Written Answers Nos. 211-218
211. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any proposals or plans in place regarding carbon credits valuation certificates for farmers and herd number owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10430/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent European Commission proposal for a regulation on certifying carbon removals has sent a clear signal to European Member States on the need to increase the ambition and participation of our land managers in the area or carbon removals and reductions.
A key element to future efforts required for a carbon sequestration reward model will be the establishment of national baseline data for a range of activities.
To this end and taking a proactive approach, I have provided core funding for a number of relevant initiatives such as the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory, the Pilot Soil Sampling Programme and the Farm Environmental Scheme along with a number of European Innovation Partnership (EIP) research projects based on peatsoils.
These national research and demonstration activities will have key learnings for future policy in this area while also leading to a refinement of data to the National Inventory Reporting framework for greenhouse gas emissions.
The current Woodland Environment Fund administered through my Department, as part of the national Afforestation Programme, provides us with an pre-existing model for targeted payments to land managers for their positive environmental activities which will be of significant benefit to the future roll-out of a dedicated carbon farming incentive to the Irish Market.
It is important to note that many challenges and uncertainty still remains around carbon farming including baseline data, quantification and verification of emission reductions as well as certification processes and my Department continues to work in this area.
212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capital projects that have been undertaken by his Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10544/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table. With the exception of the Afforestation Scheme, all other capital projects in Westmeath funded by my Department are delivered through the LEADER multi-annual programme which is delivered through 29 Local Action Groups (LAGs) around the country. Funding for the LEADER Programme is provided for the duration of the programme rather than on an annual basis to allow more flexibility to the Local Action Groups to manage the programme budget in their areas of operation.
|
Year |
Name of Capital Project |
Funding Allocated € |
|
2020 |
Exercise Equipment for Walking Track in Delvin |
13,152 |
|
2020 |
Tang Community Centre Upgrade |
35,909 |
|
2020 |
Horseleap-Streamstown Community Field Development |
144,542 |
|
2020 |
New Sand Based Pitch and Lighting Development |
150,000 |
|
2020 |
Moate Town Promotional and Heritage Project |
26,178 |
|
2020 |
Purchase of International Show Temporary Stables |
150,000 |
|
2020 |
Community Astro Turf Development |
133,364 |
|
2020 |
Sarsfield Square Playground Redevelopment |
37,360 |
|
2020 |
Mullingar Festive Lighting Project |
84,947 |
|
2020 |
AstroTurf Pitch |
88,875 |
|
2020 |
Playground |
37,245 |
|
2020 |
Athlone Town AFC Pitch Upgrade |
28,785 |
|
2020 |
Mount Carmel Drive Residents Association Playground |
37,496 |
|
2020 |
Supply and Installation of Civil Works at Mount Carmel Drive |
31,760 |
|
2021 |
Energy Efficient Upgrade to Drumraney Community Centre |
3,189 |
|
2021 |
Upgrading of Spectator Facilities |
127,169 |
|
2021 |
New Walking Track |
51,314 |
|
2021 |
Hidden Heartlands Water Tours |
25,500 |
|
2021 |
Athlone Tennis Club Development Phase 1A |
150,000 |
|
2021 |
Athlone Boat Club Equipment and Site Development |
37,123 |
|
2021 |
Playground |
37,500 |
|
2021 |
Additional Physical Needs Equipment |
25,321 |
|
2022 |
The Westmeath Bachelor Festival |
47,029 |
|
2022 |
New Roastery Build |
144,283 |
|
2022 |
Tyrrellspass GAA community Walking track |
122,251 |
|
2022 |
Fleadh Cheoil Mullingar 2022 |
150,000 |
|
2022 |
Purchase of Equipment for Underwater Diver Safety |
60,369 |
|
2022 |
Ballymore Village Biodiversity Project |
1,767 |
|
2022 |
Ballymore Tidy Towns Heritage Project |
6,902 |
|
2022 |
Devine Art Studios |
134,034 |
|
2022 |
Development of Castlepollard.ie Website |
2,861 |
|
2022 |
Solar PV installation works at Castlepollard GAA |
21,111 |
|
2022 |
Stage installation works at Castlepollard GAA |
22,694 |
|
2022 |
Community Centre Work Hub |
2,347 |
|
2022 |
PV Solar Panel Installation & Energy Upgrade |
48,213 |
|
2022 |
Development of Ecology Park |
4,195 |
|
2022 |
Kilbeggan Biodiversity Garden |
4,508 |
|
2022 |
Milltown Community Centre Energy Efficiency Upgrades |
14,131 |
|
2022 |
Mullingar Shamrocks GAA Green Club Biodiversity Development |
8,917 |
|
2022 |
Further Development of Mellowes Adventure Centre |
150,000 |
|
2022 |
Bunbrosna Community Services Biodiversity Landscape |
4,214 |
|
2022 |
Lakelands Holiday Apartments and Therapy Centre |
148,223 |
|
2020 |
Afforestation Scheme |
98,000 |
|
2021 |
Afforestation Scheme |
192,827 |
|
2022 |
Afforestation Scheme |
134,003 |
The Local Action Group in Westmeath has approved capital projects since June 2020 totalling in excess of €2.5 million.
