Written Answers Nos. 61-80
76. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports that are available to incentivise farmers to erect solar panels on rooftops and to establish anaerobic digestion schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for raising this important topic and I acknowledge his ongoing interest in the area.
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
TAMS grant aid is currently available for Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries and Solar Panels (Solar Thermal) for water heating under the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme. Grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for on-farm consumption use only.
An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings electricity power requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
I was delighted to recently announce under the budget that the electricity consumption of the dwelling house can now be included with immediate effect on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation.
The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. This is now open for applications and I think it will be a real gamechanger for many who are interested in getting invovled in the industry.
The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW for the Pig and Poultry Scheme (PPIS) and 11kW for all other eligible TAMS II schemes. To encourage further increased take up in solar applications and to incentivise farmers to utilise Solar energy, I am proposing to make further changes to the scheme.
This includes increasing the kilowatts for solar applications in TAMS 3 to 30 kilowatts from 11 kilowatts currently. This will bring in more high-energy intensive farms and cover their electricity usage through on-farm generation.
We are also retaining the current limit of 62 kilowatts for the Pigs and Poultry Investment Scheme. Furthermore, it is proposed that the grant rate will increase to a 60% grant and a standalone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar panels on farms from 2023 onwards.
In a time of rising energy costs, the scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.
Additionally as part of the 13% increase in funding for agriculture as part of Budget 2023, I committed to allocating €3 million for each of the next four years, a total of €12 million, to kick-start a farm-based Anaerobic Digestion sector in Ireland.
My officials are working in partnership with colleagues from the Department of Environment, Climate Action and Communication (DECC) to realise the potential of indigenously produced biomethane in Ireland.
The next decade is going to be the most exciting in the space on on-farm energy generation.
Imagine, by the end of the decade, our kettles and phones might be powered by electricity generated on farms. That is an exciting prospect for our farmers and our overall economy.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 will provide further detail in this regard.
77. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the atypical working scheme for non-EEA crew will now enable vessels under 15 metres in length to hire non-EEA crew given that previously fishing vessels under 15 metres were excluded from same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53165/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Atypical Working Scheme for non-EEA fishers is administered by the Department of Justice with support at the application stage by my Department in the form of a central depository. No changes to the operation of this existing scheme are proposed.
What has recently been recommended to and approved by Government is that the fishing industry should apply to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to have access instead for its labour needs through the Employment Permit system. The sector will be required to submit a comprehensive business case to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to support that application and a process of engagement has already begun in this regard. Subject to a successful outcome in that process, the Government has approved that non-EEA fishers currently in receipt of permits from the Department of Justice would transition across to that system.
These recommendations form part of the Review of the Atypical Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet. A cross-departmental group of senior officials in relevant Departments and agencies will be established to oversee implementation of the transition from the current scheme to the Employment Permits Scheme. This group will be co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The overall time frame for implementation of the report’s recommendations is expected to be approximately 12 months. I have asked my Department to examine the Review Report and to work closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with a view to ensuring the full implementation of the recommendations. I have also tasked an Bord Iascaigh Mhara with providing the fishing sector with any practical assistance necessary to support of the sector's access to the Employment Permit Scheme.
It is of course essential that employers and employees in the seafood sector are intimately involved in this process. The sectoral employer representatives took an early lead in this in seeking a review of the existing scheme and I hope that they will continue their momentum and embrace the services on offer through an Bord Iascaigh Mhara to see through the application process.
79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding that is being provided for the roll-out of the new CAP Strategic Plan to support farm investment and encourage climate and biodiversity action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I received Government approval in early October for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023 to 2027. The Plan will support and improve the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agriculture sector, for the benefit of farm families and rural communities.
The Plan has an indicative budget of €9.8 billion. There is a strong focus on the environment, which is reflected in the budget as well as in the choice of interventions, or schemes, and the level of ambition. In fact, just over €4.5 billion, or 45% of the budget, is allocated to environmental measures.
Of note in this regard is the new, more targeted, approach being taken in relation to direct payments, where 25% of the budget is to be allocated to a new Eco-scheme. This scheme will have a budget of approximately €1.5 billion over the 2023-2027 period, equating to €297 million per annum. It will encourage more than 120,000 farmers to deliver a range of farming practices that are beneficial to the climate and biodiversity.
Last week I announced the opening of applications for the new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES). This will have a budget of €1.5 billion and will focus on supporting 50,000 farm families as well as enhacning our environment.
The new Organic Farming Scheme also opened last week. It has a significant budget of €256 million over the period, which is a five-fold increase on the previous CAP. It aims to triple the area of land under organic production, from 2% to 7.5%, by 2027.
The plan also provides €260 million to increase the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd through genetic improvement.
On arable lands, a €50 million Straw Incorporation measure aims to improve soil quality and reduce chemical fertiliser usage.
In relation to capital investments, the indicative budget is €404 million for the period 2022-2027 - €100 million in the CSP and €304 million under the current Rural Development Programme. Investments supported will address climate change mitigation, biodiversity and water quality. It will also increase on-farm energy efficiencies through investment in new technologies. I also propose to support solar panels on-farm from next year.
I believe that the CAP Strategic Plan provides a strong suite of measures to support our farming families to address climate, biodiversity and environmental challenges in the years ahead.
