Written Answers Nos. 216-230
216. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated by his Department to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland to date; the current book value of loans to farmers or fishermen currently arising from such funding; the current potential value of loans available to farmers or fishermen to apply for; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34759/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Finance, has worked with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to deliver a number of loan schemes that support SMEs in Ireland, including farmers, fishers and SME food businesses.
Public funds provided for these schemes mainly relate to the provision of guarantees, with the lending institutions providing the actual finance for the loans. Any unused guarantee funding is repayable. Details of the various schemes are below, including funding provided to SBCI and the loan approval amounts. More information is available at sbci.gov.ie/.
|
Scheme |
Year |
Value |
Funding from DAFM |
Loans issued |
Remaining available |
|
Brexit Impact Loan Scheme |
2021 to date |
€315m |
€11m |
596 loans to the value of €48.6m to farmers. 97 loans to the value of €17.5m to food businesses. |
€59.9m |
|
COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme |
2020 to date |
€2bn |
No upfront funding requirement; DAFM is responsible for defaults from the primary sector in arrears. |
1,576 loans to the value of €76.9m to farmers. 57 loans to the value of €3.9m to fishers |
€1.3bn (across all sectors) |
|
Future Growth Loan Scheme |
2019 to date |
€800m |
€14.2m to SBCI and €49.1m to European Investment Fund (EIF). |
1,285 loans to the value of €153.4m to farmers.
277 loans to the value of €69.7m to food businesses. 30 loans to the value of €11.6m to fishers. |
|
|
SBCI Working Capital Scheme (encompassing Brexit Loan Scheme and Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme) |
2018 to 2021 |
€337.5m |
€11.7m (unused funding of €5.5m was transferred to the BILS) |
Brexit Loan Scheme: 47 loans to the value of €10.8m to food businesses. COVID-19 WCS: 161 loans to the value of €13.3m to food businesses. |
This Scheme is now closed following the launch of the BILS. |
|
Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme (ACSLS) |
2017 |
€145m |
€25m |
€145m to farmers. |
This Scheme is now closed. |
217. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided by his Department to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland with regard to the Brexit impact loan scheme to facilitate the provision of credit to farmers and fishermen; the total potential value of loans arising from same; the total and average value of such loans which have been made; the number of applications refused; the total potential value of loans yet to be made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34760/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Finance, has worked with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to deliver a number of loan schemes that support SMEs in Ireland, including farmers, fishers and food businesses.
Public funds provided for these schemes mainly relate to the provision of guarantees, with the lending institutions providing the actual finance for the loans. Any unused guarantee funding is repayable.
The Brexit Impact Loan Scheme (BILS) is a €315m medium-term, low-cost loan scheme established in 2021 to fund working capital and investments for businesses impacted by Brexit and COVID-19 (sbci.gov.ie/products/brexit-impact-loan-scheme-bils). BILS is demand-led, with loans issued as applications are lodged by various business sectors. However, my Department’s funding ensures that 40% of the overall fund is available for farmers, fishers and food businesses. 2,223 eligibility applications have been approved in total under BILS, of which 1,200 to the value of approximately €141.7m have been sanctioned. Of these 1,200 sanctioned loans, 596 with a value of €48.6m (32%) relate to farmers and 97 with a value of €17.5m (12%) relate to food businesses. To date, no loan applications have been approved or issued to fishers under the BILS.
The details requested are as follows.
|
Funding from DAFM to SBCI |
Total potential loan value |
Number of loans issued to farmers |
Total value of loans issued to farmers |
Average value of loans issued to farmers |
Loans to farmers approved but yet to be drawn |
Total potential value of loans yet to be made |
|
€11m |
€126m* |
596 |
€48.6m |
€81,543 |
383 |
€59.9m |
* 40% of €315 million available fund.
SBCI advise that they do not collect information on the number of applications refused.
218. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount allocated to Bord Bia from 2017 to date; the amount that was expended on marketing campaigns; the stated aims of such campaigns; the amount expended exclusively towards the promotion of organics, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34761/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total sum of funding for Bord Bia is provided by my Department in the form of an annual Exchequer Grant through my Department's Vote.
|
Year |
Bord Bia Grant €m |
|
2017 |
40,775m |
|
2018 |
41,266m |
|
2019 |
46,619m |
|
2020 |
48,229m |
|
2021 |
52,550m |
|
2022 |
53,000m |
Within this sum there are no ring-fenced amounts for the marketing of organic or any other produce, and, the disposition of these funds is an operational matter for Bord Bia in line with its Statement of Strategy Strategic Priorities for the year are as approved by the Board of Bord Bia and aligned to my Department's policies and the policy ambitions set out in Food Vision 2030 and the 2019 – 2025 Organic Strategy.
Bord Bia's annual report and financial statements within which full details of their marketing activities are contained are available on its website: www.bordbia.ie/globalassets/bordbia.ie/about/governance/annual-reports-pdfs/bord-bia-annual-report-2020.pdf
The Bord Bia Statement of Strategy may be accessed at www.bordbia.ie/about/about-bord-bia/statement-of-strategy/
The Deputy will be aware that my colleague, the Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett has announced the establishment of a new Organic Forum to further develop the organic sector in Ireland. The Forum comprises a range of stakeholders including from the farming and food processing sectors, organic certification bodies and relevant State Agencies including Bord Bia. This group will be the forum for discussion on all relevant issues to help the development of the Irish organic sector. The immediate focus of the Organic Forum will be on the continued implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2025 and any related actions and supports necessary to remove the barriers to the growth of the sector.
219. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions within the climate action plan that relate to the promotion of organic farming; the progress that has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Climate Action Plan, our main priority on organics is to increase the area of organic production from 74,000ha to approximately 335,000 ha.
Since the publication of the Climate Action Plan, the area of land has increased to approximately 110,000 ha. The recent Organic Farming scheme which closed in April 2022 resulted in a total of 380 new applications. This was 20% higher than the scheme opening in the previous year.
In order to maximise the potential of the sector, I have proposed an allocation of €256 million under the new CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023 to 2027 to support this upward trend. This is a significant five fold increase in funding for the sector compared to the previous CAP period.
Additionally there are five organic demonstration farmers participating in the Signpost Programme, and being supported by Teagasc Organic Specialists and FutureBeef Programme Advisers.
|
County |
Main enterprise |
|
Galway |
Dairy |
|
Laois |
Dairy |
|
Wexford |
Tillage |
|
Cork |
Suckler Beef |
|
Offaly |
Suckler Beef |
A new MSC in Biological and Organic Farming has also been launched in WIT and will have its first full intake in September 2022.
My Department has reconvened the Organic strategy forum which will meet for the 4th time this year in July 2022 and is undertaking a full examination of the Organic Sector by looking at pathways to Organic farming and also examining the market potential in the current retail climate.
My Department will continue to look at innovative ways to support the Organic Farming sector and our funding commitments are evidence of our support to ensure that Organic Farmers are empowered to transition to more long-term sustainable methods of farming.
220. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 955 of 30 July 2020, the amount of funding that his Department received from the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework in respect of Pillar 1 in each year since 2019; the expected return for 2022 through 2027, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34771/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy regarding the amount of funding that this Department received from the European Union Multiannual Financial Framework in respect of Pillar 1 in each year since 2019 and the expected return for 2022 through 2027 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
€ Amount (in millions) |
|
2019 |
1,290 (actual) |
|
2020 |
1,190 (actual) |
|
2021 |
1,177 (actual) |
|
2022 |
1,209 (est.) * (1,144 actual to 26/06/22) |
|
2023 |
1,194 (est.) |
|
2024 |
1,194 (est.) |
|
2025 |
1,194 (est.) |
|
2026 |
1,194 (est.) |
|
2027 |
1,194 (est.) |
*Including €15.8m Exceptional Aid to Producers in the Agricultural Sectors
It should be noted that while Pillar 1 (EAGF) Direct Payments are subject to a financial ceiling, the total Pillar I funds received from the EU vary year-to-year due to a variety of reasons including the timing of payments relative to the recoupment claim dates, market measures and exceptional measures introduced in a given year and also take account of relevant monies due from the Member State to the Commission.
221. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos, 1168, 1170 and 1171 of 15 June 2021, if he will provide equivalent information in relation to the number of recipients of Pillar 1 funds, in bands and by county, in tabular form, in each of the years 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular format below.
These figures are derived from the total amounts paid to applicants under CAP Pillar 1 (Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Greening, Young Farmers Scheme (YFS), and Protein Aid schemes).
The process of convergence of payment entitlement values began in Ireland in 2015, and over the years 2015 to 2019, approximately €60m in funds were transferred between entitlements with values above the average to those below the average. When greening is added, the total value of this transfer is approximately €93m.
This process saw a minimum entitlement value reached in 2019 of 60% of the average. If full convergence were implemented in 2021 with no changes to the direct payments ceiling, i.e. to move from the minimum 60% to full flattening in that single year, approximately €150m in total would have been redistributed (this figure includes entitlement value adjustment and greening). The requested county breakdown of this amount is not available at this time but is part of ongoing work. It should be noted that this amount reflects the convergence process and direct payments structures which apply in the current CAP Programme.
Note : Figures for the category €50,001 - €60,000 have also been included in the table below
|
COUNTY |
PAID AMOUNT € |
|
CARLOW |
23809018.9 |
|
CAVAN |
34386955.97 |
|
CLARE |
47187383.45 |
|
CORK |
157155482.7 |
|
DONEGAL |
61281417.17 |
|
DUBLIN |
10144810.12 |
|
GALWAY |
85634468.26 |
|
KERRY |
69298385.38 |
|
KILDARE |
31183450.65 |
|
KILKENNY |
49439588.09 |
|
LAOIS |
36405248.21 |
|
LEITRIM |
21071300.66 |
|
LIMERICK |
49926139.94 |
|
LONGFORD |
18959384.98 |
|
LOUTH |
18576894.86 |
|
MAYO |
74557928.84 |
|
MEATH |
52528220.23 |
|
MONAGHAN |
27055507.54 |
|
OFFALY |
33963858.83 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
40395923.97 |
|
SLIGO |
25574985.9 |
|
TIPPERARY |
93647683.69 |
|
WATERFORD |
36646646.28 |
|
WESTMEATH |
32186398.4 |
|
WEXFORD |
57005667.7 |
|
WICKLOW |
29201663.66 |
222. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 355 of 20 May 2021; the amount of funding provided to Pillar 2 schemes from the Exchequer and the amount co-funded by the State, by scheme, in the years 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34773/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Development Programme (RDP) is co-funded by the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI), and the National Exchequer.
From April 2021, with the introduction of the 10th amendment to the RDP, EU support from the EAFRD now amounts to €2.88 billion and from EURI, amounts to €189 million, bringing the total fund to €3.07bn. The EU funding contribution is supplemented by exchequer funding bringing the total available budget under the RDP to just over €5.6 billion.
Ireland has one of the highest execution rates of EAFRD funds at 81% drawn down to date.
The RDP has been designed to meet three overriding objectives of RDP funding, as set out in EU legislation:
- Enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector
- Achieving more sustainable management of natural resources; and
- Ensuring more balanced development of rural areas and economies
The programme has been performing successfully with significant spending taking place on a range of important programmes which support Irish farmers, such as the GLAS programme and Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) payments.
All schemes and pilots under the programme are fully operational with many running at optimum level; based on current projections, the programme is expected to drawdown all EU funding by the end of the programme in 2025.
Details requested are at the link.
223. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in then beef environmental efficiency programme - sucklers in 2021 in which one, two, three and four cow and calf pairs were weighted; the payment received, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34774/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs clarified with the Deputy, the information sought is shown in the table.
|
Pairs Weighed |
Number Of Herds |
Average Payment |
|
1 |
136 |
€80.27 |
|
2 |
285 |
€163.51 |
|
3 |
361 |
€241.24 |
|
4 |
520 |
€333.93 |
|
5 |
659 |
€415.03 |
|
6 |
768 |
€496.66 |
|
7 |
860 |
€585.82 |
|
8 |
968 |
€668.06 |
|
9 |
1,040 |
€755.97 |
|
10 |
1,073 |
€842.71 |
|
11 |
1,127 |
€913.97 |
|
12 |
1,066 |
€990.15 |
|
13 |
1,021 |
€1,061.64 |
|
14 |
1,006 |
€1,145.28 |
|
15 |
931 |
€1,209.15 |
|
16 |
916 |
€1,297.87 |
|
17 |
840 |
€1,379.93 |
|
18 |
800 |
€1,456.14 |
|
19 |
781 |
€1,534.78 |
|
20 |
745 |
€1,615.83 |
|
21 |
673 |
€1,684.90 |
|
22 |
624 |
€1,756.17 |
|
23 |
560 |
€1,836.34 |
|
24 |
551 |
€1,919.58 |
|
25 |
473 |
€1,970.43 |
|
26 |
468 |
€2,076.27 |
|
27 |
399 |
€2,160.76 |
|
28 |
419 |
€2,233.64 |
|
29 |
353 |
€2,292.39 |
|
30 |
315 |
€2,385.30 |
|
31 |
310 |
€2,459.26 |
|
32 |
261 |
€2,562.20 |
|
33 |
286 |
€2,627.73 |
|
34 |
241 |
€2,706.56 |
|
35 |
252 |
€2,756.25 |
|
36 |
223 |
€2,870.13 |
|
37 |
186 |
€2,943.63 |
|
38 |
169 |
€3,051.75 |
|
39 |
168 |
€3,135.49 |
|
40 |
167 |
€3,148.23 |
|
41 |
141 |
€3,244.79 |
|
42 |
120 |
€3,358.81 |
|
43 |
113 |
€3,416.46 |
|
44 |
138 |
€3,500.72 |
|
45 |
106 |
€3,496.23 |
|
46 |
98 |
€3,582.86 |
|
47 |
74 |
€3,752.03 |
|
48 |
81 |
€3,810.69 |
|
49 |
84 |
€3,817.88 |
|
50 |
79 |
€3,916.41 |
|
51 |
76 |
€4,059.21 |
|
52 |
55 |
€4,075.64 |
|
53 |
63 |
€4,154.92 |
|
54 |
54 |
€4,270.00 |
|
55 |
50 |
€4,318.50 |
|
56 |
43 |
€4,539.87 |
|
57 |
43 |
€4,553.95 |
|
58 |
46 |
€4,611.85 |
|
59 |
38 |
€4,629.54 |
|
60 |
34 |
€4,688.24 |
|
61 |
46 |
€4,840.76 |
|
62 |
30 |
€4,832.67 |
|
63 |
34 |
€4,954.71 |
|
64 |
36 |
€4,934.11 |
|
65 |
23 |
€5,186.96 |
|
66 |
35 |
€5,163.14 |
|
67 |
19 |
€5,354.21 |
|
68 |
26 |
€5,487.69 |
|
69 |
30 |
€5,503.13 |
|
70 |
19 |
€5,415.11 |
|
71 |
13 |
€5,670.77 |
|
72 |
16 |
€5,725.00 |
|
73 |
17 |
€5,811.18 |
|
74 |
17 |
€5,845.88 |
|
75 |
17 |
€5,658.82 |
|
76 |
10 |
€5,876.00 |
|
77 |
16 |
€5,850.94 |
|
78 |
14 |
€6,284.29 |
|
79 |
12 |
€6,354.17 |
|
80 |
9 |
€6,411.11 |
|
81 |
11 |
€6,359.09 |
|
82 |
12 |
€5,983.08 |
|
83 |
5 |
€6,740.00 |
|
84 |
10 |
€6,400.00 |
|
85 |
10 |
€6,645.00 |
|
86 |
18 |
€6,478.33 |
|
87 |
10 |
€6,581.50 |
|
88 |
