Written Answers Nos. 851-870
851. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if further funding will be made available in 2026 and 2027 for module 2 of the innovative forest technology scheme - investment aid for the development of the forest tree nursery sector. [63148/25]
View answer852. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commit to including the investment aid for the development of the forest tree nursery sector scheme within the next Forestry Programme. [63149/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 852 together.
My Department announced last week that applications are now open for the fourth tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 - Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector.
The Scheme supports commercial Forest Reproductive Material (FRM) suppliers, including forest nurseries and seed collectors, to enhance the quantity, quality and diversity of native tree species for the forestry sector. FRM suppliers can receive up to €250,000 in funding for investments in native forest tree production. Successful applicants that receive approval under the fourth tranche will be paid in 2026 for which budget has been secured. Subject to budgetary allocation, it is intended to open the fifth and final tranche of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in late 2026 and successful applicants would be paid throughout 2027.
Since the introduction of the Scheme in 2023, my Department has awarded almost €1.6m which helps to support the forest tree nursery sector in delivering high-quality trees, which will in turn help us to realise our ambitious planting targets.
The fourth tranche of the Innovative Forest Technology Scheme: Module 2 - Investment Aid for the Development of the Forest Tree Nursery Sector closes for applications on the 31st of December 2025 and I would encourage FRM suppliers to submit their projects for evaluation.
In relation to any future Forestry Programmes, consideration will be given to the inclusion of the Scheme subject to relevant State Aid rules and budgetary sanction.
853. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the forgotten farmers scheme will issue to eligible applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63216/25]
View answer854. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to specify the exact date by which eligible applicants under the forgotten farmers scheme can expect to receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63217/25]
View answer855. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount each eligible applicant under the forgotten farmers scheme will receive; whether the maximum payment of €5,000 will apply in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63218/25]
View answer856. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm whether the €5 million allocation for the forgotten farmers scheme will be sufficient to meet all eligible applications; if additional funding will be announced to ensure no applicant is excluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63219/25]
View answer857. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency measures in place should the number of eligible applicants exceed the initial €5 million allocation for the forgotten farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63220/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 853, 854, 855, 856 and 857 together.
The scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers, more commonly referred to as forgotten farmers, closed for submission of online applications on 13th August 2025. There were 1,254 applications submitted under the scheme by the closing date. These applications are currently being assessed and applicants will be notified of the outcome in due course.
The allocation of €5 million in Budget 2025 to provide support for this cohort of farmers is expected to be sufficient to provide the maximum possible payment to eligible applicants, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. It is proposed to make payment to successful applicants by mid-December 2025.
858. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the crops which will be included in the next round of tillage supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63229/25]
View answerMy Department is currently examining options on how best to mange the additional funding that was allocated to the tillage sector in Budget 2026. Consultations with relevant stakeholders on these supports will take place in the near future.
In 2026 it is anticipated that the Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) and Protein Aid will continue in the current format as these schemes are part of the current CAP Strategic Plan agreed with the European Commission.
The Government remains committed to the sector, and I will continue working with my colleagues across Government to ensure that essential targeted supports are provided where possible given the importance of the sector within the wider agricultural industry.
859. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review an application for a person (details supplied); if the decision will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63280/25]
View answerThe continued increase in bTB disease levels in recent years has resulted in significant additional work in the administration of the bTB programme for my Department. There has been an increase in the volume of bTB Compensation payments that resulted in a temporary backlog in payments. This backlog has been cleared and a payment under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme issued to the herd referred to on 17th November 2025. It may take a number of days for the payment to reach the bank account of the person referred to.
860. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the findings of the recent research published in the Journal of Dairy Science (August 2025), which shows that prolonged periods without feed cause dehydration, hypoglycaemia, low energy, muscle fatigue, and other stress responses in unweaned calves, and that enhanced pre-transport feeding cannot fully prevent such harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63369/25]
View answerMy Department takes its responsibilities in the matter of animal welfare very seriously and exercises close oversight and deploys considerable resources to the area of animal welfare in general, including in respect of animals prior to and during transport.
My Department is aware of the research report referred to by the Deputy and welcomes all research and scientific studies aimed at improving the welfare of animals at all stages of their lives including pre-transport.
861. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken by his Department to ensure that unweaned calves receive adequate feeding, hydration, and rest during transport, particularly on long journeys within and outside of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63370/25]
View answer862. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is considering providing additional supports or infrastructure to ensure proper feeding, watering, and rest facilities for unweaned calves during transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63371/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 861 and 862 together.
The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity, but it is heavily regulated by European and National law which my Department enforces. My Department takes its responsibilities in the matter of animal welfare very seriously and exercises close oversight and deploys considerable resources to the area of animal welfare in general, including in respect of animals being transported.
Trade in animals to other Member States and export of animals to third countries from Ireland must be conducted in compliance with legislative requirements. My Department ensures that animals are fit for transport and comply with the terms of their health certification, as well as ensuring that journeys are only allowed in conditions whereby animals can be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation and with Ireland’s national legislation.
Independent data on the health and welfare of Irish calves in Dutch veal production systems indicates they have significantly lower mortality and lower antibiotic usage, indicating that they arrive in good condition.
863. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which compliance with existing EU and national feeding and welfare requirements for unweaned animals in transport is monitored and enforced; the number of inspections carried out and enforcement actions taken in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63372/25]
View answerThe trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity, but it is heavily regulated by European and National law which my Department enforces. My Department takes its responsibilities in the matter of animal welfare very seriously and exercises close oversight and deploys considerable resources to the area of animal welfare in general, including in respect of animals being transported.
Trade in animals to other Member States and export of animals to third countries from Ireland must be conducted in compliance with legislative requirements. My Department ensures that animals are fit for transport and comply with the terms of their health certification, as well as ensuring that journeys are only allowed in conditions whereby animals can be transported in compliance with the EU's animal welfare legislation and with Ireland’s national legislation.
The relevant health certification requires a veterinarian employed by my Department to state that the animal has not shown clinical signs or symptoms of diseases listed for bovine animals during the clinical examination which was carried out within the last 24 hours prior to the time of departure of the consignment. From 18 November 2024 until 2 November 2025 224,584 calves were transported from Ireland to other Member States or to third countries. My Department has commenced 3 enforcement actions since 17 November 2024 relating to alleged non-compliances involving the transport of calves.
864. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether Ireland plans to support or advocate for stronger protections for unweaned animals during transport in upcoming EU negotiations on the revision of animal welfare and transport regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63373/25]
View answerIn the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy, the EU Commission announced on 7 December 2023 its intention to revise the current EU Regulation on animal welfare during transport Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005. My Department is strongly committed to improving animal welfare standards during transport including for un-weaned animals and supports the revision of the EU Regulation for this sector.
The new Regulation should be based on strong technical and scientific knowledge, as well as drawing on the experiences and good practices of Member States in implementing and enforcing the current Regulation.
Ireland's position is that the primary objective of the revision of the Regulation should be the continued facilitation of high welfare intra-community trade and export of live animals, but that the new Regulation should not be focused on measures aimed at prohibiting or limiting certain types of transport per se.
My Department has continuously reinforced its practical, administrative and legislative measures to protect the welfare of animals during transport, often going beyond the minimum requirements of the current Regulation, for example in providing extra space in vehicles for un-weaned calves, more frequent driver training, and controls on temperature stress.
The proposed new Regulation is currently being examined at Council Working Party level under the Danish Presidency. My Department attends these Working Party meetings.
865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the live export of Irish animals to countries outside the European Union, given the serious welfare concerns regarding the transport and slaughter of animals in destination countries where no enforceable animal welfare framework exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63374/25]
View answer866. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that there have been only four live export shipments to non-EU countries this year, involving approximately 9,000 cattle out of a total of 325,000 exported, and given that cattle prices are currently high, his views that the limited economic benefit of these exports justifies the serious welfare risks animals face during transport and slaughter outside the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63375/25]
View answer867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider phasing out live exports of animals to non-EU countries and instead support the development of domestic or EU-based processing and slaughter capacity to reduce animal transport distances and improve welfare outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63376/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 865, 866 and 867 together.
The trade in and the export of animals is a private commercial activity, but it is heavily regulated by European and National law which my Department enforces. The export of animals plays an important role in Irish agriculture by providing alternative market outlets for farmers. My Department takes its responsibilities in the matter of animal welfare very seriously and exercises close oversight and deploys considerable resources to the area of animal welfare in general, including in respect of animals being transported.
