Written Answers Nos. 472-491
472. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown, per county of the number of people employed by the timber sector; if, in the face of persistent challenges, he is concerned about the long-term prospects of the critical local employment provided by the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22741/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect information on forestry employment at national or at county level. Employment statistics are collected by the Central Statistics Office who can provide high level employment details across a broad range of sectors.
However COFORD, who provide advice to my Department, have carried out an analysis and their report titled "Economic activity and employment levels within the Irish forest sector" is publicly available from their website, www.coford.ie. Their report, which was published in 2022, estimates that total direct and indirect employment in 2020 within the "Forestry and Logging" sector is 3,501 full time equivalents. It further estimates that the employment levels in the "Manufacturing of Wood and Wood Products" sector is 5,922 full time equivalents. While these figures do not capture all employment within the sector they provide a good baseline of overall activity levels.
Forestry plays an important role in supporting direct and indirect employment in many rural locations across Ireland. The management of forests, including the harvesting and planting of trees, provide a wide range of jobs. Irelands forest resource, that has been created over the last century, is providing increasing amounts of timber that are now ready for harvesting. Increased levels of harvesting will take place over the next 10 years and will generate increased levels of employment in the mobilisation of timber. It is estimated that timber production will increase from approximately 5 million cubic metres in 2024 to 7 million cubic metres by 2035. This level of harvesting will also require over 10,000 ha of forests to be replanted following clearfelling. Coupled with areas that will be replanted is the requirement to plant new forests through afforestation. The COFORD report estimates that in 2020 approximately 75.6% of employment levels accounted for harvesting and reforestation activities. Our existing forest estate will continue to require a range of people to manage these forests as they are harvested and replanted into the future. My Department continues to provide significant grants and premiums and the current €1.3 billion forestry programme supports rural communities in the grants and premiums distributed nationally. I am conscious that we also need to increase afforestation levels to further expand our forest estate and add additional jobs to the workforce. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 and the new Forest Strategy recently published recognises the important contribution that our forests make to climate, the timber they produce and the economic contribution they provide.
473. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the CEO of Horse Sport Ireland is accountable to his Department. [22375/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse Sport Ireland is a Company Limited by Guarantee and the CEO is accountable to the Board of that organisation.
474. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown by year of birth for the 2,568 non-coursing greyhounds exported in 2021; the 5,312 non-coursing greyhounds exported in 2022; and the 4,864 non-coursing greyhounds exported in 2023. [22395/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cause of death for the 1,951 non-coursing greyhounds born in 2021 and those reported deceased on Rásaíocht Con Éireann’s traceability system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22396/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the reasons for the significant difference in the numbers of dogs recorded on Rásaíocht Con Éireann’s RMS and RCETS in respect of non-coursing greyhounds whose year of birth was 2021 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22397/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 to 476, inclusive, 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 question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a scheme or grant can be offered to assist a person (details supplied) to replant forestry that was burnt in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22526/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am sorry to hear of this forest being damaged by fire. The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts. It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
My Department has issued reminders to all landowners in relation to illegal burning of agricultural lands, and any land found to have been burned illegally can be deemed ineligible across a number of area-based schemes. My Department monitors fire activity and risk throughout the main risk period between March and September, using a variety of means at our disposal, including satellite detections and ground inspections.
As regards forests my Department supports planting by covering 100% of the costs to establish a forest, and pays an annual premium for up to 20 years to the forest owner and such payments are income tax free. Once the forest has been established it is then the forest owners responsibility. In these circumstances and as fire is an insurable risk my Department does not provide grant-aid to re-establish forests damaged by fire.
478. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with nitrates banding and the reduction from 250kg to 220kg p/h, to ensure that farmers are provided monthly figures on their organic nitrogen position; and if he will make a decision on the matter. [22550/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2020, my Department has issued farmers with online interim organic bovine Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) statements at regular intervals.
