Paul Murphy
Ceist:415. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine who permits the Ballinasloe fair to go ahead (details supplied); and the decision-making process in relation to same. [44684/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal Welfare
Ceisteanna (415)
Freagraí scríofa
Ballinasloe Fair is a traditional fair that dates back over 300 years. It occurs by tradition each year at the beginning of October. It does not fall under the remit of my Dept and my Dept does not have any role in issuing permits to the fair.
Nitrates Usage
Ceisteanna (416)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:416. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the farmers impacted by the reduction from 250kgs of N to 220kgs of N based on area farmed (details supplied). [44725/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Full year stocking rate data for 2023 will not be available until after year end. However, based on the land as declared for the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), a total of 2,150 farmers with a whole farm livestock manure stocking rate 220 kg N/ha in 2022 have at least some land this year in an area that will be limited to a maximum Nitrates Derogation stocking rate of 220 kg livestock manure N/ha from the 1st of January 2024.
The following table provides a breakdown by area across these holdings.
|
Total farmed Area (ha) as per BISS 2023 |
Number of Holdings which had a whole farm stocking rate 220 kg N/ha in 2022 and based on BISS 2023 have at least some land impacted by the reduction in the maximum Nitrates Derogation stocking rate in 2024 |
|
0-20 |
427 |
|
20-30 |
182 |
|
30-40 |
198 |
|
40-60 |
443 |
|
60-80 |
333 |
|
80-100 |
234 |
|
100+ |
333 |
|
Total number of Holdings |
2,150 |
In early October my Department published an interactive version of the Water Quality Review Implementation Map for 2024. This allows farmers to identify whether their holding will be impacted by the reduction in the maximum derogation stocking rate next year. To further assist farmers, my Department will shortly write to individual farmers that may be directly impacted by this change.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (417)
Joe Flaherty
Ceist:417. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the necessary legislation has not been introduced to allow Rásaíocht Con Éireann to set up its own dedicated stud book, as promised in its Strategic Plan 2018-22, given that Rásaíocht Con Éireann incurs a loss of revenue estimated to be €1 million a year to the Irish Coursing Club, and given that this is not a question about the merits or otherwise of their new traceability system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Rásaíocht 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.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (418)
Joe Flaherty
Ceist:418. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, he agrees with claims frequently made by representatives of Rásaíocht Con Éireann that greyhound racing is an important part of Irish culture (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44739/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Rásaíocht 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.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (419)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:419. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the deadline for lime to be spread beyond 31 March 2024 to 15 July 2024 to allow farmers time to spread the lime after first cut silage if the weather has not improved sufficiently before then; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44755/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On the 6th of October, I announced flexibility to the spreading date under the National Liming Programme.
While the deadline of 31st October 2023 remains in place for receipt of claims, applicants have until the 31st of March 2024 to spread the lime.
The extension to the spreading dates was permitted due to the challenging weather conditions in 2023.
However, as this programme is supported as a once-off measure from the National Exchequer and there is no funding available for next year, I do not envisage any further extension to the spreading date as administration checks for the programme must be completed by early 2024.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (420)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:420. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how it is intended to regulate the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land. [44765/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The European Union Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (S.I. 113 of 2022, as amended) do not currently have a provision which specifically requires regulation of the movement of organic manures from grazing platforms on dairy farms to newly rented land or tillage land.
However, the export of livestock manures from holdings in the State is regulated by the GAP Regulations and facilitated and managed by my Department’s online manure exports system. Farmers that export livestock manure must submit online records to my Department. These records are then verified online by the importer.
An interim review of the 5th Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) is currently being undertaken, led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. They are the lead Government Department responsible for the NAP and the associated GAP Regulations. My Department works closely with them in this regard, including by providing responsibility for implementation and operation of Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
A number of measures to further protect water quality are being considered as part of the current Interim Review of the NAP. These suggested measures, and their practical implementation, will be discussed shortly by the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group before being brought to full public consultation. When the Interim Review concludes the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage will bring forward any necessary regulatory changes.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (421)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:421. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to publish heads of the Agriculture Appeals (Amendment ) Bill; whether this will allow for a fully independent chairperson of the Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44767/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy may be aware, a Review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 and the operations at the Agriculture Appeals Office was completed in December 2017. The report of the Review Committee included a recommendation that, where an appellant is not satisfied with the decision of an appeals officer, he or she can seek a review of that decision from an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel.
The recommendation for an independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel is a key priority for the current Government. Indeed, the Programme for Government; Our Shared Future (2020) includes a commitment to “establish an Independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel in legislation, as a priority, and ensure that the panel includes participants with practical knowledge and experience of farming”.
