Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:324. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice for an update on the Carlow women's refuge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28327/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence
Ceisteanna (324)
Freagraí scríofa
One of the key actions of the Third National Strategy is doubling the number of refuge spaces available during the lifetime of the Strategy to 280 refuge spaces.
As the Deputy is aware, prior to the establishment of Cuan on 1 January 2024, a Steering Committee for Inter-Departmental Group proposals was set up to manage and oversee progress on the delivery of additional refuge units.
This Committee was chaired by the Department of Justice, with representation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth.
This Committee has worked with domestic violence support groups in the priority locations to support their advancement of new refuge developments with funding support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
This Committee is now chaired by Cuan. Through this Committee, Cuan and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will continue to assist the development of local structures operating in the priority areas identified in the Third National Strategy and will support their advancement of the new refuges, with capital funding support continuing via the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Cuan also has a dedicated team in place to support the development of domestic violence refuges. This team has been engaging with the local service provider in the areas mentioned and has supported the relevant organisations in terms of capacity and governance.
As has been noted previously, Cuan has very active engagement with Carlow County Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Housing Agency.
The Agency has identified a domestic violence service provider to progress plans for the development of a refuge in County Carlow. A refuge containing 8 family units of accommodation is planned for the county. Additional supports have been allocated to the service provider to further build their capacity to undertake the operation of a refuge facility, inclusive of ancillary services.
As accommodation for victims of DSGBV falls under the remit of Cuan, I am referring this question to the agency for direct response.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (325)
Michael Lowry
Ceist:325. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 191 of 20 June 2024, where in the climate action performance payment scheme documents is the conditionality regarding “current” owners detailed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27822/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions for guidance on the Climate Action Performance Payment Scheme. The scheme document will be published closer to when the scheme opens later in the Summer.
Question four of the published FAQs, outlines who is entitled to the CAPP scheme:
"This payment will be made available to all ash forest owners who own a forest that was established with Ash, with support from the Department and either have or will clear the Ash from their forests and replant with an alternative species through any of the Department's Ash Dieback reconstitution schemes."
The Frequently Asked Questions on the Climate Action Performance Payment are linked here: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/292914/55b8bd84-6be6-48de-8fc7-a50035246818.pdf#page=null.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (326, 327, 331)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:326. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the departmental reports into the revelations outlined in a newspaper article of 24 June 2024 regarding microchips at a facility (details supplied) reportedly alerted by a veterinary inspector at the plant on 13 March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27829/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRéada Cronin
Ceist:327. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department notified the Garda in the matter of tampering, duplication or any other activity regarding microchips apparently notified to it regarding equine slaughter in 2018; if not, the reasons for that decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRéada Cronin
Ceist:331. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his attention was first drawn to issues with microchips in the horse slaughter industry in the State; the immediate and continued actions he took on foot of that information to resolve the situation, to prevent a recurrence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27834/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 326, 327 and 331 together.
I can confirm that my Department provided support to a three-year investigation undertaken and led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) which has resulted in the DPP directing that 5 individuals be prosecuted. The case relates to a variety of offences that occurred in the 2017 – 2019 period involving organised deception and fraudulent practices including the tampering of identification passports and microchips of horses presented at an equine slaughter plant in Kilkenny which is no longer in operation. The accused persons are to face trial before Kilkenny Circuit Court at a future date.
The press article referred to contains a number of factual errors including which facility the concerns regarding microchips were first raised.
My Department cannot disclose further details in relation to these matters as they relate to upcoming court proceedings.
Question No. 327 answered with Question No. 326.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (328)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:328. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the frequency with which operators' licences are examined or assessed in the lifetime of their duration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27831/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Slaughter plants are audited on an annual basis to monitor compliance with their conditions of approval under SI 22/2020.
The licence is reviewed during this audit.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (329)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:329. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of licences issued to persons (details supplied) in the matter of equine handling and-or slaughter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27832/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is understood that the question refers to Certificates of Competence in relation to Animal Welfare Officers.
