Written Answers Nos. 1864-1883
1864. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his Department's engagement with the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Expert Group of the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM) is a permanent forum group of food supply chain experts coordinated by the European Commission which aims at improving coordination efforts by European and national administrations as well as relevant non-EU countries and private stakeholders to ensure food supply and food security in times of crisis. My Department has a permanent delegate and an alternate delegate who represent Ireland on the EFSCM.
Member State delegates are expected to be the single point of contact in their respective countries with responsibility for coordinating stakeholder contributions. The EFSCM commenced its work on 9th March 2022, and intends, as a priority action, to carry out a thorough mapping of risks and vulnerabilities of the EU food supply chain, followed by recommendations and appropriate mitigation measures.
Implementation of the EFSCM is the principal action under the auspices of the Contingency Plan for ensuring Food Supply and Food Security in times of crises. Following the COVID-19 crisis and under the auspices of the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Contingency Plan was developed to ensure that EU citizens do not face food shortages during crises. Expert meetings in respect of the Contingency Plan were convened by the EU Commission between January and July 2021. Officials from my Department contributed to these meetings and prepared submissions to inform development of the Plan. The Contingency Plan for Food Supply and Food Security formally adopted by EU Commission in November 2021 and the EFSCM was published on the Register of Expert Groups on 10 December 2021.
A full list of participating Member States, Third Countries, organisations and institutions comprising the EFSCM, and details of meetings, is available at the Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities (europa.eu).
1865. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that he is providing to farm contractors to offset the increasing cost of agri-diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19540/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile primary responsibility for taxation policy is with the Minister for Finance, I continue to work closely with him to ensure that the tax code reflects the Government’s priorities for the agri-food sector and the economy generally.
Ireland’s taxation of fuel is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD prescribes minimum tax rates for fuel with which all Member States must comply. ETD provisions on mineral oils are transposed into national law in Finance Act 1999 (as amended). Finance Act 1999 provides for the application of excise duty, in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT), to specified mineral oils, such as petrol, diesel and Marked Gas Oil (MGO) that are used as motor or heating fuels. Gas oil that qualifies for a reduced rate of MOT is marked green and is usually referred to as MGO, green diesel or agricultural diesel.
MOT is comprised of a non-carbon component and a carbon component. The carbon component is commonly referred to as carbon tax and the non-carbon component is often referred to as “excise”, “fuel excise” or “fuel duty”. The current rate of MOT on MGO is €120.55 per 1000 Litres. This compares very favourably to the current rate applied to auto diesel which is €405.38 per 1000 Litres.
The Minister for Finance reduced the rate on MGO by 2 cents per litre inclusive of VAT from 10 March. This reduction brought the rate from €138.17 per 1000 Litres to the current rate of €120.55 per 1000 Litres. Effective from 1 May 2022 a further VAT inclusive 3 cent reduction for MGO will apply, bringing the overall rate of MOT to €111.14 per 1000 Litres. This reduced rate fully offsets the 1 May 2022 increase in the carbon tax and will apply until 11 October 2022.
A Financial Resolution will be brought to the Dáil after the Easter recess to give effect to these changes and provide the legislative basis by way of an amendment to the Finance (Covid Miscellaneous) Bill 2022 currently before the Dáil.
Those who incur expenses in relation to farm diesel in the course of farming or the trade of agricultural contracting may claim an income tax or corporation tax deduction for these expenses, including any carbon tax charged in respect of the diesel.
I would also note that Section 664A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides further relief on expenditure incurred by farmers in respect of an increase in the carbon tax on farm diesel. It is an additional tax measure for farmers introduced in Budget 2012 which compensates increases in the carbon tax from the 2012 base rate of €15 per tonne of CO2 emission. This measure means that a farmer may take an income tax or corporation tax deduction for farm diesel (including any carbon tax charged in respect of the diesel) and then a further deduction for farm diesel which is equal to the difference between the carbon tax charged and the carbon tax that would have been charged had it been calculated at the rate of €41.30 per 1,000 litres of farm diesel (the 2012 baseline).
My colleagues across Government and I continue monitor the situation closely.
