Written Answers Nos. 601-620
601. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí attached to roads policing units to date in June 2025, by division; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36212/25]
View answerThe table below provides a breakdown of the number of Gardaí attached to the Roads Policing Unit by division at 31 May 2025, the latest date which figures are available.
ROADS POLICING 2009 - 31 May 2025
|
DIVISION |
Gardaí |
|
D.M.R. EAST |
9 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH |
15 |
|
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL |
16 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH |
17 |
|
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL |
8 |
|
D.M.R. WEST |
15 |
|
D.M.R. TRAFFIC/ROADS POLICING |
89 |
|
KILDARE/CARLOW |
35 |
|
LAOIS / OFFALY |
29 |
|
DONEGAL |
22 |
|
SLIGO / LEITRIM |
14 |
|
WATERFORD/KILKENNY |
33 |
|
CORK CITY |
28 |
|
KERRY |
21 |
|
LIMERICK |
30 |
|
GALWAY |
41 |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
40 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
41 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
39 |
|
MEATH/WESTMEATH |
33 |
|
LOUTH/CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
35 |
|
WEXFORD/WICKLOW |
34 |
|
TOTAL |
644 |
Please be advised that this information is operational and may be subject to change.
602. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in light of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the level of public sympathy for Palestinians in Ireland whether he will expand the Community Sponsorship Programme to help settle Palestinian families in Ireland with community support. [36222/25]
View answerI am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme is a distinct programme within my Department that facilitates the planned resettlement of UNHCR registered refugees to Ireland from countries of first asylum, including through the Community Sponsorship Programme.
While events in Gaza are being kept under constant review, there are no current plans to expand this Programme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
603. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a strategic environmental assessment was carried out prior to the development and publication of the National Biomethane Strategy; the way in which this assessment informed the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35453/25]
View answerMy Department together with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications co-published an agri centric National Biomethane Strategy in May of 2024. This was Ireland’s first major policy statement on biomethane and is an important milestone in the development of an indigenous sector. Strategy development was guided by a working group which was chaired by my Department with input from industry through a public consultation process.
A Biomethane Implementation Group has been formed and will underpin the delivery of the 25 associated actions of the strategy. This group is being chaired by DCEE who are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the strategy.
I can confirm to the Deputy that a Strategic Environmental Assessment screening was carried out prior to the publication of the National Biomethane Strategy. This involved the Strategy being screened following EPA guidance (2021) and screened against the relevant environmental criteria, as set out in Annex II of the SEA Directive and Schedule 2A of the Planning and Development (Strategic Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2004. As a result of this screening and due to the nature of the National Biomethane Strategy, a full Strategic Environmental Assessment was not required.
604. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in relation to the 2022 pilot farm environmental study programme, the delivery of which was awarded to an organisation (details supplied) after a public tender process; when the decision not to proceed with the study programme was made by his Department; when the organisation was informed by his Department that it no longer planned to proceed with the study programme; the reason the programme did not proceed as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35276/25]
View answer606. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the decision not to proceed with the 2022 Pilot Farm Environmental Study Programme was made by his Department; when an organisation (details supplied) was informed by his Department that it no longer planned to proceed with the study programme; the reason the programme did not proceed as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35298/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 606 together.
The pilot Farm Environmental Study (FES) was introduced during the CAP transitional period with the objective of providing a baseline measurement of biodiversity on farms before the commencement of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) in order to support the introduction of the CSP programme.
Following a public procurement process, a contract was entered into with the named organisation for delivery of the pilot. However several delays, meant the pilot didn't proceed as planned and the intended seasonal survey window of May-September 2022 was missed.
The named organisation’s contract for delivery of the pilot FES expired on 30th November 2022.
The CAP Strategic Plan commenced on 1st January 2023 to include ACRES, the flagship agri-environmental scheme which through its results based actions is measuring biodiversity on-farm, replacing the objectives of FES pilot. Over this period there were also developments in biodiversity surveying technologies.
