Wednesday, 19 Oct 2022

Written Answers Nos. 273-292

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (273)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

273. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if he is considering introducing medical cards on a mandatory basis for amputees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50601/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The Act obliges the HSE to assess whether a person is unable, without undue hardship, to arrange general practitioner services for himself or herself and his or her family, having regard to his or her overall financial position and reasonable expenditure.

The issue of granting medical or GP visit cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.

However, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness. Social and medical issues are also considered when determining whether undue hardship exists for an individual accessing general practitioner or other medical services.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (274)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

274. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the call from a group (details supplied) for forest premiums in the next forestry programme not to be available to large scale institutional forestry investment funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52086/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am pleased to announce that the new National Forestry Strategy and Forestry Programme have been put out to public consultation this week and are available to view now on my Department's website.

The new Forestry Programme seeks to provide incentives for all landowners while at the same time placing farmers firmly at the centre of a suite of new and improved forestry schemes. The aim of the new Progamme is to enable Ireland to use its potential for afforestation to help meet its national emission reduction obligations while at the same time, increasing incomes on most farming systems.

There is, however, also a role for non-farmer investors in helping to achieve our ambitious afforestation targets and the new Forestry Programme will provide for this.  This will include support for the creation of new forests in Ireland through the harnessing of funding and assets from private and public sources, including afforestation grants and premiums, to provide long term social returns for all stakeholders. In other words, where land is in private ownership, whether farmer or non-farmer, it will be eligible for grants and premiums under the new Programme, as is currently the case under the existing programme.

EU Regulations

Ceisteanna (275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 287)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

275. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on concerns from farmers that the implementation of the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429 may distort competition by disincentivising the sale of cattle farm-to-farm or via marts in favour of directly to meat processing plants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52124/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

276. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the finance working group of the bovine TB stakeholder forum to report regarding the payment for any additional testing required arising from the implementation of the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52125/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

277. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the aim and clause within the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429 requiring the new regulations applying specifically to males over the age of 36 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52126/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

278. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on his engagements with farmers regarding the phase two implementation of the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52127/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

279. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposed requirements of phase two of the implementation of EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52128/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

280. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date of the meeting where the bovine TB stakeholders’ forum agreed to the introduction of mandatory requirements in relation to the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429; if agreement was forthcoming from the forum as a whole or by one of the working groups; and if so, which working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52129/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

281. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the phase 1 requirements of the EU Animal Health Law Regulations 2016/429 implemented by his Department allow any discretion regarding a herd being restricted if an animal does not meet the requirements and is not tested within 30 days, in the case of force majeure or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52130/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

282. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the work of the bovine TB stakeholders’ forum and the implementation, finance and scientific working groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52131/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

283. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the organisations that have representation on the bovine TB stakeholders’ forum; the members of each of the working groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52132/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

284. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current requirements regarding the testing of cattle for bovine TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52133/22]

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

287. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the new bTB regulations that have come into effect to date in 2022; those scheduled to come into effect in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52140/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284 and 287 together.

Under current EU and national legislation all bovine herds must undergo at least one annual herd screening TB test.

In herds where disease is suspected or confirmed, this will result in additional tests until my Department is satisfied that all relevant TB measures specific to that herd/area have been fulfilled. Further risk-based TB tests are also deployed as an effective means of finding disease and thus preventing onward spread of undetected infections.

In April 2021, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689, of 17th December 2019, supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council, came into effect. Annex IV, Part 2, Section 2 of this regulation requires that for herds to maintain their TB Free Status and thus their ability to trade on the open market, all animals, over the age of six weeks, moving into their herds must be TB tested either within the 30 days prior to movement or within 30 days after movement into their herd. By way of derogation, this 30-day pre or post movement test is not required if both the animals that are moving and the herds from which they are moving have been tested in the previous six months. The aim of these regulations is to prevent and control animal diseases transmissible to animals or to humans.

These regulations are directly applicable across all EU member states and are mandatory in natur. While my Department can discuss the mechanics of their implementation with stakeholders, as the competent authority we are mandated by the EU to proceed with implementation. The implementation of these regulations has been discussed with the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum on several occasions. It is to be noted that the majority of animals being moved currently satisfy the requirements.

The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum which comprises of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has agreed to the introduction of these mandatory requirements on a phased basis.

The first phase will come into effect on 1st February 2023.

For the first phase the requirements are that

- Cows of all ages, and males over the age of 36 months that are moving farm to farm or through a mart must be TB tested in the last 6 months and

- They must also be moving from a herd that has been tested in the last six months.

- If they do not fulfil both these requirements then they must then be tested, either within the 30 days prior to movement or within 30 days after movement into the new herd.

- Animals that require a test in the 30 days after movement will be restricted immediately to the herd into which they have moved.

