Written Answers Nos. 1282-1301
1282. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s engagement with relevant EU bodies with respect to the Mercosur Trade Deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission reached political agreement in its trade negotiations with the Mercosur countries in June 2019. Due to concerns raised by a number of Member States, including Ireland, on the environmental and sustainability provisions included in the original agreement, the European Commission and Mercosur recommenced negotiations on an additional joint instrument which they hope will address these concerns.
Throughout these negotiations, my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which leads on trade policy issues for the Government, have liaised closely, and have engaged with our EU colleagues on issues of concern. These engagements have continued during the current negotiations between the EU and Mercosur on the proposed additional instrument.
Ireland has consistently emphasised to the Commission that the additional instrument currently being negotiated must be comprehensive in its scope. It must include commitments on climate change, biodiversity, combating deforestation and labour rights. Indeed, I reiterated these points at the most recent Agri-Fish Council meeting in July.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, as well as the officials in our respective Departments, continue to raise these issues at EU level.
1283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied), whose cattle had a clear TB test two weeks before they were sold, has been asked to have a back-tracing TB test after the cattle have passed into two more herd numbers since being sold; if these herd owners have been tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe original herd referred to in this question sold two animals on 27 March 2024. These two animals subsequently tested positive on a TB skin test in another herd on 20 June 2024.
Under EU and Irish rules relating to the control of bTB my Department is required to suspend the Disease Free Status (DFS) of the herd where a suspected case of bTB occurred until further investigation and an epidemiological enquiry are concluded.
As part of the investigation, backward tracing of animals that fail a TB skin/blood test or confirm TB at slaughter takes place. If such a backward traced animal left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd, the Disease Free Status of the original herd is suspended until it has carried out cleansing and disinfection and completed one clear herd test, at least 42 days after the animal left the herd.
In this case the animals left the herd of origin more than six weeks prior to disclosure of infection in the subsequent herd and did not have a herd test at least 42 days after these animals were sold. Therefore its Disease Free Status was suspended pending another herd test. The herdowner was notified of this by his local office and was informed that he must complete one clear test at least 42 days after the animals left his herd.
1284. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 918 of 25 July 2023, if there has been any further progress on the case in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35371/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will not be pursuing a prosecution in this case.
1285. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a vehicle owner from Inis Meáin, Árainn, County Galway (details supplied) was refused a parking permit for Rossaveal Harbour, County Galway, despite the fact that the vehicle owner is a permanent resident of the Aran Islands and is a farmer with a herd number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35410/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPermit parking is being provided at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre by my Department for persons whose normal place of residence is on the Aran Islands. This follows consultation with the three Island Committee Representative Groups and their desire to have islander access to the Fishery Harbour Centre car park facility. It replaces a car park operated under licence until 2021 by the Committees on behalf of the islanders. Information on the permit process can be found online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/f47aa-application-forms-for-car-park-permit-ros-an-mhil/
Over 340 permits have been issued to date. Almost all applications have been in line with the terms and conditions set out. In a very small number of cases applications have been refused in respect of commercially taxed vehicles. In the operation of any such facility, my Department is conscious not to unintentionally subsidise commercial operators, particularly where there may be other reliefs available, and not to interfere in the market for related services.
However, permits have been granted in a limited amount of instances for those with commercial vehicles, for example for farmers who are able to provide proof they are farming, that is, a herd number. At the time the applicant in question was refused a car parking permit, the herd number provided was dormant in respect of Bovines. However, I understand that the herd number is now active in respect of Equines. Therefore, my Department will make contact with the applicant directly regarding this application.
As is the case with any car park, charges apply in the Fishery Harbour Centre, and spaces cannot be guaranteed for any individual user. Other parking spaces in the car park are available as a public car park at ordinary parking rates with further privately operated car parking facilities available in the immediate vicinity.
1286. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on ACRES overpayments (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35486/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year a decision was made to issue interim payments to ACRES participants who had not received their 2023 advance payment. I announced that this payment would amount to €4,000 for ACRES General Participants and €5,000 for ACRES Cooperative Participants, and that it would be offset against the final ACRES payment for 2023.
Accordingly, my Department wrote to all recipients of the interim payment at the end of February/early March 2024 to advise that their final ACRES Year 1 payments would be based on the ACRES actions approved in their contract, and that an overpayment would arise if the final amount calculated came to less than the amount of their interim payment.
The recent letters have outlined the options available to each participant who has received an overpayment. My Department has offered a flexible approach in the collection of these overpayments, and encourages any farmer not in a position to make the full refund, or to have it recovered from the next DAFM payment (for example the ANC payment), to engage with the Department in relation to alternative payment arrangements, which include the possibility to recover the outstanding amount from the next ACRES payment.
