Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:484. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated annual cost of supports currently provided for schemes (details supplied). [41042/24]
View answerAgriculture Supports
Questions (484)
Written answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that the 2024 allocations for my department's agri-environmental Schemes is set out in the following table.
|
SCHEME |
2024 Allocation €000 |
|
B.3 - AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES |
92,499 |
|
B.4 - AREAS OF NATURAL CONSTRAINT SCHEME |
247,000 |
|
B.10 - FORESTRY & BIO ENERGY* |
115,000 |
|
B.14 - AGRI-CLIMATE RURAL ENVIRONMENT SCHEME |
200,000 |
|
B.15 - ORGANIC FARMING SCHEME |
47,000 |
|
SUCKLER CARBON EFFICIENCY PROGRAMME |
52,000 |
|
NATIONAL GENOTYPING PROGRAMME |
5,000 |
*2024 forestry allocation includes €18 million of the Department's 2023 deferred capital surrender.
Subhead B.3 Agri-Environmental Schemes consists of a number of schemes including:
• GLAS
• Locally led Agri-Environmental Schemes
• Traditional Buildings
• Other Agri Environmental Initiatives (e.g. Soil Sampling, Multi-species Sward Measure and Red Clover Silage Measure)
• An agri-environment Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and an Organic Farming scheme. These schemes will ultimately be funded from the European Union Recovery Instrument
• Straw Incorporation Measure
In addition to the measures outlined above the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) provides support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd, to reduce the carbon footprint of Irish beef.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (485)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:485. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated annual cost of a scheme (details supplied). [41043/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which is a measure under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, supports a number of measures to improve water quality. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027 for all TAMS 3 measures, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
The existing measures included in TAMS 3 already contribute to improved water quality.
In particular, the LESS scheme includes measures that contribute to better water quality. The investment items are specifically designed to minimise the surface area to which slurry is applied and ensure that slurry is targeted directly onto the soil, thus avoiding run-off into watercourses.
The installation of solar-powered water pumps and nose pumps, which provides livestock with clean drinking water without requiring direct access to watercourses, is a further measure under TAMS to improve water quality,
I recently announced the opening of the Nutrient Importation Storage Scheme as part of TAMS 3. This measure will have a positive impact on water quality and overall emissions from the sector by encouraging farmers to import organic fertiliser, thus reducing the use of chemical fertilisers on these holdings.
This scheme, together with the enhanced 60% grant aid for all nutrient storage, subject to Commission approval, will assist in achieving improved water quality. This support will provide improved nutrient storage and more appropriate use of all organic manures in times of unpredictable weather patterns.
I will ensure that the list of investment items will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis. The inclusion of further investment categories will, of course, be dependent on the availability of the required funding under the TAMS 3 schemes.
Departmental Funding
Questions (486)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:486. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the Exchequer funding allocated to the sustainability support and advisory programme in 2024 and 2025; the 2024 funding allocation, by current and capital funding; and the number of full- and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department, in tabular form. [41044/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP) is a Government and industry funded initiative which commenced in 2018 to facilitate improvements in water quality. Supported by my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), and by Dairy Industry Ireland, ASSAP involves both Teagasc, and industry employed advisers working with farmers in a confidential and voluntary manner to improve water quality.
ASSAP currently involves a resource of ~50 advisers of which 20 are funded by Government. In addition, Government funds two ASSAP support posts. Of the 22 posts funded by Government, my Department supports four advisers through the Agricultural Catchments Programme (ACP), with a further five permanent advisers working on the Programme funded from my Department's grant aid to Teagasc as well as Teagasc's own resources. The funding for a further 13 posts (11 advisers, one administrative resource, and the ASSAP programme manager) is provided by DHLGH.
Details of the salary and travel and subsistence allocated to ASSAP by my Department as well as Teagasc's own resources are detailed in Table 1. The funding for the 13 posts supported by DHLGH is a matter for my colleague, Minister O'Brien.
All funding provided by my Department is from Current Expenditure cost centres and this funding is administered and overseen by my staff as part of their normal work. My Department does not have any staff working directly on the programme.
