Written Answers Nos. 703-723
703. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has engaged a third-party company to date in 2021 to conduct online and or social media monitoring and or provide reports on social media coverage of his Department; if so, the cost of same; and the name of the social media platforms being monitored. [25778/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has not engaged a third party to conduct social media monitoring or to provide reports on social media coverage of the Department.
The Department has engaged a third-party company, Truehawk Media, to monitor print, broadcast and online news media. The expenditure to date in 2021, excluding VAT, for this service has been €7,000.
704. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if officials in his Department are tasked with conducting online and social media monitoring and completing reports on social media coverage of his Department and his Ministerial activities; if so, the number of staff involved; the respective grades of each; the estimated working hours committed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of their duties, a Higher Executive Officer in my Department’s Communications Division, with the support of an Executive Officer, monitors the Department’s official social media accounts. This includes providing reports on an ad-hoc basis which represents a very limited time commitment in the context of their overall duties in Communications Division.
705. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he and bodies under his aegis have engaged private investigation companies or persons in the past three years to date; and if so, the cost, duration and purpose of these engagements of this type of contractor. [25818/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not engaged any private investigation companies or persons in the past three years to date.
As regards the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
706. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) following their successful appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25864/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms and conditions of Year 3 of the Sheep Welfare scheme, the person named was selected for an administrative check to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. The person named initially submitted incorrect supporting documentation. However, following correspondence with the Department, the required supporting documentation was subsequently submitted by the person named.
I am pleased to confirm that payment for Year 3 of the scheme has now issued to the person named.
707. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares that have been planted in the 2021 season; the breakdown of conifers and broad-leaf trees in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25911/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has approved 1,937 new hectares for planting so far this year. There is also a carryover of approx 4,500 approved hectares which are available for planting.
By the end of April, 675 new hectares have been afforested, of these 374 hectares have been planted with conifer trees and 301 hectares have been planted with broadleaf trees.
708. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to encourage more bridleways across Ireland; if he will work in conjunction with Coillte to encourage more bridleways on State-owned land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25912/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role regarding bridleways or horse trails.
The funding that is made available to the sport horse industry from my Department and paid to Horse Sport Ireland is for equine breeding programmes.
Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.
709. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targets for forestry; the person or body taking responsibility to ensure that they are met; the steps being taken to make sure that such targets are not just aspirational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25915/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action Plan 2019 sets the target for afforestation at 8,000 ha per annum and the target of forest roadworks at 125km per annum.
While there are no specific targets for felling, the COFORD Roundwood Forecast predicts a potential harvest of 4.1 million cubic metres in 2021.
The Department has committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year. We have not set individual targets for each type of licence but, based on the proportion of licences issued in 2020, approx. 65% of these will be tree felling licences, 20% will be for afforestation and the balance for forest roads. These figures, of course, must be treated as an estimate of how output will break down across the licensing categories.
Our progress to date measured against these targets is set out below:
- Roads: the Department has already issued forest road licences for 100km so far this year which is 80% of the target of 125km set out in the Climate Action Plan 2019. It is, therefore, expected that the road licences issued for the remainder of the year will exceed this target.
- Regarding afforestation, based on the above estimate, we would expect to issue licences for over 5,000 new hectares. This allied to the 4,300 hectares already licensed and ready for use will give the sector sufficient volume to help meet the 8,000 ha target. It is up to landowners to decide to plant, once they have received approval to do so, but arranging financial approval is a straightforward process completed by their registered forester, before proceeding to plant. It is a matter for all stakeholders to utilise the licences available and I would encourage all stakeholders to do so.
- Felling: We have issued just over 2million m3 year to date. I am confident that last year's output of 5million m3 can be exceeded and therefore the COFORD sectoral target for the year will also be exceeded.
In addition, my colleague, Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has responsibility for forestry, has established Project Woodland, to work with stakeholders to examine all aspects of forestry, including developing a plan to reduce the backlog and undertaking an end to end review of licensing processes.
I remain hopeful that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will address our current difficulties and will result in a licensing system which meets the needs of forest owners and new applicants and delivers on identified targets.
710. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding the use of the OPW flooding layer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25924/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe OPW flooding layer is a useful indicative guide for the sector and for Department’s Forestry Inspectors to help determine if land is suitable for planting. Lands in the flood layer are not automatically ruled out but the layer certainly highlights a risk to be further examined.
Where there are doubts in relation to the suitability of a site for planting, a drainage survey should be undertaken during the winter months.
711. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25939/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Results-based Environment- Agri, Pilot project (REAP) closed for applications on 10th May 2021.
The REAP terms and conditions state that any applicant who has been a participant in specific EIP projects as listed in Annex 3, including the Hen Harrier project, since January 1st 2021 was not eligible to apply to join the REAP project.
The information available to the Department indicates that the person named had a signed contract with the Hen Harrier project and was, therefore, not eligible to submit an application for the REAP project. The Department will be in direct contact with the person named to outline the position.
712. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of data breaches suffered by his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [26092/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of data breaches recorded by my Department, since 2016, are outlined in the table below. The current operational procedure is that low risk breaches are not reported to the Data Protection Commission (DPC).
|
Year |
No. |
|
2016 |
5 |
|
2017 |
10 |
|
2018 |
35 |
|
2019 |
50 |
|
2020 |
54 |
|
2021 (to date) |
35 |
713. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a series of matters in relation to a modelling exercise by his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe modelling exercise referred to was published in response to some of the possible proposals for direct payments in the new CAP that are emerging as part of the trilogue process. Answering the specific questions:
1. The Commission have instructed that the value of payment entitlements must be calculated with reference to the current entitlement unit value plus greening and therefore the calculation method used here is reflective of that methodology. As the Deputy points out, farmers will be able to apply for the eco-scheme which will be a separate scheme to their BISS payment and entitlement value(s). It is important to note that the direct payments ceiling is a closed fund – every allocation within that ceiling affects all the other schemes within it. Therefore, allocating funds to any measure means that the funding for other measures are affected.
2. There is no mistake in table B in the document and the data in the document is explicitly clear. The current entitlement values will change to reflect the new BISS ceiling that will result after the funds for all other direct payment interventions are allocated (including eco-schemes) starting in 2023, and then will continue on their convergence path to 2026. So, in the example referenced, the initial value in 2023 is €125.27, and this rises through convergence to €160.71 in 2026. As the Deputy has pointed out, a farmer will also be able to apply for support under the eco-scheme measure.
714. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the promised food ombudsman will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of a new Office of a National Food Ombudsman or Regulator is a key Programme for Government commitment. The new Office will have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland and will also incorporate Enforcement Authority functions required by the Unfair Trading Practices Directive.
I signed the Statutory Instrument (SI) transposing Directive (EU) 2019/633, the Directive on Unfair Trading Practices, into law on 28th April last, the first step in the process of establishing the new Office. SI No. 198 of 2021 transposes the Directive into Irish law directly as it stands, as secondary legislation in Ireland does not allow for changes to be made to the Directive. The Regulations will have effect from 1 July 2021.
The next step requires the drafting of primary legislation to establish the Office of a National Food Ombudsman/Regulator or equivalent, and to provide for any further powers which may be given to that office. In that regard, I recently launched a public consultation to seek views on these issues which will remain open until 26th May 2021.
The UTP Enforcement Authority will operate on an interim basis in the Department pending the finalisation of the primary legislation for the new Office, following which it will be incorporated into that Office.
Until the consultation is complete and the legislation is finalised, I am not in a position to say exactly when the new Office will be established. The legislation is being prioritised by the Department.
715. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding an aquaculture licence for a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26374/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI regret that the correspondence concerned was not passed to the Deputy and will ensure it is now sent.
I am advised by BIM that the correspondence was in the form of an emailed circular (cover letter and survey form) sent to all aquaculture enterprises, and for data protection reasons, these email circulars do not identify the addressee.
BIM has confirmed that these circulars were sent on 6th December 2017, 6th December 2018 and 17th December 2019 and that the company named was included in this distribution. I understand that the company complied in respect of 2017. In respect of 2018, no survey response was received and, following contact with the company, they indicated that they would not comply.
716. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26415/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a herd number was received from the person named on 15th March 2021. This application has now been processed and a herd number has been allocated in this case.
717. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding microchipping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26496/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, it is a matter for the authorised databases to decide whether they grant direct data access to third parties such as animal welfare organisations.
As with all four authorised databases, the Irish Kennel Club (IKC) met a strict set of criteria to become authorised. The IKC continues to meet the requirements of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations, 2015 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013.
718. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of Irish beef exports to Canada in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) provides statistics on beef exports by country and value.
The requested data is detailed in the table below.
|
Years |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (January only) |
|
Beef Exports Canada € Million |
5.73 |
12.52 |
1.89 |
719. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has funded the purchase of solar photovoltaic PV panels from 1 January 2019 to date; the country of origin of such purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26529/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1st January 2019, the Department has provided grant aid under the TAMS II scheme for the purchase of solar photovoltaic PV panels, with 47 applications having been paid so far under this measure. The information regarding the country of origin of such purchases is not required under the terms and conditions of the TAMS II schemes and therefore is not recorded.
Further information on the terms and conditions on all the TAMS II schemes is available at the link below:
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/targeted-agriculture-modernisation-schemes/.
720. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to promote rewilding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26543/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department has played a key role in relation to restoring and conserving biodiversity rich ecosystems. Biodiversity in agriculture is a key focus and we will encourage and support all projects/initiatives that promote this in harmony with agriculture and food production.
Some of these objectives have been achieved through the Life programmes (co-ordinated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in conjunction with the Department) – which provide funding for the support of Environment, Nature Conservation and Climate Action projects throughout the EU.
The Life Wild Atlantic nature programme aims to protect and restore Ireland’s blanket bog natura network along the Atlantic seaboard and enhance the ecosystem services they provide including carbon storage and biodiversity.