1287. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a full investigation will be conducted into the administration of the basic income support for sustainability scheme, eco and organic payments for 2023 applications for a farmer (details supplied), as the quality of the administration of these multiple schemes appears to have been very poor; his views on the multiple difficulties and delays relating to administration on the part of his Department; if the processing of their application is in contravention of the farmers' charter of rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35526/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraA full review of the processing of the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), ECO Scheme and Organic Scheme payments, is being carried out with regard to the above named persons 2023 scheme applications. Work has already commenced on this and staff of my Department will contact the applicant to advise them of the outcome of this review in due course. Once the review is complete and the results communicated to the applicant, where necessary, supplementary payments will be raised to ensure all payments have been made in full. Staff in my Department will work to resolve this case as soon as possible.
1288. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the number of incidences of TB detected nationwide for the years 2014 to 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35527/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am committed to making real progress in controlling TB as I am aware of the financial and emotional trauma associated with a TB breakdown for farmers.
The table below details the number of herds experiencing a new restriction, due to bovine TB, since 1st January each year, by county for the years 2014 to 2023 and the number of reactors related to these restrictions. The number of new restrictions and reactor numbers have been increasing since 2016 and the pace of deterioration has accelerated in recent years.
Nationally as of 1st September 2024, on a 12-month rolling basis, herd incidence increased to 5.52% compared to 4.74% at the same time last year. In the past 12 months 5,607 herds were restricted, compared to 4,872 in the previous 12-month period.
Ireland's bovine TB Eradication Programme is guided by national and international scientific research and advice.
A large body of peer-reviewed research has been conducted into the spread of TB in Ireland and the risks underlying its transmission. This research has found that the principal causes of TB introduction and spread include:
• movement of infected cattle with undetected infection.
• residual infection in cattle previously exposed to TB.
• spread across farm boundaries from infected cattle to uninfected cattle.
• indirect spread through other biosecurity breaches, and/or
• spread from infected wildlife to uninfected cattle.
Larger herds, fragmented farms, and herds that buy in cattle are all more at risk of TB breakdown. In addition, the expansion of the dairy herd since 2015 has had an impact on increasing TB levels also.
As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors and wildlife.
Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving three or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on the biosecurity measures a farmer can take to reduce risks on their farm, including when buying in animals.
I am committed to reducing TB incidence rates across the country. Since I launched the TB Strategy in 2021 stakeholders have been working collectively to reduce TB rates. We must keep this going with the ultimate aim of eradicating TB from the herd.
The details of the TB Strategy along with the results of the review are available on www.bovinetb.ie.
1289. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is concerned about the incidences of TB being detected through on-farm tests, but not showing up in post-mortem tests in factories; and if records are kept in relation to these instances; whether such records can be provided for the years 2014 to 2023. [35528/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen cattle are slaughtered as reactors under the TB eradication programme, it is because they have tested positive for infection with TB. It is not routine to culture all TB reactors.
Visual inspection of reactor carcases at post-mortem finds that, on average, in the years from 2014 to 2023 a range of 28-39% of such reactors had visible lesions of tuberculosis, meaning the infection has progressed to a stage where the disease process has caused such significant tissue damage that it can be seen with the naked eye. Lesion % rate 2014 – 2023.
|
Year |
Lesions % |
|
2023 |
28% |
|
2022 |
36% |
|
2021 |
31% |
|
2020 |
37% |
|
2019 |
37% |
|
2018 |
31% |
|
2017 |
33% |
|
2016 |
34% |
|
2015 |
38% |
|
2014 |
39% |
If a reactor does not have visible disease lesions, it does not mean it is not infected; visual inspection cannot detect the presence of microscopic lesions and bacteria within the tissues of such animals.
Separately from the slaughter of TB reactors, all non-TB reactor cattle routinely slaughtered in Ireland are subjected to a post-mortem veterinary inspection which includes surveillance for lesions suspected to be caused by TB. In 2023, 5,265 suspect lesions were identified and of these, 51% are subsequently found by laboratory testing (combination of histological examination and/or culture) to have been caused by TB. The herds from which those animals came are then subjected to follow-up testing to identify any other undetected infected cattle.
My Department has produced leaflets and videos to explain how the tests work and what to expect from them and are available on www.bovinetb.ie.
1290. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to conduct further studies into the source and prevalence of TB in Ireland. [35529/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland. The epidemiology of TB is complex and challenging.