Table 1: Funding Allocated to ASSAP by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Teagasc
|
Year |
Funded by |
No. of Advisers |
Salary Cost Allocated |
Travel & Subsistence Cost Allocated |
|
2024 |
DAFM through the ACP |
4 |
€262,625 |
€32,000 |
|
2024 |
DAFM grant aid to Teagasc/Teagasc own resources |
5 |
€300,603 |
€28,699 |
|
2025 |
DAFM through the ACP |
4 |
€284,711 |
€32,000 |
|
2025 |
DAFM grant aid to Teagasc/Teagasc own resources |
5 |
€344,579 |
€29,000 |
Note: Table 1 does not include posts and funding supported by DHLGH
Harbours and Piers
Questions (487, 488)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:487. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount invested over the 2020 to 2024 period in current and capital expenditure in local piers and harbours, by relevant county, in tabular form. [41045/24]
View answerChristopher O'Sullivan
Question:488. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline current annual funding provided for initiatives (details supplied); and the breakdown, by scheme/funding stream if available, in tabular form. [41046/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
The 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.
My Department administers Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Schemes for capital works undertaken by the Local Authorities. Funding for individual projects is allocated in advance of project commencement. My Department reimburses the Local Authorities the eligible project costs (pro-rata) on a matured liability basis following inspection of the capital works and verification of the evidenced expenditure. The focus of the Schemes is to support actual capital works and it is a matter for each Local Authority to progress any preparatory studies, permitting and design works. Therefore, if the Deputy requires overall investment (project costs), each Local Authority would be best positioned to provide same.
In 2020 and 2021, the Local Authorities were reimbursed €2.4m and €3.5m respectively for capital projects completed under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programmes for those years. Through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023, my Department provided an unprecedented level of funding, reimbursing the Local Authorities a total of €37.8m over 2022 and 2023, of which €35.4m was funded by the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and €2.4m was supported by the National Exchequer (Brexit Adjustment Reserve does not provide for reimbursement of VAT).
In January of this year, I announced the allocation of €12.7m for 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects. Details of the announcement and project allocations are available in tabular form online at gov - Minister McConalogue announces funding of €12.7million for Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (www.gov.ie) . These projects were previously put forward by the Local Authorities under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023. To date in 2024 over €2.5m has been reimbursed to the Local Authorities with over €2.3m of that being funded from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and the balance supported by the National Exchequer.
The attached table details the funding administered by my Department in the period 2020-2023, and the funding allocated in 2024 under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Schemes. Final expenditure for 2024 will not be available until after the Scheme closes at the end of the year.
Question No. 488 answered with Question No. 487.
Departmental Funding
Questions (489)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:489. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual funding provided for incentives (details supplied). [41047/24]
View answerWritten answers
At present there are no state funded incentives in place for payments directly to fishing vessels to incentivise fish landings into Irish ports. Any such incentive is likely to be contrary to internal market rules.
Significant investment has been made in the infrastructure and facilities available at the State owned Fisheries Harbour Centres to support fish landings from both Irish and other fleets.
Funding supports for the fishing sector are provided under the Seafood Development Programme (SDP). The SDP is co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027. To be eligible for funding all measures must be in compliance with the provisions of the EMFAF regulation, which in turns is aligned with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Agriculture Supports
Questions (490)
Michael Moynihan
Question:490. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all poultry sector supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the breakdown per scheme. [41050/24]
View answerWritten answers
The poultry sector continues to make a valuable contribution to Irish agrifood sector, supporting approximately 5,000 jobs in direct and indirect employment. The CSO valued the output of the poultry meat sector at €225.7 million for 2023.
As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish poultry sector over the medium to longer term. 2024 has shown signs of growth in overall poultry production with slaughter figures, as of Week 38 of 2024, up by 2.5% on the same period of 2023.
My Department co-funded with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment a substantial €100m Capital Investment Scheme for the Processing and Marketing of Agriculture products, administered by Enterprise Ireland, which opened in January of 2021 and closed in November of 2022. The scheme offered transformational capital investment in SME’s & Large companies, including in the poultry sector, to enable them pursue product and market diversification strategies to achieve greater value add.