1866. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity, in tabular form, following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department regularly reviews its staff assignments to ensure that our resources are being used to support our work in the most effective and strategic manner possible. In this regard, consideration is given to achieving a balance between facilitating temporary secondment opportunities while also retaining key expertise within my Department for ongoing responsibilities. These secondments can be within the state or overseas.
Currently, my Department has a total of 28 officers on secondments including through the EU’s Seconded National Experts programme. Of the 28 arrangements, nine continue to be paid by the Department. In these instances, the roles undertaken are considered to provide employees with skills and experiences which have potential to benefit the Department.
Details of the nine arrangements where salary is currently costed to my Department are outlined below. The table reflects annual salary costs based on 2021 figures in instances where the secondment spans the full 2021 financial year. However, as two of the National Expert secondments have recently commenced their assignments, the anticipated annual cost is reflected.
|
Department/Office seconded to |
Number of individuals |
Role |
Annual Cost to DAFM (figures reflect 2021) |
|
Marine Institute |
6 |
Aquaculture/Fisheries research & analysis |
€347,476.98 |
|
Department of Foreign Affairs |
1 |
National Expert on secondment to the European Food Safety Authority within the Animal Health & Welfare Unit. Location: Parma Italy. |
€100,633.39 |
|
Department/Office seconded to |
Number of individuals |
Role |
Anticipated Annual Cost to DAFM |
|
Department of Foreign Affairs |
2 |
National Expert in Professional Training |
Secondment duration of 5 months at an anticipated cost of €12,500. |
|
|
|
National Expert on secondment to Directorate-General Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) of the Commission. Monitoring and supervising official controls on public, animal and plant health, in relation to the implementation of the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland |
€76,708 pa based on 2022 salary points |
1867. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialties in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not currently run any apprentice programmes and is not engaged in any training of apprentices. However, it is participating with other Departments in the development of a Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan as part of the Government's Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025.
The question of apprenticeship programmes in the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1868. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19622/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of staff employed by my Department who are earning a wage which would equate to less than €12.30 per hour is 305. These are staff who have joined the organisation relatively recently and are on the early points of their salary scales in the grades of Temporary Clerical Officer, Clerical Officer, Technical Agricultural Officer, Laboratory Attendant and Services Officer.
The information in respect State Agencies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter, generally delegated to the Agencies themselves and I will ask the Agencies to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1869. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1127 of 22 March 2022, the status of the review of the case (details supplied); the length of time this review will take; and if a member of his Department will contact the farmer in relation to same and provide an update on same. [19729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications from participants in the 2020 Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) who were deemed eligible to continue their participation in the BDGP 2021 transitional programme could be submitted using the Department’s online facility through www.agfood.ie either by the applicant themselves or by an individual authorised to act on their behalf or by reply to a specific SMS text issued to farmers.
The opening date for receipt of applications was 15th December 2020 and the closing date for receipt of applications was 15th January 2021. No application was received from the person named during that period.
Following a request submitted as part of an earlier Parliamentary Question (1127/2022) to review the decision to exclude the person named from the 2021 BDGP transitional scheme and taking account of new information submitted by the applicant, the review has now been completed and arrangements are being made to allow the person named to participate in the scheme. He has been informed of this decision.
1870. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue to a query which was sent to him on 9 February 2022, 4 March 2022 and 7 April 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to your correspondence on behalf of the person named and I can confirm that a response has issued in recent days.
1871. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the development of the office of a National Food Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a new Authority to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive and to have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
On 22nd March, the Government approved the priority drafting of the General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022. The Bill will establish a new independent statutory Authority to be known as the “Office for Fairness and Transparency in the Agri-Food Supply Chain”. The General Scheme of the Bill is published on my Department’s website and is now at the detailed drafting stage which is being given priority. The General Scheme of the Bill will be sent to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of pre-legislative scrutiny.
This new Office will take over the enforcement function of the interim UTP Enforcement Authority, which was established under the aegis of my Department following the transposition of the UTP Directive in April of last year. I would like to assure you that, as it stands, the interim Enforcement Authority has all the necessary powers to investigate complaints under the current UTP Regulations and suppliers can submit complaints in confidence online through the Authority’s website: www.utp.gov.ie. The new Office shall also perform the market data analysis and reporting function, and will ensure the increased availability of market information with a view to strengthening the position of primary producers and other smaller suppliers in the agricultural and food supply chain. This will, I believe, bring greater transparency to the sector to help support our farm families.
