Written Answers Nos. 757-776
757. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds injured, destroyed and killed at races, trials and sales auctions in 2022; the names of the greyhounds; the nature of each injury, destruction and fatality; the results of any post mortem and the associated dates and track locations. [4006/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
758. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reveal the results of post-mortems carried out by DAFM's Regional Veterinary Laboratory on the remains of seven dogs recovered from a bog in Newbridge in August 2022, including the breed of the dogs, the nature of injuries; and the cause and approximate date of deaths. [4007/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncomplete skeletal remains of seven dogs were submitted for post mortem examination to my Department's laboratories at Backweston on 1st September 2022.
It was not possible to determine when these animals had died but traumatic injury, evident in six of the dogs, was the most probable cause of death.
Greyhound Racing Ireland arranged for tissue samples from these dogs to be sent to another laboratory which specialises in DNA analysis to confirm that these dogs were greyhounds and to attempt to identify the individual animals and their owner(s).
759. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of thoroughbred foals born in 2022; the number registered to race on the track; the number of horses exiting racing over the same period; and the number of same that were sent to slaughter. [4008/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The parts of the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of thoroughbred foals born in 2022, the number registered to race on the track and the number of horses exiting racing over the same period are operational matters for HRI. I have requested that my officials refer these parts of the question to HRI for direct reply.
The number of thoroughbreds slaughtered at facilities approved by my Department in 2022 was 1,050.
It is important to note that these equines were issued with passports by Weatherbys Ireland, although not all of those would necessarily have been born in Ireland. Legislation allows for studbooks to issue passports for equines that are eligible for inclusion in the studbook but born anywhere in the EU.
760. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses injured and killed in horse racing, horse training, point-to-point racing and show jumping in 2022, by racecourse in tabular form; and the names of the horses and the nature of their injuries. [4009/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy regarding the number of horses injured and killed in horse racing, horse training and point-to-point racing is an operational matter for HRI who will respond directly.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a company limited by guarantee and is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland. HSI has informed the Department that it is not aware of any incidences of fatalities in Ireland arising within national showjumping events in 2022.
761. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out by Horse Racing Ireland to hunts in the past ten years in point-to-point racing grants and any other funding and if he will stop this, given that the money is propping up hunt clubs which are involved in bloodsports which the majority of people want banned. [4010/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
762. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration will be given to providing additional financial support to the inshore fishing industry to assist it with the disruption to sector’s markets as a direct result of the unjust war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4012/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra763. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the inshore fishing industry in order to keep the sector viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4013/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 762 and 763 together.
I remain conscious of the challenging environment for inshore fishers. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, fuel costs have been particularly highlighted as a challenge in my engagement with the sector, particularly during the summer months of 2022 when prices peaked. It has been a welcome signal that these prices have since fallen and coming into 2023, are at a similar level to what was experienced prior to the Russian invasion. I am continuing to monitor this situation and keep these matters under review.
In terms of supports for the sector, during 2022, I introduced a number of schemes to support the inshore sector directly and other schemes to benefit the seafood sector as a whole. These schemes were based on the findings of the Seafood Task Force which had among its members representatives from across the seafood sector including the National Inshore Fisheries Forum. Their participation ensured that the industry shaped the recommendations according to their needs and the difficulties that they faced.
Based on a Task Force recommendation, last year I announced the €3.7 million Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme to assist inshore fishers to adapt their business operations to the post Brexit environment. Under this scheme 800 eligible inshore fishers were provided with online training modules and awarded between €2,700 and €4,000 each.
I also announced Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme, based on another Task Force recommendation. This scheme which operated over 2022 and is continuing into 2023 is delivered by Bord Bia to promote sales of stocks of interest to inshore fishermen, in order to boost prices at the quayside. The plan focuses on supporting the sales and promotion of inshore species such as Irish crab, lobster, whelks, inshore herring/mackerel and line caught hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. €1 million in funding has been provided.
While I have provided short-term supports to the Inshore sector to address disruptive, external events, longer term supports will be focused on allowing the Inshore sector to become more resilient and sustainable. This will be achieved through the €258.4 million European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture, or EMFAF, Seafood Development Programme.
EMFAF supports the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), the EU Maritime Policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. Building on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020, it provides supports to achieve food security through the supply of seafood products, growth of a sustainable blue economy and healthy, safe and sustainably managed seas and oceans. Ireland’s programme under EMFAF not only supports the industry directly, but also assists in meeting obligations under the CFP and targets in relation to sustainability and biodiversity.