On 24th November 2023 the named organisation was informed in writing that “the Department considers that the technological and policy aims underpinning the FES Programme have rapidly advanced with the CAP Strategic Plan. The technological merit of the survey model of the FES Programme has changed and the Programme is no longer as relevant or necessary to achieve the aims for which it was developed. In the circumstances, I can confirm that the Department is currently considering whether to continue with the FES Programme”.
The decision was subsequently made to discontinue the FES Programme as it was no longer relevant or necessary to achieve the aims for which it was developed.
605. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to implement a ban on glyphosate use as has been done in other countries due to increasing research that it is probably carcinogenic to humans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35277/25]
View answerPesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, contained in plant protection products are approved, or not, centrally at EU level, based on a rigorous scientific peer review process managed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Products containing EU-approved active substances are subsequently authorised, or not, nationally, in accordance with evaluation and decision-making criteria agreed at EU level and taking account of local agri-environmental conditions. Products are only authorised if it can be reliably concluded that the intended uses have no unacceptable impacts on human and animal health and the environment.
A decision to renew the EU approval of glyphosate for a period of ten years was adopted by the European Commission in November 2023. This decision was based on comprehensive scientific assessments completed by EFSA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which were the most detailed evaluation of a pesticide substance ever performed in the EU. ECHA reported that the available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate as a carcinogenic substance and no critical areas of concern were identified by EFSA covering the potential for impacts on the health of humans, animals and the environment.
Glyphosate continues to be intensively studied worldwide and new studies are published on a regular basis. The Commission has stated repeatedly that if relevant new information emerges, based on robust research, it will mandate EFSA and ECHA to review that information and that it would take appropriate action promptly if warranted by EFSA and ECHA’s scientific conclusions.
My Department’s approach to the regulation of glyphosate and all pesticides is based on validated scientific evidence and is guided by the scientific opinions and conclusions of EFSA and ECHA. Protection of human health is always the foremost concern for the Department.
607. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will contribute to the local improvement scheme fund in recognition of the significant proportion of roads being funded under the scheme to enable and improve access to agricultural holdings; if his Department has ever been approached by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with a view to securing a contribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35302/25]
View answerMy understanding is that the local improvement scheme operated by the Department of Community and Rural Development provides for the kind of investment referred to by the Deputy. My Department does not have funding for this purpose, nor am I aware of any request from any other Government Department for such funding.
I will pass the Deputy’s enquiry on to that Minister for direct reply.
608. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers still impacted by the delay in payments under the ACRES for 2023, by county; when the issue will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35311/25]
View answerTo date 44,186 or 99% of those who commenced their Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme contracts in 2023 have received full payment for that year. This means that 514 participant are awaiting finalisation of their 2023 contracts. Of these, 236 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000, respectively. In many instances, this will cover the entire amount of the payment due.
Processing of these cases continues, and payments are being made on a weekly basis to those participants whose contracts have been cleared during that period. The Department is actively resolving the remaining issue.
The below table provides the specific information requested in respect of the 2023 scheme year:
|
County |
Paid |
Not Finalised |
|
Carlow |
471 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1618 |
12 |
|
Clare |
2882 |
24 |
|
Cork |
3506 |
61 |
|
Donegal |
4724 |
72 |
|
Dublin |
69 |
2 |
|
Galway |
5335 |
79 |
|
Kerry |
3364 |
49 |
|
Kildare |
264 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
586 |
14 |
|
Laois |
435 |
7 |
|
Leitrim |
2079 |
11 |
|
Limerick |
1317 |
14 |
|
Longford |
1206 |
14 |
|
Louth |
251 |
3 |
|
Mayo |
5594 |
52 |
|
Meath |
455 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
678 |
6 |
|
Offaly |
683 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
2539 |
21 |
|
Sligo |
1679 |
18 |
|
Tipperary |
1559 |
14 |
|
Waterford |
463 |
8 |
|
Westmeath |
886 |
4 |
|
Wexford |
975 |
8 |
|
Wicklow |
568 |
5 |
|
Total |
44186 |
514 |
609. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has met with a group (details supplied); and if not, if he will do so in the coming months. [35318/25]
View answerWhile I have not met with the group, I have engaged with them through my office. I am committed to meeting them in the near future.
610. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list the dates and attendees of all meetings he and or his Department officials have had with the Environmental Protection Agency since he took office. [35323/25]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that my Department has held 13 bilateral meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency since I have taken office.
A full list of meetings dates and officials attending is detailed in the table below.
|
Date of Meeting |
Attendees |
|
27/01/2025 |
Department: Rebecca Chapman, Sheila Nolan, Michelle Corrigan, Liam Brennan, Bernard Harris, Brian Murphy EPA: Tomas Murray, Mary Frances Rochford |
|
30/01/2025 |
Department: Ger Fox EPA: Odile Le Bolloch, Helen Searson, Kevin Lydon |
|
12/02/2025 |
Department: Emmet O Fahy, Graham Lennox, Ciaran Nugent EPA: Mick Henry, Michelle McLennon, Aisling Ryan |
|
12/03/2025 |
Department: Leanne Roche, Maria Destefanis EPA: Eva Mockler |
|
26/03/2025 |
Department: Fergal Dalton, Ray Nesbitt EPA: Deirdre French, Cian O’Mahony, Tadhg O’Mahony, Eleanor Ryan, Andy Fanning |
|
09/05/2025 |
Department: Deirdre Fay, Rachel Wisdom EPA: Mick Henry and Pamela McDonnell |
|
15/05/2025 |
Department: Noeleen McDonald EPA: Eva Mockler |
|
27/05/2025 |
Department: Síle Bennett, Craig Ennis EPA: P. McDonnell, I. Doyle, M. Nolan |
|
16/06/2025 |
Department: Síle Bennett, Justin Byrne, Craig Ennis EPA: P. McDonnell, I. Doyle, M. Nolan |
|
19/06/2025 |
Department: Ray Nesbitt EPA: Siobhan Murphy |
|
24/06/2025 |
Department: Deirdre Fay, Louise Byrne, Rachel Wisdom EPA: Mick Henry, Tom Ryan, Ian Brunswick, Anna Phelan, Kealan Reynolds |
|
25/06/2025 |
Department: Raphael Crowley EPA: Deirdre French, Cian O’Mahony, Brian Donlon and Tadhg O’Mahony |
|
26/06/2025 |
Department: Sheila Nolan, Paul Vickers, Colin Murtagh, Louise Byrne, Ted Massey, Leanne Roche, Bernard Harris, Maria Destefanis, Noel McGrath, Edwina Love EPA: John McEntagart |
611. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the mistreatment of horses in County Clare (details supplied); the steps he is taking to ensure that those who are responsible for this cruelty are held accountable; to outline the legislation that is in place to protect animals when they are involved in events such as fairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35366/25]
View answerMy Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare, for all animals.
My Department is aware of this case but does not comment on individual cases.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation to Phone No 01 607 2379 and email address animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
612. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the number of export licences for dogs granted by his Department for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, by country of destination, in tabular form. [35422/25]
View answerThe Department does not issue exporter licences but issues an exporter certificate for all commercial movement of pets. The type of certification is dependent on whether the destination is to other EU countries or non-EU countries.
Commercial movement of pets is defined where a pet, or pets, is either travelling unaccompanied, or is travelling for the use of trading, or for shows, sporting events or where an owner has more than 5 pets travelling.
The number of dogs exported commercially from Ireland in the past five years are listed in tabular form below:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2020 |
8,993 |
|
2021 |
10,581 |
|
2022 |
7,089 |
|
2023 |
9,440 |
|
2024 |
8,768 |
|
Total |
44,871 |
The number of dogs exported commercially from Ireland by destination in the past five years are listed in tabular form in the attachment.
613. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all the public services contracts worth €10 million or more, which have been granted by himself or the forerunner for his Department, or other State bodies in the past five years; the value of each contract; the length of term of each; the expiration date of each contract; and whether any contract was discontinued during its term and for what reason. [35477/25]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that my Department has granted 17 public service contracts worth €10 million or more in the past five years. A list of the public services contracts and the additional information requested is contained in the attached table.
