Bernard Durkan
Ceist:395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCitizenship Ceremonies
Ceisteanna (395)
Freagraí scríofa
I can assure the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department will issue the person concerned a further invitation to attend one of the next Citizenship Ceremonies.
As the Deputy will appreciate, these events require considerable planning and Citizenship Division issues invitations to successful applicants at the earliest possible opportunity. As plans for further ceremonies are confirmed this information will be put into the public domain.
Last year Citizenship Division more than doubled the number of ceremonies available to applicants with 15 held over the course of 2023. This was a significant increase on 6 Citizenship Ceremonies held in 2022. It is envisioned that this number will be significantly surpassed this year, with 15 ceremonies already taking place by the end of June.
Further information on Citizenship Ceremonies is available on my Department’s website here: www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/citizenship-ceremonies/
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (396)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:396. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all State agencies under the remit of his Department received more than 66% of their total current funding from the Exchequer for the year 2023; and if not, the agencies that received less than the 66% of their total current funding from the Exchequer, in tabular form. [28670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information sought by the Deputy is laid out in the attached table.
Coillte Teoranta
Ceisteanna (397)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:397. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when information as discussed by the Joint Committee on Agriculture Food and the Marine held on 25 January 2023 on inventory of the quantity and quality of what Coillte has in stock in its 40-year cycle will be forthcoming as previously requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28721/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In accordance with the correspondence issued to the Deputy on 20th June this year, I wish to confirm that the timber forecast produced by Coillte up to the year 2040 was shared with my Department and has been published in the COFORD “All Ireland Roundwood Production Forecast 2021-2040”. Coillte volume can be interpreted in the report. The Coillte forecast data focuses on conifer softwood production only as Coillte does not forecast hardwood production.
This forecast is available at: www.coford.ie/publications/reports/.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (398)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:398. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to extend a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government and I are aware of the challenges facing generational renewal and it remains a key priority recognised at both national and EU level.
The associated challenges are highlighted in Food Vision 2030 and the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which cites generational renewal as one of its key objectives. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 reiterates our commitment with measures including a Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ Scheme, which will see qualifying young farmers benefit over the five years of the scheme.
The National Reserve 2023-2027 provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer. A higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers under the TAMS capital investment measure will also be available. The CSP also includes a Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme to provide financial support to encourage farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
Nationally, there are measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility. For succession, Agricultural Relief is the key measure. In addition, 100% Stock Relief for Young Trained Farmers was worth €1.7 million. The Succession Farm Partnership Scheme assists the transfer of land within a partnership structure, to encourage earlier transfer of family farms. For land mobility, long-term leasing income tax relief supports access to land for young farmers.
In Budget 2024, I worked closely with the Minister for Finance to renew Consanguinity Relief for a further five years and to increase the aggregate relief permitted under the Young-Trained Farmers Stamp Duty Relief, Young-Trained Farmers Stock Relief and the Succession Farm Partnerships Tax Credit. The Stock Relief for Registered Farm Partnerships limit was also increased.
For Budget 2025 I will again work with my colleague, the Minister for Finance to ensure the provision of adequate support for young farmers and generational renewal through targeted agri-taxation measures as appropriate.
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (399, 400)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:399. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review the capital acquisitions tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28751/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Healy-Rae
Ceist:400. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on certain aspects of the capital acquisitions tax (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 400 together.
Taxation is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. However, both our departments work closely to ensure it is consistent with government priorities for the agri-food sector.
In this regard, we have worked together to ensure the current reliefs referred to reflect the overarching state aid requirements as set out in the current agricultural block exemption regulation (2022/2472). This includes the thresholds applicable to Capital Acquisitions Tax relief, particularly Agricultural Relief.
Agricultural relief has been available from gift and inheritance tax since the introduction of Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) in 1976. The purpose of this relief is to facilitate succession and the intergenerational transfer of farm enterprises. It operates by charging the tax on a reduced market value (referred to as ‘agricultural value’) of the particular agricultural property, and market value is reduced by 90%.
I will continue to work with the Minister for Finance and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the national tax strategy aligns, where possible, with the needs of the agri-food sector and wider society.
Question No. 400 answered with Question No. 399.
Agriculture Supports
Ceisteanna (401)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:401. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to increase State aid to farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28753/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Taxation is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance. That being said both Departments work closely in relation to agri-taxation measures in line with my objectives in relation to the wider agri-food sector.
The reliefs referred to by the Deputy are subject to Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation (ABER) 2022/2472 and particularly article 18 (7) which sets a ceiling total amount of State Aid of 100,000 euro per young farmer.
As you may be aware the current ABER regulations were the subject of review and amendment in 2022. The revision aligned the rules with the current EU strategic priorities, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), as well as to the European Green Deal. Member States and other interested parties were provided with the opportunity to comment via public consultation in March 2022. At the time the proposed new thresholds were considered adequate having been increased from 70,000 to 100,000 euro at the time. The current regulations came into force with effect from 1st January 2023 and are to remain in force until 31st December 2029.