Article 17 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing requires slaughterhouses to designate an animal welfare officer to assist them in ensuring compliance with the rules laid down in the Regulation. These animal welfare officers are responsible for the supervision of animal welfare and must hold Certificates of Competence in the operations for which they are responsible.
Certificates of Competence may be awarded to slaughter plant operatives who demonstrate that they have undergone an approved course in Animal Welfare at Slaughter.
The applicant for a Certificate of Competence must sign a written declaration confirming that he/she has not been convicted within the three years preceding the date of application of any infringement in relation to the protection of animals under national or EU law.
With regard to the two persons named, following verification of applications submitted, a Certificate of Competence issued to the first named individual on 21st April 2017. A Certificate of Competence issued to the second named individual on 16th February 2017.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (330)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:330. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department did not revoke and-or temporarily halt the operating licence of a facility (details supplied); when his Department was made aware of microchip issues at the plant, indicating a possible risk to the food chain and Ireland’s reputation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27833/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
About 3 weeks prior to the broadcast of the 12 June RTÉ Investigates documentary my Department was provided with information that related to the supply of equines for slaughter to the plant in question and alleged breaches of animal welfare and traceability legislation. Upon receipt of that information an investigation into activities involving the supply of equines for slaughter was initiated immediately by my Department with the support and assistance of An Garda Síochána. It would not have been appropriate for the Department to take escalated action against the plant operator until there was visual evidence to substantiate the general and non-specific information that had been provided to it, and when this became available my Department acted very swiftly, by revoking the plant’s approval two days after the broadcast.
Notwithstanding this, after the Department had been provided with specific information on this matter, it took appropriate action to ensure that no animals that were presented for slaughter were permitted to enter the food chain. This included the issuing of legal notice detaining all carcases presented for slaughter on 5 June. Following the conclusion of the Department’s investigation on this specific matter it had ordered the destruction of these carcasses. An appeal against this by the plant operator was denied in Limerick District Court on 19 June, with the court upholding the decision of the Department. I can now confirm that, under supervision by my Department, all these carcasses were transported for destruction to a rendering plant on Friday 28 June.
Question No. 331 answered with Question No. 326.
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (332)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:332. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the direct steps his Department took to address the practices at a facility (details supplied) which was reportedly alerted by an inspector on 13 March 2018; the reason his Department continued to authorise the operation of the plant given the alert's significance for food safety and Ireland’s reputation; the security, scientific and health basis on which his Department deemed the operation fit and safe to continue; whether and how his Department can have confidence in the security of the equine microchip system given those revelations; the basis on which his Department has confidence in the food security of the industry given those revelations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27835/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department keeps all procedures in relation to its monitoring of all food businesses under constant review, on the basis of experience, audits, risk assessment, and the evolution of EU and National legislation. In 2018, the procedures in respect of equine slaughter plants were comprehensively reviewed and updated, with the issuing of a new consolidated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for equine slaughter plants. This SOP addressed a number of issues in respect of antemortem inspection of equines, postmortem inspection of equines, food chain information, identification/passport checks, and passport security features. It clarified a number of reasons why an equine must be deemed ineligible for the food chain- including if it has more than one microchip (unless the number of each is recorded in the passport).
In relation to individual plants, in addition to ongoing monitoring by Department staff, all slaughter plants are audited at least once per year by a Regional Manager with a view to assessing the ongoing suitability of the plant and its compliance with relevant legislation.
In light of recent developments highlighted by the RTE investigates programme in relation to equine traceability, my Department is reviewing all matters relating to this, and we are collaborating with the European Commission and other Member States to address what is an EU wide issue as well as an issue for individual member states.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (333)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:333. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to publish all contacts and reports his Department had or has with the FSAI regarding horse slaughter and the equine food industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27836/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is engaging closely with the FSAI regarding this ongoing investigation and the matters highlighted recently as regards equine traceability.
