Written Answers Nos. 425-435
430. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he issued a letter of expectation to Coillte in 2022; and if he will provide the details of subsequent correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5459/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies requires that Government Departments should ensure that they have written oversight agreements with State bodies under their aegis which clearly define the terms of the State body’s relationship with the relevant Minister/parent Department.
For commercial State bodies the oversight agreement between the relevant Minister/parent Department and the State body is the Shareholder Expectation Letter.
A Shareholder letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 2nd June 2022, signed by Minister of State Pippa Hackett as Minister of State with responsibility for forestry under S.I. 40 of 2021. The Shareholder Letter was co-signed by the then Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath. The Chair of the Coillte Board acknowledged receipt of the letter on 8th June 2022 and undertook to review and to discuss further.
I am giving consideration to the potential release of the letter subject to the standard issues around commercial sensitivities. I will review this matter together with the the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and inform the Deputy and other interested parties of our decision in due course.
431. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if research is being carried out on increasing the production of sheep milk in Ireland; his views on whether Ireland has a potential market to expand into, given that some EU member states, which have traditionally been the largest sheep milk producers, are witnessing a reduction in their ability to produce sheep milk; if he has any plans to assist in expanding Ireland’s production of sheep milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5512/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra432. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to request a detailed analysis from Teagasc regarding the potential for Ireland to increase its sheep milk production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5513/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) supports research and innovation to enable the agri-food and forest sector deliver greater efficiency, sustainability and the development of a strong bioeconomy. It has a variety of funding instruments with which to do this and these are aligned with important policy, legislative and other issues, challenges and trends facing the sector.
There are currently no research projects funded by my Department in relation to sheep milk production. There are several European studies into sheep milk production at European level.
The Government remains committed to supporting the sheep sector. The Irish sheep industry is predominantly focused on meat production with only a very small percentage of milking sheep which are mainly focused on local sheep’s milk cheese production, and this is reflected in current Government policy and strategies. However, DAFM and agencies are happy to engage with any industry members seeking to develop this sector.
While there are no schemes directly aimed at supporting sheep milk producers, there are a range of schemes which they can avail of under the new CAP Strategic Plan including the ACRES and Organics Schemes.
In addition, under the TAMS scheme, sheep farmers can apply for capital investment grants for sheep fencing and specific housing investments, sheep handling equipment, EID tag readers and lambing cameras for sheep. Sheep milk farmers can also apply for capital investment grants for milking machines, water heaters, bulk milk tanks and other dairy investments.
DAFM is also in the process of expanding Recognised Producer Organisation status to both the sheep and dairy sectors.
Teagasc's research activities are an operational matter for Teagasc. However, I understand that Teagasc has a proactive Sheep Stakeholders Committee, which ensures an effective partnership between Teagasc, industry stakeholders and sheep farmers; and that Committee is the appropriate forum for stakeholders to raise issues which they would like to see researched.
433. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and value of grants allocated under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 for native species, by year and local authority, in tabular form. [5524/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra434. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and value of grants allocated under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 for non-native species, by year and local authority, in tabular form. [5525/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
The attached table shows the value of grants paid in each year from 2015-2022 for broadleaves and conifers planted by county.
The Deputy should note that some conifers (Scots Pine, primarily) which were planted in small amounts, are in fact, native trees and some broadleaves ( Sycamore and Beech) are not strictly native species but considered naturalised native species.
I am please to inform the Deputy that the numbers of native tree species has increased over the lifetime of the last programme and there is an increased focus on native species in the proposed new programme.
435. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Ballycumber, County Offaly is an area eligible for a season of CLÁR funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5324/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CLÁR programme provides funding under a number of different measures for small-scale infrastructural projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period.
Since the CLÁR programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures. Funding of over €57 million has been approved for almost 2,100 projects.
Under the CLÁR 2022 programme, funding of over €12 million was approved for almost 300 projects. The measures funded were:
- Developing Community Facilities and Amenities (Measure 1)
- Mobility, Cancer Care and Community First Responders Transport (Measure 2)
- ‘Our Islands’ (Measure 3)
Maps of the relevant CLAR areas can be viewed on the Department's website. The village of Ballycumber, Co. Offaly is not located within a designated CLÁR area so therefore projects from this area are not eligible for funding under the programme.
My Department has an array of other capital funding streams which are open to communities across rural Ireland including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, Town & Village Renewal Scheme, Community Centres Investment Fund, Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the LEADER Programme. Further details of funding under the various schemes are available on my Department's website.