The ceiling applying to the tax reliefs is applicable to all EU member states and any increase in the ceilings would need to be the subject of negotiation at EU level.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (402)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:402. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will devise education programmes for young farmers on taxation reports and VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28754/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While taxation is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I liaise with him regularly on issues impacting the agriculture sector.
Farming comes with significant demands and can often be challenging, it is essential that we take every step to support our young farmers ensuring enthusiastic people come through allowing the sector to flourish.
The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level, with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) citing it as one of its nine key objectives. Our commitment to generational renewal is reiterated in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Challenges associated with generational renewal are highlighted in Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector. Food Vision 2030 also suggests several actions, including maintaining the current strong level of support, the promotion of succession planning & land mobility, and increased education and promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
In addition, our young farmers continue to be equipped with the knowledge to build successful careers through Teagasc’s agricultural education programmes. In this regard DAFM has no role in the content or approval of education and training programmes.
I wish to point out that Revenue provide detailed guidelines on how to check eligibility and apply for the relevant reliefs and where farmer's are unsure of how to proceed they should seek the advice of an accountant or financial advisor.
Supporting young farmers continues to be a key priority for me and the Government and I will continue to engage with all stakeholders on this matter.
Agriculture Supports
Ceisteanna (403)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the provision of supports addressing high production costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28756/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Government and I are acutely aware of the difficulties facing family farms and small businesses and I have already put supports in place to ensure their ongoing viability when needed.
Our farms and the wider agri-food sector have demonstrated their adaptability and resilience in the face of significant challenges in recent years, continuing to deliver safe and nutritious food for Irish and international markets. Several measures have provided considerable support to the agri-food sector in this regard, particularly in response to elevated farm input prices. For example, this has included the Fodder Support Scheme; the Tillage Incentive Scheme; Multi-Species Swards and Red Clover Silage Measures; the Horticulture Crisis Fund; and the Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme.
My Department monitors information on farms and the wider agri-food sector, in collaboration with Teagasc and the Central Statistics Office (CSO), on an ongoing basis. This includes the monthly Agricultural Output and Input Price Indices published by the CSO, which monitor trends in prices paid to farmers for their produce and prices paid by farmers for purchases of goods and services. While the input price index remained elevated throughout 2022, it has now moderated. In addition, the output price index has trended upwards in recent months. In April 2024, the overall Agricultural Output Price Index stood at 37.9% above its 2020 reference level, while the equivalent figure for the Agricultural Input Price Index was 28.1% by comparison.
I will continue to support our family farms, including through implementation of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan which will deliver some €9.8 billion to Irish farm families in the period to 2027. I look forward to continuing to work with all the agri-food stakeholders in delivering its Food Vision 2030 ambitions.
Animal Welfare
Ceisteanna (404)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:404. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will appoint an animal welfare inspector for Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Currently there are 16 staff, from my Department, based in Limerick who are authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013
An Garda Síochána are also authorised officers under the Act, as are specified officers of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Rasaíoct Con Eireann, the Irish Horse Racing Board and customs officials.
Local Authorities also have the powers to appoint authorised officers under the Act.
A feature of the enforcement of the Act is that my Department can appoint authorised officers from welfare organisations with which my Department has service level agreements, to work alongside officials of my Department, An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources. It is at the discretion of welfare organisations to deploy said officers to where they decide they can achieve maximum impact.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (405)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:405. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full-year cost to increase, by 25,000 hectares per year, land under forestry or biodiversity regeneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28892/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 offers 12 different Forest Types with grant and premium rates ranging from €3,878-€8,555 (grants) and €746 -€1,142 (premiums). The grant is paid in two instalments split 75% and 25% with the second grant paid after four years and the establishment of the trees. A premium is paid for a period of twenty years for farmers and fifteen years for other landowners.
The cost in the year of planting of 25,000 hectares would be €145,500,000. There would be ongoing costs for fifteen to twenty years depending on the status of the forest owner.
In relation to biodiversity regeneration, this is a more complex matter, as it relates to the state of the habitat in question in the first instance and the type of activities to be undertaken to regenerate it. In this regard the National Parks and Wildlife Service are leading on the development of a national restoration plan, this work will include an assessment of the financial needs for biodiversity regeneration.
Veterinary Services
Ceisteanna (406)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:406. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE veterinary inspectors, by grade, employed by his Department as of 1 July 2024; and if he will provide corresponding figures as of 1 July 2021, in tabular form. [28941/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all our grade streams and locations, aiming to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which current and future staffing needs are addressed. Overall staffing levels and required skills are continually monitored to ensure business needs are met within budgetary and organisational priorities.
Veterinary staff undertake a variety of roles within my Department including food safety, animal health and welfare, certification of exports and provision of laboratory services.
