Written Answers Nos. 561-577
562. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice to provide the number and detail of the public helplines operated by her Department; whether calls are recorded on each helpline; and, if not, whether she would consider recording calls for transparency and training purposes. [29998/24]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department operates a number of dedicated phone lines for the public who may wish to access certain services, however, these are not classified as helplines. For further information in relation to contacting the Department of Justice, please visit www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/a3e84b-contact-us-doj/.
Calls to my Department are not recorded, nor is there a facility to record calls from the public. My Department does not currently have any plans to record calls.
The Deputy may wish to note that my Department has published a Customer Charter which set out the levels of service, timescales and behaviour the public can expect.
The Charter states the following in relation to phone calls:
• Our aim is to answer all calls quickly.
• We will tell you our name and where we work.
• We will be polite and helpful, and do our best to give you clear and correct information.
I can further advise the Deputy that my Department provides funding to a number of organisations to operate national helplines, including the Crime Victims Helpline (116 006), Dublin Rape Crisis 24 hour helpline (1800 77 8888), Women’s Aid Domestic Abuse 24 hour helpline (1800 341 900), Men’s Aid Confidential National Support Line for male victims of domestic abuse (01-5543811), the National Missing Persons Helpline (1800 442 552).
563. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an ECO and hardship payment will issue to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29105/24]
View answerI refer to the Eco-Scheme payment for this herd and in particular the 30% balancing payment.
As you may be aware there was a change to this herd number that resulted in delays to the Eco-Scheme payment including the balancing payment. These issues have now been resolved and I have been informed that this herd will receive the balancing payment in the next balancing run which is due week commencing 15th July 2024.
The main criteria for the Hardship Grant compensation scheme under the Bovine TB Eradication programme is that the herd has more animals on the same date as in the previous year during the November to April period. This is to assist herdowners who find themselves having to maintain additional animals in this period as a result of TB restriction. The herd in question was eligible for one month of Hardship Grant.
This payment issued to the herdowner on 20th March 2024. For the remainder of the Hardship Grant Season the herd had less animals than the previous year and so was ineligible for the Hardship Grant.
564. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will waive the areas of natural constraints scheme stocking density requirement for herds that have been depopulated with TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29113/24]
View answerThe Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme requires applicants to meet specific stocking requirements to be eligible for payment under the scheme.
Applicants need to fulfil both of the following stocking requirements.
1. Annual Stocking Rate: Applicants must meet their annual average stocking rate requirement calculated over the 12 months of the year (minimum 0.10LU/ha)
2. Retention period: Applicants must maintain a stocking density equal to or greater than 0.10 LU/ha for a minimum of 28 consecutive weeks in the calendar year.
In cases where a holding has been restricted due to the presence of an animal disease e.g. T.B. and becomes depopulated, it may not be possible for the applicant to meet these stocking requirements.
Where this occurs, the stocking requirements are waived until the applicant has been informed by my Department that the herd has become derestricted.
Upon notice of derestriction, applicants are required to meet the minimum stocking density within 20 working days of the date of derestriction. Where this may not be possible individual cases will be examined on a case by case basis.
565. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Greyhound Racing Ireland, GRI, previously Bord na gCon, has ever provided funding to the current or previous owners of Lifford Greyhound Stadium; if so, the amount; when this money was provided; the amount that has been paid back to GRI-Bord na gCon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29143/24]
View answerRásaíocht 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.
566. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of thoroughbreds rehomed through two organisations (details supplied) and all bodies his Department funds in each of the past ten years, specifying the names and ages of all those rehomed through the organisations. [29148/24]
View answerHorse 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.
HRI receives financial support from the Department through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. HRI provides funding to other bodies including those listed by the Deputy, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
567. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure appropriate action is taken by his Department with respect to a site in Drogheda (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29159/24]
View answerThe matter to which the Deputy refers is currently the subject of legal proceedings. As these matters are therefore sub judice, I cannot provide any further information at this time.
568. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current location of the horses moved from Straffan; in whose care they are in; what verified condition they are in; the reason they have not been seized on welfare grounds given the evidence of cruelty shown on a TV documentary (details supplied), and an existing conviction for horse cruelty involving the company in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29218/24]
View answerI am limited in what I can say on these matters as this relates to an ongoing investigation. I can confirm that the registered equine holding premises where footage of distressing animal welfare related incidents featured on the RTE Investigates programme has been subject to a legal notice since late May prohibiting the presence or entry of any horses. I can also confirm that my Department it is aware that equines that had been on that on that holding have since been re-located to a separate equine holding premises in the mid-west of the country that is registered in the same operator’s name, and that equine holding premises is also the subject of legal notices from the Department.
My Department is closely monitoring and verifying compliance by the operator with multiple legal notices that have been served on both of his equine holding premises. I also wish to point out more generally that the welfare of equines is protected by legislation which enables appropriate enforcement action to be taken where any breaches or shortcomings are identified.