Trade in animals to non-EU countries from Ireland must be conducted in compliance with legislative requirements. My Department ensures that animals are fit for transport and comply with the terms of their health certification, as well as ensuring that journeys are only allowed in conditions whereby animals can be transported in compliance with EU and National law.
My Department continues to collaborate closely with other EU Member States, the European Commission and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare standards in third countries, as well as improving and standardising animal welfare during transport. Specifically, Ireland has committed to annual funding of €75,000 in support of WOAH capacity-building activities relating to the welfare of animals in the context of long-distance animal transport, slaughter and the transport of animals by sea.
868. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of the 2,415 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021, and with an active status on the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System as of 24 September 2025, that were recorded on the race management system as having trialled or raced in the 42 days preceding 24 September 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63407/25]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to that body for direct reply.
869. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale for reducing the payment rate under the national sheep welfare scheme to €11.50 per ewe, despite the prior indication to farmers of a higher expected level of support; and the way in which his Department plans to address the financial shortfall now faced by sheep farmers as a result of this change. [63486/25]
View answerThe objective of the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme was to further enhance animal health and welfare on sheep farms. It follows on from the 2024 National Sheep Welfare Scheme which had a budget of €15 million and which to date has paid out €15.84 million to 17,225 participants.
In budget 2025, €22 million was allocated for the 2025 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, an increase of €7 million or 47% relative to the 2024 scheme. Due to over-subscription of the scheme in 2025 with over 1.91 million ewes applied for, a rate adjustment had to be imposed as set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. This means the Category B voluntary action is being paid at €3.50 per ewe and the overall payment level is €11.50 per ewe, 44% higher than the €8 per ewe paid under the 2024 Scheme
There are 5 actions in the Scheme and applicants are required to complete 2 actions from Category A which are mandatory actions and worth €8 per ewe (€4 per actions completed) and 1 action from Category B which are optional or voluntary actions worth €3.50 per ewe, therefore three (3) actions overall, if they wish to receive the full €11.50 payment. This is an increase of 44% on the amount that the applicant would have received under 2024 NSWS.
Payments under the scheme have already commenced with €16.44 million paid to 13,175 participants on 10 November 2025. A further payment run will take place in early December for those who selected the later completion date for actions under the scheme of 28 November 2025.
870. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an assessment was carried out on the impact of the reduced per-ewe payment on the viability of sheep farms, particularly hill and low-income farms, before the decision was taken to adjust the rate downward. [63487/25]
View answer872. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to rebuild trust with farmers following the reduction in scheme payments, given the ongoing pressures of poor market returns, high input costs, and tight margins in the sheep sector. [63489/25]
View answer873. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department will reopen discussions with stakeholders regarding future scheme design to ensure payment stability, transparency, and fairness for sheep farmers who relied on the original scheme commitments when planning their farm income. [63490/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 870, 872 and 873 together.
I am always mindful of the need for targeted supports to maintain confidence among primary producers in the viability of the sector.
For that reason, I secured a Budget 2026 allocation of €131 million for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including those worth €42m to the sheep sector in 2026. Those supports consist of €20m for the multi-annual CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme and €22m for the annual National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS). The budget for the current NSWS (2025) was an increase of €7m, or 47%, on the preceding year (2024). Payments amounting to €16.44m have already issued to more than 13,000 farmers in respect of their participation in the 2025 scheme.
Prior to the Budget I had extensive engagements with all the farm organisations on matters of concern to them, including on the 2026 scheme funding allocations. It is standard practice for my officials to consult the farm organisations on the design and implementation of various schemes that affect their members. It is also a normal feature of scheme rules that they contain provisions for adjustments in the event of oversubscription. The consultation for 2026 scheme has taken place and farm organisations have provided their input.
In relation to the 2025 NSWS, this scheme proved popular beyond projections. Due to the significant demand for the scheme, it was oversubscribed. In order to see the budget fully utilised and support paid on every eligible ewe, the payment rate for additional optional actions was adjusted in line with the scheme terms and conditions. To deal with the oversubscription, it was necessary to pay an adjusted rate of €11.50 per breeding ewe, to participants who carried out all three scheme actions. There was no change to the payment rate for mandatory scheme actions and the total amount payable to participants completing both mandatory and voluntary actions was €11.50 per ewe which was €3.50 per ewe, or 44%, higher than the 2024 rate.
I am determined to continue providing sheep farmers with meaningful supports which consist of straightforward actions that encourage the widest possible uptake of measures within the available budget.