On 20th June the FSAI on behalf of Ireland issued a Food Fraud Notification on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) network- this is the EU system established to ensure the exchange of information between member countries to support swift action by food safety authorities in cases of potential risks to public health. The specific purpose of the alert issued on 20th June was to alert other Member States, particularly France, of concerns about previous trade to an establishment in France.
The FSAI attended, along with my Department, the EU meeting convened by the European Commission on Wednesday 26th June to discuss issues around equine traceability highlighted by the recent RTÉ programme.
As the criminal investigation involving my Department and Gardaí is ongoing there are no reports as such to share with FSAI at this stage, but my Department is continuing to liaise with the FSAI in relation to actions taken to address any issues identified for the safety and integrity of the food chain.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (334)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:334. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any official or agent of his Department has been redeployed within his Department or stood down or not re-contracted or had their duties altered in any way with regard to a facility (details supplied) and-or broader issues within the equine and equine-food industry; if so, the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Normally one Veterinary Inspector and two technical officers from the region would be assigned for duty at Shannonside Foods on a slaughter day. These officers have duties in other Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine approved facilities and are assigned to Shannonside only on the slaughter day and in the case of a technical officer, to supervise loading out of carcases.
Following the cessation of operations at the premises it has not been necessary to assign staff to the slaughterhouse on a full-time basis. Temporary Veterinary Inspectors occasionally engaged for ante-mortem and post-mortem duties will not be contracted for the duration of the closure of the premises.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (335)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:335. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can have confidence in the standards and practices of the equine slaughter industry given a horse supposedly slaughtered in 2017 was found to be alive in 2018, according to media reports; if he will publish the reports and actions taken individually by his Department and in association with the FSAI on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27838/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Arising from information provided to my Department in May 2024 an investigation into activities involving the supply of equines for slaughter is in progress. Assistance and support is being provided by An Garda Síochána. As the investigation is on-going I am not in a position to comment further.
I can confirm however that the operation of a slaughter plant is now fully suspended. A collective effort is being made by the EU Commission and Member States to investigate European-wide allegations and to further improve the equine traceability system. My Department is wholly committed to assisting in that process. My Department and the FSAI along with other Member States attended the EU Agri-Food Fraud Network meeting earlier this week to consider from an EU perspective the issues raised in the RTÉ programme.
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (336)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:336. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is confident bute has not entered the food chain given the microchipping situation reported in a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sampling for Phenylbutazone in equines presented for slaughter is carried out in accordance with Ireland’s National Residue Control Program which is notified annually to the European Commission.
If Phenylbutazone is detected in one of these samples then official control procedures would immediately be initiated. These controls ensure that all the meat of the affected carcase would be removed from the food chain.
In 2024 there were 20 samples taken, none of which were positive. Furthermore no equines from Shannonside Foods have entered the food chain since 15/05/2024. The 65 carcases detained following investigation into concerns relating to traceability and food chain information have been removed from the food chain.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (337)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:337. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses slaughtered at a facility (details supplied) following the revelations of alert referred to by a newspaper article as occurring in 2018; the number that were from the racing or show jumping sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The facility that the newspaper article refers to is different to the one that you provide details on in your question. That plant no longer operates as a horse slaughter facility. From 2018 until it closed in 2020, 7,941 horses were slaughtered at the facility referred to in the article. Of those, 2,983 were thoroughbreds and the remainder of 4,958 were non-thoroughbreds. My Department does not have data on how many were from the show jumping sector.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (338)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:338. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the age of the youngest and oldest horse slaughtered at a facility (details supplied); the average age of the horses slaughtered since operations began, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27841/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Based on data submitted to my Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system database by passport issuing organisations (PIOs) regarding the date of birth of horses, as part of the registration of births, and the date of slaughter of horses, the calculations are as follows:
The youngest animal slaughtered at the facility referenced, since operations began in 2015 is 0.33 years. Using the same data the oldest animal slaughtered was 39.18 years and the average age of slaughter was 10.48 years.
