Tuesday, 25 Mar 2025

Written Answers Nos. 616-630

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Animal Breeding

Questions (616, 625, 629)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

616. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of recent additional requirements from Horse Sport Ireland for applicants to the breeding grants funds to provide a complete insurance policy before any funds can be accessed; the basis on which this is being requested and by whom; if funding will be refused to those who do not provide this information; if he is aware of the complex insurance sensitivities that may prevent applicants from being in a position to provide this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13720/25]

Donna McGettigan

Question:

625. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for clarification on the breeding grant fund, which is funded by his Department and administered by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), and where the HSI has implemented a new requirement for applicants to provide a complete insurance policy before any funds can be accessed, whether this directive comes from his Department, which oversees the funding allocation (details supplied). [13958/25]

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

629. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to address concerns on the administration of the breeding grant fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14179/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 616, 625 and 629 together.

The contract for delivering Equine National Breeding Services (NBS) on behalf of my Department was awarded to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) following a competitive public procurement competition. The programme of measures delivered by HSI under the NBS includes a 'Breeding Grant' scheme.

I understand from HSI that it is engaging directly with the named applicant regarding the requirement for the provision of an insurance policy.

Maritime Jurisdiction

Questions (617)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

617. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of plans to reintroduce a ban on pair trawling by large vessels within six nautical miles off the Irish coast (details supplied). [13782/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings resulting in the measure being overturned in 2023.

In 2024, over a period of eight weeks, the Minister held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place without prejudice.

The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,500 - were received. These submissions will be considered in the review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made.

Agriculture Supports

Questions (618)

Colm Burke

Question:

618. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are contingency plans in place to support farmers and agri-food producers in the event of an increase in tariffs on the sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13789/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As a small, open exporting economy, Ireland is sensitive to any change in global trading conditions. Therefore, any imposition of tariffs by the U.S. authorities will if enacted have the potential to pose significant challenges for Irish exporters of agri-food products to the US. This is of particular concern as the US is the second largest market for Irish agri-food exports after the UK with exports last year valued at almost €2 billion.

Ireland and the European Union want to avoid a series of escalating tit-for tat tariffs. Ireland’s view on tariffs is clear: they are economically counterproductive and would disrupt deeply integrated transatlantic supply chains.

My Department continues to work in close coordination with the European Union, other Irish Government Departments and industry stakeholders to fully understand the potential impacts. I participated in a meeing of the Government Trade Forum chaired by the Tánaiste last week to discuss these issues.

Our reaction to any tariffs will be motivated by protecting the interests of European and Irish businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures. My department already provides a range of EU and nationally funded schemes to support farmers. In relation to Irish food and drink sector concerns, while engagement on trade issues takes place between the EU Commission and the US, I can assure you that the Commission is aware of Irish concerns and those of other member states.

I urge stakeholders to engage with the EU public consultation process currently underway in relation to possible countermeasures.

I will lead a trade mission to the US in April, travelling to Washington DC, and other locations, to meet with US Government officials, State legislators, and private companies where I will promote the importance of this trading relationship.

Agriculture Supports

Questions (619)

Colm Burke

Question:

619. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if provisions are in place should additional supports be required by farmers in response to any further unprecedented events similar to the damage caused to the agriculture sector by Storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13790/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department recognises that the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn have caused significant damage around the country.

My Department works as part of the co-ordinated, whole-of-government response, through the National Emergency Co-ordination Group. A response to any further unprecedented events causing damage will be assessed in this whole-of-government, co-ordinated way.

In relation to damage to forests, the Windblow Taskforce comprises stakeholders who represent forest owners, forestry companies, sawmills, Teagasc, Coillte, Forestry Contractors, and the Irish Road Hauliers. Learnings from this taskforce have potential to provide valuable information for any supports required for future similar events.

In addition, a Working Group comprised of members from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the ESB has recently been established to consider the mitigation of risks to the electricity network arising from similar future events.

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.

I recently opened a new, short, TAMS tranche for a three-week period to deal specifically with storm-related damage on farms. This tranche will close this coming Friday, 28 March, and the specific items in respect of which applications are being accepted are (i) backup PTO Generators, (ii) sheep, bovine and equine fencing, (iii) wood/biomass chippers and (iv) mulchers. I would urge farmers to submit applications where appropriate, and I will ensure that they are processed as a priority.