11 |
€7,140.00 |
|
89 |
9 |
€7,121.11 |
|
90 |
5 |
€7,300.00 |
|
91 |
4 |
€7,152.50 |
|
92 |
3 |
€7,153.33 |
|
93 |
7 |
€7,407.14 |
|
94 |
7 |
€7,351.43 |
|
95 |
8 |
€7,343.75 |
|
96 |
7 |
€7,642.86 |
|
97 |
3 |
€7,860.00 |
|
98 |
3 |
€7,613.33 |
|
99 |
4 |
€8,020.00 |
|
100 |
4 |
€7,600.00 |
|
100+ |
91 |
€7,913.19 |
224. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in the beef data and genomics programme in 2021 with herd sizes of one, two, three, four and five; the average payment received; the average hectarage of such herds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34775/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe requested information, as clarified with the Deputy, is set out in the table.
|
BDGP Herdsize |
Number Of Herds |
Average Forage Area (Ha) |
Average Payment |
|
1 |
46 |
22.09 |
€83.12 |
|
2 |
124 |
21.83 |
€172.27 |
|
3 |
198 |
23.51 |
€262.67 |
|
4 |
249 |
22.16 |
€362.16 |
|
5 |
307 |
23.21 |
€449.26 |
|
6 |
371 |
23.15 |
€540.94 |
|
7 |
455 |
23.66 |
€642.83 |
|
8 |
549 |
26.03 |
€730.63 |
|
9 |
524 |
29.57 |
€826.10 |
|
10 |
627 |
28.91 |
€907.93 |
|
11 |
576 |
30.49 |
€989.91 |
|
12 |
597 |
31.16 |
€1,067.82 |
|
13 |
567 |
30.72 |
€1,152.18 |
|
14 |
645 |
33.18 |
€1,229.56 |
|
15 |
637 |
33.42 |
€1,301.68 |
|
16 |
576 |
34.76 |
€1,384.86 |
|
17 |
540 |
36.15 |
€1,472.38 |
|
18 |
518 |
35.14 |
€1,539.76 |
|
19 |
541 |
36.12 |
€1,605.71 |
|
20 |
511 |
39.68 |
€1,691.29 |
|
21 |
460 |
38.35 |
€1,777.88 |
|
22 |
458 |
41.01 |
€1,852.06 |
|
23 |
392 |
41.27 |
€1,924.62 |
|
24 |
420 |
40.94 |
€2,011.87 |
|
25 |
351 |
42.74 |
€2,080.34 |
|
26 |
350 |
41.03 |
€2,163.76 |
|
27 |
316 |
44.47 |
€2,264.34 |
|
28 |
302 |
43.96 |
€2,320.67 |
|
29 |
270 |
48.12 |
€2,390.70 |
|
30 |
289 |
47.2 |
€2,481.12 |
|
31 |
277 |
48.35 |
€2,536.51 |
|
32 |
205 |
49.49 |
€2,635.81 |
|
33 |
208 |
50.04 |
€2,687.07 |
|
34 |
212 |
51.98 |
€2,766.70 |
|
35 |
218 |
53.58 |
€2,846.42 |
|
36 |
187 |
52.34 |
€2,953.43 |
|
37 |
152 |
50.8 |
€3,019.78 |
|
38 |
155 |
53.89 |
€3,098.59 |
|
39 |
153 |
55.83 |
€3,176.36 |
|
40 |
128 |
56.32 |
€3,255.53 |
|
41 |
145 |
56.28 |
€3,339.18 |
|
42 |
140 |
54.73 |
€3,405.23 |
|
43 |
103 |
65.51 |
€3,487.90 |
|
44 |
127 |
57.82 |
€3,544.44 |
|
45 |
106 |
62.4 |
€3,607.86 |
|
46 |
92 |
58.94 |
€3,685.13 |
|
47 |
86 |
57.86 |
€3,811.59 |
|
48 |
87 |
66.47 |
€3,884.63 |
|
49 |
78 |
63.69 |
€3,995.10 |
|
50 |
64 |
62.93 |
€3,998.33 |
|
51 |
90 |
65.1 |
€4,094.90 |
|
52 |
65 |
62.21 |
€4,183.82 |
|
53 |
52 |
66.25 |
€4,170.55 |
|
54 |
57 |
79.73 |
€4,394.47 |
|
55 |
50 |
69.12 |