The current main supports provided by my Department to the sector are:
The Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH). Over €126,000 was spent in 2024 with a similar figure being made available in 2025.
Under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), and specifically the Pig and Poultry Capital Investment Scheme (PPIS), the Poultry Sector has seen almost €3.77 million paid towards eligible applications. The total amount committed, based on approved applications, for the remainder of 2024 and 2025 is just over € 2.13 million. The actual expenditure will depend on the number of claims submitted in respect of completed investments.
The Department also allocates funding annually for the compensation of Zoonotic Salmonella in poultry via a Scheme of financial assistance in cases of Salmonella outbreaks in poultry flocks, on an ex gratia basis. The Scheme applies only to suspected or confirmed outbreaks of Salmonella Enteriditis and Salmonella Typhimurium. In 2024 the allocation was € 135,000 with a similar allocation envisaged for 2025.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (491)
Michael Moynihan
Question:491. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all agri-environmental schemes in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the breakdown per scheme. [41051/24]
View answerWritten answers
The 2024 allocations for my department's agri-environmental schemes is set out in the following table.
|
Subhead |
2024 Allocation €000 |
|
B.3 - AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEMES |
92,499 |
|
B.4 - AREAS OF NATURAL CONSTRAINT SCHEME |
247,000 |
|
B.10 - FORESTRY & BIO ENERGY* |
115,000 |
|
B.14 - AGRI-CLIMATE RURAL ENVIRONMENT SCHEME |
200,000 |
|
B.15 - ORGANIC FARMING SCHEME |
47,000 |
|
Total |
701,499 |
*2024 forestry allocation includes €18 million of the Department's 2023 deferred capital surrender.
Subhead B.3 Agri-Environmental Schemes consists of a number of schemes including:
• GLAS
• Locally led Agri-Environmental Schemes
• Traditional Buildings
• Other Agri Environmental Initiatives (e.g. Soil Sampling, Multi-species Sward Measure and Red Clover Silage Measure)
• An agri-environment Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and an Organic Farming scheme. These schemes will ultimately be funded from the European Union Recovery Instrument
• Straw Incorporation Measure
The 2025 definitive allocations will be set out in the 2025 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.
In addition to the measures outlined above the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) provides support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd, to reduce the carbon footprint of Irish beef.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (492)
Michael Moynihan
Question:492. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all animal welfare supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the breakdown per scheme. [41052/24]
View answerWritten answers
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government and Department provides considerable funding to support animal welfare. In December 2023, under the Animal Welfare grants programme I announced the record allocation of €6 million in funding to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country. This marks the largest ever award of grant funding to animal welfare charities by my Department.
Currently, the figures for the full cost of animal welfare supports in 2024 are not finalised and the 2025 definitive allocations have yet to be decided. They will be set out in the 2025 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which will be published later this year.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (493)
Michael Moynihan
Question:493. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all farm safety supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the breakdown per scheme. [41053/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is implementing a series of farm safety, health and well-being initiatives in 2024 through dedicated funding of €2.5m. These initiatives promote farm safety practices and risk awareness and encourage behavioural change around farm safety from a young age, while also supporting those who have been impacted by fatal and non-fatal incidents.
The main initiatives in 2024 are outlined in the following table:
|
Farm Safety Health and Wellbeing Initiatives 2024 |
|
|
Open Call for Farm Safety, Health and Wellbeing Projects |
|
|
A series of four joint DAFM/Health and Safety Authority farm safety media campaigns |
|
|
Agri Aware’s school children's farm safety initiative |
|
|
On Feirm Ground 2 |
|
|
National Farm Safety Measure 2024 |
|
|
Agricultural simulators for use in agricultural colleges and Teagasc research centres. |
|
|
Farm safety Hi-Viz vests for children |
|
|
Farm safety content for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) training course |
|
Dedicated funding of €2.5m was also secured in Budget 2025 to continue to support existing initiatives and the introduction of new initiatives in support of farm safety, health and well-being.