This an important step in fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to bring greater fairness, equity and transparency to the agricultural and food supply chain and I am committed to establishing the new Office as soon as possible.
1872. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of mackerel quota Ireland has; the way in which the mackerel quota is allocated; the criteria used when allocating the quota; the person or body that is entitled to apply for mackerel quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1880. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that are used when allocating mackerel quota to vessels exceeding 15 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19860/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1881. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria that are used when allocating mackerel quota to vessels under 15 m; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19861/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1872, 1880 and 1881 together.
Management of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy, which has been developed and put in place over many years going back to the early years when EU TACs and quotas were set for this stock. Amendments to this policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation.
For 2022, Ireland’s national Mackerel Quota has been set at 54,992 tonnes.
Mackerel management policy sets down:
Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is 90,000 tonnes or below, mackerel is shared out on an 87% -13% basis between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for hook and line fishery for vessels under 15 metres.
Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is above 90,000 tonnes, the share out is adjusted so that the element in excess of 90,000 tonnes is shared 80% - 20% between the RSW pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The balance below 90,000 tonnes will be shared out on an 87% -13% basis between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for hook and line fishery for vessels under 15 metres.
A minimum of 2% of the mackerel quota (1,100 tonnes in 2022) in the TAC and Quota Regulation or 1,000 tonnes, whichever is greater, is deducted annually for demersal swaps before any share out between segments is undertaken.
The RSW pelagic segment comprises of 23 vessels. In accordance with mackerel policy, 87% of the national annual quota (45,010 tonnes in 2022) is available for this segment. There are three ratios within this segment: 8 vessels with ratio 10, 9 vessels with ratio 7, and 6 vessels with ratio 5.
There are 4 categories of polyvalent vessels permitted to land mackerel. In accordance with policy, 13% of the national annual quota (6,739 tonnes in 2022) is available for this segment. Mackerel Policy provides that 76.50% of the 13% (5,155 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 15 Tier 1 vessels, and 21% of the 13% (1,415 tonnes in 2022) is made available to 12 Tier 2 vessels. Access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 catch limits was determined using track record set down in 2010. Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels receive a catch limit for the period 01 January to 30 November each year.
The remaining 2.50% of the 13% quota available for polyvalent vessels (168 tonnes in 2022) is made available to under 18 metre vessels (including under 15 metre vessels) fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line. Catch limits are set by monthly Fisheries Management Notice. The catch limit for the month of April is 3 tonnes. This catch limit is open to all polyvalent vessel under 18 metres in length overall fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line.
An allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line is set down in Policy in 2010. The then Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation, however this amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery (the available quota of 400 tonnes had not been caught for all years up to and including 2019). The 400 tonnes is taken off the top of the annual national quota before the polyvalent segment/RSW Pelagic segment split, and does not come out of the 13% polyvalent quota.
The management arrangements, within the policy, for the Mackerel hook and line fishery has been on the agenda and discussed with Industry representatives at recent meetings of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC). It is important to note that the remit of the QMAC is to examine and make recommendations within Ministerial Policy. I have asked the QMAC to examine measures to strengthen the management arrangements for the 2022 Mackerel hook and line fishery, within the policy, for my consideration.
1873. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of Irish mackerel quota that was landed in Irish ports from January 2019 to date in 2022, tabular form. [19824/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe monitoring and control of fisheries within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
The landing data requested by the Deputy is compiled by and available from the SFPA. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests for this data to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
1874. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way that he assesses the impact of various fishing methods on the environment in accordance with its obligations under the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requirements in respect of fishing methods are set out in Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, also known as the Technical Measures Regulation. Technical measures are rules on how, where and when fishers may fish and also include gear, catch composition and ways to deal with accidental catches. Annex VI of Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 sets out the technical measures for the North Western Waters area, which includes the waters around Ireland.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 simplified the rule structure for technical measures as it replaced a range of different regulations that had previously been in place.
In addition, the Technical Measures Regulation facilitates a regionalised approach. The regulation sets out the minimum standards for a sea basin, such as the North Western Waters region, and Member States in that area, in consultation with stakeholders, may propose additional measures through a Joint Recommendation. My Department and experts from BIM and the Marine Institute actively engage with the relevant other Member States in this forum to seek agreement on enhanced technical measures, when such measures are demonstrated to improve selectivity and/or protect juvenile or depleted stocks. The Technical Measures Regulation is therefore one of the key elements contributing to the conservation and sustainability of fish stocks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing in the waters around Ireland and throughout EU waters.
