Written Answers Nos. 696-715
696. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in his capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33385/26]
View answerUnder Section 15 of the Ethics in Public Office Act (1995), gifts presented to office holders valued in excess of €650 are deemed to be gifts to the State and must be recorded accordingly following valuation through the Office of Public Works.
Since taking office as Minister, I have not received any gifts worth more than €650.
Records are maintained by my Department in relation to gifts of lesser value received, and that information is attached for the Deputy's information.
697. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are national policies or additional resources being considered to support towns like Clonmel experiencing a rise in visible drug activity; if there is scope for legislative or policy changes to better address persistent public drug use and protect residential areas; if there are examples of successful interventions in other towns that could be applied here. [33432/26]
View answerThe Government’s strategic approach in relation to the misuse of drugs is set out in Ireland’s National Drug Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’, a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. The strategy is led by my colleagues in the Department Health, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Minister of State Jennifer Murnane O’Connor.
The Strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach to reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs, and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this Strategy supports vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across Government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
This represents a whole-of-Government response to reducing demand and associated harms, while balancing this with limiting access to illegal drugs to the greatest extent possible.
Tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities across Ireland is a top priority for the government and An Garda Síochána.
I am fully committed to significantly reducing the harms caused to families and communities by illicit drug use. The three main policy objectives my Department are seeking to achieve in this area are:
- tackling organised crime;
- minimising the harms caused to those with addiction issues; and
- diverting people from involvement in crime and illicit drug-related activity.
A number of key actions have been taken as part of our plan to tackle organised crime and the illegal drug trade, including:
- Increasing the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life in prison to tackle those who direct gangland and drug related crime;
- New laws have been enacted which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
- Drafting new laws which will provide for the use of biometric recognition technology in the investigation of certain drug offences;
- Further investment in youth justice initiatives that divert young people who have been, or are at risk of becoming, involved in criminal behaviour.
The Government is fully committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to fight organised crime and the illegal drugs trade. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.74 billion in Budget 2026.
Operation Tara aims to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels – international, national and local – involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs. Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends.
In terms of minimising harms, the Garda Commissioner has tasked an Inspector in every Garda Division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. Information on the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme and a list of the nominated Inspectors countrywide is available on the Garda website.
In May 2025, alongside my colleague Minister Murnane O’Connor, I launched the DRIVE (Drug related intimidation & violence engagement) project. DRIVE’s primary goal is to establish effective systems and structures for a unified, timely, and sensitive response to drug-related intimidation. It focuses on responding to incidents, supporting those affected, and preventing future occurrences.
DRIVE promotes interagency collaboration by bringing together law enforcement, health services, social services, and community organisations to tackle Drug Related Intimidation from multiple perspectives. It operates on a national scale across Ireland, ensuring consistent and comprehensive support in all regions.
Additionally, on 11 December 2026, I appointed members, including representatives of An Garda Síochána, to the Tipperary Local Community Safety Partnership.
The inaugural meeting of the Tipperary Local Community Safety Partnership was held on the 20 January 2026 where they elected their Chair, Noel Coonan, and Vice Chair, Cllr Andy Moloney.
Under section 116 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, Safety Partnerships once established, are independent, community-led bodies mandated to design tailored safety plans based on local priorities. Each Local Community Safety Partnership is required to develop and implement its own tailored community safety plan.
Further information including details of membership within Tipperary’s Local Community Safety Partnership can be accessed at this link.
Local Community Safety Partnership | Tipperary County Council
698. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason that applications for a public sector job (details supplied) are restricted to employees already working in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33210/26]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
The Agriculture Appeals Office was established under legislation. It was established to consider and adjudicate on appeals from farmers dissatisfied with decisions taken in respect of their entitlements under farm schemes administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 (Section 3) confines the appointment to the position of Director of Agriculture Appeals to a person holding a position within the Civil Service.
I am satisfied that the appointment of the Director is in accordance with the relevant legislation.
699. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the governance and oversight arrangements in place between his Department, An Garda Síochána, and other relevant Departments in relation to the recording, monitoring, classification, and enforcement of alleged animal cruelty offences, and whether any single Department or body holds overall responsibility for ensuring consistency in how such incidents are recorded and acted upon; and if so, to provide details of same. [33285/26]
View answer700. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the absence of centrally collated data on alleged animal cruelty offences is a matter of policy design, and whether any consideration has been given to introducing standardised national reporting mechanisms to support policy development in this area. [33288/26]
View answer701. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he can confirm which single body or Department has overall policy responsibility for ensuring consistency in the recording, classification, and monitoring of alleged animal cruelty offences across the State, and if no single body holds such responsibility, whether Government considers this a governance gap in the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33291/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699, 700 and 701 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 takes this matter most seriously. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner and remain 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.
All reports of alleged animal cruelty or neglect received by my Department are investigated. 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. My Department keeps the Act under review in light of key developments in the areas of animal welfare, the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act.
Since the introduction of the Act, approximately 1,000 staff within my Department have been designated as authorised officers, under the Act. A large number of these authorised officers are based in my Department’s network of Regional Veterinary Offices throughout the country, providing nationwide coverage. Their responsibilities include carrying out welfare inspections in every county and providing advice and support to the keepers of animals, however primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals rests with the owner or keeper.
An Garda Síochána may also prosecute offences under the Act, however my Department does not have any statistical information in relation to such prosecutions.
My Department is responsible for all policy and legislation in relation to the Control of Horses Act 1996, however operation and enforcement of the Act comes under the remit of local authorities.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders. The Act is currently under review within my Department.
My Department does not maintain a central database in relation to animal cruelty offences and currently there are no plans to introduce such a mechanism.
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.
702. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of TAMS grants received; the number of grants deemed unsuccessful; the number of applications deemed unsuccessful in County Tipperary; the number of applications received in County Tipperary; the reason a large number of applications have been deemed unsuccessful; the budget constraints associated with this scheme; if the funding will be increased for this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31830/26]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) has proved to be extremely popular, with payments of over €155 million issued to farmers since payments commenced in June 2024. To date, 63,754 applications have been received, with 45,987 approvals issued.
There have been 4,403 applications received in County Tipperary, with 2,953 approvals issued, allowing those farmers to proceed with their investments. Approvals are continuing to issue on eligible applications once checks have been completed.
TAMS 3 is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. Given that we are now over halfway through the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), it is prudent that we are mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS tranches.
In order to ensure that the available budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CSP, it was necessary to limit the number of approved applications in recent tranches by applying ranking and selection criteria (RASS). The table below provides a breakdown of the number of applications that were unsuccessful in Tranche 9 and Tranche 10. Those that were unsuccessful in Tranche 9 automatically rolled over into Tranche 10 while those unsuccessful in Tranche 10 will be rolled over into Tranche 11 and will be considered again when an assessment of all tranche 11 applications takes place later this month.
The TAMS scheme will be kept under ongoing review for the remainder of the CSP based on the number of applications received and the available budget.
County breakdown of applications unsuccessful in Tranche 9 and Tranche 10 RASS
703. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the publication of a children’s book regarding Sitka spruce, a non-native species grown primarily for commercial purposes in Ireland and which is the subject of serious environmental and biodiversity concerns, which was issued to primary schools across the country and contained a forward by a former Junior Minister at his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31922/26]
View answerMy Department was not involved in the development or distribution of this publication. The book is an industry-led initiative, supported by the Society of Irish Foresters, the Social, Economic, Environmental Forestry Association of Ireland (SEEFA), and the Irish Timber Council.
A foreword was provided by former Minister of State Michael Healy Rae which speaks to the different trees that grow in a forest, and the various roles forests play. This is consistent with my Department’s Forestry Communications & Engagement Strategy which centres on promoting all five forestry values, including climate, nature, wood, people, and the economy and rural development.
My Departments Forestry Strategy 2023 – 2030 provides a wide range of schemes which includes broadleaves and native tree species, as well as coniferous species such as Sitka spruce which cumulatively deliver a balanced forest landscape and Ireland to meet its climate targets and protect our biodiversity and the environment.
704. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the €156.6 million that was allocated to supporting the fisheries sector in Budget 2026 can be used for a payment scheme to support inshore fishermen in the crayfish fishery to move to lower impact gear in order to protect critically endangered species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31941/26]
View answerThe primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector is the Seafood Development Programme (2021-2027) which is co-funded under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), one of a number of European cohesion funds. The EMFAF is a funding mechanism which supports the primary objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
Under the Programme, there has been research undertaken by the Marine Institute (MI) to improve data collection and explore alternative fishing methods that mitigate by-catch while supporting the economic viability of the crayfish fishery. The MI’s recently published report on catch, by-catch, fishing effort, and spatial distribution in the crayfish fishery in Tralee Bay and Dingle Bay from 2021 to 2024 provides valuable insights into the fishery and has laid the groundwork for developing sustainable conservation measures. My Department is currently examining the findings of the study and its recommendations and I would like to acknowledge the important role of the crayfish operators who contributed to this study.
As part of the research project, that the MI has successfully trialled crayfish pots as a low-impact fishing method, and a larger-scale trial is planned for this year to simulate a commercial pot fishery. This trial will assess the economic feasibility of pot fishing and in transitioning away from tangle netting, ensuring that this shift does not result in job losses for fishers. The MI also advise that the effective design of any potential exclusion zone, including the outlining of suitable boundaries, would require further consideration of behaviour, habitat use and migration patterns of by-catch species as well as the geographic distribution of by-catch risk in relation to the operational location of relevant fisheries.
The crayfish fishery is vital to the livelihoods of inshore fishers, and my Department is committed to working closely with all stakeholders to ensure that future management decisions are informed, equitable, and effective, balancing ecological conservation with economic sustainability. My Department will also review current State Aid legislation to ascertain if potential aid is available to support inshore fishermen to move to lower impact gear in order to protect critically endangered species.
705. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmer solar grant applications that were granted, refused and withdrawn, in County Kerry, in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32031/26]
View answer706. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmer solar grant applications that were granted, refused and withdrawn, in each county, in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32032/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 705 and 706 together.
The 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. TAMS 3 has proved to be extremely popular, with payments of over €155 million issued to farmers since payments commenced in June 2024.
The Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) is one of eleven schemes within TAMS 3. Under the SCIS, grant aid is provided to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology, together with battery storage. SCIS has proven to be very popular, with 5,887 applications received and 3,430 approvals issuing to date, allowing farmers to proceed with their investments.
707. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sea-fisheries ice plants currently operated by or for his Department; the location of each; the operating agency or body; the date established; and the quantity of ice supplied per annum for past five years, in tabular form. [32087/26]
View answer708. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sea-fisheries ice plants previously operated by or for his Department, which have been closed over the past ten years; the location of each; the operating agency or body; and date closed. [32088/26]
View answer709. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to close the BIM-managed ice plant at Dunmore East fisheries harbour centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32089/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 707, 708 and 709 together.
My Department does not operate any ice production facilities.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which was established under the Sea Fisheries Act, 1952, is a state agency that helps to develop the Irish seafood industry by providing technical expertise, business support, funding, training, and promoting responsible environmental practice. As part of these functions, BIM may sell or supply ice according to section 15 (1) (b) of this act.
I have referred the Deputy's request for details to BIM for attention and direct reply.
710. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times that each of the four members of a board (details supplied) have been reappointed to the board by successive Ministers for Agriculture; the reasons these individuals have served as members of the board continuously for over 25 years; his views on whether it can be justified for any person to sit on any State board as an appointee of the Government for such a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32221/26]
View answer711. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of protected disclosures that have gone missing or have been compromised that have been submitted to his Department or State bodies that are responsible to his Department. [32280/26]
View answerThe Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022 provide a robust statutory framework within which workers can raise genuine concerns regarding potential wrongdoing that has come to their attention in the workplace. They can do so in the knowledge that they can avail of significant protections if they are penalised by their employer or suffer any detriment for doing so.
My Department’s Protected Disclosures policy applies to all workers, as defined by the Act, of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is available on my Department’s website and intranet. The policy outlines the channels and procedures for reporting concerns to ensure that the protection provided to a worker by the Act is made available.