- This means the animal cannot move from this herd other than directly to slaughter.

- This herd has 30 days to carry out a test on those animals.

- Once the animal tests clear the restriction on the animal will be automatically lifted.

- If after the initial 30 days, the animal is still alive and has not been tested then the herd will be automatically restricted, and no cattle will be allowed moved off the farm except directly to slaughter.

- Herds thus restricted may be allowed to move animals in during this period of restriction and may be allowed to move out calves, less than 6 weeks of age, but these calves are not eligible for export while the herd remains restricted.

- After 60 days if the animals in question have not been tested then the whole herd will be scheduled for a TB test.

- This in effect means that farmers, purchasing animals that require a 30-day post movement test will have up to 60 days to test or slaughter these animals without any further implications.

At present, no date has been set for implementation of the second phase, which will see the same requirements applied to all animals over the age of six weeks. The implementation of phase two will be discussed with the Implementation Working Group of the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum after phase one has been implemented.

The implementation of the Bovine TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030 is overseen by the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum along with support from three working groups – a scientific group, an implementation group and a finance group to ensure that all aspects of the Strategy are addressed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum and its working groups comprise of representatives from across the agri-food sector, leading researchers, farming organisations and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Please see the attached document detailing the relevant organisations.

The three working groups report to the Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum. The minutes in respect of all TB Forum and working group meetings are available for reference on

gov.ie - TB Forum (www.gov.ie)

On-going discussions are being held by the Financial Working Group in respect of the overall TB programme to ensure that the programme is funded in a sustainable manner into the future. Ultimately, measures to reduce the incidence of the disease will reduce the cost of the programme to farmers and taxpayers.

The Scientific Working Group which is composed of Irish and International researchers with a specific expertise on TB, are continually reviewing TB related scientific knowledge along with providing independent objective reports to the TB Stakeholders Forum which informs the discussion of policy options.

The stated purpose of the Implementation Working Group is to consider the details and modalities for the policies set out in the TB Eradication Strategy 2021-2030.

Most actions set out under the current TB strategy have either been implemented or are advancing well towards implementation. To make substantial further progress on TB in the 2023-2025 period, additional steps to build on the current strategy will be needed. The Bovine TB Stakeholders Forum has recently agreed to implement further actions and discussions are on-going on the implementation of these actions.

TB Forum Representative Organisations

Animal Health Ireland

Bord Bia

Independent Chair of the Bovine Tb Forum

Independent Chair of the Finance Working Group

Independent Chair of the Implemntation Working Group

Independent Chair of the Scientific Working Group

Coillte

Dairy Industry Ireland

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Independent Farmer

Irish Cattle & Sheep Farmers Association

Irish Cooperative Organisation Society

Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association

Irish Farmers Association

Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association

Irish Wildlife Trust

Macra na Feirme

Meat Industry Ireland

National Parks & Wildlife Service

Ornua

Teagasc

UCD School of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary Ireland

Question No. 276 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 277 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 278 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 279 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 280 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 282 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 283 answered with Question No. 275.

Question No. 284 answered with Question No. 275.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (285)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

285. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment under the ANC scheme for a person (details supplied); when they expect the cause of any delay to be resolved and payment to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52135/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named applied to participate in the 2022 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme on the 13th of May 2022. The applicant has not yet satisfied all area eligibility requirements and is subject to a Basic Payment Scheme land error on his application. The commonage parcel claimed by the applicant is currently under review and a rapid field visit will be carried out to assist in this review.  Following completion of this review, any payment due to the applicant will issue as soon as possible.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (286)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

286. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 12 October 2022, the total amount of co-financing provided by the State in relation to funding from the European Multiannual Financial Framework through Budget 2023; the total amount of co-financing provided through the EUMFF and the total spend in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52136/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The 2023 Estimates provide a gross Vote of €2.14 billion for my department. This is the highest ever level of funding for my department and represents an increase of €283 million on the 2022 provision, or a 13% increase overall, to support farmers, fishers, and rural and coastal communities. The Budget delivers large-scale funding to drive the sector’s environmental ambition, helping improve both on-farm sustainability as well as farmer incomes.

The definitive allocations will be set out in the 2023 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year and I can provide the information requested by the Deputy at that time.

Question No. 287 answered with Question No. 275.

Organic Farming

Ceisteanna (288)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

288. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares under or in conversion to organic production for the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number targeted until 2030 by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The current Programme for Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 7.5% of the utilisable agricultural area under organic production, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Food Vision 2030.

I am encouraged by the strong uptake in the Organic Farming Scheme over the last two years which will assist in achieving our target of 7.5% land cover under organic production.