To provide the most accurate figures, regarding the bovine N and P on a per hectare basis for each holding, these statements combine multiple sets of data that include;
The number of animals on the holding each day within each bovine category for the period in question;
Where applicable, the nutrient excretion rate band assigned to dairy cows in the herd for the year in question;
The land area declared on the herdowner's Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) Scheme application for the year in question; and
Where applicable, the organic manure movements onto and/or off the holding as declared and verified to my Department for the period in question.
With the introduction of dairy excretion rate banding, it is no longer possible to calculate these figures accurately until such time as the bands have been confirmed and the area declared under BISS for the year in question is stable.
I appreciate the importance of this data and it is a priority of my department to ensure that the figures are released as soon as is feasible and as regularly as possible thereafter.
My Department is willing to explore further options with the objective of improving this service to farmers. I believe this will best be done through discussion at the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group that I established last year involving all the main farming organisations.
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a compromise will be made for cray fishing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22554/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that crayfish (also known as crawfish) is a specifically protected species under Irish legislation and is listed as vulnerable and decreasing by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The crawfish fishery in Ireland is currently regulated by the following Statutory Instruments:
S.I. No. 289 of 2019 - Crawfish (Conservation of stocks) Regulations;
S.I. No. 232 of 2006 - Crawfish (Conservation of stocks) Regulations;
S.I. No. 233 of 2006 - Crawfish (Fisheries Management and Conservation) Regulations.
I am advised that crawfish are primarily caught in inshore waters around the south and southwest coast and are an important source of revenue for the inshore fleet during the summer months. I understand that crawfish are also one of the highest value crustacean species caught in Irish waters. The protection of these valuable stocks depends on a range of legal measures, one of which is the ‘Minimum Conservation Reference Size’ (MCRS).
The MCRS for crawfish taken from International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) sub-areas VI and VII has been established as a carapace size of 110mm. The following measures are thereby enforced by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority:
It is prohibited for the master or person in charge of an Irish sea-fishing boat to cause or permit the boat or any person to have onboard, land, or tranship crawfish that fall below the MCRS;No person shall display, sell, offer for sale or store for the purposes of selling any crawfish that fall below the MCRS;
Crawfish below the MCRS must be handled with care and promptly released back into the sea alive without delay.
The basis for the MCRS and prohibitions set out is to allow the crawfish to attain full maturity and have a reasonable opportunity to reproduce before being harvested and consumed. Potential adjustments to the MCRS are therefore not being considered at present for this already vulnerable stock.
However, I continue to encourage inshore operators to bring suggestions they may have for the management of crawfish and other inshore fish stocks to the attention of their local Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF). There is a network of six RIFFs around the coast supporting the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). The Forums are consultative bodies, established to foster the industry-led development of proposals for the management of non-quota stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore. A dedicated website provides contact details and information on the work of the Forums: www.inshoreforums.ie
480. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Department will resume and reinstate the quarterly publications of the milk testing results carried out by the processors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22623/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra481. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement his Department has had with efforts to relocate pets; if his Department has assisted international protection applicants in a similar manner; to provide a full breakdown of the costs involved, broken down on a monthly basis; the contract provider or cost of Departmental staff resources engaged to deliver this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22633/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra482. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent by his Department on measures to control potential risks associated with bringing pets or animals belonging to beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine to Ireland since the opening of the conflict in 2022 to date, broken down on a monthly basis, including a breakdown of the costs and the number and type of pets involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22634/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra483. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 9 March 2023, whether research into precision fermentation specifically forms part of any of the successful applications funded under his Department's thematic research call 2023; if research into the area and its potential to disrupt and undermine traditional modes of food production is happening elsewhere within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22640/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrecision fermentation did not form part of any of the €24.2million research awards I announced in December 2023 from my Department's Thematic Research Call 2023. I expect to announce a further tranche of successful projects from this Call soon. One of those will examine the potential for alternative plant-based protein using fermentation technology (not precision fermentation) while another will create an all-island Irish network of research organisations to ensure that diverse facilities and expertise can be leveraged for research and innovation in areas such as precision fermentation, production of bio-based proteins and chemicals, and development of sustainable bio-based processes.