€4,439.86 |
|
56 |
47 |
72.23 |
€4,497.51 |
|
57 |
42 |
84.05 |
€4,627.69 |
|
58 |
36 |
70.74 |
€4,628.69 |
|
59 |
32 |
67.8 |
€4,727.42 |
|
60 |
38 |
66.26 |
€4,711.46 |
|
61 |
32 |
74.14 |
€4,905.52 |
|
62 |
42 |
89.57 |
€5,069.70 |
|
63 |
35 |
83.08 |
€4,980.76 |
|
64 |
31 |
69.46 |
€5,121.21 |
|
65 |
32 |
76.51 |
€5,170.62 |
|
66 |
18 |
89.3 |
€5,085.35 |
|
67 |
21 |
78.58 |
€5,354.87 |
|
68 |
17 |
79.77 |
€5,407.95 |
|
69 |
21 |
85.21 |
€5,546.61 |
|
70 |
22 |
86.64 |
€5,510.69 |
|
71 |
25 |
94.46 |
€5,771.13 |
|
72 |
24 |
85.18 |
€5,867.21 |
|
73 |
11 |
65.59 |
€5,646.28 |
|
74 |
13 |
67.22 |
€5,525.47 |
|
75 |
15 |
87.39 |
€5,919.91 |
|
76 |
20 |
104.52 |
€5,797.46 |
|
77 |
19 |
74.85 |
€5,873.46 |
|
78 |
8 |
82.91 |
€6,239.84 |
|
79 |
20 |
106.39 |
€6,078.36 |
|
80 |
4 |
65.41 |
€6,550.00 |
|
81 |
12 |
87.78 |
€6,328.69 |
|
82 |
12 |
86.7 |
€6,575.18 |
|
83 |
8 |
91.6 |
€6,690.70 |
|
84 |
12 |
93.09 |
€6,671.11 |
|
85 |
7 |
68.54 |
€6,560.80 |
|
86 |
9 |
95.93 |
€7,030.00 |
|
87 |
9 |
95.68 |
€6,957.33 |
|
88 |
10 |
86.48 |
€6,979.83 |
|
89 |
7 |
78.91 |
€7,137.77 |
|
90 |
5 |
96.13 |
€7,273.20 |
|
91 |
10 |
107.99 |
€7,137.23 |
|
92 |
6 |
80.19 |
€7,411.71 |
|
93 |
8 |
112.73 |
€7,241.03 |
|
94 |
7 |
87.39 |
€7,558.86 |
|
95 |
5 |
95.29 |
€7,715.12 |
|
96 |
11 |
125.01 |
€7,364.74 |
|
97 |
6 |
112.37 |
€7,695.40 |
|
98 |
7 |
82.36 |
€7,138.57 |
|
99 |
2 |
139.97 |
€8,022.83 |
|
100 |
6 |
91.59 |
€7,772.38 |
|
100+ |
100 |
147.01 |
€10,033.20 |
225. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the re-approval of glyphosate in the European Union to support the control and spread of invasive plants such as Japanese knotweed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34777/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the EU process to consider the possibility of renewal of the current approval for glyphosate is ongoing. This process involves a comprehensive evaluation of all relevant scientific data and a rigorous peer review process led by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
When this process is completed, the European Commission will draft a proposal for voting on at the EU Standing Committee dealing with pesticides legislation. It is now anticipated that this vote may take place towards the end of 2023. The Commission is expected to seek an extension of the current EU approval period, which is due to expire on 15th December 2022, since EFSA recently announced that it would be at least July 2023 before they are able to finalise their scientific conclusions for glyphosate.