The Accelerated Capital Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment, which allows for the Accelerated Capital Allowances of 50% per annum over two years on qualifying farm safety and adaptive equipment, was expanded in Budget 2025.
In addition to the dedicated funding mentioned, the tables below outline the expenditure to date and anticipated expenditure in 2024 on farm safety related investments under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
Table 1: TAMSII
|
Scheme |
Number of Sub Investments |
Sub Claimed Reference Cost |
Calculated Grant Value |
|
TAMS II Payments 2024 |
456 |
€1,076,375.21 |
€483,843.93 |
|
TAMS II - Safety Investments Approved but NOT yet claimed |
420 |
€768,515.24 |
€354,710.46 |
Table 2: TAMS3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme - Applications Received 2024
|
Number |
Commitment Amount |
Grant at 60 % |
|
3719 |
€23,043,915.30 |
€13,826,349.18 |
Agriculture Supports
Questions (494)
Michael Moynihan
Question:494. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all forestry supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the breakdown per scheme. [41062/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Forestry Programme for the period 2023-2027 aims to encourage a substantial increase in afforestation by offering attractive and diverse options for planting. This Government has committed €1.3 billion of funding to the Programme in order to support our national ambition of 8,000 hectares of afforestation per year. It also provides for a range of schemes to support the maintenance and sustainable management of forests.
Funding of €110 million and €91 million has been allocated to date, within Budget 2024 and 2025, respectively. This underpins the diverse range of measures offered within the Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027. This includes, among others, the broad range of tree planting options on offer and also provides for the Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme and the new Ash Dieback Climate Action Performance Payment, which was approved by Cabinet on 30 April this year.
I can confirm that, in the year to date, there has been 1,302 hectares of new forests planted (this means planted and first payments issued). The 2024 expenditure to date, relating to forestry scheme supports, are detailed within the following table.
Year to date spend for the week ending 10th October 2024
|
Afforestation, including Native Tree Area Scheme |
€52,413,853 |
|
Forest Roads |
€2,871,936 |
|
Reconstitution Schemes |
€2,809,105 |
|
Woodland Improvement Scheme |
€133,669 |
|
Year to date spend |
€58,228,562 |
Agriculture Supports
Questions (495)
Michael Moynihan
Question:495. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total annual funding being invested in incentivising the use of genetically enhanced beef AI/stock bulls. [41063/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department's investment in improving the genetic merit of beef sires in the national herd is spread across three separate measures as described below.
The national Bovine Genotyping Programme, which commenced in 2023 for a five year period, is open to both dairy and beef breeding herds. The programme through the genotyping of the calf crop each year in the participating herds provides the building blocks for breeding decisions and strategies.
The year one cost of €10.7m was fully funded by my Department. The total estimated cost of €15m for each subsequent year will be funded using a strategic public/private cost sharing model between my Department, Industry (milk and dairy processors) and participating farmers. My Department's contribution will amount to €5m per year over that period.
The CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) supports farmers in improving the environmental sustainability of the Irish beef production system by incentivising participants to undertake mandatory actions that will improve the overall genetic merit of the suckler herd. One of these actions is the use of eligible (higher genetic merit) bull/AI.
To date, total payments of €56.5m were issued to almost 17,000 participants in respect of year one of the SCEP, which equates to an average payment of approximately €3,300 per beneficiary. A similar payment run is envisaged in subsequent years.
The CSP Dairy Beef Welfare Scheme provides support to dairy farmers to improve the animal health and welfare of the national herd by using better genetic merit beef sires. The scheme runs from 2024 to 2027 and has a budget allocation of €6.25m annually.
The latest scheme data indicates that approximately 10,500 participants with over 286,000 calves are currently eligible for payment. The actual number of animals on which farmers will ultimately be paid cannot yet be determined because the scheme year coincides with the calendar year. Payments for scheme year one will be made in March 2025 and annually thereafter until 2028.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (496)
Michael Moynihan
Question:496. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current funding provided for the Women in Agriculture Action Plan. [41064/24]
View answerWritten answers
Gender equality in agriculture is a key priority of mine. It is also a core principle of the European Union. The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) Regulations place particular focus on promoting women’s participation in the development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Good progress has been made in this area, and under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) I am actively promoting gender equality, through several new initiatives, such as:
• An increased grant rate of 60% under the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme to fund on-farm investments by trained women farmers.An increased grant rate of 60% under the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme to fund on-farm investments by trained women farmers.