My Department's understanding in relation to the previous conviction for cruelty is that this arose from a Garda-led prosecution under the 1911 Protection of Animals Act and was dealt by the Courts in 2012 by way of a fine, with no further restrictions imposed. A conviction of this nature c. 12 years ago does not provide a basis for the Department to seize animals.
569. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the requirements when taking a dog from Ireland to the UK and returning from the UK to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29268/24]
View answerThere are different rules applicable when a pet is travelling with its owner as a non-commercial move (e.g. for the purposes of a holiday) versus when a dog is being shipped commercially between Ireland and the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) (e.g. a dog being shipped to its new owner by a commercial transporter).
This answer details the rules for a pet non-commercial movement i.e. for an owner who may travel to the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) for a short stay with their pet and then return to Ireland,
Pet travel rules are found in Regulation (EU) 576/2013 and SI 141 of 2020.
In summary, to travel to the UK (excluding Northern Ireland), a pet dog travelling from Ireland currently requires:
• an EU pet passport,
• a microchip,
• a valid anti-rabies vaccination.
In summary, to return to Ireland after travel to the UK (excluding Northern Ireland), a pet dog requires:
• the same EU pet passport, microchip and rabies vaccination (provided all are still valid)
• a valid anti-tapeworm treatment certified by a vet between 24 and 120 hours prior to travel,
• to enter through a designated entry point - Dublin Airport or Port, Shannon Airport, Rosslare Europort, Cork Airport or Port at Ringaskiddy to facilitate a compliance check on arrival,
• the owner to notify the entry point in advance of their arrival to facilitate a compliance check (required for all non-EU countries).
DAFMs website provides a comprehensive breakdown of the above requirements in more detail if required.
570. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a dog is treated for tapeworm 24 hours prior to departing Ireland for the UK, and returns to Ireland from the UK within 120 hours of that treatment, is this treatment sufficient in terms of meeting the requirement to have tapeworm treatment prior to returning to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29269/24]
View answerIf a dog is appropriately treated against tapeworms and the vet certifies it as required in the pet passport 24 hours prior to departing Ireland for the UK (excluding Northern Ireland), and returns to Ireland from the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) within 120 hours of that treatment, this is sufficient in terms of meeting the requirement to have tapeworm treatment prior to returning to Ireland.
571. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has ever used artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to parliamentary questions. [29272/24]
View answerMy Department continues to fully comply with guidance provided by the National Cyber Security Centre (NSCS) on the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), such as ChatGPT is currently blocked from use within the Department, precluding it's use in business activities such as drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions.
572. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of laptops or mobile phones owned by his Department that have been lost or stolen in each of the past ten years. [29290/24]
View answerThe following table lists the number of laptops or mobile phones owned by my Department, that have been lost or stolen in each of the past ten years.
|
Device |
Lost/Stolen |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Laptop |
Lost |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Laptop |
Stolen |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
||||||
|
Mobile Phone |
Lost |
29 |
18 |
25 |
17 |
16 |
15 |
11 |
17 |
19 |
3 |
|
Mobile Phone |
Stolen |
1 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
573. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact the UK has banned the export of live animals for slaughter or for fattening before slaughter; if he is planning a similar policy for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29360/24]
View answerI am aware that as of the 22 July 2024 The Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024 of the United Kingdom will ban the export of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses for fattening and slaughter from Great Britain. The ban does not prevent the export of livestock and horses for breeding or competitions, and it does not apply in Northern Ireland.
The ban applies to journeys from, and transit journeys through, Great Britain to destinations outside of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man. We understand that it will remove Great Britain as a land bridge for movement of livestock for slaughter, meaning no livestock can be taken from Northern Ireland or Ireland through Great Britain and onwards to mainland Europe for slaughter.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is responsible for regulating trade in live animals, in line with existing EU and National legislation. The Department takes its responsibilities in the matters of regulating this trade, and of protecting animal welfare, very seriously and operates a robust system of official controls so that Irish cattle can be traded successfully nationally, within the single market or internationally. I have no plans to introduce similar legislation to that being implemented by the UK.
574. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to mitigate or reduce cattle-to-cattle TB transmission across farm boundaries where neighbouring farms with two clear herd tests can be derestricted as quickly as possible to be put on sale on the open market, and to eliminate further associated costs while restricted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29364/24]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the mental toll and the financial cost of a TB restriction on farmers. TB is a significant burden on both farmers and the exchequer and all stakeholders need to remain focused on reducing the level of bovine TB which has unfortunately increased in recent years.
Under current EU and national legislation all herds must undergo at least one annual herd screening TB test.
In herds, however, where disease has been confirmed, that herd may not be derestricted until all animals on the holding have tested negative to two consecutive TB tests at least two months apart from each other.
It is important to ensure that risk of residual infection remaining in herds that have had a TB restriction is minimised to reduce the risk of further breakdowns in that herd and to reduce the spread of TB to other herds.