1875. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives that have been provided to fishing vessels deploying selective fishing gear and techniques with reduced environment impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19826/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has strongly supported the introduction of more selective fishing gear to reduce catches of juvenile fish and unwanted by-catches. In the past, fishing gear trials have been carried out in our main fisheries working in collaboration with our fishing sector. A number of changes to fishing gear and practices which demonstrate improved selectivity have been adopted at EU level following recommendations from the North West Waters Member States Group (Ireland is a key member of the Group).
From time to time, the quota system is used to incentivise the introduction of environmentally friendly fishing gear in particular fisheries or for particular types of vessels usually in advance of seeking to implement change at EU level. There are currently no incentives in place in respect of the use of selective fishing gear or using fishing techniques with reduced environmental impact. However, I continue to leave the option open.
1876. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes in mackerel quota allocation that have been implemented as a direct result of his assessment of environmental impact of the fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy and the introduction of quotas. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation.
Atlantic Mackerel is a widely distributed, migratory pelagic fish that inhabits much of the north-eastern Atlantic shelf. The setting of Total Allowable Catches and quotas each year for this stocks is based on annual scientific advice by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and given the international dimension of this stock, TACs are set within the relevant international fora.
Consultation on the management of quota within National Policy is carried out each month at the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC) meeting involving fishing industry representatives from the catching and processing sectors, the Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The purpose of these meetings is to make recommendations to me on the management of particular stocks within national policy and, as far as possible, I follow their recommendations, subject to the proper management and rational exploitation of our fisheries.
Pelagic issues, including in relation to the management of the Mackerel quota allocation as set down in national policy, where relevant, are discussed at the QMAC and recommendations brought to my attention to inform my decision.
1877. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the exclusion of the hook and line fishery from the last review of the distribution of the national mackerel quota which took place in 2017; the urgent steps that he is taking to institute a comprehensive review of this inequitable distribution system in response to the continuing crisis in the inshore fishery sector and to the vastly changed circumstances that currently apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19857/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy which has been developed and put in place over a number of years. The allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels using hook and line as a means of fishing was set down in Ministerial Policy in 2010. The Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation. This amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery - for all years up to and including 2019, the 400 tonne quota was not fully utilised by the sector. In 2019, for example, the uptake figure for the fishery was 298 tonnes.
In order to amend mackerel policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect policy, it would require due process involving an assessment of all issues arising, including full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for access to and a higher share of the mackerel quota. Mackerel is the stock most impacted by Brexit. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota by 2026 to the UK. This will only increase demands for higher shares of Ireland’s quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. It is worth noting that the 400 tonnes for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced. Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase for any, such as the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU-UK TCA.
1878. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the State’s mackerel quota that has been allocated to vessels exceeding 15 mfrom January 2019 to date, in tabular form. [19858/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1879. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of the State’s mackerel quota that was allocated to vessels under 15 mfrom January 2019 to date, in tabular form. [19859/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1878 and 1879 together.
The percentages of the State's mackerel quota allocated to vessels over and under 15 metres from January 2019 are contained in the following table.
