Written Answers Nos. 650-669
650. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the circumstances in which farmers are required to apply for tree felling licenses, screening and consent from his Department; whether licenses, screening or consent has ever been issued by his Department retrospectively; and to outline the consequences for failures to comply with regulations. [56802/25]
View answerForestry in Ireland operates under the Forest Act 2014 and the Forestry Regulations 2017 (SI No 191 of 2017). Section 7 of the Act stipulates that a valid felling licence must be obtained from my Department prior felling trees, unless an exemption applies. Felling of trees without such a licence is an offence.
My Department does not issue felling licences retrospectively for illegal felling, and carries out monitoring of licence holders for compliance with licence conditions.
A person who is prosecuted for the offence of felling without a licence is potentially liable to a summary conviction or conviction on indictment as per section 17(6) of the Forestry Act.
In addition, tree felling licences carry an obligation to replant the area felled and my Department can issue a Replanting Order as per Section 26(3) of Act after the discovery of illegal felling, or breach of a licence condition.
651. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department owns sheds at a location (details supplied); if he's aware that the old asbestos roofs of these sheds are badly damaged and broken; if he will outline his Departments plans to remediate these sheds; the intended future use of these sheds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56877/25]
View answerThe sheds and lands in question are privately owned and are not part of my Departments portfolio.
652. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy towards the European Commission's legislative proposals to reform rules on plant reproductive material and to deregulate new genomic techniques; the extent of his Department's engagement with the Commission in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56892/25]
View answer653. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address concerns that proposed reforms on plant reproductive material and new genomic techniques will threaten the conservation and circulation of the diversity of cultivated plants, significantly burden and exclude small scale seed producers, restrict farmers in harvesting, using, and exchanging their own seeds, and further consolidate control of our food systems in the hands of large multinationals exerting oligopolistic powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56893/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.
The European Commission adopted proposals for new regulations on Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) and New Genomic Techniques (NGT) in July 2023. Ireland supports both proposals and has contributed constructively to discussions on these proposals at Council Working Party meetings. Negotiations on both proposals continue. The NGT proposal is at trilogue stage and discussions on the PRM proposal continue at Council Working Party.
The PRM proposal aims to modernise the regulation of seeds in the EU, as some of the current seed Directives date back to 1966. The Commission’s proposal includes a derogation that exists currently to allow the use of farm saved seed and a new derogation to allow for the exchange in kind, of limited amounts of this seed and other PRM between farmers. Other derogations within the PRM proposal allow for the production and marketing of PRM by organisations and networks for the conservation of plant genetic resources and the marketing of seed to non-professional users (e.g. amateur gardeners).
New technology and innovation in plant breeding such as NGTs have significant potential to help overcome many of the challenges facing the agricultural sector and in doing so contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
Consolidation within the seed sector is a reality for many years. There are many challenges in the agri food sector, and both these proposals will assist in addressing some of those challenges.
The PRM proposal seeks to balance the burden on small seed organisations and suppliers while protecting end users. Furthermore, the proposal recognises the role that farmers play in food systems. Negotiations on the NGT proposal have sought to balance innovation in plant breeding and access to improved genetics for farmers.
Ireland's position has been informed by public consultations on both proposals.
654. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the increased supports that will be put in place for equine breeders, such as inclusion in farm investment schemes like TAMS, directing a portion of prize funds to breeders, and supporting thoroughbred foal levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56908/25]
View answerAs part of the programme for Government, my Department is committed to supporting both the thoroughbred and sport horse industries.
A range of supports are currently available to the equine sector under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). This Scheme was first available in mid-March 2023 for this sector. Grant aid of 40% is available with an additional top-up of 20% for qualified young farmers and women farmers who meet the eligibility criteria. Investments specifically targeted at the equine sector include elements such as equine housing, training facilities and fencing.
My Department has provided for funding of €79.28 million to Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) as part of budget 2026. €65.28 million is in respect of current expenditure. HRI is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry on the thoroughbred side. HRI is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. While my Department has advised HRI that not more than 80% of the current expenditure allocation of the Fund can be used for prize money, the exact distribution of the prize money is a matter for HRI.
The Thoroughbred Foal Levy is a statutory levy on all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland in the General Stud Book through Weatherby’s Ireland. The levy is administered by HRI and provides a secure financial footing for the breeding industry and essential support structures. The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association which is the representative body of the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry receives financial assistance from HRI annually via the Foal Levy to assist the body in fulfilling its mandate with €575,000 provided in 2024.
Finally, regarding the sport horse side of the sector, following a public procurement process, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is currently contracted to deliver the contract 'National Breeding Services'. The current contract facilitates the provision of a suite of initiatives to support this sector. Within these initiatives, funding has been allocated to breeders in the form of prize money which rewards them for making positive breeding decisions. In 2025, as part of NBS over €550,000 has been allocated to breeders primarily through the initiative 'Breeding Grants'.
655. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the development of an all-weather horse racing track in Tipperary, which will be a huge asset to the southern region economically and for the equine industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56909/25]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The development of a second all-weather racetrack in Ireland is a key element of HRI's Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
A Final Business Case for the development of an All-Weather Track at Tipperary Racecourse has been received by my Department from Horse Racing Ireland as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines. The Final Business Case is currently under consideration by my Department.
As part of the Business Case, HRI have set out a financial plan which includes a borrowing proposal. Any HRI borrowing proposals separately require consent from both of my colleagues, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation and the Minister for Finance. This aspect is currently being considered as part of the overall approval process.
656. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the development of a high welfare end of life equine facility in conjunction with equine breeders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56910/25]
View answerFacilitating the establishment of a new equine slaughter facility is an action under my plan to give effect to the recommendations of the Wall Report to improve equine welfare and traceability. Two Notifications of Intent have been submitted to operate as an equine slaughter premises, one of which has passed this initial stage. The next stage is the submission of a formal application. My Department awaits the submission of the formal application.
The re-opening of an equine plant is just one element of my plan to ensure the protection of horses at end of life. I have made improving equine traceability a priority for my Department as we know that gaps in traceability leave horses vulnerable to neglect and abuse throughout their lives. Until we have a robust equine traceability system that links horses to their accountable operator, horses will remain vulnerable.
To this end, I am pleased that a new central equine database linking horses to their accountable operator is scheduled to launch shortly.
Ensuring horses are protected at all stages of life will involve a combination of initiatives and my action plan reflects this approach where different actions support the overall objective.
657. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to restore ANC budgets and eligible areas which were reduced after the economic challenges in late 2000's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56911/25]
View answerThe Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme (previously referred to as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme) provides payments to people farming land in designated areas facing significant hardships from factors such as remoteness, difficult topography, climatic problems, and poor soil conditions.
Prior to the economic challenges faced in the late 2000’s, the average annual funding allocated across 2005-2007 under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme was approximately €248M.
The intervening years saw a number of cuts to the ANC allocation due to ongoing financial challenges.
In an effort to bring the ANC funding allocation back to pre-financial crises levels, €25M was allocated to the ANC in Budget 2018.
Further increases were introduced and implemented in 2019 under the ANC which included:
An increase in funding of €23M.
An increase to eligible areas which allowed previously excluded tillage areas receive payment under the fund.
This increased funding brought the annual funding allocation of the ANC scheme to €250M.
The current annual allocation of €250M remains in place and my Department has committed to this funding allocation through to 2027.
On average, my Department has paid €250M to approximately 100,000 farmers for each of the 2023 – 2024 ANC scheme years.
658. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is taking to deal with the ongoing issues with regard to illegal sulky racing causing danger to horses and road users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56989/25]
View answerThe use of sulkies on public roads specifically, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation would be a matter for the Minister for Transport.
The drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents and local authorities undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified.
My Department also operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation. The dedicated email address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address: animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
659. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the Abridged Estimates Volume for Budget 2026 for Vote 30 including the provisional sub-head and programme level allocations. [57010/25]
View answerA breakdown of my Department's allocation for Budget 2026 across all programmes will form part of the Revised Estimates Volume for the Public Service. This will be published in December.
660. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being taken to address concerns and login issues reported by farmer’s following recent changes made to the agriculture food portal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57035/25]
View answerMy Department provides several channels to our farmers to support any queries or issues they may encounter accessing online services, from online guidance documentation to explanatory videos, a chatbot, email contact address and Telephone Helpdesk where Department staff directly assist farmers. Farmers with concerns can access any one of these channels. My Department also continues to engage closely with farming representative bodies and is committed to continually improving our services to Department customers.
Additional security measures were recently introduced to help protect farmer’s personal, banking, and commercial data and require individuals who wish to view scheme applications, payment, or animal data to have a registered account protected by two-factor authentication. An additional option is in development to allow use of a Mobile Authentication app, enhancing security on customer accounts further but also benefiting instances where receipt of SMS messages is weak or unreliable. That option will be made available shortly.
661. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has been notified of a proposed development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57057/25]
View answerMy Department has been made aware of the proposed development and has corresponded with the developer in relation to the potential impacts of the proposed development on certain lands vested in the Minister under the Irish Land Commission (Dissolution) Act, 1992.
663. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the vacant buildings owned by his Department or by agencies under the remit of his Department in Dublin 2, 4, 6, and 6W, including, the address and size in square meters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57103/25]
View answerI wish to advise that my Department does not have any vacant properties in Dublin 2, 4, 6, or 6W.
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.
664. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of confirmed avian influenza at Fota Wildlife Park, if he will publish the biosecurity audit for all State-owned wildlife facilities nationwide, detail compensation, surveillance and culling protocols for private and commercial poultry in Cork environs and commit to upgrading laboratory and rapid response capacity in the Cork region. [57121/25]
View answerState-owned wildlife facilities fall under the remit of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to which questions on that topic may be directed.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 provides that compensation to owners of animals may be payable if a cull of those animals is directed by my Department in the event of an outbreak in that herd or flock of certain diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza. The compensation may relate to the animal that is culled, or to an animal product, animal feed or similar item that is destroyed in relation to the outbreak. The compensation may not exceed the open market value of the animal or item. My Department is monitoring the situation regarding avian influenza both nationally and in Cork, and continuously engaging with stakeholders. The method of culling used where there is confirmation or suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza depends on the size of the holding and the circumstances.
My Department currently operates two Regional Veterinary Laboratories in the Munster region, one in Cork and one in Co. Limerick, in addition to a blood testing facility in Co. Cork. Both laboratories are fully equipped to provide a wide range of animal disease surveillance services. My Department is working in partnership with the Office of Public Works to implement the previously agreed redevelopment programme of our Regional Veterinary Laboratory network which is included in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan. As part of the redevelopment programme, an enhanced Munster Regional Veterinary Laboratory is planned for North Cork which will replace the existing facilities in Cork and Limerick. The acquisition of the proposed site in North Cork is at an advanced stage.
Detailed advice relating to avian influenza is available on my Department’s website.
665. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department is using, or planning to use, artificial intelligence tools; if AI tools are used in the administration of farm grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57127/25]
View answerThe following Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects are used within the Department:
|
AI technologies |
Purpose |
Function |
|
Machine Learning |
Predicting the likelihood of TB outbreaks. |
Research & Development |
|
Deep Learning |
Image analysis for identifying species susceptible to H5N1 (Bird flu). |
Research & Development |
|
Customer Segmentation |
Customer Segmentation analysis for developing Agri-Food policies. |
Research & Development |
|
Logistic Regression Modelling |
Analysis for identifying risk factors for Microbial Food Safety. |
Research & Development |
|
Generative AI |
Analysing content to produce IT documentation. |
Research & Development |
|
Generative AI |
Automatically Preparing IT test scenarios |
Research & Development |
|
Generative AI |
Document Summarisation |
Research & Development |
|
Generative AI |
Data Generation |
Research & Development |
|
Knowledge Graph |
Tracing risk factors within the agri-food supply chain |
Research & Development |
|
Machine Learning |
Smart text analysis to prevent and contain data breaches. |
Operational |
|
Machine Learning, Neural Networks and Deep Learning |
Area Monitoring System |
Operational |
AI technologies are used in the administration of Farm support schemes to detect and contain data breaches and during the determination of eligible land using the Area Monitoring System (AMS).
The use of the AMS to monitor area-based schemes in EU Member States became mandatory on 1 January 2023. My department is monitoring area-based schemes using AMS. The AMS is the regular and systematic observation and assessment of agricultural activities and practices on agricultural areas by Copernicus Sentinel Satellite data. The system monitors all land parcels declared by farmers on their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) applications.
All current and future AI use cases are subject to human review, data protection and governance measures. My department is committed to ensuring that any use of AI is informed by an assessment of any potential human rights and equality implications, with a need for careful management in accordance with privacy and broader ethical and legal frameworks. For operational and security reasons, my Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details which could, in any way, identify potential vulnerabilities in Departmental Cybersecurity arrangements.
666. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2024 Acres payment will issue to a farm partnership (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57197/25]
View answerThe partnership to which the Deputy refers is comprised of two herdowners who had submitted separate applications to enter the ACRES Co-operation approach and were both approved into Tranche 1 of the Scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023. I note that payments in respect of their individual contracts have been finalised in respect of 2023.
As regards their ACRES payments in respect of 2024, I understand that a request was submitted to my Department for the transfer of the two ACRES contracts to the partnership in question. The process of transferring ACRES contracts to a new owner, and updating the herd details across the various systems used by ACRES is underway and is actively being worked on.
I wish to assure the Deputy that work is ongoing to finalise all outstanding ACRES payments, with payments continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
667. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all reports, including consultancy reports commissioned by his Department from 1 January 2024 to date in 2025, that could be categorised as not for external publication or marked for internal use only; the cost of each report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57283/25]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested in relation to all reports, including consultancy reports, commissioned by my Department from 01 January 2024 to date in 2025, is set out in the attached table.
669. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) operates a hatchery near Lough Corrib SAC in County Galway under licence from his Department, if IFI notified him of its imminent closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57333/25]
View answerAn aquaculture licence for the site referred to by the Deputy was granted on 7 December 2017. The licence in question is valid for a ten-year period and is due for renewal in 2027.
My Department’s Aquaculture and Foreshore Management Division has not received correspondence to date indicating that operations at the site are to cease.
The day-to-day operation of the site is a matter for the licensee, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), which is a state body under the aegis of the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