Currently, legislation is being prepared within my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to amend the Agricultural Appeals Act 2001 to provide for, inter alia, the establishment of the independent Agriculture Appeals Review Panel whose function will be to undertake independent reviews of decisions of appeals officers when requested to do so by the Minister or an applicant. The Bill will also make miscellaneous changes to the 2001 Act so as to implement other recommendations contained in the 2017 Report. It is intended that the Bill will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny in this quarter of 2023 prior to the text of the Bill going to Cabinet and being published.
It is intended that the Agriculture Appeals Review Panel will be independent in its functions, will comprise a Chairperson, one of the Director or Deputy Director of the Agriculture Appeals Office, and at least three other ordinary members. Each of whom will have experience relevant to the functions of the panel.
Wildlife Protection
Ceisteanna (422)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:422. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether there is a requirement to seek permission from his Department to import non-native honeybees; and if so, the number of imports that have been granted in the past three years to date. [44782/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The movement of bees within the Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the Union. The importation of honeybees into Ireland is allowed under these Regulations.
All imports of bees to Ireland must be notified to my Department using an ‘Advance Notice of Importation Form’ at least 24 hours before the consignment’s arrival in the Republic of Ireland. A Health Certificate issued by the Competent Authority of the exporting country of origin must also accompany each consignment of bees.
|
Year |
Number of imported non-native honeybees |
|
2021 |
1279 |
|
2022 |
895 |
|
2023 to date |
388 |
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (423)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:423. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE vacancies by job title in the import control division of his Department as of 10 October 2023; the full year cost of filling each of these vacancies and when will each of these vacancies be filled in tabular form. [44826/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department's Human Resources Division uses workforce planning processes to identify and address staffing requirements. We are committed to ensuring a motivated and skilled workforce is in place to meet our business needs. As a consequence of the size and diversity of my Department structure, vacancies arise regularly as team members are promoted, exit the Department through retirements etc, while new team members join my Department through ongoing recruitment campaigns conducted via the Public Appointments Service (PAS), direct recruitment competitions or Civil Service Mobility schemes.
I recognise the need for a prompt and efficient service to be provided to farmers and members of the public alike. Given the size of the Department approximately 4,000 staff, recruitment takes place throughout the year, with all critical staffing vacancies being filled as soon as possible.
My Department has numerous staff members engaged in work relating to import controls functions. The following table provides the detailed information requested as relates to current vacancies within the Import Control Division on 10th October 2023. New entrants start on the first point of the relevant salary scale, while those coming from other public service positions may start higher on the scale.
|
Grade |
Vacancies |
First Point on salary scale |
Long Service Increment |
Anticipated Assignment Period |
|
Clerical Officer |
2 |
PPC €27,785Non PPC €26,539 |
PPC €44,710Non PPC €42,665 |
1 in progress, remainder under active consideration |
|
Clerical Officer Portal Inspector |
24 |
PPC €27,785Non PPC €26,539Plus shift allowance |
PPC €44,710Non PPC €42,665Plus shift allowance |
10 in progress, remainder for consideration early 2024 |
|
Executive Officer |
1 |
PPC €34,562Non PPC €33,017 |
PPC €56,969Non PPC €54,231 |
Under active consideration |
|
Executive Officer Portal Inspector |
1 |
PPC €34,562Non PPC €33,017Plus shift allowance |
PPC €56,969Non PPC €54,231Plus shift allowance |
Under active consideration |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
1 |
PPC €36,086Non PPC €34,793 |
PPC €74,094Non PPC €70,494 |
Under active consideration |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
3 |
PPC €64,556Non PPC €68,115Plus shift allowance |
PPC €111,066Non PPC €105,514Plus shift allowance |
One new hire VI to start 16/10/2023One new hire to start in 2 to 6 weeks one VI to transfer in 4 to 8 weeks. |
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (424)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:424. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the type of advice being sought and the purpose of a tender (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44917/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Marine Institute. I have referred the query to them for direct reply to the Deputy.
Control of Dogs
Ceisteanna (425)
Joan Collins
Ceist:425. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the recommendations from the interdepartmental working group which has been examining issues under the Control of Dogs Act (details supplied) have been implemented and if he will provide details on the recommendation on signage of the by-laws on dogs in parks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44934/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In January this year I convened a Working Group on the Control of Dogs.
The Group is composed of officials at my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, representatives of the County and City Managers Association, including representatives of local authority dog wardens and veterinary inspectors, and representatives of An Garda Síochána.