The tables below provide further information on a grade-by-grade basis and has been compiled from staff lists available to us on dates closest to the requested dates of 1 July 2024 and 1 July 2021
Details at 24th June 2024
|
Grade |
Headcount in Grade |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
1 |
|
Research Officer |
22 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
15 |
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
12 |
|
Superintending Senior Research Officer |
5 |
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
48 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
275 |
|
Wholetime Temp Vet Inspector |
5 |
|
Grand Total |
383 |
Details at 28th June 2021
|
Grade |
Headcount in Grade |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
1 |
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Off |
1 |
|
Research Officer |
18 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
16 |
|
Senior Superintend Vet Insp |
11 |
|
Superinten Sen Research Off |
5 |
|
Superintending Vet Insp |
45 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
252 |
|
Wholetime Temp Vet Inspector |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
356 |
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (407)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:407. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE staff by job title from the Department that are based in both Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort as of 1 July 2024; if he will provide thesame figures as of 1 July 2021, in tabular form. [28942/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all our grade streams and locations, aiming to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan by which current and future staffing needs are addressed. Overall staffing levels and required skills are continually monitored to ensure business needs are met within budgetary and organisational priorities.
The following tables have been formulated using staff lists available to us on dates closest to the requested date of 1 July 2021 and 1 July 2024:
Staff List at 28 June 2021
|
Grade Description |
Dublin Port |
Rosslare Europort |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
1 |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Asst Agricultural Inspector |
4 |
2 |
|
Asst Principal |
1 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
121.6 |
16 |
|
Executive Officer |
8 |
3 |
|
Forestry Inspector Grade 3 |
1 |
|
|
Higher Executive Officer |
3 |
1 |
|
Senior Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
|
|
Senior Superintending Vet Insp |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Vet Insp |
2 |
|
|
Veterinary Inspector |
27 |
6 |
|
Grand Total |
171.6 |
29 |
Staff List at 24 June 2024
|
Grade Description |
Dublin Port |
Rosslare Europort |
|
Agricultural Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
12 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
|
|
Clerical Officer |
72 |
11 |
|
Executive Officer |
24 |
6 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
1 |
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
1 |
|
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
2 |
1 |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
27 |
6 |
|
Grand Total |
146 |
26 |
Horse Racing Industry
Ceisteanna (408)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:408. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the marketing department of Horse Racing Ireland in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [29004/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
Greyhound Industry
Ceisteanna (409)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:409. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE staff, by job title, working in the marketing department of Greyhound Racing Ireland in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [29005/24]
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 Industry
Ceisteanna (410)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:410. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how a person (details supplied) might apply for a herd number in their own right given that they work on their parents’ farm at present;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named must be over 18 years of age and can download a herdnumber application form, the ER1, from the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/service/f90f21-application-for-a-flockherd-number/.
An Information note detailing the requirements involved as part of the herd number application is also available at the link, together with information regarding amending herdowner and keeper details for a registered herdnumber. In order to minimise disease and maximise animal health, the RVO will assess the application against the criteria outlined in this Information note before a decision to issue a herd number is made.
A herd number is allocated by my Department’s Regional Veterinary Offices (RVOs), to a distinct epidemiological unit, on a holding for the purpose of administering the Bovine TB Eradication Programme under S.I. No. 58 of 2015. All animals on a holding must be contained in the same epidemiological unit under the one herd number.
The person named may also wish to contact their Regional Veterinary Office if they require clarification or further information. The phone number for Naas RVO is 045 873035 or email address is kildaredvo@agriculture.gov.ie .
School Meals Programme
Ceisteanna (411)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:411. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of providing free school meals for all pre-school children in the ECCE scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28862/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following a successful meals pilot in 2023, my Department is currently in the process of developing costing scenarios for a targeted meals programme as part of Equal Start, our new funding model to support children and their families who experience disadvantage to access and experience meaningful participation in early learning and care and school-age childcare.
An estimated full-year cost for the Government to provide universal free meals to every child in the ECCE programme would cost approximately €66.9m.
These estimates are based on the following assumptions:
• Approximately 110,000 children availing of ECCE (based on 2022/23 numbers)
• A daily rate of €3.20 capitation (based on Department of Social Protection's School Meals Scheme capitation)
• 38-week ECCE term time (182 days)
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (412)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:412. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of speech and language therapists employed in each CDNT; and the vacant positions in each CDNT relating to speech and language therapists, in tabular form. [29022/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Legislative Reviews
Ceisteanna (413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:413. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022 will commence. [28685/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:414. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will seek the direct input of affected people for the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022. [28686/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he plans to gather the direct input of affected people for the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022. [28687/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:416. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that adequate time is allowed to ensure that affected people both in Ireland and abroad have an opportunity to contribute directly to the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022. [28688/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:417. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the special advocate for survivors will be invited to contribute to the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022. [28689/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHolly Cairns
Ceist:418. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth , what weight will be given to the direct and indirect input of affected people both in Ireland and abroad in relation to the statutory review of the Birth (Information and Tracing) Act 2022. [28690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 413, 414, 415, 416, 417 and 418 together.
Section 70 of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 requires that a review of the operation of the Act is commenced not later than two years after the coming into operation of the section. Section 70 was commenced on 3 October 2022 and, as such, the review is scheduled to commence by the end of Q3 2024.
My officials are currently in the process of planning the review. While the review will certainly involve the input of affected persons, the detail of the parties to be consulted, and the methods and timing by which this will be achieved, is under consideration. It would be my intention that the review would involve engagement with the Special Advocate for Survivors.
Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 413.