There are three main sources of infection for cattle - the purchase of infected cattle, the presence of residual (undetected) infection within cattle herds and from wildlife (badgers predominately). The relative importance of these factors vary from herd to herd and all three need to be addressed to protect livestock and eradicate TB.
As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including wildlife, how disease is distributed in the area, contiguous programmes, gamma interferon testing, cleansing and disinfection, testing compliance and swift isolation and removal of reactors. Each TB outbreak is investigated by a veterinary inspector to identify the source of infection. In the case of every outbreak involving two or more standard reactors, there is a veterinary visit to advise the herdowner on how to eliminate infection and measures necessary to help reduce the risk of recurrence. Emphasis is placed on the biosecurity measures a farmer can take to reduce risks on their farm, and when buying in animals.
My Department funds research into all areas of bovine TB including the source and contributing factors to the prevalence of TB in the bovine and wildlife populations in this country. The main body of research work is done by University College Dublin's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) which conducts research for the control and eradication of regulatory animal diseases, which includes the national TB Eradication Programme. On a biennial basis, CVERA publish a report detailing recently published scientific papers which can be found at the following link - www.ucd.ie/cvera/reports/#BiennialReports. This work is undertaken to provide scientific information to inform policy decision-making. All TB scientific research assignments undertaken as part of the TB Eradication Programme are carefully defined and driven by a specific TB-related research question, and the results of such projects are published in international peer-reviewed journals.
1291. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if tests have been conducted on the efficacy of the TB vaccines currently being administered; if there are plans to change or update the vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35530/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTB vaccines are currently being used as part of the wildlife programme of the bovine TB programme. My Department has carried out scientific research on the effectiveness of badger vaccination in a number of locations across Ireland over the years, in collaboration with researchers from University College Dublin.
A field trial in County Kilkenny using the BCG vaccine and a blind placebo demonstrated that vaccination, with an efficacy of 60%, could lower the R value (reproductive ratio) of badger-to-badger TB spread from 1.22 to 0.5. A further trial, termed the Non-Inferiority Trial was subsequently carried out in 7 areas of the country over 7 years, finishing in 2017. As the efficacy of BCG vaccination in reducing the spread of M. bovis between badgers was proven in the original trial, this subsequent trial examined whether vaccinating badgers would keep spread to cattle suppressed. Vaccination was carried out in a large part of a county and was compared to culling badgers (in response to TB breakdowns) in another similarly sized part of the counties. This provided a favourable outcome.
Badger vaccination is now an integral part of the Irish TB Eradication Programme. This follows over 15 years of research work using BCG vaccine to prevent tuberculosis infection in badgers, and scientific trials carried out between 2013 and 2017 that show that vaccination is no less effective than culling. Badger vaccination is thus being substituted for continued culling of badgers such that a significant reduction in the numbers of badgers culled can be achieved over the coming years while still maintaining effective control of the risk posed to cattle. The large-scale rollout of badger vaccination commenced in late 2019. Every year more and more of the countryside is designated as vaccination zones. This is reflected in the numbers of badgers captured for vaccination in these zones rising from an initial figure of 1,937 badgers in 2019, to 4,698 badgers in 2020. This figure rose again in 2021 to 6,586 badgers, with a further 7,244 badgers captured for vaccination in 2022. Last year over 9,000 badgers were captured in the vaccination zones. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in funding for the Wildlife Programme.
1292. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Charter of Farmers Rights is still fit for purpose and relevant; his views on whether it should be updated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35531/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farmers' Charter of Rights has a key role to play in the determining of key targets and timelines in respect of applications, payment, inspections and appeals under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
In July, my Department reached agreement with representatives of the main farming organisations on a new Farmers' Charter of Rights. This Charter represents a full update of all targets and timelines, taking into account the changes which have been brought about by the new CAP.
All of the main farming organisations - the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Macra na Feirme, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA), Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and the Irish Co-operative Society (ICOS) - participated in negotiations in relation to this new Farmers' Charter of Rights.
I am keenly aware of the importance of the Farmers’ Charter and the targets set down within it. I recognise the importance of farm payments and I believe the ambitious targets set out in the new Charter are evidence of my Department’s commitment to farmers.
I have appointed Dr Seán Brady as the independent chairperson of the Charter Monitoring Committee. This Committee, which will be comprised of representatives of the farm organisations and staff of the Department, will monitor the agreed targets and standards.
1293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants that have joined each of the ACRES 1 and ACRES 2 schemes respectively; the number that have since withdrawn from both schemes; broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35613/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following tables represent the total number of ACRES Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 applications that were approved, withdrawn and that are now currently active per county as of 3rd September 2024.
