocated to RDP measures.

Measure

Measure 1 - Knowledge transfer and information actions

95,800,000

Measure 2 - Advisory services

8,300,000

Measure 4 - Investments in physical assets (TAMS)

425,000,000

Measure 7 – Rural Services and renewal – Traditional Farm Buildings

6,000,000

Measure 10 - Agri-environment-climate (GLAS, BDGP, Burren Programme, transitional REPS/AEOS)

1,531,005,630

Measure 11 - Organic farming

56,000,000

Measure 12 – Natura

48,250,000

Measure 13 - Payments to areas facing natural or other specific constraints (ANCs)

1,546,000,000

Measure 14 – Animal Welfare

100,000,000

Measure 16 - Co-operation – EIP AGRI (European Innovation Partnerships)

62,000,000

Measure 19 - Support for LEADER local development

250,000,000

Measure 20 - Technical Assistance

8,145,000

Early Retirement Scheme Transitional

9,207,547

TOTAL

4,145,708,177

Ireland leads other Member States in terms of our implementation of the RDP and currently has the second highest rate of drawn-down of EU funds among all Member States. The average EU financial rate for draw down of funds up to the end of June 2020 was 63%, whereas Ireland’s execution rate was 85%. This progress is testament to the successful roll-out, uptake and implementation of schemes under the RDP. I fully anticipate that based on current up-take and projections, the entire budget allocation of some €4 billion for the Rural Development Programme will be spent and that the entire €2.19 billion of EU co-funding will be drawn down. 

Information on all CAP funding beneficiaries including under the RDP measures is published on my Department's website and can be accessed by the following link:

https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agri-foodindustry/euinternationalpolicy/commonagriculturalpolicycap/capbeneficiariesdatabase/.

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (970)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

970. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20611/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the Public Service Management Act, are currently awaiting approval. 

The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval.  At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. 

However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned one person to work with me as a Special Adviser and that person will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (971, 973)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

971. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if contractors will be allowed to avail of funding under the LESS scheme; if consideration will be given to funding conversion kits for existing machinery for either farmers or contractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20754/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

973. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to December 2020 to expand the LESS scheme to allow contractors to apply; his further plans or to allow farmers to avail of the grant if they employ a licensed contractor using LESS equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20756/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 971 and 973 together.

The EU regulations that govern the TAMS II Schemes under the Rural Development Programme, 2014-2020 dictate that the recipients must be farmers, or groups of farmers. Therefore, the Department is precluded from funding the purchase of LESS (Low Emission Slurry Spreading) equipment by contractors under TAMS II. The Department is, however, committed to the use of this equipment with over €28 milion funded to date for LESS investments under TAMS II.

Grant aid for conversion kits is not currently covered under the TAMS II Schemes.  It is not planned at present to make any change to the investment list to include these items for all farmers. Full details of these investments and all the TAMS II measures can be found on the Department's website.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (972)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

972. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding available under the LESS scheme in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount of funding drawn down by person and county in tabular form. [20755/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The available budget for the LESS scheme for 2016 to 2020 is as outlined below. The average grant payment amount per application for LESS investments is €12,618.20. The breakdown by county of LESS payments for TAMS II is also outlined below.