• The inclusion of an option to establish women-only groups in the current Knowledge Transfer Programme.
• Improved recording and reporting of gender data and the leveraging of the National CAP Network to increase the involvement of all women in the implementation of CAP.
• A European Innovation Partnership open call in April 2024 for proposals on “innovative approaches to support greater gender balance in farming in Ireland”.
Additionally, I support rural female entrepreneurs by funding the ACORNS programme providing tailored support to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland. Up to 50 new female entrepreneurs can participate in ACORNS annually and I launched the current ACORNS 10 programme in August.
Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy for the agrifood sector has environmental, economic and social sustainability at its core. Food Vision aims for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. Food Vision was designed using a food systems approach, and recognises the importance of gender balance to the long-term sustainable future for primary producers. Food Vision includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels within the sector, and included a commitment to host a National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture.
The Dialogue was held in February 2023 and explored gender equality in farming and the agrifood sector generally. The outcomes and recommendations were compiled into a report and action plan, which were published earlier this year. A working group has been established to oversee implementation of the action plan.
Many of the actions will not require direct funding as they will be carried out with existing resources within my Department, for example an internal review of DAFM scheme eligibility and educational requirements to ensure maximum opportunities are available to women farmers; and a dedicated “Women in Agriculture” space on the DAFM website. Others, such as funding for webinars & local events and a dedicated women in agriculture award will come from the overall Food Vision administrative budget, as required. Other actions such as the specific research on women in agriculture will be funded from the Research budget within my Department.
I will continue to liaise with the relevant stakeholders to promote and support gender balance in agriculture and will ensure funding for the Women in Agriculture Action Plan, where required.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (497)
Michael Moynihan
Question:497. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated annual cost of supports currently provided for an initiative (details supplied). [41065/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The Solar Capital Investment scheme is a measure in TAMS, which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
Payments are based on payment claims submitted in respect of completed approved investments. To date, over €1.7 million has been paid in grant aid under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme in 2024, with a further €484,546 paid for solar investments in TAMS II in 2024.
A total of over €34 million has been approved for solar investments under the first three tranches of TAMS 3. Applicants have 12 months from their date of approval to complete their investments and submit payment claims to my Department. In certain circumstances applicants may seek an extension of six months to complete investments and lodge their payment claims. Therefore the overall approved investment of in excess of €34 million could be drawn down over the next 18 months.
Agriculture Supports
Questions (498)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:498. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total Exchequer funding allocated to the EIP ‘Farming for Water’ project to date; to outline allocations in 2024 and 2025; and the number of full- and part-time staff working directly on the programme in his Department, in tabular form. [41070/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Farming for Water EIP is a collaborative project between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who are, in turn, working in partnership with farmers and the agrifood industry to improve water quality at local, catchment and national levels.
The total budget for the Water EIP project is €60 million, co-funded by the National Exchequer and the EU. Of this total, €50 million is being funded by my Department for farmer payments while the remaining €10 million is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage to cover administration of the project. This is the largest funding that has been allocated to a single EIP to date, and is an indicator of the significance of this project.
The project is currently in the start-up phase, with funding of up to €1 million allocated for 2024 and €7 million allocated for 2025, ring-fenced for farmer payments by my Department.
The project is being delivered by an Operational Group made up of the lead partner, LAWPRO (the Local Authorities Water Programme), Teagasc and Dairy Industry Ireland. The Group is working in collaboration with a number of other stakeholders, including Bord Bia.
The Governance structure of the EIP consists of a Strategic Oversight Committee made up of members of the Operational Group and representatives from both funding Departments. My Department is represented on this Committee by three officials from Locally Led Division and two officials from Nitrates Division, including the Heads of both Divisions.
While a number of administrative staff deal with the processing of payments to the EIP, there are no staff from my Department working directly on the implementation of this project.