Uses against invasive species are being considered as part of the EU decision-making process for glyphosate. I am, of course, very conscious of the need to control invasive plants, such as Japanese knotweed, and I am aware that glyphosate products can play an important role in controlling such plants. These product must be used safely, without unacceptable impacts on human health and the environment. This must always be the foremost concern. The Department will finalise its position on glyphosate based on EFSA’s and ECHA’s scientific opinions and conclusions, as it does for all pesticide substance while remaining cognisant of the importance of this product to the farming sector.
226. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that have been exported live from Ireland in 2020, 2021 and 2022, broken down by species (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34823/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine only permits animals to be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation. This is supported by the Government.
The table below shows the number of animals recorded as having been exported from Ireland to all other destinations in the years displayed.
The data supplied in the table below in respect of cattle is provided by the Department's Animal Identification and Movement System, for movements recorded up to 19 June 2022. The data supplied in the table below in respect of sheep and pigs is provided by the EU TRACES system, for movements recorded up to 26th June 2022.
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Cattle |
265,663 |
247,541 |
206,087 |
|
Sheep |
27,963 |
19,618 |
1,404 |
|
Pigs |
491,740 |
474,994 |
228,925 |
227. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and frequency of live sheep exports from Ireland in 2019, 2020, and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34824/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe intra-EU movement of animals is recorded on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is the EU-wide online management tool for all sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants.
My Department uses the TRACES system to record all sheep movements in terms of both imports and exports for the purposes of slaughter, breeding and fattening between Ireland and all other jurisdictions.
The total numbers of live sheep exported from Ireland for the years 2019– 2021 are listed below:
2019 - 7,161
2020 - 27,963
2021- 19,618
Live sheep exports occur throughout the year, however the majority of exports occur in July/August due to the seasonality of production.
228. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that Ireland has given to the OIE World Organisation for Animal Health in 2020, 2021 and 2022; the programmes, if any, that are related to improving global standards of slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34825/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has been a member of the Platform on Animal Welfare Steering Group of the OIE (recently re-named World Organisation for Animal Health, or WOAH) since the creation of the group in 2013. In 2017, my Department expressed interest in providing financial support to WOAH activities and initiatives on animal welfare under the framework of the WOAH Platform in the following areas: (a) slaughter of animals in the regions of Eastern Europe, Middle East and Northern Africa, and (b) long-distance transport, including “whole journey scenario” by land and/or sea in inter-regional journeys.
The original agreement was for a four-year period, commencing in 2017. However, the programme was disrupted by Covid-19 and the WOAH requested that unspent funds allocated to the project be spent on completing the originally planned work programme. My Department agreed to this reasonable proposal.
Three instalments of €75,000 each were paid in the final quarters of 2017, 2018 and 2019. It is expected that the fourth and final instalment of €75,000 will be paid in 2023. The funding for this project is in addition to the annual membership fee of €133,845 which my Department pays to WOAH.
This funding illustrates my Department's commitment to animal health and welfare, supporting the work of the WOAH on these issues internationally.
229. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the Government has plans to reduce the burden on rural households. [34594/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the increase in consumer prices in recent months, especially the increase in fuel and other energy prices including home heating oil. The Government has designed a package of measures to alleviate the impact of increased energy prices on all households, both rural and urban.
