Written Answers Nos. 894-914
894. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the interest of health and safety, to urgently provide the construction of a landing facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39076/26]
View answerThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority-owned piers, harbours, and slipways rests with each individual Local Authority in the first instance. This responsibility includes ensuring that all such marine facilities are fully compliant with health and safety requirements. The facilities at Cromane fall under the remit of Kerry County Council in the first instance, and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.
I and previous Ministers have provided a commitment for my Department to work with Kerry County Council to examine the feasibility of providing a landing facility at Cromane. Senior officials within my Department and within Kerry Country Council met on May 22nd to explore future plans. It was determined that the ambitions proposed for Cromane extend beyond the maximum funding provided under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme administered by this Department. It was also determined that an alternative source of funding is not available to Kerry County Council at this time. It was agreed that officials will continue to engage regarding possible future plans for the site. Any future funding applications relating to this pier will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding, and overall national priorities.
On 20th May this year, I announced a national allocation of over €4.8 million for the 2026 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. As part of this rollout, I was delighted to approve a maximum funding package of €495,750 specifically for Kerry County Council. This funding supports up to 75% of eligible costs for specific local works to a maximum of €187,500 per project - which is allocated to Kerry County Council in respect to two projects (Fenit Pier and Knightstown Breakwater).
895. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if small farmer incomes are protected in the context of the new CAP negotiations, in regard to stocking rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39113/26]
View answerThe post-2027 CAP proposals remain under negotiation at EU level. The Commission’s proposals include provisions for targeted support small farms, and Ireland will continue to advocate for measures that support the viability of small farms as negotiations progress.
Small and medium sized farmers are a vital part of Irish agriculture and rural life. They make an important contribution to food security, environmental sustainability, generational renewal, and to the economic and social sustainability of rural communities across the country.
The proposals do not define small farm by reference to stocking rates. Member States would determine the definition of a small farmer and the design of any support or intervention within their national plans, providing flexibility to reflect national circumstances.
Ireland’s position is that the future CAP framework must remain practical, proportionate and flexible enough to reflect the diversity of farming systems and land types across Member States, while continuing to support viable farm incomes across farms of all sizes.
896. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the combined landing dues, levies for pelagic stocks landings into Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre for the period 2019 to 2025; if he will provide the levies for exporting of pelagic stocks by freezer vessels for the same period, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39285/26]
View answerClarification has been sought from the Deputy on the information requested. The response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible once clarification is received.
897. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the mechanisms in place to monitor and track the welfare and current location of greyhounds that become the subject of animal welfare concerns or investigations and have been taken into care; if greyhound racing Ireland maintains records relating to the ongoing welfare and whereabouts of such dogs; and if he will provide an update on the current welfare status and location, where available, of the greyhounds referenced in recent material circulated online (details supplied). [39301/26]
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.
898. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason domestic dwellings are to be removed from TAMS 3 solar capital grants; if he has considered the impact this will have on small farmers in rural Ireland who use their domestic dwelling as the primary source for their electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39328/26]
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 Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) is one of eleven sub schemes within TAMS 3.
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.
The number of applications and the level of funding provided to date under certain schemes, such as the Solar Capital Investment Scheme (SCIS) have exceeded expectations, to the extent that more than 20% ( €33 million) of the TAMS budget is being spent on SCIS.
In order to ensure that the available budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CSP programming period and to maximise the number of applications that may be approved under this scheme while maintaining support for other areas that require investment, I took the decision to concentrate the funding under SCIS to on-farm consumption only.
Farmers can also seek support through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for the installation of solar systems on their holding. The SEAI, Non-Domestic Microgen Grant (NDMG) is available to the agricultural sector, including farmers, which is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation. Under this Scheme an applicant can apply for the NDMG with a domestic MPRN on the basis that the associated electrical infrastructure supplies a registered business.
899. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the BISS scheme that were received from 2022 to 2025, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39331/26]
View answer900. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications under the BISS scheme that were received from 2022 to 2025, inclusive; and the number of applications that were received under the equivalent schemes in the years 2009 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39334/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 899 and 900 together.
The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) replaced the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) from 2023. The BISS is designed to provide a direct income support to Irish farmers to underpin their continued sustainability and viability.
Applications for all area-based schemes, including BISS, are accepted via my Department’s online application system, which is accessed through www.myagfood.ie/. Applications must be made on an annual basis, with the final closing date in the past few years set at May 15th.
While BISS is the most significant area-based scheme in terms of both payments and numbers of applicants, not all area-based applicants are entitled to a BISS payment. For example, to draw down payment under BISS you must hold payment entitlements, which not all applicants do. Also, the application may be submitted to facilitate payment under one of the other schemes operated by my Department, such as the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.
The table attached shows the number of area-based applications received for all years requested as of May 2026. While late application penalties are in place my Department does continue to receive applications for previous years in a limited number of cases.
The reduction in overall application numbers may in part be due to a decrease in the number of farmers but also reflects the increase in multi-herd partnerships. These involve multiple herds being applied on under a single farm partnership number.
|
Scheme Year |
Primary Scheme |
No. of Area Based Applicants |
|
2022 |
BPS |
128,857 |
|
2023 |
BISS |
126,476 |
|
2024 |
BISS |
125,101 |
|
2025 |
BISS |
124,240 |
Basic Payments Scheme (BPS).
Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
901. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to conduct a review of dog breeds legislation, with a view to replacing it with proportionate, breed-neutral measures that promote public safety while recognising responsible ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39432/26]
View answerLast year, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishment Act transferred to my Department.
I recently brought my Dog Breeding Establishment Bill to strengthen animal welfare standards and promote ethical practices in the dog breeding sector before Cabinet where it was approved for priority drafting. The general scheme will now be referred to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine for pre-legislative scrutiny.
In 2024, a high-level Dog Control Stakeholder Group was established to review the Control of Dogs Acts and the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. Its remit was to consider policy and legislative matters in relation to those Acts and consider any need for legislative change. The stakeholder group was comprised of members with a broad range of expertise including academics, veterinary surgeons, local authorities, farming interests, charities working in the field and animal welfare experts. I have recently received the report of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group, which I am considering, including any recommendations in relation to dog control legislation.
902. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39475/26]
View answerThe timeline for the allocation of a new herd number to the person named is approximately three weeks from the date of receipt of their application. The application referenced was received on 18 May, and a farm inspection was completed on 19 May. Administrative checks are currently in progress and if satisfactory the named person will be notified of their new herd number.
The person named can contact the Tralee Regional Veterinary Office of my Department, Government Offices, Spa Road, Tralee, V92 VX4V, 021 4851400 or email kerry_dvo@agriculture.gov.ie if they require further information.
903. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the Red Cover Silage Measure; whether funding is still available to farmers under this fund; if there are plans to expand it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39508/26]
View answerMy Department is currently conducting an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Multi Species Sward Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure.
Until the review is complete applications under both schemes will be paused and applications will not be accepted for 2026.
904. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address an issue regarding the inputting of an incorrect date (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39534/26]
View answerOn Friday 22nd May my Department contacted the farmer concerned, advised him of the process to amend the movement and issued him a bovine farm-to-farm amendment form. On receipt of the completed form the amendment will be processed within the standard timeline of 1-2 days.
905. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the investigations that have been carried out by greyhound racing Ireland into the reported conditions at a premises (details supplied); and if any breaches of animal welfare legislation or regulations were identified. [39565/26]
View answer906. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the status and welfare of the greyhounds identified in a case (details supplied); including whether they are in the care of greyhound racing Ireland, have been returned to private ownership, or have been placed for rehoming through the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust. [39566/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 905 and 906 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.
907. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that approximately €19.8 million in public funding is allocated annually to the greyhound sector, the measures that are in place to ensure transparency and independent oversight of greyhound welfare, including public access to traceability data on the lifecycle and outcomes of registered greyhounds. [39567/26]
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 horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. Funding provided to RCÉ is subject to conditions set out by my Department in an annual parameters letter including the requirement that 10% of the Fund allocation is ringfenced for welfare matters.
RCÉ operates the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS) which monitors racing greyhounds through all life stages. At the end of quarter 1 2026, 64,486 greyhounds were recorded on the system. This data is continuously being updated. The system is currently being further enhanced to expand functionality, including the recording of microchip scanning, health checks, vaccination records, medical history and reporting of offences under the Greyhound Racing Act 2019.
RCÉ is required to submit a quarterly Care and Welfare progress report to my Department to ensure compliance with the welfare standards as stipulated in the annual parameters letter. In addition, greyhound welfare is a standing agenda item on all governance meetings held between my Department and RCÉ.
Continued funding to RCÉ from my Department remains strictly contingent on the implementation of animal welfare measures.
908. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if livestock trailers, including cattle trailers, are currently excluded from eligibility under the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes; the rationale for their exclusion given their central role in farm safety and animal welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39611/26]
View answer909. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the approach taken in Northern Ireland, where agricultural capital grant schemes include livestock trailers as eligible items to support safer transport of animals; if he will assess whether similar supports should be introduced here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39612/26]
View answer910. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he acknowledges that livestock trailers are subject to significant wear and tear and that outdated trailers pose risks to animal welfare, farm safety, and road safety; if he will consider expanding TAMS to incentivise the upgrading of such equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39613/26]
View answer911. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides scope to include livestock trailers as eligible capital investments under TAMS; if his Department will review this possibility in light of farmer concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39614/26]
View answer912. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will undertake a review of the TAMS eligible item lists to ensure they reflect modern farm safety needs, including the potential inclusion of livestock trailers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39615/26]
View answer913. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the competitive disadvantage faced by farmers in the Republic of Ireland compared with those in Northern Ireland, where grant aid is available for livestock trailers; if he will consider measures to address this disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39616/26]
View answer914. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the approach taken in other EU Member States, where livestock trailers and similar mobile livestock handling equipment are funded under CAP Pillar II investment schemes; if he will assess whether Ireland's TAMS framework could be aligned with these European precedents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39628/26]
View answer915. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify whether livestock trailers fall within the scope of investments permitted under Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 governing CAP Strategic Plans, given that other member states fund such equipment through CAP rural development measures; if he will consider their inclusion in future TAMS tranches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39629/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 908 to 915, inclusive, together.
The 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.
Regulation (EU) 2021/2115) which establishes rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy stipulates that support measures must be linked to Climate, Environment and Animal Welfare and to ensure the economic sustainability of the agriculture sector. However each member state is given the flexibility to decide on what measures and investments best support these objectives.
TAMS 3 is a demand led scheme within a defined allocated budget. As a result, it is not possible at this time to consider adding further items to the comprehensive list of investment items already provided under TAMS.
