Written Answers Nos. 872-891
872. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the formal arrangements that exist between An Garda Síochána and other public authorities, including his Department and local authorities, in relation to the referral, joint handling, or escalation of suspected animal cruelty or neglect cases. [29827/26]
View answer873. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the performance indicators, governance metrics, or oversight arrangements used by his Department to assess the effectiveness of the State’s response to alleged animal cruelty offences, including reporting rates, investigation progression, seizure action, prosecution rates, and case outcomes. [29828/26]
View answer874. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any policy gaps, operational deficiencies, or data limitations have been identified by his Department or An Garda Síochána in relation to the recording and investigation of animal cruelty incidents; and if he will outline the steps being taken to address same. [29830/26]
View answer875. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role external bodies or agencies play in supporting investigations into animal cruelty incidents, including veterinary services or animal welfare organisations; and whether formal protocols exist governing such engagement. [29832/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 872, 873, 874 and 875 together.
Animal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and strongly condemns the mistreatment of any animal and takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society.
My Department is committed to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. In this regard, my Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, local authorities and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) undertake appropriate enforcement action, where breaches or shortcomings are identified. Since the Act came into operation in March 2014, 226 cases have been successfully prosecuted. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the area of animal welfare, the legislative environment more generally, and having regard to the practical lessons learned from operating the Act.
In 2025, a process was initiated to develop a new animal welfare strategy, which will act as a framework for engagement and collaboration to direct future activities with the aim of benefiting both animals and Irish society. Development of the strategy is now well underway following broad stakeholder engagement including a non-statutory public consultation. In excess of 1750 individual submissions were received as part of that process.
The new strategy will continue to adopt a ‘One Health, One Welfare’ approach, acknowledging and valuing the inter-dependencies between human, animal and environmental health, and taking an evidence-led approach to policy making, target-setting, monitoring and evaluation. I expect to launch the new welfare strategy in Q2, 2026.
My Department 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.
My Department investigates all reports of alleged animal neglect or cruelty received, and appropriate action is taken up to and including enforcement where appropriate.
876. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to clarify the taxation and excise arrangements arising from the Government's fuel support package announced in April 2026, insofar as they relate to marked gas oil, commonly referred to as green diesel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30389/26]
View answerMy Department is providing an income support scheme worth €100 million to assist farmers, farm and forestry contractors, and fishers.
The scheme will operate on the basis of providing a direct support to these groups and will not have any impact on the excise duty on marked gas oil, commonly known as green diesel.
I will announce details of the scheme shortly.
877. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main policy achievements of his Department within the forestry sector since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/26]
View answerSince January 2025, my Department has increased afforestation rates, delivered a robust governmental response to storm damage, and the strategic implementation of key programme reviews and communications. Key actions include:
• The provision of a comprehensive response to the unprecedented storms Darragh and Éowyn by establishing a Windblow Taskforce and launching a €55 million Reconstitution scheme for private forest owners affected.
• The finalisation of the Mid-Term Review of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in March 2026, providing increased grant rates and supports across key areas.
• Systematic improvements to internal systems addressing the delays in processing licences with the majority of applications now completed within the Farmers Charter timelines.
• The appointment of key stakeholders to the Board of Group Forest Certification Ireland in December 2025 acknowledging the vital role of forest certification to the sector.
• The launch of the ‘Pioneering Research and Innovation for timber and wood-based products in Ireland’ by the Timber in Construction Steering Group demonstrating continued progress in the sector.
• The appointment of a new chair of the COFORD Council in March 2026, helping to facilitate the development of the forest sector in Ireland.
• The launch of the Planting on Public Lands initiative in July 2025 supported public sector bodies to lead by example through the with thirty-three organisations now actively progressing with afforestation plans.
• The design and delivery of an evidence informed Communications and Engagement strategy promoting direct and targeted engagement with landowners, tailoring solutions to their needs.
The success of this approach was evident with 2,527 hectares of new forests planted in 2025, representing a significant increase compared to 2024. I am confident that the cumulative impact of these achievements puts Forestry on a trajectory to restoring landowner trust and lays a foundation for the development of the next Forestry Programme to 2032.
878. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the mental health supports that are in place for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29661/26]
View answer879. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions his Department is taking to promote farm safety; the measures that are in place currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29662/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 878 and 879 together.
Farm safety, health and wellbeing is a priority for this Government. There is a specific focus in the Programme for Government on farm safety, mental health and wellbeing, recognising the unique challenges faced by the sector.
This year, through dedicated funding of €3 million which I secured in Budget 2026, my Department will deliver a range of initiatives to promote best practices when it comes to farm safety and support the mental health and wellbeing of our farmers.