I have also indicated that I intend to introduce grant aid support under TAMS for replacement of roofs. The application process for this specific investment will be available later this year.

Nitrates Usage

Questions (620)

Paula Butterly

Question:

620. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to report on the work underway with regard to the Nitrates derogation given its importance of sectors of Irish farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13815/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Delivering the most robust case for Ireland to retain its Nitrates derogation is a key priority for this Government. This requires a strong focus on delivering improvements in water quality coupled with a robust scientific justification underpinning Ireland's request.

Last August, my Department published “Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach”. It outlined the collaborative approach being taken to improve water quality from an agricultural perspective. That plan is based around the range of measures in place including regulation, government incentives and collaboration with industry and farmers.

Along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, my Department represents Ireland at the EU Nitrates Committee meetings in Brussels. In December 2024, my Department advised the EU Nitrates Committee that, in accordance with Paragraph 2 (b) of Annex 3 of the Nitrates Directive, Ireland wished to apply for permission to continue applying in excess of 170kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare from 2026, subject to a set of conditions which will ensure that application is scientifically justified, and will continue to contribute to the achievement of the Nitrates Directives objectives of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by agricultural nutrients.

Since then there have been a number of bilateral meetings on the issue with the European Commission. Ireland has also presented to the Nitrates Committee, made up of Member State representatives, which will ultimately vote on Ireland's application.

In addition, the Cabinet Committee on Water Quality, chaired by An Taoiseach, will convene very shortly to coordinate water quality improvements across all sectors and to work to secure Ireland's nitrates derogation at EU level.

All of the above actions demonstrate the Government's commitment to both water quality and retention of the nitrates derogation post-2025. We will continue to work nationally and at EU level, to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for Ireland post-2025.

Trade Sanctions

Questions (621)

Paula Butterly

Question:

621. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with Government colleagues and European counterparts with regard to the threat of tariffs on food produce from Ireland and Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13817/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As a small, open exporting economy, Ireland is sensitive to any change in global trading conditions. Therefore, any imposition of tariffs by the U.S. authorities will if enacted have the potential to pose significant challenges for Irish exporters of agri-food products to the US. This is of particular concern as the US is the second largest market for Irish agri-food exports after the UK with exports last year valued at almost €2 billion.

Ireland and the European Union want to avoid a series of escalating tit-for tat tariffs. Ireland’s view on tariffs is clear: they are economically counterproductive and would disrupt deeply integrated transatlantic supply chains.

My Department continues to work in close coordination with the European Union, other Irish Government Departments and industry stakeholders to fully understand the potential impacts. I participated in a meeing of the Government Trade Forum chaired by the Tánaiste last week to discuss these issues.

Our reaction to any tariffs will be motivated by protecting the interests of European and Irish businesses, workers and consumers from unjustified measures. In relation to Irish food and drink sector concerns, while engagement on trade issues takes place between the EU Commission and the US, I can assure you that the Commission is aware of Irish concerns and those of other member states.

I urge stakeholders to engage with the EU public consultation process currently underway in relation to possible countermeasures.

I will lead a trade mission to the US in April, travelling to Washington DC, and other locations, to meet with US Government officials, State legislators, and private companies where I will promote the importance of this trading relationship.

Departmental Staff

Questions (622)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

622. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the WTE staff, by job title, employed by his Department who are based in Dublin Port as of 18 March 2025. [13849/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The FTE of staff, by job title, employed by this Department that are based in Dublin port are included in tabular form below.

Staff at Dublin Port

Grade	Count of FTE
Agricultural Inspector	1
Assistant Agricultural Inspector	12
Assistant Principal Officer	2
Clerical Officer	69
Executive Officer	19
Higher Executive Officer	5
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector	1
Superintending Veterinary Inspector	2
Veterinary Inspector	26
Grand Total	137

These figures were extracted as per 17/03/25

Official Engagements

Questions (623)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

623. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Minister of State at his Department, Deputy Dooley, met with the Canadian foreign minister during the recent St. Patrick's Day events. [13851/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm that Minister Dooley did not meet with the Canadian Foreign Minister during his St. Patrick's Day visit to Canada.

Official Engagements

Questions (624)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

624. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken with his UK counterpart since his appointment. [13925/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I can confirm that I spoke via video conference call with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State, Steve Reed in recent weeks.