Tranche 1
|
County |
Approved applications |
Withdrawn applications |
Active applications |
|
Carlow |
489 |
19 |
470 |
|
Cavan |
1713 |
68 |
1645 |
|
Clare |
3017 |
83 |
2934 |
|
Cork |
3755 |
136 |
3619 |
|
Donegal |
4953 |
110 |
4843 |
|
Dublin |
72 |
0 |
72 |
|
Galway |
5590 |
153 |
5437 |
|
Kerry |
3551 |
116 |
3435 |
|
Kildare |
282 |
13 |
269 |
|
Kilkenny |
637 |
29 |
608 |
|
Laois |
452 |
10 |
442 |
|
Leitrim |
2134 |
41 |
2093 |
|
Limerick |
1398 |
53 |
1345 |
|
Longford |
1262 |
31 |
1231 |
|
Louth |
255 |
5 |
250 |
|
Mayo |
5795 |
128 |
5667 |
|
Meath |
474 |
13 |
461 |
|
Monaghan |
719 |
31 |
688 |
|
Offaly |
720 |
31 |
689 |
|
Roscommon |
2629 |
51 |
2578 |
|
Sligo |
1755 |
52 |
1703 |
|
Tipperary |
1651 |
54 |
1597 |
|
Waterford |
510 |
29 |
481 |
|
Westmeath |
937 |
34 |
903 |
|
Wexford |
1044 |
44 |
1000 |
|
Wicklow |
591 |
12 |
579 |
|
Total |
46385 |
1346 |
45039 |
Tranche 2
|
County |
Approved applications |
Withdrawn Applications |
Active applications |
|
Carlow |
74 |
0 |
74 |
|
Cavan |
396 |
12 |
384 |
|
Clare |
621 |
4 |
617 |
|
Cork |
636 |
17 |
619 |
|
Donegal |
814 |
17 |
797 |
|
Dublin |
11 |
0 |
11 |
|
Galway |
1395 |
70 |
1,325 |
|
Kerry |
581 |
5 |
576 |
|
Kildare |
103 |
0 |
103 |
|
Kilkenny |
158 |
3 |
155 |
|
Laois |
162 |
1 |
161 |
|
Leitrim |
325 |
5 |
320 |
|
Limerick |
388 |
4 |
384 |
|
Longford |
256 |
5 |
251 |
|
Louth |
50 |
2 |
48 |
|
Mayo |
1210 |
18 |
1,192 |
|
Meath |
211 |
3 |
208 |
|
Monaghan |
284 |
12 |
272 |
|
Offaly |
175 |
6 |
169 |
|
Roscommon |
485 |
5 |
480 |
|
Sligo |
443 |
10 |
433 |
|
Tipperary |
343 |
7 |
336 |
|
Waterford |
94 |
1 |
93 |
|
Westmeath |
271 |
7 |
264 |
|
Wexford |
108 |
2 |
106 |
|
Wicklow |
104 |
1 |
103 |
|
Total |
9698 |
217 |
9481 |
Of the Tranche 1 withdrawals, 75% withdrew before the commencement of 2023 payments in December 2023.
As participation in ACRES is a five-year commitment, a certain level of withdrawals was expected. While the reason for withdrawal from ACRES is not always provided, many are understood to be due to a change in the farmer's circumstances between the time the application was submitted and its approval. The decision to withdraw may also arise due to other options becoming available to the farmer such as participation in other schemes, or through retirement, illness and land use changes.
1294. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES scheme participants that received a preliminary payment under the ACRES scheme of €4,000 for the general scheme and €5,000 for the co-operation scheme; the number of these that were found subsequently to have been overpaid and who now owe money to the Department, broken down by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35614/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvance payments in respect of participation in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2023 commenced in December 2023. By the end of February 2024, 19,719 farmers had been paid a total payment value of €88.4m. However, when it became apparent that additional time would be required to pay the remaining participants, I arranged for nationally funded interim payments to be made to those participants who had not received their advance payment. Payments of €4,000 were made to General participants and €5,000 to Co-Operation participants. In total 25,061 farmers received the interim payment with 18,144 in ACRES CP and 6,917 in ACRES General. In total, payments of just under €208 million issued to 44,780 ACRES participants by early March 2024.
The Department began the process of finalising 2023 payments in June, and part of this process involves netting the finalised ACRES payment against the interim payment. The following table gives a breakdown of the contracts by stream that have been finalised for the scheme year 2023 to date.
|
Payments issued to date (5th September 2024) |
General |
CP |
Totals |
|
Total no of Herds |
23,127 |
13,283 |
36,410 |
|
Calculated Value for ACRES contracts |
€36,202,616.83 |
€67,509,749.49 |
€103,712,366.32 |
This will leave approximately 8,600 cases to be finalised for 2023.