Departmental Funding
Questions (499)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:499. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all horse and greyhound supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [41071/24]
View answerWritten answers
Horse 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.
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.
Both bodies operate under the aegis of this Department.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
Please see as follows in tabular form the amount allocated to the horse and greyhound industries from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund in 2024 and also the amount allocated for 2025 which is subject to Oireachtas approval.
|
Year |
Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Total (€million, rounded) |
HRI |
RCÉ |
|
2024 |
€95m |
€76m |
€19m |
|
2025 |
€99.1m |
€79.3m |
€19.8m |
Departmental Funding
Questions (500)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:500. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all equine sector supports in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [41072/24]
View answerWritten answers
Horse 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 which operates under the aegis of this Department.
The horse racing industry receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001.
Please see as follows in tabular form the amount allocated to the horse industry from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund in 2024 and also the amount allocated for 2025 which is subject to Oireachtas approval.
|
HRI Allocations |
2024 (€million) |
2025 (€million) |
|
Current |
€62m |
€63.3m |
|
Capital |
€14m |
€16m |
|
Total |
€76m |
€79.3m |
Separate and additionally to above, my department provides funding to Local Authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred by them for enforcing the Control of Horses Act 1996, whilst noting that the Act remains under the remit of Local Authorities. DAFM support totalling €70,838 was provided for Urban Horse Projects and Control of Horses to Local Authorities in 2024.
The annual Animal Welfare grants program typically includes equine charities. The 2024 iteration of the scheme is ongoing and figures are not available at this time. The 2023 allocation to 101 animal health charities was almost €6m and this included several equine charities.
In other areas pertaining to equines, this Department has contracted out the delivery of the National Breeding Services. The value of this service includes an Operational Fund of €1.5 million as well as Breeding Initiatives totalling €2.9 million. Related marketing services are also contracted, and the value of this contract is €800,000. An additional €250,000 was budgeted for in 2024, to date this money has not been allocated.
Furthermore, the Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Scheme is a demand led scheme and funding is awarded on a competitive basis. The finalised spend/allocations for 2024 and 2025 are not available at this time.
Veterinary Laboratories
Questions (501)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:501. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the current and capital costs associated with upgrading regional veterinary laboratories; and the planned allocation in 2025. [41073/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is working in partnership with the Office of Public Works to deliver a redevelopment programme of our outdated regional laboratory facilities. The Programme plan is to deliver replacement laboratory facilities at current sites in Kilkenny and Sligo, an enhanced facility in Athlone and a large new specialist laboratory centre at a new site in North Cork replacing current facilities in Cork and Limerick. The programme also includes the development of five Transfer-To-Laboratory centres (TLC) in North West and North East, South West, Mid-West, and West, to extend the provision of post-mortem services countrywide.
The programme will be delivered in phases – delivery of phase 1 is underway and is focused on developing an exemplar laboratory design that will replace existing facilities in Kilkenny in the first instance. An exemplar TLC design, that will be developed on Department owned lands at Raphoe and Ballyhaise, is also being progressed. Following site surveys, acquisition of a site in North Cork for the new Munster laboratory is ongoing. The design team is currently finalising the exemplar designs and it is expected that planning applications will be submitted to the relevant Local Authorities in the coming months. Completion of the design phase will enable provisional costing exercises by Quantity Surveyors to take place which will provide indicative estimates of costs and enable the necessary processes to be progressed subject to the provision of the necessary funding in line with the Public Spending Code.
Tree Remediation
Questions (502)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:502. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline all current grants, schemes and supports available for the removal of trees with ash dieback, in tabular form; and the annual funding allocated for each such measure. [41074/24]
View answerWritten answers
In July 2023 my Department launched the Reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback (RADS) under the new Forestry Programme 2023-27 with the following enhanced features:
• 100% increase in the site clearance grant rate, from €1,000 to €2,000.
• Enhanced replanting grant rates under the new Forestry Programme 2023-2027.Those applicants whose sites are still in premium will continue to receive the premium due for the remaining years.