As regards the 13 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 Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
|
Year |
Public Service Contract Details |
Value € |
Length of term |
Expiration Date |
Discontinued during its term Yes/No |
|
2020 |
Team of ICT Resources to develop and maintain the IMT Fisheries Systems |
31,000,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a team of Business analysis contractors to assist with the development of IT systems |
28,000,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2026 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a team of QA Testers for Centest |
25,900,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2026 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a Team of software developers for AFIT System |
11,735,550 |
2 years with the option for 2 x 1year extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a team to assist with the development for GCPS Ag schemes |
21,500,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a team to assist with the development for IT Systems AHCS &EDMS |
19,250,250 |
3 years with the option for 4 x 6 month extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a team of QA Testers for ACFF |
13,500,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2026 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a skilled team to assist development and maintenance of forestry related software services |
12,000,000 |
3 years with the option for 4 x 6 month extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Provision of a Team of skilled ICT Resources to develop and maintain the IMT Corporate Customer Access Systems & other applications |
10,000,000 |
3 years with the option for 4 x 6 month extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2021 |
Pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis programme |
10,000,000 |
2 years |
2023 |
No |
|
2021 |
Fallen Animal TSE Subsidy Scheme - to facilitate the rendering of over 48 month fallen TSE tested bovine animals where required by EU regulations. |
19,046,000 |
3 years |
2024 |
No |
|
2022 |
TB Wildlife Programme |
22,151,000 |
3 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2025 |
No |
|
2022 |
Provision of a team of software developers to assist in the development and maintenance of the LPIS systems |
12,248,360 |
2 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2024 |
No |
|
2022 |
Provision of a team of software developers to assist in the development and maintenance of the BPS & EMS systems |
20,875,700 |
2 years with the option for 2 x 1year extension |
2024 |
No |
|
2023 |
Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme |
10,000,000 |
2 years |
2025 |
No |
|
2024 |
Provision of a team of ICT resources for the development and maintenance of the Department's Land Systems software applications |
28,000,000 |
2 years with the option for 2 x 1 year extension |
2026 |
No |
|
2025 |
Provision of a team of External ICT Technical Resources to assist in the development and maintenance of the Departments CAP and national schemes and services platform and other software systems as needed |
36,000,000 |
1 year with the option for 3 x 1 year extension |
2026 |
No |
614. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the progress made by the deer management strategy group; the number of deer culled as a result of its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35511/25]
View answerThe Irish Deer Management Strategy group was established to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland.
The Group comprised representatives from my Department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. It published a report into “Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland” in December 2023.
The report listed 16 Actions, 8 of which are recommended in the short term and 8 of which are recommended in the medium term. These recommended actions address a wide range of issues from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland, which involved the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas.
A programme manager was appointed earlier this year and the locations of the local deer management units have been recently finalised.
The programme manager, through the local deer management units, will be liasing with licensed hunters and landowners in relation to the management of deer populations within the deer management units. Deer can continued to be culled by appropriate licensed hunters within the hunting season and with the use of Section 42 licenses issued by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) outside the hunting season.
615. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount in terms of acres/hectares of forestry land currently owned by Coillte in the Ballycastle area; the amount of forestry land in the Ballycastle area sold by Coillte over the past ten years; and when was it sold. [35724/25]
View answerCoillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act, 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate. The company is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total area of the Republic of Ireland), and its day-to-day operations, such as details of lands owned and sold in the Ballycastle area, are entirely a matter for the company.
I have accordingly asked Coillte to respond directly to the Deputy on the matters raised.
616. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Greyhound Racing Ireland still have no strategic plan in place two-and-a-half years after the last plan expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35802/25]
View answer617. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the indicators and targets, as stipulated in the Code of Practice for the Governance of Stare Bodies that are being used to measure the performance of the Irish greyhound industry in the absence of a strategic plan for the past two-and-a-half years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35803/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 616 and 617 together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a 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.
My Department operates a number of procedures and processes to ensure that RCÉ complies with the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies 2016 (the Code), associated circulars and relevant legislation, including full consideration of financial statements, maintenance of communication at all levels, written oversight documentation and Ministerial appointments to the Board.