Separately, the U-Protein project funded by my Department is examining the role of crop and marine resources as alternative sources of protein, and there is a small component looking at using precision fermentation in the utilisation of waste streams for food and non-food uses (such as bio-plastics).
Precision fermentation builds on traditional fermentation techniques that have been used in food production for many years. Besides its use in the area of plant proteins, precision fermentation also offers the potential to be an important part of a circular food system as it has the potential to be used for making better use of food processing side streams by extracting valuable components for other food and non-food uses (such as bio-plastics).
484. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the 1 January to 31 December 2023 attendance figures for Clonmel, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Kilkenny, Lifford and Thurles dog tracks into the categories of type of entry (details supplied). [22650/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht 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 the body for direct reply.
485. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is the case that when his Department makes an offer to a farmer for TB reactor cattle and the farmer accepts this offer, his Department can refuse to accept the farmers acceptance of the offer made as in the case of a person (details supplied). [22700/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have informed me that the named herdowner entered a TB breakdown on 16th November 2023, when one animal was disclosed as a reactor as a result of the annual TB round test. Since then, 4 further reactor animals have been disclosed as a result of follow up testing, bringing the total number of reactors disclosed to date to 5.
The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to farmers who experience a TB breakdown on their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.
All animals valued as part of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme are valued by independent livestock valuers. The valuer visits the holding to assess the animals and award values reflective of pricing on the open market.
Both the Department and the herdowner have the right to reject a valuation and seek a second on farm valuation. Alternatively, where a second valuation is rejected by either party, the case will be scheduled for an arbitration hearing.
In order to remove reactor animals from holdings as swiftly as possible, my Department sends a reminder text message to farmers once they have had a valuation to invite them to use the online service where farmers can accept or reject the valuation of their animals on www.agfood.ie. This system provides a digital alternative to returning acceptance/rejection documentation to the Regional Veterinary Office by post.
In this case, the named herdowner accepted the original valuation and my Department rejected the original valuation. A second valuation was arranged. I am informed by my officials that the second valuation was accepted by my Department and was rejected by the named herdowner. This case will be sent to arbitration. An independent arbitration panel will make a final and binding award based on the “market values” principle of the scheme.
486. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an account of the distribution of Brexit adjustment reserve funds to enhance, upgrade, and develop Ireland's agri-food sector, the specific projects and costs involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22716/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) Fund from my department for each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 is set out below.
Ultimately the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform will determine which schemes form part of Ireland’s BAR claim which is due to be submitted in September 2024.
Table 1 2021 BAR Expenditure
|
Sector/Scheme |
2021 BAR Expenditure €000 |
|
Horticulture |
70 |
|
Marketing and Processing |
0 |
|
Fisheries |
10,000 |
|
Total |
10,070 |
Table 2 2022 BAR Expenditure
|
Sector/Scheme |
2022 BAR Expenditure €000 |
|
Horticulture |
1,410 |
|
Marketing and Processing |
4,076 |
|
Fisheries |
22,615 |
|
Total |
28,101 |
Table 3 2023 BAR Provisional Spend
|
Sector/Scheme |
2023 BAR Provisional Expenditure €000 |
|
Meat and Bone Meal Disposal |
16,071 |
|
Horticulture |
4,706 |
|
Organic Promotion |
1,474 |
|
Beef |
31,247 |
|
Marketing and Processing |
8,756 |
|
Equine Supports |
934 |
|
Fisheries |
182,045 |
|
Development of Border Inspection Post at Rosslare Europort (paid to the Office of Public Works) |
63,906 |
|
Total |
309,139 |
487. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of palm kernel expeller imported into Ireland each year since 2018 to date; the countries from which it was imported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22732/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out details of imports of palm kernel expeller for use in animal feed into Ireland since 2018.
|
Year |
Volumes Imported (tonnes) |
Countries of Import |
|
2018 |
204,122 |
Indonesia, Malaysia |
|
2019 |
119,400 |
Indonesia, Malaysia |
|
2020 |
156,755 |
Indonesia, Malaysia |
|
2021 |
150,799 |
Indonesia |
|
2022 |
168,099 |
Indonesia |
|
2023 |
173,447 |
Indonesia, Malaysia |
488. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria applied in deciding what roof sheeting heat guard brands are approved under TAMS (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22743/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grant aid for farm buildings with roofs comprised of steel cladding, fibre cement and heat guard/clear light products. My Department has introduced Specification 102, which sets out the minimum standards for roof cladding and side cladding. All products that are included in this list are eligible for grant aid under TAMS 3.