I can confirm to the Deputy that, in respect of my Department, no reports received under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, that were submitted to the dedicated email addresses, as outlined in the policy, have gone missing or been compromised. All such reports are managed in accordance with established procedures and relevant legislation.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
712. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff that are currently inactively employed by his Department or any organisation with responsibility to his Department. [32300/26]
View answerThe number of staff that are currently inactively employed in my Department is 158. These are staff that have a current status under one of the following categories: Leave of Absence, Leave with Pay or Unpaid Special Leave.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding public bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the public body themselves. I have referred this query to the bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly to the Deputy.
713. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a person (details supplied) who is waiting for farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32431/26]
View answerThe 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application for the named applicant was submitted on 8 May 2025. On that application, two commonage parcels were declared with an agricultural activity of “Other (e.g. Maintenance Activities)”.
As part of Agricultural Activity Desk Checks for the 2025 scheme year, my Department reviewed this application.
On 16 July 2025, my Department issued an Agricultural Activity Notification Letter requesting that evidence of agricultural activity on the parcels concerned be submitted within 14 working days. A final reminder letter issued on 20 August 2025.
On 25 August 2025, documentation in the form of a paid invoice relating to the hire of a tractor and topper, and hedge cutting works, was submitted on behalf of the applicant. Following review of this documentation, my Department contacted the applicant’s agricultural advisor on 16 September 2025 and advised that geotagged photographic evidence would be required for both commonage parcels in order to verify where the declared works had been carried out. My Department again engaged with the adviser on 11 November 2025 regarding this, at which time it was indicated that the requested geotagged evidence would be submitted.
On 22 December 2025, two geotagged images were subsequently submitted by the applicant’s agricultural advisor, as evidence of agricultural activity. These images were processed and confirmed as being located within one of the commonage parcels forming part of the desk check. Following this review, it was determined that the evidence submitted did not verify that a valid agricultural activity had taken place on the lands concerned.
Accordingly, both commonage parcels were recorded as having no agricultural activity. On 18 February 2026, my Department issued an Agricultural Activity Check Failure Letter informing the applicant that, following the administrative review of the application and the supporting evidence submitted, the eligibility criteria had not been met. As a consequence, payments due under BISS and other relevant area-based schemes were subject to penalty.
714. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether a national dataset exists measuring biodiversity outcomes within State-owned forestry, including metrics such as species richness, habitat condition, or conservation status; and if not, whether he will commit to establishing such a dataset. [32669/26]
View answer715. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the most recent year in which a comprehensive national ecological assessment of biodiversity within plantation forestry was conducted; whether an updated study equivalent to the BIOFOREST project has been commissioned or is planned; and if he will provide a timeline. [32670/26]
View answer716. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what proportion of State-owned forestry lands currently meet defined favourable conservation status criteria; the methodology used to determine this; and the most recent assessment date. [32671/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 714, 715 and 716 together.
My Department conducts a comprehensive national ecological assessment of biodiversity within plantation forestry (and other types of forest cover) on a 5-year cycle under the National Forest Inventory (NFI). The NFI is undertaken by my Department primarily to record and assess the extent and nature of Ireland’s forests, both public and private. As part of this, it collects data on numerous attributes that relate to the ecological condition of the sample plots investigated. These attributes include woodland habitat, tree species, vegetative cover and type, deadwood, even/uneven aged, nativeness, tree lichens and the litter and humus layers. The methodology and results of the most recent inventory cycle – completed in 2022 and involving 2,020 individual plots– are posted on my Departments website.
Four NFIs have been completed with results published and work is currently underway on the 5th NFI.
All NFI results are broken down into two ownership classes, private and public. The vast majority of public forest lands are in Coillte ownership.
The conservation status of Ireland’s Annex I woodlands is assessed separately as part of Irelands Article 17 reporting process. Under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive, Ireland must report periodically on the conservation status of Annex I habitats and Annex II species represented in this country, and respective trends, pressures and threats. This work is caried out by the NPWS, and the latest report was published in 2025. The 2025 reports give details around the methodology used for the assessments carried out for these reports.
While there have been many research projects involving forestry and biodiversity conducted over the years, there is currently no plan to carry out an updated BIOFOREST project.
In September 2025, Coillte announced that they had reached a goal of 30% of its forest estate being managed primarily for nature by the end of 2025. Coillte has a long term goal to transition 50% of its estate to be managed primarily for nature.