The package of measures includes:
- an energy credit of €200 including VAT, estimated to impact just over 2 million households;
- a lump sum payment of €125 on the fuel allowance paid to 390,000 recipients;
- an additional lump sum payment of €100 paid to all households in receipt of the fuel allowance;
- a temporary reduction in public transport fares of 20% from the end of April to the end of the year. This will impact approximately 800,000 daily users of Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Luas, DART and Local Link services;
- a reduction of the Drug Payment Scheme from €144 to €80 benefitting just over 70,000 families;
- the working family payment budget increase was brought forward from 1 June to 1 April; and
- reduced caps for multiple children on school transport fees to €500 per family post primary and €150 for primary school children.
From my own Department’s perspective, I launched Our Rural Future, a national Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025 last year with the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and Minister Eamon Ryan.
The policy provides a blueprint for the sustainable development and investment in rural Ireland over the five years from 2021 to 2025. It outlines a vision for a thriving rural Ireland that is integral to our national economic, social, environmental and cultural wellbeing, which is built on the interdependence of urban and rural areas, and which recognises the centrality of people, the importance of vibrant and lived-in rural places, and the potential to create quality jobs and sustain our shared environment.
My Department continues to support communities in rural Ireland and in 2021 over €344 million was invested. Included in this support is the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which has provided €278 million to projects in rural Ireland since its inception.
Under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, almost €113 million has been approved for more than 1,400 projects across the country since 2016. A New Building Acquisition Measure under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme providing €400,000 per Local Authority has also been introduced this year. The LEADER Programme provided support to 867 projects to the value of over €43 million in 2021. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme also provided almost €19 million to support 273 projects last year.
A new €15 million Community Centre Investment Fund has been announced this year and I have increased Local Improvement Scheme funding to €11 million. This brings investment in rural Ireland under the scheme to €90 million since 2017.
My Department will continue to support communities in rural Ireland throughout 2022 and beyond through a range of schemes such as the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Clár Programme, the Local Improvement Scheme, the Community Centre Capital Fund, the LEADER Transitional Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) and the Community Services Programme.
230. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will outline the position regarding a second round connected hubs funding application of a group (details supplied). [34684/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur Rural Future, Ireland’s Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated network of remote working hubs over the lifetime of the policy to 2025.
In furtherance of this commitment, my Department continues to focus on strategically developing the national hubs network, and adding capacity to Ireland's existing remote working infrastructure.
Over €100m has been invested in the development of remote working facilities by my department in recent years, through programmes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. Successful projects under these schemes are developed in collaboration with local authorities and communities with many projects seeing vacant and derelict buildings in rural towns and villages converted into remote working hubs.
On 21 February , I announced the 2022 Connected Hubs Call. The aim of this fund is to add additional capacity to existing remote working infrastructure in Ireland by upgrading established hubs and Broadband Connection Points (BCPs).
Eligible works included the expansion of hubs, installation of privacy booths, access control and security systems, the conversion of existing open plan space to modular offices, and the provision of enhanced audio visual, networking and conferencing facilities.
By the deadline of 4 April, my Department had received 189 applications requesting over €11m in funding. This represents a very high level of interest, and on 8 June, I announced €5.1 million in funding to 81 successful applicants.
All applications were subject to a uniform assessment and selection process. This process was centred on a competitive scoring system in line with a number of criteria which were publicised in advance of applications being developed and received.
With regard to the specific hub referenced by the Deputy, the application met the qualifying standard and was assessed and scored competitively along with all other applications. As the Call was significantly over subscribed this year, it was not possible to offer funding to all qualifying applications. Unfortunately, this application was not one of the 81 projects to succeed this year based on the competitive scoring process.
It should be noted that all unsuccessful applicants can request feedback from my department by contacting the Connected Hubs team.
Furthermore, I would like to clarify that an unsuccessful application this year will not negatively impact on any future applications to the Connected Hubs Fund.