These initiatives include:
• In collaboration with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health, I am co-funding On Feirm Ground 2 programme
• An open call for farmer safety, health and wellbeing projects. Proposals received in response to the call are currently being evaluated.
• The issuing of a tender inviting proposals for initiatives to promote awareness of children’s and young person’s safety among second level students.
• A contract for the promotion of children’s and young person’s safety on farms at shows and events is currently being finalised.
• The delivery of a series of targeted media campaigns focused on a range of high-risk areas including safety around livestock and machinery safety.
• The Acceleration of Wear and Tear Allowances for Farm Safety Equipment Scheme.
• The planned re-opening this year of the National Farm Safety Measure which grant aids PTO shaft covers.
• The distribution of the HSA’s ‘Farming in Older Age’ leaflet to 125,000 farmers through the 2026 BISS packs.
Further proposals for this year are being progressed and will be announced in due course.
In addition, the TAMS3 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme grant aids a wide range of farm safety related investments.
Last year, in recognition of the close link between fatigue and farmer safety and mental health, my Department distributed the HSA’s booklet on ‘Guidance on Managing Fatigue with Farm Work’ as part of the BISS packs to farmers.
This Government will continue to invest in initiatives which support the mental health and wellbeing of our farmers and farming community.
880. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the audit threshold for accounts remains at €100,000 within his Department, despite the official audit exemption threshold being increased to €250,000 in 2025; if he is aware that this discrepancy, coupled with the high cost of audits-estimated at €5,000-is deterring small-scale animal welfare charities from seeking funding when their income only marginally exceeds the lower limit; the reason for the 30 August 2026 submission deadline for accounts when Revenue allows for a longer period until at least 30 September 2026; if he will align these requirements with Revenue and company law standards to reduce the administrative and financial burden on the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29964/26]
View answerAnimal welfare is a key priority for me, as Minister, and for the Government. The Animal Welfare Grants Programme provides considerable support for animal welfare charities to assist them in their vital work in rescuing and re-homing animals, with funding of almost €6.5 million awarded to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, in 2025. The applications process is robust and comprehensive, requiring applicants to provide information on their activities, including reporting specific data and metrics requested as part of the process.
Animal Welfare Grants are paid under the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) Circular 13 of 2014. All applicants to the animal welfare grants programme must adhere to the associated terms and conditions, which are available on my Department's website and are reviewed annually. Currently the terms and conditions require charities with an income of over €100,000 to submit audited accounts which must be signed and dated by the auditor and also require applicants to meet required deadlines. Regarding the deadline for submission of accounts, applicant organisations can have varied end of year dates for their accounts and as in previous years, any charity that cannot submit supporting documentation by the deadline, can request an extension to the timeline, and my Department will deal with such requests on a case by case basis.
881. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the number of non-coursing greyhounds currently on waitlist for a vacancy in an Irish greyhound care home, foster place or rescue place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29995/26]
View answer882. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which an Irish non-coursing greyhound (details supplied) is recorded in Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29996/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 881 and 882 together.
Rásaíocht 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 questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to that body for direct reply.
883. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021; the reason the report commissioned by his Department in December 2024 on the protection of the Irish honeybee has not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30199/26]
View answerThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees, is a Private Members Bill and is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Following advice from the Office of the Attorney General, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and in October 2023, a 12 month contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).
The research work concluded in December 2024, and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation, the research service provider (NUIG) was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator’s comments and these comments were received in September 2025. My Department is currently finalising the overall response to the report and publication will be considered once the bill progresses in line with the procedures of the Oireachtas.
My Department pays an annual grant to the Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS), the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations, the Irish Beekeepers’ Association and the Irish Bee Foundation. In 2025, the four national beekeeping federations received a total of €25,500 through this measure for initiatives, including the conservation of the native Irish honey bee.
My Department also supports Irish beekeeping through the provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping related equipment and structures.
In addition, €121,000 was paid out under the National Apiculture Programme (NAP) in 2025 to support beekeeping through an approved applied research project.
The NIHBS also received funding in 2021 and 2024 under my Department's Conservation of Plant and Animal Genetic Resources Scheme for projects related to the conservation of the native Irish honey bee.
884. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has carried out an updated assessment of Ireland's food security in light of ongoing international conflicts, including instability in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the associated disruption to global food, fertiliser and energy markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30237/26]
View answerIreland is one of the most food secure countries in the world, ranking second of 113 countries assessed for food security according to the Global Food Security Index. Furthermore, the Teagasc Sustainability Report 2024 finds that Irish dairy, cattle, tillage and sheep farms produce protein sufficient to meet the requirements of over 36 million people, or 30 million people on a net basis.