• In addition, for those in receipt of farmer rate of premium, a top up premium equal to the difference between the equivalent forestry type and the existing premium will be paid. This will be calculated for the remaining years left in premium and paid in a single sum.
The following table outlines the funding allocated for Reconstitution schemes under the Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027, of which the RADS will be paid from.
|
Scheme/Supports |
Annual Funding 2024 |
Annual Funding 2025 |
Annual Funding 2026 |
Annual Funding 2027 |
|
Reconstitution of Ash dieback scheme (RADS) |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
€4,060,700 |
|
Climate Action Performance Payment (CAPP) |
€13,187,500 |
€9,577,350 |
€9,577,350 |
€9,117,588 |
The Climate Action Performance Payment, totalling €5,000 per hectare, will be paid in three instalments to grant-aided ash forest owners who clear their sites and replant through either a previous Ash Dieback Reconstitution Scheme or the current Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023 to 2027.
Almost 16,000 hectares of ash forests were grant aided by the Department from 1990. All of these forest owners are eligible to avail of a reconstitution scheme and a Climate Action Performance Payment.
Fishing Industry
Questions (503)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:503. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the full-year cost of all fishing/marine sector supports/schemes in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and the annual current and capital funding breakdown, per scheme, including several schemes (details supplied). [41080/24]
View answerWritten answers
Funding for supports for the commercial seafood sector are provided under the Seafood Development Programme (SDP). The SDP is co-funded by the Irish Government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027.
There are a number of schemes currently open for applications, which are administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) as an agency of my Department. Details of schemes that are currently open for applications can be found at www.bim.ie.
Budget Allocation & Spend 2024
Details of the 2024 budget allocation and spend-to-date for schemes opened in 2024 are set out in the following table.
It should be noted that the figures below reflect the fact that these schemes opened to applications in recent months, and particularly in the case of capital investment schemes it is anticipated that a significant proportion of applicants approved for funding in 2024 will be drawing down their grant aid in 2025.
It should further be noted that the level of demand for all open schemes for industry is being kept under close review by BIM, and there may be some adjustment of budget allocation to individual schemes in light of demand in order to ensure that the overall available budget is utilised to the maximum degree possible.
*Please note that the Fleet Safety & Marine Tourism Safety Schemes are exchequer funded schemes
|
Scheme Name |
2024 spend |
No. of Applications to date |
2024 Allocation |
Current/Capital |
|
Fleet Safety Scheme* |
€438,179 |
139 |
€700,000 |
Capital |
|
Marine Tourism Safety Scheme* |
€17,118 |
7 |
€70,000 |
Capital |
|
Seafood Training Scheme |
€68,883 |
126 |
€70,000 |
Current |
|
Inshore Fisheries Scheme - V-notching |
€00.00 |
116 |
€350,000 |
Current |
|
Seafood Training Scheme - Upskilling Individuals |
€00.00 |
146 |
€175,000 |
Current |
|
Producer Organisation Scheme |
€00.00 |
5 |
€320,000 |
Current |
|
Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme |
€00.00 |
511 |
€1,500,000 |
Current |
|
Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Scheme |
€00.00 |
39 |
€350,000 |
Capital |
|
Sustainable Fisheries Scheme |
€00.00 |
46 |
€600,000 |
Capital |
|
Young Fisher Scheme |
€00.00 |
4 |
€230,000 |
Capital |
|
Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme |
€00.00 |
8 |
€2,250,000 |
Capital |
|
Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme |
€00.00 |
24 |
€300,000 |
Capital |
|
Seafood Capacity Building Scheme |
€00.00 |
8 |
€15,000 |
Current |
Budget Allocation 2025
At present it is not possible to provide a breakdown of the budget allocation for individual schemes in 2025.
The overall budget allocation to BIM in 2025 to support implementation of measures funded under the SDP is approximately €34.16 million. This budget allocation will support not only the industry schemes, but a range of measures undertaken by BIM as part of its work programme. This allocation for 2025 reflects an increase in budget, in light of the anticipated demand across all industry schemes administered by BIM into 2025. However the precise allocation for each individual scheme for 2025 cannot be finalised until the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) is published.