Written Answers Nos. 736-755
736. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any plans to devise a financial hardship scheme that can assist mussel fishermen who have been without an income since 2022, as no seed mussel settlements have been found large enough to fish in 2023, 2024 and in 2025 to date. [54954/25]
View answerIreland's €258m Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish Government and EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027, is the primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector.
The EMFAF Regulation sets out the measures which are eligible for funding. Relevant EU state aid Regulations for the fisheries and aquaculture sector then set out measures which may be funded by Member States themselves.
It is important to note that majority of operators who fish mussel seed do not derive a direct income from it, but rather it is a raw material they relay to their aquaculture sites for the production of mussels in the following years. As these operators have access to alternative sources of mussel, it is difficult at present to fully assess the degree to which the incomes of those who fish mussel seed have been affected.
A fuller analysis of the economic impact would be required before considering any possible supports, and any such supports would have to be considered within the constraints of EU funding Regulations and national budgetary processes.
In the meantime income supports are provided by the Department of Social Protection, with a specific category of Jobseekers Allowance for fishers, known as Fish Assist, further details are available here: https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/out-of-work-payments/apply-for-jobseekers-payment/Anyone who requires such financial assistance is advised to contact their local Intreo centre. Details of Intreo centres are available here: www.gov.ie/en/intreo-centres/?referrer=/en/service/40cf48-find-your-local-intreo-office/
739. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department monitors the outcomes of mini-competitions under framework agreements to ensure that no individual supplier is consistently awarded contracts to the exclusion of others, and if any analysis is conducted on whether frameworks are delivering the intended level of competition. [55007/25]
View answerIn line with Government policy, my Department prioritises the use of central arrangements (including frameworks) where suitable. My Department avails of frameworks put in place by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and the Education Procurement Service (EPS). My Department currently does not have any of its own frameworks with a mini-competition award mechanism in place.
As these frameworks are put in place by the OGP and/or the EPS, my Department does not have oversight relating to all contracts awarded.
Mini-competitions run under the frameworks on behalf of my Department are evaluated in accordance with the methodology set out in the tender document templates. This ensures that tender submissions are evaluated in a fair and consistent manner.
740. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail the way in which sustainability criteria included in framework tender documentation are evaluated in practice during mini-competitions; and the assurance that exists that such criteria are applied consistently and transparently across competitions. [55008/25]
View answerIn line with Government policy, my Department prioritises the use of central arrangements (including frameworks) where suitable. My Department avails of frameworks put in place by the OGP (Office of Government Procurement) and the EPS (Education Procurement Service).
When using such frameworks and where environmental and social considerations are in scope, tenderers are required to describe their approach to sustainability in the tender documents providing clear and comprehensive details that demonstrate an understanding of my Department’s requirements relating to the following:
• Environmental considerations linked to the subject matter;
• Social considerations linked to the subject matter.
These criteria are evaluated in accordance with the methodology set out in the tender document templates provided by the OGP and/or the EPS. Adherence to the methodology set out in the tender document templates ensures a consistent and transparent approach to evaluation of these criteria when in scope.
My Department currently does not have any of its own frameworks with a mini-competition award mechanism in place.
741. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any technical, legal, operational, or policy constraints preventing his Department, when publishing quarterly reports of payments or purchase orders over €20,000, from including additional columns that link each payment to its underlying procurement process specifically tender/contract title; name and address of the awarded contractor/supplier; contract award date; contract duration; expected contract value (excl. VAT); maximum contract value (excl. VAT); the unique identifier from the relevant contract award notice; and where such constraints exist, to provide details explaining his Department’s current process for reconciling each reported payment with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders. [55051/25]
View answerMy Department publishes a quarterly report on the Purchase Orders over €20,000 in line with the requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2014. The details of the report are taken from my Department’s electronic records of payments made in that quarter. This information is recorded on a financial management system (FMS) operated by SAP, a multinational software company. Some information, e.g. addresses of individuals is not published as this would breach GDPR protocols.