However, recent geopolitical crises have challenged established assumptions on food security.
The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and the EU Single Market are the critical mechanisms for ensuring food security in the European Union. The Government will continue to support farmers as we make payments under Ireland’s €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and via specific supports, as required. I will continue to engage actively and constructively in negotiations concerning CAP post-2027 to ensure that the agri-food sector in Ireland and Europe continues to benefit from an ambitious, workable and adequately-funded CAP that balances economic, social, and environmental sustainability and underpins food security.
The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers, of which I am a member, continues to support the work of the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM). The EFSCM was established in 2021 to monitor and respond to threats to EU food supply and security, including implementation of mitigation measures. To date, four reports on the State of Food Security in the EU have been published, and a food supply and security dashboard has been developed to monitor evolving risks to food security and supply.
Ireland’s approach to delivering sustainable agriculture and food is set out in Food Vision 2030, our stakeholder-led strategy. I recently announced a mid-term review of Food Vision 2030, and food security will be among the issues to be considered.
Prolonged elevated energy prices and increasing input costs are a concern. The Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors and fishers. A substantial support package for green diesel has been put in place, with the full removal of all non-carbon excise of 7.4c/l, and a further payment worth up to 20c/l through a €100 million Fuel Support Scheme. My Department will continue to remain vigilant of input price trends and will engage across Government on the evolving situation.
885. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the extent to which Ireland relies on imported vegetables (details supplied); whether this level of dependence is considered sustainable from a food security and affordability perspective.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30238/26]
View answerAccording to the CSO, since 2016, imports of vegetables have increased by 12%, from 354,638 tonnes in 2016, to 467,045 tonnes (provisional data and subject to revision) in 2025, an increase of 112,407 tonnes. At the same time population estimates from the CSO show an increase in the overall population by 13% in the same period.
Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world, ranking second of 113 countries assessed for food security according to the Global Food Security Index. However, recent geopolitical crises have challenged established assumptions on food security.
The Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and the EU Single Market are critical mechanisms for ensuring food security in the European Union. The Government will continue to support farmers, including vegetable growers, as we make payments under Ireland’s €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and via specific supports. My Department issued over €15 million in payments to the Irish horticulture sector in 2025 through a range of schemes, recognising the continued government commitment to the development and growth of the horticulture sector.
To facilitate development of the horticulture sector- a stakeholder-led National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 has been agreed and sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability.
The implementation of the Strategy’s eight Key Strategic Actions (KSA) is driving change and growth across all the horticulture industry’s sub sectors and is on track to meet farmgate target of €688 million by end of 2027. Teagasc is leading, with the support of my Department, on identifying import substitution opportunities for the Irish edible horticulture industry. My Department, through its work with Bord Bia continues to advocate for consumers to choose fresh, in season, local produce where possible.
886. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the significant decline in domestic potato production from over 20,000 hectares in the 1990s to fewer than 9,000 hectares in recent years represents a strategic vulnerability for the State, given that Ireland is now a net importer of a staple crop historically produced at scale domestically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30239/26]
View answerThe area under potatoes has contracted in response to market signals.
Ireland continues to produce potatoes at scale with sufficient supplies in some market segments and deficits in others. Irish growers still have quantities of rooster potatoes in store from last season. Potato imports for 2025 were mainly chipping potatoes in which Ireland is not self-sufficient.
Bord Bia has invested significant efforts to stabilise a trend of declining potato consumption with EU funded and Exchequer funded campaigns, including the annual National Potato Day celebration in October. Furthermore, since the early 2020s, Bord Bia has been working to grow awareness of and the market for the Irish chipping potato.
My Department provided support to the potato sector to diversify into growing chipping potatoes in part through the Schemes of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and Chipping Potato Sectors in 2022 and 2023. More recently further supports have also been provided through the Scheme of Investment Aid for Innovation and Diversification in Horticulture Capital Investments to enable growers to diversify into salad and baby potatoes where consumer demand is also growing.
These supports recognise the continued government support for the development of this important sector. I am committed to seeing this sector, grow and flourish in the years ahead.
887. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the targeted grant or emergency support schemes currently available or under consideration to assist Irish vegetable and potato growers with rising input costs, including fertiliser, fuel and energy, particularly in the context of food price inflation which peaked at over 16% in 2022, according to the CSO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30240/26]
View answerI recently announced a €100 million fuel support scheme which will provide supports equivalent to 20c/l to farmers and contractors to offset increased costs in marked gas oil.