214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on having a limit of 160 cows for young farmers applying to the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 3 (TAMS). [10581/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have introduced some changes to TAMS under the TAMS 3 to continue to align it with overall agriculture and environmental priorities. For applications under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme, applicants may apply for up to 10 milking units in a herringbone parlour, or one robotic milking machine, if they have less than 160 cows on average over the year preceding the making of an application.
I can also confirm that the limit relates only to the milking machine investments and does not apply to any other investments under any of the 10 Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) that are being put in place. Almost 80% of all dairy herds in the country will remain eligible to apply for milking machine investments under the 120 cow ceiling.
216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of all grants available to farmers and landowners to plant native broadleaf trees on their land. [10583/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department has recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. 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 to farm income and also to help meet our national climate and biodiversity objectives.
The draft Forestry Programme includes proposed attractive grant and premiums that will support landowners to plant native broadleaf trees. The proposed Afforestation Scheme includes Forest Type 1 (FT1) ‘Native Forests’ which will offer an establishment grant of €6,744 per ha along with a fencing grant and an annual premium of €1,103 per ha for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers. Forest Type 2 (FT2) ‘Forests for Water’ will support the Creation of native forests in targeted areas, with the specific objective of protecting water from significant pressures. FT2 will offer an establishment grant of €6,744 per ha along with a fencing grant and an annual premium of €1,142 per ha for 20 years for farmers and 15 years for non-farmers. An additional payment of €1,000 per ha will be paid to landowner on completion of planting for FT2.
The draft Forestry Programme also includes a proposed Native Tree Area Scheme. As the Deputy may be aware, an amendment to the Forestry Act 2014 has passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas through the vehicle of the Animal Health and Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. This amendment was necessary to remove the licensing requirement for the planting of native woodland in areas not greater than one hectare. It is my objective to increase and encourage interest in small scale planting and I am confident that this change to the Act will remove a barrier to such planting.
It is proposed that the exemption for the creation of up to one hectare of native woodland will be available through the Native Tree Area Scheme which my Department has designed and which will be finalised following the completion of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment, subject to the findings of both assessments. It is proposed that the Native Tree Area Scheme will be paid at the FT1 and FT2 rates. Premiums will be paid over 10 years rather than 20 at a rate of €2,206 per ha annually for NTA1 and €2,284 per ha annually for NTA2. All rates mentioned are subject to state aid approval as outlined above.
I am committed to working with all our stakeholders to substantially increase our afforestation rates over the next decade. I believe that the increased incentives on offer to farmers demonstrates our continued commitments to farmers and rural communities.
217. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a breakdown, by county, of the €33 million allocated by her Department to the public libraries capital programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10287/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Local Government Act 2001, the provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities.
Under the 2018-2022 Library Capital Programme, my department awarded capital funding towards 17 major library construction and refurbishment projects, in addition to funding towards the replacement of library vehicles and the installation of My Open Library and IT facilities.
On 23 February, I announced that I would shortly be seeking proposals from local authorities for a new five-year Libraries Capital Programme. Full details will issue to the local authorities in the coming weeks. Applications received will be assessed by my department, in conjunction with the Libraries Development Unit of the Local Government Management Agency. Following this assessment, I will announce the projects that are to be awarded funding under the new five year Libraries Capital Programme.
218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital projects that have been undertaken by her Department in Westmeath since June 2020; the funding allocated each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10554/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the level of detail the Deputy has sought and the volume of capital projects my Department funds, it is not possible to give a full reply in the allotted time frame. My officials are currently compiling the information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.End