Development of the Programme was subject to public consultation and received input from stakeholders including from representatives of the Inshore fishing sector, in 2020 and 2022.
Small scale coastal fisheries are called out for special attention within the new programme. For the inshore sector, the Programme will provide for continued support for capital investment on board, capital investment ashore relating to the landing obligation, innovation in fishing gear and methods, technical advice to the fleet, acquisition of a first vessel by young fishers, training, and marketing.
The precise nature of schemes and how they are delivered will be developed during the first half of this year. Any schemes or projects put forward for support will have to be assessed in respect of eligibility and in accordance with all relevant EU regulations and guidelines.
Beyond financial support, I have facilitated the National Inshore Fisheries Forum in developing and implementing their own, industry-led strategy to raise the profile of the inshore sector, facilitate their engagement in policy initiatives and enhance their understanding of management and planning for inshore fisheries. In addition, I have facilitated constructive discussions around industry priorities and exploring new opportunities for diversification.
During the lifetime of this Government, two Producer Organisations have been guided to achieving official recognition which will assist in the development of the sector and market opportunities through Production and Marketing Plans, and also provide additional representation for Inshore fishers to give them a stronger voice.
I will continue to engage with the Inshore sector through these organisations and forums to address challenges facing the sector and seek their input into the development of initiatives.
764. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request an update from Horse Racing Ireland regarding horse deaths at a racecourse (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4077/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
765. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the names of any advisers who have taken up employment in his Department since the Government rotation in December 2022; the annual salary they are being paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4117/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI confirm for the information of the Deputy that no new advisers have been appointed to my Department since the Government rotation in December 2022. There were no changes to Ministerial assignments or responsibilities in my Department, so the currently-appointed advisers have remained in place.
766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when TAMS 2023 will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4153/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS is a demand led scheme and TAMS 3 will continue to support farmers from 2023 onwards. There will be some changes to TAMS 3 including a resetting of the investment ceiling to €90,000 per holding, increased grant rates for specified investments and a full review of reference costs. The terms and conditions for the schemes and the investment list for grant aided items are currently being finalised and will be published shortly.
TAMS 3 will run for five years and will include 10 schemes, I am delighted that we will open first with the Solar Capital Investment Scheme. TAMS 3 is anticipated to open for receipt of applications on a phased basis in February with the remaining schemes following between February and April.
767. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if applications (details supplied) will continue to be eligible for low-emission slurry spreading equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4154/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplicants farming below 170 kgs/N per hectare continue to be eligible for LESS equipment under TAMS 3 in 2023.
From 1st January 2024 applicants farming at or above 150 kgs/N per hectare (as defined under Statutory Instrument 113/2022) in the year of application or the preceding year are ineligible to apply for LESS equipment.
From 1st January 2025 applicants farming at or above 130 kgs/N per hectare (as defined under Statutory Instrument 113/2022) in the year of application or the preceding year are ineligible to apply for LESS equipment.
From 1st January 2026 applicants farming at or above 100 kgs/N per hectare (as defined under Statutory Instrument 113/2022) in the year of application or the preceding year are ineligible to apply for LESS equipment.
768. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if older vessels will receive less favourable treatment under the decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels; if his attention has been drawn to the Dutch scheme which allows for more equitable treatment of vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4156/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is aware that I established the Seafood Task Force to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing Industry and Coastal Communities and to consider initiatives and make recommendations to address those implications. The Task Force had among its members representatives from across the seafood sector including Producer Organisations and other fisheries stakeholders. Their participation ensured that the industry shaped the recommendations according to their needs and the difficulties that they faced.
The Task Force report made a specific recommendation in respect of a voluntary permanent cessation scheme. The recommendation called for a maximum premium of up to €12,000 per gross tonne which was to include crew payments and scrapping costs. The report also stated that an age depreciation factor be applied to these payments, noting that similar had been used in previous decommissioning schemes. This was a necessary condition to include as EU guidelines on using Brexit Adjustment Reserve funding for permanent cessation must be based on the current market value of the vessel.
Under the scheme, letters of offer have been issued for 57 vessels with total payments of almost €75 million. This represents a budget increase from the original proposed scheme, which I secured following BIM analysis of the profile of applicants.
I am aware that the Netherlands launched a decommissioning scheme at a later date than the Irish scheme. While there are some differences in the calculation methodology, it is important to note that the profile of the Dutch fleet and of the segments which are targeted for decommissioning are different to that of the Irish fleet and a different methodology was employed. The two schemes are not directly comparable.
769. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the situation regarding entitlements on a herd number (details supplied); if he will restore these entitlements to the herd owner in light of the personal circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4230/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department will continue to liaise with the person affected to help to resolve the issues on the 2020 Transfer of Entitlement application which led to the loss of entitlements.
770. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide data associated with his Department’s air travel and air travel associated with agencies under the aegis of his Department (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4241/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data associated with the Department's air travel for 2020 - 2022 is set out in the following tables. The 2022 payment will be made to the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, as required before 28 February 2023 following confirmation of the rate of Ireland's Carbon Tax applying in that year.
Summary of Carbon Emissions Offset 2020
|
DAFM |
Kilometres |
Tonnes of CO2 |
Multiplier |
Total Value |
|
Commercial flights |
384,198 |
40.534 |
*€26 |
€1,053.88 |
|
Government Jet |
6,588 |
17.524 |
|
€455.61 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
390,786 |
58.058 |
|
€1,509.49 |
Summary of Carbon Emissions Offset 2021
|
DAFM |
Kilometres |
Tonnes of CO2 |
Multiplier |
Total Value |
|
Commercial flights |
75,598 |
8.1831 |
*€33.50 |
€274.13 |
|
Government Jet |
17,842 |
47.2948 |
|
€1,584.38 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
93,440 |
55.4779 |
|
€1,858.51 |
Summary of Carbon Emissions Offset 2022
|
DAFM |
Kilometres |
Tonnes of CO2 |
Multiplier |
Total Value |
|
Commercial flights |
1,998,966 |
169.7831 |
TBA |
|
|
Government jet |
3,792 |
10.065 |
|
|
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
2,002,758 |
179.848 |
|
|
As regards the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response issue directly to him.
771. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1743 of 18 January 2023, if dogs and pets entering Ireland from Ukraine are considered EU or non-EU for the purpose of health certification and health documentation checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4273/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe specific requirements for a pet (dog, cat ferret) to enter Ireland are outlined in Regulation (EU) 576/2013. Any animal which does not meet the health requirements set out in these regulation are quarantined or returned to the country of origin. Pets which enter Ireland from the Ukraine have originated outside the EU.
772. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of dogs and other animals that entered Ireland in 2022 from each applicable country; and the number within each that were subject to a health status and health documentation check in line with the EU Animal Health Law, Regulation 429/2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4274/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra|
PQ 4274/23 – dog movements into Ireland in 2022 |
||
|
Country |
Animals |
Checks |
|
Grand Total |
17,201 |
16,000 |
|
Albania |
1 |
1 |
|
Argentina |
11 |
11 |
|
Armenia |
2 |
2 |
|
Australia |
256 |
256 |
|
Austria |
10 |
|
|
Bahrain |
7 |
7 |
|
Barbados |
3 |
3 |
|
Belarus |
3 |
3 |
|
Belgium |
12 |
|
|
Bermuda |
7 |
7 |
|
Brazil |
158 |
158 |
|
Bulgaria |
23 |
|
|
Canada |
293 |
293 |
|
Cayman Islands |
3 |
3 |
|
Chile |
13 |
13 |
|
China |
30 |
30 |
|
Colombia |
1 |
1 |
|
Costa Rica |
2 |
2 |
|
Croatia |
1 |
1 |
|
Cyprus |
2 |
|
|
Czech Republic |
24 |
|
|
Egypt |
2 |
2 |
|
El Salvador |
1 |
1 |
|
Finland |
1 |
|
|
France |
1770 |
1770 |
|
Germany |
8 |
|
|
Georgia |
1 |
1 |
|
Guatemala |
2 |
2 |
|
Hong Kong |
187 |
187 |
|
Hungary |
7 |
7 |
|
Iceland |
1 |
1 |
|
India |
24 |
24 |
|
Indonesia |
3 |
3 |
|
Iraq |
1 |
1 |
|
Isle of Man |
26 |
26 |
|
Israel |
24 |
24 |
|
Italy |
8 |
|
|
Japan |
2 |
2 |
|
Jordan |
3 |
3 |
|
Kenya |
1 |
1 |
|
Korea, Republic Of |
2 |
|
|
Kosovo |
1 |
1 |
|
Kuwait |
3 |
3 |
|
Latvia |
13 |
|
|
Lebanon |
4 |
4 |
|
Lithuania |
92 |
|
|
Malaysia |
7 |
7 |
|
Mexico |
15 |
15 |
|
Moldova |
3 |
3 |
|
Morocco |
1 |
1 |
|
Netherlands |
103 |
103 |
|
New Zealand |
7 |
7 |
|
North Macedonia |
2 |
2 |
|
Northern Cyprus (Turkey) |
1 |
1 |
|
Oman |
9 |
9 |
|
Pakistan |
1 |
1 |
|
Palestine |
2 |
2 |
|
Peru |
1 |
1 |
|
Philippines |
8 |
8 |
|
Poland |
1 |
1 |
|
Portugal |
2 |
2 |
|
Qatar |
22 |
22 |
|
Romania |
1 |
1 |
|
Russian Federation |
37 |
37 |
|
Saudi Arabia |
3 |
3 |
|
Serbia |
7 |
7 |
|
Singapore |
10 |
10 |
|
Slovakia (Slovak Republic) |
32 |
|
|
South Africa |
216 |
216 |
|
South Korea |
8 |
8 |
|
Spain |
7 |
7 |
|
Sweden |
||
|