Similarly, the European Innovation partnerships (EIPs) which are funded by this Department include schemes like the Hen Harrier project, which encourages farmers to augment the habitat value of their designated land. Another project under EIP is the North Connemara Locally-Led Agri-environmental Scheme which aims to develop sustainable and innovative management practices to restore, preserve and strengthen the biodiversity of this Natura 2000 area. The learning from these EIPs will be core to ensuring farmers are rewarded for their role and can continue to manage these resource rich areas.
721. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the upgrading of Dinish Pier, Castletownbere, County Cork; and when the upgrade is expected to be completed. [26544/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.
Following a competitive tender competition, the Department awarded a contract to construct a 216 metre quay extension on Dinish Island, Castletownbere. Work commenced on the €25m project in October 2018 and, to date, there has been significant progress in the delivery of the project, with a substantial element of the works now completed.
On 12th October 2020, the successful contractor applied to the High Court to enter voluntary examinership. In accordance with the Public Works Contract, my Department terminated it’s contract with the contractor on 22nd October 2020.
The Department has been working closely with our Consulting Engineers since the termination of the contract to plan the completion of the works. COVID-19 restrictions have meant the necessary closure of construction sites including for this project.
To complete the project, following the termination of the contract, the Department tendered the remaining works in a number of smaller packages. Some of these packages including anode supply, installation and Site Investigation are now complete.
The Essential Works Contract (Phase 1 of Completion) was recently awarded at a cost of €1.189m (excluding VAT). This is ongoing and on programme, and is scheduled to be completed in August 2021 (subject to public health restrictions).
The Completion Works Tender (Phase 2) documents are finalised and were issued to tender last month. The Completion Works are scheduled to commence in August 2021 and be substantially completed in March 2022.
722. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, the Department publishes its audited accounts or financial statements, as well as any document setting out policy proposals in Irish and English. In addition to meeting its obligations under Section 10 of the Official Languages Act 2003 to publish certain documents in both official languages simultaneously, the Department publishes other corporate documents, such as the Customer Charter and Customer Action Plan, the Farmers’ Charter of Rights and the Schemes and Services booklet, in both Irish and English. The Department publishes all Departmental press releases bilingually.
The Department's website has moved onto the gov.ie portal www.gov.ie/agriculture. This portal enables users to view certain documents in either Irish or English. Work to translate all of the services published on the website is ongoing in conjunction with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. This will significantly increase the amount of information available bilingually.
As regards posts to official Departmental social media accounts in the period 1st May 2020 and 30th April 2021, 2.54% of the posts were bilingual and none were exclusively in Irish.
The Department’s third Irish Language Scheme came into effect on 1st April 2021.
723. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expand the use of the gamma interferon test to eradicate bovine TB in the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26592/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gamma interferon test (also referred to as the GIF test or IFN-gamma test) is a valuable tool for detecting TB infection in cattle. It has been widely used as a core part of the TB eradication programme in Ireland since 2015, following many years of it being researched and tested in specific problem herds.
Like all such tools, it is important to use it in ways which maximise its utility. Each diagnostic test has strengths and weaknesses and the way in which a test is used must take these into account. The key measures of a diagnostic test’s accuracy are sensitivity and specificity. As is the case with diagnostic tests for other diseases, none of the tests currently available for the diagnosis of bovine TB (bTB) allow a perfectly accurate determination of the M. bovis infection status of cattle.
The single intradermal comparative tuberculin skin test (SICCT), often referred to as the skin test, which is used in Ireland is universally regarded as the best screening test in a general population of animals. However, in a group of animals where TB infection is known to be present, the gamma interferon test is used because it can detect infected cattle at an earlier stage of infection than the skin test. Therefore, it can detect a higher proportion of infected cattle; in other words, it has higher sensitivity than the skin test. When used in parallel to the skin test, the gamma interferon blood test can help to resolve TB problems in a herd more quickly by identifying cattle at an early stage of infection before they can spread infection onwards.
The gamma interferon test is used as standard in herds which have experienced a significant TB breakdown (for example, five or more reactors, 5% of the herd, or where the investigating veterinary inspector deems it necessary on epidemiological grounds). In addition, the gamma interferon test is used as a quality control measure on SICTT reactors, providing additional confidence in the quality of the skin testing process.
Under the new Bovine TB Eradication Strategy a new strategy has been deployed whereby the gamma interferon test is used to reduce the risk posed by animals which test inconclusive to the skin test. Other new policies being developed under the TB Eradication Strategy, focussing on herds with chronic or recurrent TB problems, will also use the gamma interferon test as appropriate.
However, the gamma interferon test is not suitable for use as a general screening test, in the way the SICCT test is used, because it has lower specificity than the skin test. That means the proportion of truly non-infected cattle identified as negative is lower with the gamma interferon test than with the skin test. Using it in herds not thought to be TB-infected would lead to non-infected cattle testing false positive.