Approximately 120,000 farmers and 1,500 agricultural and forestry contractors will be eligible to apply for support, including horticulture growers.
I will announce further details of the scheme shortly.
888. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that the spring growing season is already underway, if he will introduce immediate measures to incentivise expanded domestic planting of staple crops in 2026; his views on whether increased investment in Irish food production should be treated as a strategic national priority to improve resilience, reduce import dependence and support rural employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30241/26]
View answerThis Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising input costs are placing on tillage and horticulture producers and has put in place numerous supports for growers.
I recently announced a €100 million income to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers impacted by increased fuel costs. I will announce further details of the scheme shortly.
In addition, the horticulture sector is supported through three separate schemes targeted at commercial growers. In 2025, €15 million in support was provided to commercial horticulture growers. In addition, carbon tax relief applies to natural gas supplied from 1 April 2024 and used for qualifying purposes in horticultural production and mushroom cultivation. Work is ongoing to implement the Key Strategic Actions of the stakeholder-led National Strategy for Horticulture 2023–2027.
I am also providing significant support to growers in 2026 totalling some €50m through the new National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme, the Straw Incorporation Measure and Protein Aid schemes. Funding of €30m for the new National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme is new funding I secured in Budget 2026, with payments under the Scheme being made last month. These supports are delivered alongside the farming for Water EIP, the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme, ACRES and the Organic Farming Scheme. These schemes will play an important role in underpinning tillage farm incomes and will provide a strong foundation for protecting the future of tillage farming in Ireland.
In addition, a range of further initiatives are being implemented arising from the recommendations in the Food Vision Tillage Report. These are aimed at achieving greater recognition of the sustainability of Irish grain and developing new value-added opportunities across the supply chain, these initiatives are important to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.
I will continue to work with growers and stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability, resilience, and development of the agri-food sector.
889. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details on all open EU infringement proceedings where the subject of the infringement relates to the functions of his Department; the reason the infringement proceedings were initiated; the procedural stage of the infringement proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30260/26]
View answerOnly one open infringement procedure against the State falls within the remit of my Department. On 29 January 2026, the European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland (Infringement Procedure 2026/0083) on the basis that Ireland had failed to notify the transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1438 relating to honey, fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption*, by the deadline of 14 December 2025. The transposition of the Directive has since been fully notified to the European Commission.
*Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption.
890. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to simplify as a matter of priority, the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme as a significant number of applications are being turned down due to the scheme being too onerous and complicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30291/26]
View answerThe Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
The scheme operates in tranches, with more than 63,000 applications received across the first eleven tranches of TAMS 3. This is approximately three times the average number of applications received over the same period under TAMS 2.
TAMS 3 is co-funded by the EU, and is governed by EU regulations. The terms and conditions of the scheme are designed to ensure that all farmers who hold a Department Identifier and declare a minimum of 5 hectares on their Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application are eligible to choose from a list of over 400 investment items available across the eleven TAMS sub-schemes.
A total of only 6% of applications have been rejected due to ineligibility under the terms and conditions of the scheme, which also includes cases where the applicants voluntarily decide to withdraw their applications.
I am satisfied that the scheme in its current format is the best mechanism for ensuring that funding is targeted at the most appropriate enterprises. I will also ensure that the scheme continues to be reviewed taking into consideration the available budget and the number of applications received.
891. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of targeted agriculture modernisation scheme applications that have been granted/refused in each of the years 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30292/26]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. All investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
TAMS 3 has proved to be extremely attractive, with payments of over €152 million issued to farmers since payments commenced in June 2024.
All eligible applications submitted in the first eight tranches of TAMS 3 have received 100% approval, allowing them to proceed with their investments. This is approximately three times the average number of applications received in the same period under TAMS 2.
Due to the unprecedented success of each of the individual schemes within TAMS 3, it was necessary to apply ranking and selection to tranches 9 and 10 to ensure adequate funding for the remainder of the CAP Strategic Plan.
The table below sets out the number of applications received, the number that were not selected following ranking and selection (refused) and the number of approvals issued (granted). It does not include applications, withdrawn or rejected prior to ranking and selection and those currently being assessed. Please note that TAMS 3 commenced in 2023, so there is no data in respect of 2022. It should also be noted that applications submitted in a particular year may be approved in the following calendar year.
|
TAMS 3 |
Received |
RASS Not Selected/Refused |
Approved |
|
2023 |
5218 |
- |
5131 |
|
2024 |
26013 |
- |
18618 |
|
2025 |
18287 |
- |
19971 |
|
2026 |
14236 |
2215 |
1401 |
|
Total |
63754 |
2215 |
45121 |