Companies supplying heat guard material to the Irish market which is not currently on the list eligible for TAMS grant aid should forward a request by email to tams@agriculture.gov.ie and include technical data for the particular product. The submission will then be reviewed and, if deemed satisfactory, the product and company details will be added to Specification S102 on the Department’s website.
489. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial assistance would be given to farmers who do not have forest plantation and are not availing of any forestry schemes, to have ash die back trees removed as such trees are a danger to public safety due to their siting along public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22777/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have responsibility for the removal or reconstitution of Ash trees for private homeowners and landowners, with ash trees in their gardens or on individual holdings, who did not plant under a Departmental ash scheme.
My Department supported the Tree Council of Ireland in publishing guidelines for managing roadside trees. The document is available on the Tree Council of Ireland’s website www.treecouncil.ie and on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website, at www.gov.ie/en/publication/642e6-forestry/gov.ie.
490. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review a young farmer's complementary income support scheme application and decision in light of circumstances (details supplied). [22819/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll applicants under the Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) are subject to administrative checks. In addition, at least 5% of applicants will be selected for an on-the-spot inspection to ensure compliance with the rules of the scheme. The named applicant applied for the CISYF Scheme in 2023 and was selected for inspection. Documentary evidence to verify that the ‘young farmer’ is solely or jointly in control of the holding was sought as part of the inspection process.
Following the inspection, it was deemed that the applicant was not in financial control of the holding as purchases for the farm operation did not transact through a bank account in the applicant’s name. The applicant was afforded the opportunity to seek a review. A review request was received by officials on 9th May 2024. This review is currently ongoing, and the applicant will be notified of the outcome shortly.
491. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports in place for inshore fishers in 2024; the measures he expects to put in place in 2025; if any replacement funding is in place after the end of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22869/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe primary source of funding for the seafood sector in Ireland is the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) (2021-2027). EMFAF has a budget allocation of €258 million over the lifetime of the programme.
Funding supports are currently available to inshore fishers under the Fleet Safety Scheme and the Seafood Training Scheme, both administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).
My Department has been working with BIM to progress a number of funding schemes under EMFAF, including a scheme for inshore fishers. The Inshore Fisheries Scheme has been finalised and has been circulated to the EMFAF Monitoring Committee for adoption. Once it is adopted, the scheme will be implemented by BIM.
This scheme will offer enhanced grant aid rates of between 80% and 100% for onboard and onshore investment by Small Scale Coastal Fishers (SSCF). It will also provide funding to inshore fishers for participation in inshore fisheries conservation measures.
Non-SSCF inshore fishers will have access to grant aid to fund onboard investment under the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme, which is also currently with the EMFAF Monitoring Committee for adoption.
In addition to the Inshore Fisheries Scheme, the Seafood Training Scheme and the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme mentioned above, inshore fishers will have access to a number of EMFAF schemes which are also with the Monitoring Committee for adoption such as:
the Young Fishers Scheme, which provides assistance for people under 40 years of age to purchase their first vessel
the Knowledge Gateway Scheme which supports research activities, and provides for industry involvement in same
the Capacity Building Scheme which supports the dissemination of relevant information to industry and the attendance of industry stakeholders at relevant events
The schemes currently with the Monitoring Committee for adoption will be implemented in 2024 and will be in place in 2025. They will likely remain in place until the end of the EMFAF programme period in 2027. Likewise I anticipate that the Fleet Safety Scheme, which is provided outside of the EMFAF programme, will remain in place in coming years.