Our conversation was constructive, and covered topics including trade, bio-security and the importance of collaboration between our Departments on matters of mutual interest. We also agreed to meet in person when the opportunity arises.

Question No. 625 answered with Question No. 616.

Agriculture Schemes

Questions (626)

Louis O'Hara

Question:

626. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to address delays in ACRES payments; the number of payments still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13989/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

More than €440 million has been paid to ACRES participants to date. A total of €247.4 million has been paid to 42,631 participants (25,537 General and 17,094 Co-operation), or 95% of all ACRES participants, in respect of their participation in the Scheme in 2023. A further 2,302 farmers have yet to receive their final payments for 2023. Of these, 2,008 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000, respectively. In many instances, this will cover the entire payment due.

I can confirm that advance payments totalling €193.5 million have now been paid to 44,939 farmers in respect of their participation in ACRES in 2024. This number represents 83% of all ACRES participants. Advance payments in respect of scheme participation in 2024 have still to be made to 9,316 ACRES participants across the two tranches.

Certain issues such as transfers of contracts, late or non-submission of scorecards, and alignment of ACRES information with data held by the Department on other IT systems, have contributed to the delay in the making of those payments.

My Department is actively resolving the remaining issues through, for example, the development of the required IT functionality, the re-allocation of resources and the investigation of issues associated with specific contracts. In some cases, action is required by the participant to progress the payment claim.

Pay runs are taking place every 10 days in order to ensure that these payments are issued in a timely manner as cases pass the required validations.

My Department will be issuing regular online updates over the coming period on the progress being made, with the expectation of having the payments in respect of farmers’ participation in ACRES in 2023 and 2024 made by the end of June.

I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.

Social Media

Questions (627)

Gary Gannon

Question:

627. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of social media video accessible, such as providing the information or activities posted on each of his Department’s social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under its remit, including closed captioning and subtitling and Irish Sign Language translations, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024, inclusive. [14045/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to advise the Deputy that, in 2024, 80% of videos posted on my Department’s social media accounts (Facebook, X, LinkedIn and You Tube) included closed captions / subtitles. There were no videos posted during 2024 that included Irish sign language translations.

As regards the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy's question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response issue within 10 days.

Fishing Industry

Questions (628)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

628. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with the representative organisations for fishermen to confirm their concerns that banks in the State are holding back on lending to fishermen, even when they have State-backed proposals; and if he will engage with the stakeholders such as his Department, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and an organisation (details supplied) to find a solution that will allow the industry to sustain itself and grow. [14164/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My colleague, Minister of State Dooley, has met with the fisheries representative organisations in February and requested a submission from each on matters of importance to their sector members. These matters will be fully considered and will inform a series of industry engagements that Minister Dooley has committed to over the coming months. Specific areas where my Department and state agencies can assist will be identified and progressed following engagement with industry.

Question No. 629 answered with Question No. 616.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (630)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

630. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average annual CAP payments received by farmers in each county. [14194/25]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The list of Total Payments to Farmers by County for 2024 are as follows:

Total Payments (Direct and Capital, including TAMS) to Farmers by DAFM by County in 2024

County	Average Farmer Payment Rounded to nearest €500	Per County Total payments Million Euro
Carlow	€20,000	€37.9
Cavan	€14,500	€71.9
Clare	€16,500	€105.7
Cork	€17,500	€239.1
Donegal	€16,500	€145.4
Dublin	€19,500	€19.9
Galway	€15,000	€189.1
Kerry	€18,500	€151.9
Kildare	€17,000	€40.5
Kilkenny	€19,000	€64.6
Laois	€17,500	€46.6
Leitrim	€17,000	€63.6
Limerick	€15,500	€83
Longford	€15,500	€41
Louth	€16,500	€26.3
Mayo	€15,000	€172
Meath	€16,500	€63.5
Monaghan	€11,500	€47.9
Offaly	€16,000	€45.9
Roscommon	€15,000	€84.4
Sligo	€15,000	€61.9
Tipperary	€18,500	€135.5
Waterford	€19,000	€46.1
Westmeath	€16,000	€55.9
Wexford	€17,500	€77.8
Wicklow	€21,000	€46.3
State	€16,808	€2,164

Figures for previous years are published in the relevant Annual Review and Outlook publications which are available at: gov - Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2024 (www.gov.ie).

• Written Answers Nos. 599-615
• Written Answers Nos. 631-655