In line with Circular 05/2023 (Initiatives to assist SMEs in Public Procurement), my Department also publishes contract award information for all procurements over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT), including any contract awarded under a Framework Agreement. This is published on the eTenders website on completion of the award regardless of whether the procurement was advertised on eTenders or not.
For tenders above the relevant EU thresholds, a Contract Award Notice must be published.
For tenders between €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) and the EU thresholds, a separate notice on eTenders is created. Detail of such contract are available on the eTenders platform. The eTenders platform is maintained by European Dynamics, who were awarded the contract to provide this service by the Office of Government Procurement.
My Department does not reconcile reported payments with the corresponding published contract award notice on eTenders.
742. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of delays in issuing passports for horses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55095/25]
View answerThe processing of equine passport applications is an operational matter for the seven approved passport issuing organisations (PIOs). My Department emphasises the importance of timely issuing of equine passports and will engage with PIOs where necessary if unacceptable delays are being experienced.
743. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which his Department is supporting dairy and beef farmers to manage increased volatility in global markets, while also preparing for future carbon reduction obligations; and if further income-stabilisation measures or risk-management tools are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55098/25]
View answerI am acutely aware of the volatile nature of farm income and the challenges of meeting our climate obligations.
Irish agricultural output prices and input costs are sensitive to geopolitical and global economic factors, as well as more localised factors. This can lead to variations in income from year to year.
I am supporting beef and dairy farmers through a combination of targeted schemes that will improve the future viability, resilience and sustainability of those enterprises. Budget 2025 delivered supports to the livestock sector (dairy, beef and sheep) at the highest level ever. Recognising the importance of the livestock sectors, I will be maintaining the existing overall allocation for the various livestock schemes which will amount to €131 million in 2026. The measures in these schemes are specifically aimed at both economic and environmental sustainably. In particular there is a strong focus on breeding measures to improve productivity from an economic and environmental perspective. I will also continue to fund the National Genotyping Programme (NGP) to support my ambition of genotyping the entire national bovine herd while delivering on key policy priorities related to climate action, sustainability, competitiveness and traceability.
One of the most effective tools in addressing volatility is the certainty provided by direct payments under the CSP.
These include measures available to farmers through both the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), which is worth €9.8 billion to farmers and rural communities over its lifetime, and through exchequer-funded schemes, designed to reduce risk and respond to market crises.
I also work closely with my colleague the Minister for Finance on taxation matters and I am open to discussing with stakeholders potential measures in managing income volatility.
744. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken to support farmers in meeting nitrates, water quality, and emissions obligations; and if he will confirm that sufficient funding and flexibility will be available to ensure compliance does not undermine farm viability, particularly for family-run enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55099/25]
View answerThere is significant engagement and action across the agri-food sector in relation to improving water quality and reducing emissions.
The Government remains committed to seeking a continuation of Ireland's nitrates derogation and improving water quality.
The Nitrates Regulations form the baseline for reducing agricultural nutrient losses and improving water quality. However, incentives, industry support, knowledge exchange and advisory services are also playing a key role in reducing nutrient losses from agriculture.
Significant resources and funding have been made available for improving water quality including the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme or ASSAP where around 60 advisors are now providing free advice to farmers located in priority areas for action.
The €60m 'Farming for Water' European Innovation Partnership is incentivising farmers to target specific additional measures above regulatory requirements in priority areas.
My Department is also providing grant aid support for low emission slurry spreading equipment and manure storage. Since 2015 over €153m has been paid to farm families supporting significant investments on Irish farms in manure storage and low emission slurry spreading technology.
Regarding emissions, the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, developed by Teagasc, sets out how farmers can achieve emissions reductions in the most cost-effective manner possible. Government is supporting farmers through supporting improvements in animal breeding, soil fertility and other actions to reduce emissions.
In addition, my Department has committed €2m of funding for the development of “AgNav”, a collaboration between Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation. AgNav provides a whole farm sustainability assessment that allows science-led plans to be made for individual farms to reduce emissions.
Overall there is significant action being taken and significant funds are available in relation to improving water quality and reducing gaseous emissions. It is important to continue supporting our farmers in both of these areas to meet our national targets.
745. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial support which will be made available to farmers for nature restoration in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55102/25]
View answerMy Department is supporting farmers in the critical work that they undertake in conserving and restoring nature, across many fronts. My colleague the Minister of State for Nature, Heritage & Biodiversity has lead responsibility for the development of Ireland's Nature Restoration Plan .
The Deputy may be aware that I secured an increased allocation of €280m funding in the 2026 budget for the flagship agri-environment scheme, ACRES. This demonstrates my Department’s continued commitment to nature restoration. Almost 54,000 farmers are participating in ACRES. These farmers are undertaking actions that support nature, biodiversity and the environment. Both ACRES General and ACRES CP actions focus on habitat and biodiversity improvement measures with over one million hectares scored for habitat condition.
Additionally, schemes under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, such as the ECO Scheme rewards over 100,000 farmers in providing Space for Nature. My Department also supports some 100,000 farmers through the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme, this land tends to have a high value in terms of nature and biodiversity. These schemes aim to preserve habitats and landscapes.
Forestry is a key support of nature and biodiversity. Funding of €93 million for the forestry sector was secured in the 2026 budget, which is a 5.7% increase on the 2025 allocation.
Earlier this year I announced the awarding of €17.8 million to eleven European Innovation Partnership projects on the theme of environmental sustainability. These key projects will promote regenerative agriculture practices to restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and improve the resilience of Irish farming systems. This builds on the existing catalogue of successful EIPs supported by my Department such as Waters for Life and Breeding Waders projects.
My Department is committed to supporting farmers and foresters in respect of nature restoration in 2026.
746. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the increase in TB expenditure announced in Budget 2026 will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55108/25]
View answerBovine TB is an ongoing challenge for Irish farmers. I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial impacts of bovine TB on farmers, their families and rural Ireland. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in bTB levels nationally with over 6,000 farm families affected by a bTB outbreak in 2024 and herd incidence was at 6.04%.
The primary driver of the cost of the bTB programme is disease levels. In 2024, the bTB programme cost €100m, an increase of 35% on 2023. For this year up to 30th September just under €80 million has spent on the TB programme.
I secured an increased budget allocation of €85 million for bTB in Budget 2026, providing a total budget of €157 million. This additional funding is vital in addressing this disease and I am confident it will help drive down the incidences of bovine TB levels for future years.
This investment in the bTB programme will support additional targeted testing, additional resources for the wildlife programme and supporting on farm biosecurity through both direct support to farmers for improving biosecurity infrastructure on their farms and facilitating more engagement between farmers and their private veterinary practitioners through Targeted Advisory Service on Animal Health (TASAH) visits.
I published the Bovine TB Action Plan, “Addressing Bovine TB in Ireland”, on 9 September. The Action Plan follows extensive discussions with stakeholders in recent months. The Action Plan is based on scientific research and veterinary expertise. There are five measures, which are underpinned by 30 actions:
Support herds free of bTB to remain free
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a bTB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
Help farmers improve all areas of on-farm biosecurity
Reduce the impact of known high-risk animals in spreading bTB
I am confident that the increased budget for 2026 will allow the revamped bTB programme to focus on tackling disease levels through the implementation of the measures laid out in the new bTB Action Plan and will support and enable farm families who are currently dealing with the stress of a TB outbreak to navigate a way out of a bTB restriction and protect those herds currently free from bTB from the stress of a bTB outbreak.
It is critical that this additional expenditure focusses on reducing disease levels. The objective of the new measures in the Bovine TB Action Plan is to reduce the number of farms affected by bTB and ultimately decrease costs for farmers and the taxpayer.
747. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55154/25]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to all studies, research and reports commissioned by my Department, that were outsourced in each of the past five years, is set out in the attached table.
748. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of delayed ACRES payments, by county, and by average duration of delay; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55354/25]
View answerThe requested breakdown of figures per county is currently being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy on completion.
|
County |
Total |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
25 |
|
Clare |
57 |
|
Cork |
129 |
|
Donegal |
95 |
|
Dublin |
1 |
|
Galway |
144 |
|
Kerry |
91 |
|
Kildare |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
9 |
|
Laois |
9 |
|
Leitrim |
37 |
|
Limerick |
34 |
|
Longford |
15 |
|
Louth |
0 |
|
Mayo |
156 |
|
Meath |
10 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
|
Offaly |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
26 |
|
Sligo |
21 |
|
Tipperary |
44 |
|
Waterford |
18 |
|
Westmeath |
10 |
|
Wexford |
23 |
|
Wicklow |
16 |
|
|
994 |
749. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware that 396 farmers have yet to receive their final ACRES payment for 2023; when these payments will be processed; the reason for the continued delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55355/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, ACRES payments continue to issue on a weekly basis. More than 99.6% of participants have now had their 2023 ACRES payments finalised. I can confirm that there are now a total of 178 participants awaiting finalisation of their 2023 scheme year payments.
These are in a change of contract scenario, in that a change of ownership has taken place and certain legalities are likely to be contributing to the delay. In such cases my officials are unable to progress the payment claim until the legal requirements have been resolved.
Payments will continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases pass validation checks. Furthermore, once a payment issues, that case will automatically move forward to the validation checks for the next assigned payment. For example, a 2023 case will proceed to 2024 advance payment validations.
My Department will continue to provide weekly payment updates on its website.
750. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and each body under its aegis discloses expenditure on external consultancy and adviser fees, by category (details supplied) in their annual report and or financial statements for each accounting year; if they provide direct web links to the most recent publications where these Section 1.5 disclosures are set out for his Department and for each aegis body; and if they provide the total consultancy and adviser fees by the Section 1.5 categories for each of the past five years for his Department and for each aegis body, respectively; and the internal controls that are in place to ensure that these category-level disclosures are made annually and that procurement of such services complies with applicable competitive tendering rules, in tabular form. [55359/25]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. A response will issue to the Deputy in due course.
751. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s work to explore measures to encourage the use of inhibited urea, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55514/25]
View answerRegulatory measures under the Nitrates Action Programme were introduced in February 2025 through SI 42 of 2025; the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and have now come become effective from 15th September 2025. In the changes introduced through the amendment, a provision has been included to allow a restriction on the use of uninhibited urea in granular form from 15th September 2025.
My Department has also supported a Teagasc run communications campaign to promote the use of inhibited urea during Spring 2025, this included the publication and dissemination of a flyer highlighting the advantages of using inhibited urea, and testimonials of famers who have started to use it on their own farms. Work to encourage the use of these new technologies is continuing through knowledge transfer programmes supported by my Department such as the Teagasc Signpost demonstration farms and the Signpost Advisory Programme.
The use of inhibited urea on Irish farms has increased markedly over the last number of years. Fertiliser records detail increases in the volume of purchase by Irish farmers of inhibited urea products of 18% in 2022/2023, and 50% in 2023/2024. The actions I have outlined will further increase this uptake and contribute significantly to a reduction in emissions from the sector in the years ahead.
752. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s work to tackle the challenge of securing access and cost of feed in the organic livestock sector, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55515/25]
View answerIn Budget 2026 my Department has received an allocation of €58.6 million to provide for a continuation of financial support to organic farmers and to encourage the production of organic foods. This will also facilitate a targeted reopening of the scheme to farmers in the tillage sector.
There is strong demand for organic cereals, for oats for export markets, and for organic feed - this was confirmed in my Department's organic feed surveys in 2024 and 2025, which highlighted the need for more organic cereals to be grown.
Government’s increased investment in organic farming has resulted in significant 5-year growth in Ireland, as follows:
• 248,000 hectares are now under organic production, or 5.5% of Ireland’s agricultural land, representing a growth of 243% since 2020.
• 5,500 farmers are now registered under the Organic Farming Scheme, a 223% increase on 2020’s figures.
These increases have delivered lower production intensity, with reduced ruminant stocking rates and reduced external synthetic inputs. Organic farming also supports farmer income, improves water quality, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, encourages farm diversification and enables generational renewal.