2016: €2.600m

2017: €3.182m

2018: €3.853m

2019: €5.655m

2020: €8.400m

TAMS II - Grant payments For LESS Investments By County

County

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Total

Carlow

€0.00

€15,853.20

€65,730.40

€75,688.94

€142,729.22

€163,688.78

€463,690.54

Cavan

€0.00

€12,399.18

€154,785.09

€254,382.72

€303,948.99

€246,484.87

€972,000.85

Clare

€0.00

€16,552.83

€91,309.90

€104,057.63

€218,481.06

€134,913.43

€565,314.85

Cork

€0.00

€196,326.29

€572,599.53

€1,503,823.12

€2,263,069.25

€1,560,404.72

€6,096,222.91

Donegal

€0.00

€15,000.00

€105,397.80

€187,254.11

€282,163.97

€279,782.57

€869,598.45

Dublin

€0.00

€0.00

€13,821.14

€0.00

€0.00

€25,283.62

€39,104.76

Galway

€0.00

€100,773.60

€408,579.88

€282,847.33

€492,880.92

€256,384.64

€1,541,466.37

Kerry

€0.00

€18,574.13

€177,171.36

€258,275.14

€402,079.20

€331,255.83

€1,187,355.66

Kildare

€0.00

€0.00

€22,798.50

€98,260.15

€140,712.58

€54,132.72

€315,903.95

Kilkenny

€0.00

€32,829.26

€178,723.16

€272,912.07

€802,892.47

€871,504.28

€2,158,861.24

Laois

€0.00

€0.00

€102,238.96

€353,599.15

€217,735.70

€160,158.49

€833,732.30

Leitrim

€0.00

€10,300.00

€36,806.40

€90,710.51

€21,990.20

€24,013.18

€183,820.29

Limerick

€0.00

€0.00

€150,549.14

€100,259.87

€274,997.37

€357,155.36

€882,961.74

Longford

€0.00

€18,151.44

€54,088.51

€198,105.92

€179,527.66

€130,469.51

€580,343.04

Louth

€0.00

€0.00

€16,000.00

€48,185.20

€89,143.72

€91,982.71

€245,311.63

Mayo

€0.00

€25,593.49

€175,876.43

€158,887.62

€149,377.83

€155,234.13

€664,969.50

Meath

€0.00

€16,819.50

€100,566.65

€271,002.25

€365,893.26

€214,095.85

€968,377.51

Monaghan

€0.00

€0.00

€150,985.15

€136,994.72

€238,714.68

€214,796.40

€741,490.95

Offaly

€0.00

€12,241.30

€93,219.13

€194,240.66

€268,381.59

€281,800.47

€849,883.15

Roscommon

€0.00

€76,924.14

€111,465.42

€157,321.41

€143,516.17

€55,614.36

€544,841.50

Sligo

€0.00

€61,020.00

€50,075.54

€112,804.02

€89,563.31

€50,815.76

€364,278.63

Tipperary

€0.00

€75,001.97

€420,230.87

€644,387.32

€1,117,247.16

€848,497.97

€3,105,365.29

Waterford

€0.00

€0.00

€168,596.27

€343,052.37

€599,412.23

€527,649.06

€1,638,709.93

Westmeath

€0.00

€11,360.00

€92,255.50

€115,134.93

€210,564.34

€118,005.96

€547,320.73

Wexford

€0.00

€0.00

€93,369.29

€576,946.19

€883,859.82

€462,358.04

€2,016,533.34

Wicklow

€0.00

€0.00

€46,341.45

€70,168.10

€125,008.03

€118,423.05

€359,940.63

Total

€0.00

€715,720.33

€3,653,581.47

€6,609,301.45

€10,023,890.73

€7,734,905.76

€28,737,399.74

TAMS II - Grant payments For LESS Investments By County

County

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Total

Carlow

€0.00

€15,853.20

€65,730.40

€75,688.94

€142,729.22

€163,688.78

€463,690.54

Cavan

€0.00

€12,399.18

€154,785.09

€254,382.72

€303,948.99

€246,484.87

€972,000.85

Clare

€0.00

€16,552.83

€91,309.90

€104,057.63

€218,481.06

€134,913.43

€565,314.85

Cork

€0.00

€196,326.29

€572,599.53

€1,503,823.12

€2,263,069.25

€1,560,404.72

€6,096,222.91

Donegal

€0.00

€15,000.00

€105,397.80

€187,254.11

€282,163.97

€279,782.57

€869,598.45

Dublin

€0.00

€0.00

€13,821.14

€0.00

€0.00

€25,283.62

€39,104.76

Galway

€0.00

€100,773.60

€408,579.88

€282,847.33

€492,880.92

€256,384.64

€1,541,466.37

Kerry

€0.00

€18,574.13

€177,171.36

€258,275.14

€402,079.20

€331,255.83

€1,187,355.66

Kildare

€0.00

€0.00

€22,798.50

€98,260.15

€140,712.58

€54,132.72

€315,903.95

Kilkenny

€0.00

€32,829.26

€178,723.16

€272,912.07

€802,892.47

€871,504.28

€2,158,861.24

Laois

€0.00

€0.00

€102,238.96

€353,599.15

€217,735.70

€160,158.49

€833,732.30

Leitrim

€0.00

€10,300.00

€36,806.40

€90,710.51

€21,990.20

€24,013.18

€183,820.29

Limerick

€0.00

€0.00

€150,549.14

€100,259.87

€274,997.37

€357,155.36

€882,961.74

Longford

€0.00

€18,151.44

€54,088.51

€198,105.92

€179,527.66

€130,469.51

€580,343.04

Louth

€0.00

€0.00

€16,000.00

€48,185.20

€89,143.72

€91,982.71

€245,311.63

Mayo

€0.00

€25,593.49

€175,876.43

€158,887.62

€149,377.83

€155,234.13

€664,969.50

Meath

€0.00

€16,819.50

€100,566.65

€271,002.25

€365,893.26

€214,095.85

€968,377.51

Monaghan

€0.00

€0.00

€150,985.15

€136,994.72

€238,714.68

€214,796.40

€741,490.95

Offaly

€0.00

€12,241.30

€93,219.13

€194,240.66

€268,381.59

€281,800.47

€849,883.15

Roscommon

€0.00

€76,924.14

€111,465.42

€157,321.41

€143,516.17

€55,614.36

€544,841.50

Sligo

€0.00

€61,020.00

€50,075.54

€112,804.02

€89,563.31

€50,815.76

€364,278.63

Tipperary

€0.00

€75,001.97

€420,230.87

€644,387.32

€1,117,247.16

€848,497.97

€3,105,365.29

Waterford

€0.00

€0.00

€168,596.27

€343,052.37

€599,412.23

€527,649.06

€1,638,709.93

Westmeath

€0.00

€11,360.00

€92,255.50

€115,134.93

€210,564.34

€118,005.96

€547,320.73

Wexford

€0.00

€0.00

€93,369.29

€576,946.19

€883,859.82

€462,358.04

€2,016,533.34

Wicklow

€0.00

€0.00

€46,341.45

€70,168.10

€125,008.03

€118,423.05

€359,940.63

Total

€0.00

€715,720.33

€3,653,581.47

€6,609,301.45

€10,023,890.73

€7,734,905.76

€28,737,399.74

Question No. 973 answered with Question No. 971.
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