Under the new CAP, for the years 2023-2027, I have secured a budget of €256m for the organic sector with the aim of building upon this growth and developing the sector further.  This allocation will facilitate enhanced payment rates, including the introduction of a participation payment for farmers, to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming. 

In order to attain the land area target of 7.5%, appoximately 50,000 new hectares will be required every year during the lifetime of the CAP and I am confident that we can achieve this target. The years to 2030 after the lifetime of the current CSP will be a matter for a future programme.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (289)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

289. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the schemes that will be available for beef farmers in 2023; the financial allocation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52142/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are a range of supports available to beef farmers under the new €10 billion CAP strategic plan beginning in 2023, as well as ongoing supports from government to buffer families and business from the effects of the ongoing energy and cost of living crisis.

The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) is the specific support for the beef sector under the CAP strategic plan. SCEP will build on the successful Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) in Ireland’s last RDP as well as the exchequer funded BEEP which commenced in 2019. The funding of €260 million in the lifetime of this programme is a recognition of the importance of the suckler sector to Ireland’s economy and will support the enhancement of the economic and environmental efficiency of their enterprises.

Another significant support for the beef sector is the enhanced support for early-stage producer organisations in the incoming CSP which, in addition to providing advisory and administrative support of up to €33,000 to groups, provides under competition law for collective bargaining on output prices thereby strengthening their position in the supply chain.  

Separately, I have secured budgetary provision for a €28 million exchequer funded beef welfare scheme in 2023.  This new scheme will sit alongside the new €150/cow Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme.

Beef farmers will also be well placed to benefit from the enhanced supports for fodder aid, for environmental measures and the supports available for farmers transitioning to organic farming.

I remain committed to supporting the sustainable development of the beef sector.

Horticulture Sector

Ceisteanna (290)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

290. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress made in implementing the actions of the working paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the horticulture sector by timeframe, short, medium and long-term in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52143/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The working paper referred to by the Deputy was published on the 20th of January 2022, by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Housing).

It outlines a series of actions to support the horticultural growers who are dependent on peat as a growing medium.  

The aim was to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium term of future access to peat and also the longer-term issue of replacement with alternatives.

Short term action for DAFM– peat supply

Mr. Séamus Boland was commissioned to carry out a report on peat supply. A final version of his report has been received by my Department and is due for publication shortly.

Medium term action for DAFM– access to peat

Mr. Des Johnson and Padraic Thornton were commissioned to carry out a report on the planning requirements regarding sub-30 hectare bogs. A final report of this work has been received by my Department and will be published shortly.

Longer Term Action for DAFM- Research into alternatives to peat

€1.69 million was awarded by DAFM to a research project ‘Beyond Peat’. The project is co-ordinated by Teagasc Horticultural Development Department, with project partners across Ireland. The project aims to identify full and partial replacements for peat within professional horticulture. The project is progressing well and to schedule and will run from 2022 to 2027.  

Separately, research projects on peat alternatives continue to be funded through the EU producer organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables by my Department. Trials are ongoing in this area, and the results are promising.

Peat actions

Agricultural Colleges

Ceisteanna (291)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

291. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for green certificate places in agricultural colleges in the academic years beginning in each of the years 2019 to 2022; the number of available places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52144/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Delivery of the Green Cert in the agricultural colleges is an operational matter for Teagasc, who have responsibility for the provision of research, training and advisory services to the agriculture and food industry.

Accordingly, the questions raised by the Deputy have been referred to Teagasc for direct reply.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (292, 293, 294, 295)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

292. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department initiated contact with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52194/22]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

293. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that his Department officials began discussions with all other Departments and the European Commission in a timely manner to ensure that there will be no delay in launching the next forestry programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52195/22]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

294. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any delay by his Department in launching the new forestry programme will impact negatively on planting, and therefore affect climate action afforestation targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52196/22]

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

295. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the new forestry programme 2023-2027 will be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52198/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 to 295, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy may be aware, my Department has recently published a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050. A new Forestry Strategy for Ireland is currently being developed. The draft Forest Strategy to 2030 has been shaped by the extensive public feedback received on the Vision over the last twelve months. This draft Forest Strategy will be subject to a period of public consultation which is due to commence this week.  

My Department is also currently developing a new Forest Strategy Implementation Plan which will include the next Forestry Programme for the period 2023 - 2027. There has been engagement with stakeholders and the public on the next Forestry Programme, which will go to public consultation through the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment process this week.

Having secured an additional €12 million in Budget 2023 for Forestry to reach a total budget of €112m, my Department is currently in detailed discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to agree new grant and premium rates for the next Programme in order to incentivise the necessary levels of planting for Ireland to meet its afforestation targets.  This continues a dialogue which I started earlier in the year. In parallel we are discussing the proposed Programme with the European Commission. I will be updating all stakeholders on developments as these.