Research has shown that herds contiguous (neighbouring) to a herd that is experiencing a TB breakdown, have a statistically higher risk of having TB and may require additional testing.
Reducing cattle to cattle transmission is a key element in reducing the levels of TB in our national herd. At farm level farmers can take simple biosecurity measures such as ensuring their farm boundaries are stock proof to prevent contact with cattle from neighbouring herds to reduce their risk of a TB outbreak. I have made available through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, (TAMS), grant aid for bovine fencing which can assist farmers in improving biosecurity on their farms.
My Department puts in a range of supports for farm families that have been subject to a restriction including the On Farm Market Valuation scheme and where eligible a farmer may also be eligible for supports under the Income Supplement scheme, depopulation grant scheme and the Hardship Grant scheme.
As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors and wildlife.
Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving three or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herd owner on how to eliminate infection and measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. The reasons for TB in certain herds and areas are multifactorial and require a range of measures to address the issue, which may include contiguous programmes, gamma interferon blood testing, cleansing and disinfection, other risk-based TB tests, and isolation of reactors. Emphasis is placed on the bio-security measures a farmer can take to reduce risks on their farm, including when buying in animals.
575. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the number of farmers still waiting on ACRES payments; the percentage of farmers who have been paid in full; the number who have been underpaid and overpaid, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29385/24]
View answerACRES payments for 2023 commenced over the period December 2023 to January 2024, when €88.35 million was issued in advance payments to 19,719 ACRES General participants.
In recognition of the time required to fully process all payments, due to the complexity of the scheme, I ensured that interim payments issued to all other participants in February and March 2024. Payments of €4,000 were made to General participants and €5,000 to Co-Operation participants. All tranche 1 participants received either an advance or an interim payment.
My Department commenced balancing payments on the 19th of June. A total of 31,808 participants have been paid to date, with total payments made to ACRES participants since last December now amounting to just under €234 million. Further balancing payments will continue to be made on a fortnightly basis as cases are cleared.
The following table represents active tranche 1 applications.
|
- |
Co-operation |
General |
Total |
|
Applications paid |
10,447 |
21,361 |
31,808 |
|
Applications unpaid |
7,890 |
5,362 |
13,252 |
|
Percentage paid |
56.9% |
79.90% |
70.5% |
|
Percentage unpaid |
43.1% |
20.10% |
29.5% |
Of those paid a balancing payment to date, the number where the interim payment was greater than the calculated payment for the scheme year, giving rise to a debt, is 6,797. While there is an obligation on the Department to make recoupments in the cases of any overpayment arising from interim payments at the first opportunity, I have asked my department to engage positively with any farmer that contacts them and show flexibility in cases of financial hardship. Further details of how farmers can contact the Department to request this flexibility will be notified to farmers in the near future.
576. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps envisaged by the European Union to introduce a framework for carbon farming, and the processes through which farm progress would be measured and rewarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29486/24]
View answerOn 20 February 2024, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement on the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, establishing the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products generated in Europe. In addition, by 2026, the Commission will assess whether to expand the scope of carbon farming to include greenhouse gas emission reductions from livestock activities.
To implement the CRCF regulation and Carbon farming, the Commission is taking the following steps:
• Adoption of EU certification methodologies for different activities by 2025
• Adoption of third-party verification rules: The Commission will issue implementing acts to set technical rules for third-party verification requirements by 2026.
• Recognition of certification schemes: By 2030, the Commission will approve certification schemes able to apply CRCF rules through Decisions, following a comprehensive assessment of governance, rules, and procedures, typically granting recognition for five years.
In tandem with developments at EU level, I am committed to developing a National Framework for Carbon Farming to provide guidance to farmers and landowners in Ireland on the overarching principles needed to develop Carbon Farming. My department held a public consultation in September 2023 on Carbon Farming and positive feedback was received from stakeholders regarding the potential opportunities in this area with further engagement is planned to inform future policy developments.
577. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures planned between now and 2030 necessary to maintain the environmental rating afforded by the Origin Green mark, in each key food sector. [29494/24]
View answerOrigin Green is not in itself an environmental label or rating: rather it is a sustainability initiative that incorporates environmental elements enabling the agrifood industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets. The programme is a Business to Business initiative providing programmes for farmers, producers, manufacturers and retailers. The programme is designed and operated by Bord Bia.
Food Vision 2030, the 10 year strategy for the Agri food sector, includes a specific Goal and a number of actions to strengthen Origin Green to reflect the higher level of ambition for the Agri-Food Sector. Progress on these actions can be found in the recently published Food Vision 2030 Annual report at www.gov.ie/en/policy/b2a3c-food-vision-2030-a-world-leader-in-sustainable-food-systems/.
In relation to future plans for Origin Green, I have passed the Deputy's query to Bord Bia for direct response.
