Written Answers Nos. 382-393
382. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals in the national dairy herd in each of the years 2003 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52565/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreliminary CSO data for June 2022 shows dairy cow numbers at 1,627,300, an increase of 1.4% over the same period in 2021.
Detailed information on dairy cow numbers by year is published in the June and December editions of the CSO Crops and Livestock Survey each year, which is available on the CSO website.
383. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that are now in the national bovine herd; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52566/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) December 2021 livestock survey, there were 6,649,300 bovine head in the national herd.
A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public. In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.
384. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that are now in the national sheep herd; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52567/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) December 2021 livestock survey, there were 3,991,200 ovine head in the national flock.
A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public. In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.
385. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers wholly or partly engaged in horticulture in the State; the number that were engaged in the activity from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52568/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to figures from The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's horticultural database of fresh fruit and vegetable producers there are currently 1,169 registered Food Business Operators actively engaged in primary production and associated activities in the sector.
Similar historical data for the period 1922-1973 is not retained on this database. Information on farming activity for this period can be accessed from the Central Statistics Office (www.cso.ie).
386. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers wholly or partly engaged in poultry production in the State; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52569/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the preliminary results of the 2020 Census of Agriculture, carried out by the CSO, there were 6,049 farms engaged in poultry farming in the State in 2020 (most recent figures available).
A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public. In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.
387. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers wholly or partly engaged in pig production in the State in each of the years since 2016; the number from 1922 and 1973; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures below relate to the number of Pig Farms who were required to participate in the Annual Pig survey, carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), who collect data on pig numbers within the State, held by specialised producers. The data is collected in accordance with Regulation (EC) No.1165/2008.
No. of Specialised
pig farms
Pig Survey June 2022 345
Pig Survey June 2021 352
Pig Survey June 2020 287
Pig Survey June 2019 289
Pig Survey June 2018 275
Pig Survey June 2017 279
Pig Survey June 2016 323
A large volume of historical data is also available on the CSO website, which is accessible to the public. In particular the Deputy may be interested in the CSO publication Farming since the Famine, available on the CSO website, which covers the years 1847-1996 and includes details on livestock numbers and numbers of holdings.
388. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of number of persons who have left full-time farming since 1997; his views on whether this represents progress; his views on the decline in the number of full-time farmers; the steps that he is taking to counter the decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52571/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) carries out a census of agriculture every ten years, with the last census held in 2020. The census provides data on the number of family farm holders who regard farming as their 'sole', 'major' or 'subsidiary' occupation.
Since the census held in 2000, the number of family farm holders who indicate that farming is their sole occupation or major occupation has changed from 98,366 to 96,153, a drop of 2,213 farm holders or 2.2%. A larger decrease is in those indicating farm work as a subsidiary occupation, dropping by 8,913 or 21% over the 20-year period.
Over the same period the total number of family farms dropped by 11,126 or 7.9%. During this time the number of non-family farms has increased from 185 in 2000 to 4,821 farms in 2020, resulting in the total number of farm holdings dropping by 6,490 or 4.6%, from 141,527 to 135,037.
Non-Family Farms are mostly comprised of commercial farms which pay all their workers as employees, including management, or farms connected with institutions such as schools, colleges, etc. If one person from each non-family farm holdings is included, then the number of those whose sole or major occupation is farm work would be 100,974 in 2020, which is 2,423 higher (or 2.5%) than in 2000.
Table1. CSO Census - Significance of Farm work on Family Farms 2000, 2010 and 2020
|
- |
2000 |
2000 |
2010 |
2010 |
2020 |
2020 |
|
Significance of farm work |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
Percentage |
Number |
|
Sole occupation |
56% |
78,723 |
54% |
75,223 |
53% |
69,456 |
|
Major occupation |
14% |
19,643 |
15% |
20,258 |
21% |
26,697 |
|
Total Sole or Major occupation |
70% |
98,366 |
69% |
95,481 |
74% |
96,153 |
|
Subsidiary occupation |
30% |
42,976 |
32% |
44,075 |
26% |
34,063 |
|
Total Family Farms |
141,342 |
139,556 |
130,216 |
I will continue to lead and support the sector, for example, through the development and delivery of the CAP Strategic Plan, which will provide almost €10 billion to our farm families over the next five years to support them to continue to produce world-class, safe and sustainable food as well as supporting them in their important work of meeting our climate ambitions.
Generational renewal is critical to the future of the agri-food sector and one of my priorities. National taxation measures to assist succession and land mobility, together with the support available under the CAP, such as the Young Farmers Scheme, the National Reserve Scheme and the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, represent a substantial commitment to young farmers.
In the Budget for 2023, I announced the highest-ever level of funding for the Department, a 13% increase overall, and I will continue to deliver the appropriate level of support, including working with my colleagues on business supports for farmers, fishers and food & drink businesses.
I also look forward to working with the sector in delivering on our shared strategy, Food Vision 2030, and its ambition of being “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”, in the decade ahead.
389. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact date the financial incentives for the new forestry programme will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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.
DAFM 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 has gone 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, DAFM is also currently engaged in detailed discussions 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.
When concluded DAFM aims to provide this information regarding grants and premium rates at the earliest opportunity, as part of the process to secure state aid approval from the European Commission.
391. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on an application to the community centre investment fund of a facility (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52485/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applications to the Community Centres Investment Fund are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the assessment criteria as set out in the fund guidelines.
Category 1 applicants were notified of the outcome of this process last week. Details of successful applicants are available on my department’s website at www.gov.ie/drcd.
The group the Deputy refers to applied for Category 3 funding under the Community Centres Investment Fund. Due to the high level of applications to the fund, the appraisal process is currently ongoing for Category 2 and 3. It is expected to be later in quarter 4 of 2022 when applicants for these categories are notified of the outcome of the application and appraisal process.
392. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide details of the progress of the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund funding application submitted by Clare County Council to her Department for the Inis Cealtra Holy Island visitor experience; when a decision will be made on the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52581/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. To date, 191 projects have been approved for funding of €279 million for projects costing €379 million.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The fourth call for Category 1 applications to the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed on 29 April 2022. My Department received 42 applications to this call, together seeking funding of over €149 million. I understand that an application was received for the project referred to by the Deputy.
The application process for the Fund is competitive in nature. Applications are currently being assessed by my Department under the oversight of the Project Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. Once the assessment process is complete, my Department prepares a report setting out recommended projects. My role as Minister is to consider that report and make final decisions in relation to the allocation of funding.
I expect to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.
393. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the definition of separate agricultural activities under the local improvement scheme which applies to works on private roads; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52618/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. The LIS supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. The scheme makes an important contribution to connectivity in rural Ireland.
The Scheme was reintroduced in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. From 2017 to 2021, improvement works have been completed on over 3,000 non-public roads and lanes benefiting over 13,300 landowners and residents in these rural areas. This year alone I have committed €22 million under the scheme. Investment in LIS roads has now exceeded €100 million since the establishment of my Department.
Eligible road projects under the scheme are determined by the relevant local authorities in accordance with a broad outline set down by my Department. The road must provide access to parcels of land of which two or more are owned or occupied by different persons engaged in separate agricultural activities.
In order to satisfy the requirement for agricultural activity, applicants should provide documentation to their local authority to verify that they are engaged in such agricultural activities on the parcel of land in question. This can be done by providing evidence such as a herd/flock number or a copy of the maps associated with the applicant's Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Basic Payment Scheme application, or equivalent documentation.