Syria |
2 |
2 |
|
Taiwan |
2 |
2 |
|
Thailand |
8 |
8 |
|
Turkey |
46 |
46 |
|
Ukraine |
975 |
1 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
99 |
99 |
|
United Kingdom |
11655 |
11655 |
|
United States |
844 |
844 |
|
Uruguay |
2 |
2 |
|
Uzbekistan |
1 |
1 |
|
Venezuela |
1 |
1 |
|
Vietnam |
10 |
10 |
|
Zambia |
1 |
1 |
775. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 662 of 24 January 2023, the exact number of solar PV system installations in receipt of a TAMS grant which have, to date, been inspected by staff from his Department to ensure that the work carried out has met the minimum requirements of his Department’s specifications; the number of such Departmental staff who are qualified to ensure that the facilities are installed correctly and safely and that they are fit for purpose for use by the applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date 198 Solar PV system installations have been inspected for quality control by this Department. In total 47 solar panels have been inspected, 44 in Pigs and Poultry Investment Scheme and 3 in the Young Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme. 151 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels have been inspected, 132 in the Animal Welfare and Nutrients Safety Scheme, 48 in the Pigs and Poultry Investment Scheme and 15 in the Young Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme
DAFM technical staff have received in house training delivered by our structures & engineering section on how to correctly check the required documentation provided by the registered qualified installers and to verify that this documentation is correct and matching to what has been delivered on farms, thus ensuring that the facilities delivered are correctly installed and fit for purpose. In excess of 100 staff have received training on inspecting these investment.
Additionally, on-farm experience garnered from inspecting these investments over that last numbers of years has also been invaluable as these investments increase in popularity to contribute substantially in meeting our climate change targets.
These solar investments have been available since the start of TAMS II in the Pig Poultry Investment Scheme. DAFM technical staff are not advisors on, or installers of, this type of equipment.
776. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer (details supplied) will qualify for a forestry replantation grant if they did not receive a grant for the first crop of forestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4514/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUsually a forest that is replanted is not eligible for grant aid, even where no grant was received for the first planting. As the Deputy may be aware, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the prior Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 has been developed in alignment with Ireland’s new draft Forest Strategy and as such, is designed to provide lasting benefits for many key areas such as climate change, biodiversity, wood production, employment alongside enhancing societal benefits.
My Department has secured funding of €1.3 billion for this Programme and subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. This funding provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition by diversifying farm incomes.
Currently, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. Within this process, the draft Forest Strategy Implementation plan, containing the Forestry Programme was published on 18th October 2022 for a six-week period of public consultation. My Department is currently collating and integrating feedback from more than 150 submissions on the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 also requires State Aid to implement and the SEA/AA process is a critical step in the process of securing State Aid approval from the Commission.
Within this draft Forestry Programme, it is proposed to offer a new pilot Scheme for Climate Resilient Reforestation which would offer a grant and seven years of premiums for certain categories of replanting. Further details of this proposed scheme can be located within the draft Forestry programme 2023-2027 located via Ireland's draft Forest Strategy Implementation Plan.
This pilot scheme is subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission. My Department is currently actively engaging with the Commission, and our officials are working extensively to secure full State Aid Approval as soon as possible.
If the Forest Owner commits to replant with one of the categories included in the proposed pilot Scheme then they will be entitled to a grant regardless of whether or not they received a grant for their first rotation. This of course will be dependent on meeting the terms and conditions of this pilot Scheme.