Please note this data should be interpreted with caution as 22% of animals slaughtered had a default date of birth of the 1st of January of the year in question as, prior to 1 November 2018, only the year of birth was required to be provided on registration of a horse. Since the introduction of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1940 on the 1st of November 2018 the actual date of birth is required in the format DD/MM/YYYY.
Animal Slaughtering
Ceisteanna (339)
Réada Cronin
Ceist:339. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has contacted or liaised with the Ministers for Health and Justice in relation to a facility (details supplied) and-or the equine slaughter industry in Ireland; if so, the nature of that contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27842/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has ongoing close engagement with An Garda Síochána, and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland on this matter. My officials will continue to liaise and work with these organisations as part of this ongoing investigation. The full rigours of the law will be applied in instances where breaches are found to have occurred.
Fodder Crisis
Ceisteanna (340)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:340. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered introducing changes to straw shredding regulations, given the shortage of straw and fodder this year as a consequence of weather; if he will consider an opt-out clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) is a new scheme introduced under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023 - 2027. This scheme follows on from a successful two-year pilot in operation during 2021 and 2022.
Application for the Measure is via the annual Basic Income for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes application process. The measure is available to all those who declare the requisite eligible crops and confirm their intent to participate when completing their online BISS application.
The measure requires an applicant to
• chop,
• spread and
• incorporate straw on a minimum of 5 hectares and up to a maximum payable area of 40 hectares.
Analysis of application data would indicate that only 20% (56,000 ha) of the overall cereal crop area applied for in 2024, has been selected for Straw Incorporation.
In line with the Terms and Conditions of the scheme, an applicant may withdraw an area of SIM, or amend parcel use where they haven't already been notified of an issue or an inspection. Consequently the scheme already has flexibility built-in for applicants to either fully or partially withdraw where straw is needed for fodder.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (341)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:341. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a greyhound (details supplied) was racing at Curraheen greyhound track on 15 June 2024 while the greyhound is owned by an English-based, highly publicised syndicate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (342)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:342. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on an ACRES payment application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27898/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application was received in the name of this herd owner for the Co-Operation stream of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES CP). An interim payment issued to the person named in February.
Balancing payments have commenced and will continue to issue regularly to facilitate all cases that pass through the validation process. The balancing payment claim associated with this herd has not yet cleared all validations. Department officials are actively examining the case to allow the payment to be made as quickly as possible.
Livestock Issues
Ceisteanna (343)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:343. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a 2023 sheep census will be accepted from a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied), given they had corresponded with his Department in relation to the census submission before the deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Sheep Improvement Scheme is funded under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan. It provides support to sheep farmers for carrying out actions that improve animal health and welfare in the sheep sector. It builds on the progress made by the Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS), which has now come to an end.
As part of the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme applicants must have submitted a Sheep Census return within the specified timeframe for each year during the lifetime of the scheme.
The closing date for return of the December 2023 Sheep Census was 31st January 2024 for paper census forms while the deadline for online census submission was 14th February 2024.
The late submission of Sheep Census returns was accepted as valid for the Sheep Improvement Scheme for a 26 calendar day period after the 14th February 2024. However, deductions to the Sheep Improvement Scheme payments at a rate of 1% per working day apply to late census returns received during this period.
Where an applicant submits a Sheep Census return after the 26-calendar day period has expired, i.e. after 11th March 2024, the applicant will not be eligible for payment for year 2 of the Sheep Improvement Scheme.
Records show that the person named submitted their 2023 census return after the above dates and therefore is not eligible for payment for year 2 of the scheme.
However if the applicant feels that they have grounds for a force majeure case or exceptional circumstances as to why their 2023 census return was late the applicant should contact, in writing, the Sheep Improvement Scheme Section of my Department and include any supporting documentation that is relevant to their case.