RCÉ submitted its draft Strategic Plan 2025 - 2029 to my Department on 2 April 2025. Under the Code, responsibility for the content of the Plan rests with the Board. However the Board is required by the Code to weigh my views as the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and where appropriate the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (MPENDR). In line with the Code, I and the MPENDR had 12 weeks to fully consider the draft plan and express any views we wished to have reflected in the Plan. I provided my views to RCÉ on 6 June 2025 and the MPENDR provided feedback on 25 June 2025.
RCÉ has informed my Department that it is now making arrangements to finalise the Strategic Plan for publication and launch. Once finalised, officials in my Department will review RCÉ's performance through its regular interactions with them.
618. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his Department’s policy on land eligibility for CAP payments where bracken or heather encroachment has occurred due to natural conditions beyond a farmer’s control. [35816/25]
View answerA detailed guide to land eligibility has been published by my Department which sets out how the eligibility of land for CAP payments is determined.
Under the current rules, an eligible hectare is the basis of payment for all area-based payments. An eligible hectare is firstly an agricultural area that is used for an agricultural activity.
An agricultural area is comprised of arable land, permanent crops, and permanent grassland, along with agroforestry and paludiculture. Areas of heather are included in the definition of permanent grassland, but eligibility is dependent on the presence of an agricultural activity in the parcel of land.
Ferns or bracken are inedible to farm animals. Where ferns have grass underneath it will result in the land being in a grazable state. Consequently, the area is eligible once there is an agricultural activity being carried out in the parcel.
As a minister I'm very conscious of the importance of ensuring that the eligibility rules allow for a wide range of agricultural lands to remain eligible once an agricultural activity is being carried out on these lands.
Within the eligibility rules there are also allowances for what are termed beneficial features. These can be described as features which help deliver benefits in terms of biodiversity, habitat retention, space for nature, carbon sequestration. Beneficial features may occupy up to 50% of the parcel without affecting the eligibility of the parcel, provided they do not impact the agricultural activity that must be taking place in the parcel. Beneficial features include scrub, trees, woodland, rock and habitat. Ferns with no grass underneath can be considered eligible as a habitat once the area combined with other beneficial feature areas is no greater than 50% of the parcel.
The land eligibility rules that are in place allow maximum flexibility so that farmers can choose the most appropriate activity for the land that they have. However, it is important to reiterate that for lands to be eligible there must be an agricultural activity present.
619. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered reintroducing or substituting a safe chemical alternative to Asulox for bracken control in uplands. [35817/25]
View answerThe plant protection product Asulox, containing the active substance asulam, is not authorised for placing on the market or use in Ireland. Authorisations for products containing asulam were withdrawn following an EU non-approval decision for the substance in 2011 (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1045/2011).
Temporary emergency use authorisations were granted in Ireland in subsequent years for the control of bracken in limited areas, in accordance with provisions specified in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market, due to a lack of effective alternative control methods at that time.
Temporary authorisations for Asulox have not been granted in recent years. Evidence from trials conducted in 2022 with an alternative product (Eagle) that was already authorised in Ireland for other uses, and contained a different active substance, indicated reasonable control of bracken as well.
My Department subsequently issued an off-label extension of use authorisation for Eagle for use in grassland and forestry situations for bracken control, which is still in place.
620. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support the establishment of a new EIP or pilot project to support sustainable grazing, biodiversity and wildfire prevention in the Comeragh Mountains. [35818/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects involve the establishment of Operational Groups to work together, to share their ideas and to turn existing knowledge and research into innovative solutions which can then be upscaled and inform future Departmental policy decisions.
To date 22 EIP projects have been approved for implementation under the current CSP period, 2023 to 2027. These include the flagship Farming for Water EIP and the Breeding Waders EIP.
I, together with my colleague Minister O’Sullivan, recently announced an open EIP call seeking project proposals to support nature in an arable environment along the coast from South Cork to Wexford.
There are no plans to open any further EIP calls under the current CAP Strategic Plan.