Over the last number of years, my Department have been providing strong support for organic farming, including:
• Expansion of the Organic Farming Scheme’s (OFS) which supports farmers in their conversion to Organic farming.
• Establishing the Organic Strategy Forum which brings together twenty-three organisations spanning the supply chain from farm through to market. In September 2024, a new National Organic Strategy for 2024-2030 was launched.
• Developing and launching the Organic Trading Hub to provide a dedicated resource for Certified Organic Operators to trade in certified organic farm inputs and outputs.
• Expansion of the Organic Processing Investment Grant (OPIG) scheme which aids organic processors who wish to invest in developing facilities for the processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage of organic products.
• Created under TAMS the Organic Capital Investment Scheme, which provides support specifically for organic farmers with the aim of ensuring a regular supply of high-quality organic produce for the market.
• My Department is supporting a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project on Adopting and Advancing Innovative Integrated Weed Management (IWM) Practices for Organic Tillage and Vegetable Production Systems. This is a 5-year project with an overall budget of approx. €1.5m. This project will trial and promote the adoption of innovative mechanical and thermal weed control technology on organic farms. The learning will be beneficial to our organic farmers as we increase our cereal and vegetable areas.
• In addition, Teagasc and the Agricultural Consultants Association (ACA) will support farmers to improve their feed autonomy through a targeted plan in relation to grazing management, multispecies swards, clover and homegrown cereals to help minimise the need to import organic feeds.
These actions will continue to be a key priority for my Department.
753. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s preparation of a Land-Use Strategic Implementation Plan to deliver the Coillte Forest Estate Strategic Land-Use Plan, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55516/25]
View answerAs Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988, the development of the implementation plan to deliver its Forest Estate Strategic Land Use Plan is entirely a matter for the company, and my Department is not involved in its preparation. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Coillte for direct reply.
754. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s work to raise awareness among forest owners of the impact of timing when deciding to fell their forest, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55517/25]
View answerMy Department developed a Felling Decision Tool to provide forest owners and managers with information on the estimated timber revenues for future management interventions. This tool may be used to assist in deciding when to fell a forest, by providing financial information on the implication of felling earlier or later than when the financial returns are normally at their highest.
The Felling Decision Tool has been promoted in the following ways during 2025:
• An information note has been prepared on the Felling Decision Tool which is available online. Hard copies of the note were also prepared for dissemination at DAFM funded knowledge transfer events.
• In the context of the Storm events awareness was also drawn to the Felling Decision Tool through a press release.
• A circular was issued to all registered foresters and stakeholders titled: Circular 14 of 2025: Availability of Forestry Decision Support Tools.
• An online video was published to demonstrate the use of the tool and provide greater visibility to the tool.
Delaying the felling of a forest can retain and grow the carbon stocks within a forest for an additional period of time. Research has shown that this extension of rotation age can offer one of the largest, most cost-effective and short-term pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. However, forest owners and managers have to be mindful of the impact of extending the forest rotation on aspects such as forest stability, delay in obtaining clearfell revenue and marketability of larger log sizes.
755. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s launching of complementary actions in 2025 under ACRES cooperation projects, aimed at reduction in land use emissions, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55518/25]
View answerParticipants in the Co-Operation stream of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) have the opportunity to apply for complementary actions in the form of Non-Productive Investments (NPIs) and Landscape Actions (LAs).
NPIs are actions designed to achieve environmental improvements on the farm, which can also contribute to wider environmental objectives and increase a farmer's capacity to improve field scores through more appropriate management.
LAs can be large-scale or more targeted measures which focus on issues such as invasive species management, encroaching scrub, threatened species and water quality protection, thereby offering benefits for both the local and the wider environment.
Both NPIs and LAs can improve the results-based score achieved on the particular holding, potentially leading to increased payments for participants in the scheme.
A variety of Hydromorphology actions are available as part of the LAs, which could contribute to peatland restoration, although on a relatively small scale. The first application window for LAs opened on 18th July and closed on 30th September, with 842 plans containing a total of 6,432 actions submitted during this time. These applications are currently being evaluated and it is expected that decision letters will issue before the end of the year. It is also expected that a further application window will open during 2026.