|
2019 Quota: 55,313 tonnes |
|
|
|
|
Quota made available (in tonnes) |
% Share |
|
Hook and line |
400 |
0.723 |
|
Under 18 metres, including under 15 metres |
172 |
0.311 |
|
Others (Including RSW Pelagic segment and Tier 1 & Tier 2 Polyvalent segment & Pelagic Swaps) |
53,539 |
96.798 |
|
Demersal Swaps |
1,199 |
2.168 |
|
|
|
|
|
2020 Quota: 78,052 tonnes |
|
|
|
|
Quota made available (in tonnes) |
% Share |
|
Hook and line |
400 |
0.512 |
|
Under 18 metres, including under 15 metres |
241 |
0.309 |
|
Others (Including RSW Pelagic segment and Tier 1 & Tier 2 Polyvalent segment & Pelagic Swaps) |
75,828 |
97.150 |
|
Demersal Swaps |
1,584 |
2.029 |
|
|
|
|
|
2021 Quota: 63,025 tonnes |
|
|
|
|
Quota made available (in tonnes) |
% Share |
|
Hook and line |
400 |
0.635 |
|
Under 18 metres, including under 15 metres |
194 |
0.308 |
|
Others (Including RSW Pelagic segment and Tier 1 & Tier 2 Polyvalent segment & Pelagic Swaps) |
61,062 |
96.886 |
|
Demersal Swaps |
1,367 |
2.169 |
|
|
|
|
|
2022 Quota: 54,992 tonnes |
|
|
|
|
Quota made available (in tonnes) |
% Share |
|
Hook and line |
400 |
0.727 |
|
Under 18 metres, including under 15 metres |
168 |
0.305 |
|
Others (Including RSW Pelagic segment and Tier 1 & Tier 2 Polyvalent segment & Pelagic Swaps) |
53,172 |
96.690 |
|
Demersal Swaps |
1,251 |
2.275 |
1882. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department regularly reviews its staffing assignments to ensure that our resources are being used to support our work in the most effective and strategic manner possible. In this regard, consideration is given to facilitating temporary secondment opportunities to support our internal workforce, providing current Department staff with an opportunity to benefit from the expertise and knowledge transfer from colleagues seconded into my Department on a temporary basis. Currently, there are a total of nine officers seconded into my Department. All of these officers are paid for by my Department.
Similarly, consideration is given to achieving a balance between facilitating temporary secondment opportunities for existing Department staff while also retaining key expertise within my Department for ongoing responsibilities. These secondments can be within the state or overseas. At present, my Department has a total of 28 officers on secondments including through the EU’s Seconded National Experts programme. Of the 28 arrangements, nine continue to be paid by the Department while a further eight officers operate under a "Pay and Recoup" system. In these instances, the roles undertaken are considered to provide employees with skills and experiences which have potential to benefit the Department. Eleven officers are paid directly by their seconded Departments.
1883. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that poultry sales have been stopped across the Republic of Ireland; when he foresees sales happening again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19898/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prohibition on gatherings of poultry is a risk mitigation measure in order to reduce the risk of the spread of Avian Influenza.
Ireland remains in the high-risk period (October to April) for the introduction of Avian Influenza (AI) however the risk levels and infection pressure are reducing with the departure of migratory birds, increasing temperatures and lengthening daylight hours.
During the current 2021/2022 high risk period, six poultry farms were affected with Highly Pathogenic AI with significant losses and in addition a total of eighty cases of been confirmed in wild birds in Ireland across 16 counties. The number of reports of wild bird mortalities have reduced over the last number of weeks which is a good indication of a reduction in infection pressure. However, the virus can persist.
My Department is currently actively reviewing the risk level and the continued necessity for the additional biosecurity regulations to protect the poultry populations which were put in place last November. The measures include a ban on the assembly of birds, the requirement to confine of all poultry or captive birds such that wild birds and other animals do not have access to them and the application of stringent bio-security measures for poultry and other captive birds.
The legal requirement to confine/house poultry and other birds as a precautionary measure against Avian Influenza (bird flu) will be lifted from the 29th of April 2022. The decision to withdraw this requirement is based on a number of parameters which indicate a reducing risk of an avian influenza incursion - including the fact that no case of bird flu has been confirmed here in wild birds for a period of 4 weeks, reduced numbers of migratory waterfowl and increasing environmental temperatures and daylight hours.
However, I urge all flock owners to remain vigilant as, notwithstanding the reduced risk, there is still the possibility of the virus being present in the environment or being transmitted to their flock by wild birds. As such, the ban on the assembly of live birds for the purposes of show or sale (SI No 592 of 2021) and enhanced biosecurity requirements (SI No. 593 of 2021) remain in place.
Whilst I cannot provide a specific date that these measures will be removed, I am hopeful that we will be able to do so shortly.
The control of AI is critical for our poultry industry and stringent bio-security measures have been vital in mitigating the risk of spread of disease and in protecting poultry flocks across the island. These farm level requirements will remain after these regulations are lifted. All keepers of poultry are urged to continue to maintain the highest standards of biosecurity to protect their flocks and to report any suspicion of disease to their local regional veterinary office.