The Group has met eight times to date and the recommendations outlined in the The Working Group Report are progressing.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/0d6d7-working-group-on-control-of-dogs/
The recommendation in relation to dog control notices by local authorities under by-laws is under the remit of the Department of Rural and Community Development.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (426, 427, 428, 429, 431, 432)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:426. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason export receipts from the sale of some 6,500 greyhounds to the UK each year are not included in a report (details supplied) in light of supplementary information from Rásaíocht Con Éireann further to Parliamentary Question No. 731 of 20 September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44944/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:427. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to reference all text in a report (details supplied) which is intended to convey to readers that coursing greyhounds are included in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44945/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:428. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify whether the ‘cost of preparing and racing greyhounds’ section included in a report (details supplied) includes the cost of ‘preparing and coursing’ coursing greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44946/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:429. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a report (details supplied) excludes all costs incurred in Northern Ireland, by both greyhound owners normally resident in Northern Ireland, and greyhound owners normally resident in southern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44947/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:431. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify whether the figures for attendance at greyhound race meetings in a report (details supplied) also include attendance at coursing events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44949/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:432. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the Irish Coursing Club contributed to the fee paid for a report (details supplied) given its shared benefit from promoting the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44950/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 426, 427, 428, 429, 431 and 432 together.
Rásaíocht 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 questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to the body for direct reply.
Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 426.
Question No. 428 answered with Question No. 426.
Question No. 429 answered with Question No. 426.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (430)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:430. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of preparing and coursing coursing greyhounds, by stage, in the coursing greyhound pipeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44948/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958.
Coursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann, Hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club.
The ICC has informed my Department that it does not currently hold such information in the format requested, but is working on an economic study of this matter.
Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 426.
Question No. 432 answered with Question No. 426.
Harbours and Piers
Ceisteanna (433)
Colm Burke
Ceist:433. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of funding applications made by Cork County Council to his Department in respect of the Old Pier at Keelbeg, Union Hall, County Cork, in tabular form, over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45198/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current funding scheme is the Brexit Adjustment: Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2022-2023. This scheme is proposed for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and is specifically to address the impacts of the EU UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on the seafood sector, in line with the Seafood Taskforce Report which I established to identify how to address the impacts of Brexit on the seafood sector. This scheme is proposed to be funded in the main from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. Cork County Council is approved for €6.3m for the funding of 21 projects. Cork County Council applied for funding for one project for Union Hall under the scheme but the proposed project did not meet the Scheme criteria and so was ineligible.
Prior to the current BAR Scheme, my Department provided funding to carry out small scale projects for the development and repair of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. Over the period 2014-2021, Cork County Council received funding of €183,000 for various safety improvement works at Union Hall. Over the same period, Cork County Council made six applications for proposed projects at Union Hall. The attached table provides a breakdown of applications over the past 10 years.
Any future supports that may be made available to support local authority capital investment in piers and harbours will have to consider the available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. I am also mindful that the primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities should be addressed to that Minister.
Union Hall - Table detailing number of applications
|
Funding applications by Cork County Council |
|
|
Year |
Number of Applications |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 |
0 |
|
2019 |
1 |
|
2020 |
2 |
|
2021 |
2 |
|
2022/2023 |
1 |
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (434)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:434. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of the proposals for a voluntary dairy exit scheme that is currently under consideration by his Department; if he will provide information regarding the consideration given to the inclusion of an entry scheme for young farmers as part of or alongside the proposed exit scheme; if he will provide information on the various proposals being examined as part of this voluntary scheme and any engagement his Department has had with key stakeholders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45276/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I established the Food Vision Dairy Group as well as the Food Vision Beef & Sheep Group last year to advance the actions for the beef and sheep, and dairy sectors identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sectors to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.
The first priority for both Groups was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent.
Both the Dairy and Beef & Sheep Groups submitted their final reports towards the end of 2022, which have been published. The reports identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022.
A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd. Discussion on the proposed scheme with stakeholders has primarily taken place within that forum - which includes the farm representative bodies, dairy processors and State agencies. In addition, the Department sought the views of Group members as to how this scheme might work bearing in mind the principles, as set down in the report, that need to be considered in the development of such a scheme. My officials are currently working to explore this further.
However, I want to be very clear that no decision has been taken by Government to proceed with such a scheme, and no exchequer funding provision is currently in place for such a scheme. While there is not an allocation in the budget for next year for this specific measure, there are many other measures which are going to significantly contribute to reducing our emissions over the next year and which are being stepped out in a significant way. I will work collectively and collaboratively with farmers and their representatives in charting a pathway forward.