As the deputy may be aware, 2023 ACRES participants were advised in February and March of this year, when the interim payments were being made, that if their total annual ACRES payment was subsequently calculated to be less than the interim payment, the amount of the overpayment would have to be repaid. To date, of the interim payments finalised, 6,975 herds have been identified as having an overpayment and those with an overpayment greater than €100 have been notified.
The requested breakdown of figures per county will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when the next payrun is processed.
1295. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ACRES scheme participants that have received their up-to-date scoring and have been paid any balance owing to date or have been notified of an over payment, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35615/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table represents the number of 2023 scorecard reports and the number of commonage reports issued to ACRES participants as of 05th September 2024.
|
*Number of Scorecard Reports issued |
24,373 |
|
*Number of Commonage Reports issued |
6,266 |
*These figures are not mutually exclusive and some participants will be included in both categories.
I can confirm that all 2023 ACRES participants that have received their Scorecard Reports have had their 2023 ACRES payment finalised.
As the deputy may be aware, ACRES participants were advised in February of this year that, if their total 2023 ACRES payment was subsequently calculated to be less than the interim payment, the amount of the overpayment would have to be repaid. To date, of the interim payments finalised, 6,975 herds have been identified as having an overpayment and those with an overpayment greater than €100 have been notified.
Farmers have also been notified of repayment options. My Department has offered a flexible approach in the collection of these overpayments, and encourages any farmer not in a position to make the full refund, or to have it recovered from the next DAFM payment (for example the ANC payment), to engage with the Department in relation to alternative payment arrangements, which include the possibility to recover the outstanding amount from the next ACRES payment.
1296. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have been issued payment under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme; the number of farmers who have received letters seeking repayment of monies received, based on final scores assigned in respect of the results based actions; whether a detailed explanation of the scoring system will be provided to each farmer, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35618/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdvance payments in respect of participation in the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) in 2023 commenced in December 2023. By the end of February 2024, 19,719 farmers had been paid a total payment value of €88.4m.
However, when it became apparent that additional time would be required to pay the remaining participants, I arranged for nationally funded interim payments to be made to those participants who had not received their advance payment. Payments of €4,000 were made to General participants and €5,000 to Co-Operation participants. Payments totalling just under €208 million had therefore been issued to 44,780 ACRES participants by early March 2024. To date, all eligible participants in both ACRES General and ACRES CP have received a payment for 2023 scheme year.
My Department began the process of finalising 2023 payments in June, and part of this process involves netting the finalised ACRES payment against the interim payment. The following table gives a breakdown of the contracts by stream that have been finalised for the scheme year 2023 to date.
|
Payments issued to date (5th September 2024) |
General |
CP |
Totals |
|
Total no of Herds |
23,127 |
13,283 |
36,410 |
|
Calculated Value for ACRES contracts |
€36,202,616.83 |
€67,509,749.49 |
€103,712,366.32 |
This will leave approximately 8,600 cases to be finalised for 2023.
As the deputy may be aware, 2023 ACRES participants were advised in February and March of this year, when the interim payments were being made, that if their total annual ACRES payment was subsequently calculated to be less than the interim payment, the amount of the overpayment would have to be repaid. To date, of the interim payments finalised, 6,975 herds have been identified as having an overpayment, and those with an overpayment greater than €100 have been notified. This figure is likely to change as further balancing payment calculations are finalised.
A summary report on the scores assigned is issued to all participants following the finalisation of their payment. As advised previously, the scorecard summary sets out the scores achieved for each parcel, with management tips on how to maintain or improve the score achieved, and hence potentially increase payments in subsequent years.
These summaries are made available to farmers in the document manager in their AgFood account, followed by a hard copy by post. As of the 5th of September 2024, 24,373 scorecard reports and 6,300 commonage scorecard reports have been both uploaded to Agfood and have also issued by post. These figures are not mutually exclusive and some participants will be included in both report categories. These reports will continue to issue as more payments are finalised.
The requested breakdown of figures per county will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when the next payrun is processed.
1297. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific measures that will be introduced in Budget 2025 to support the survival and sustainability of various agricultural sectors, particularly in relation to the proposed tillage survival package and extended support schemes for suckler cows, sheep, and dairy-beef calves; if he will outline any additional supports planned for horticulture, organics, pigs, poultry, equine sectors, and aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35649/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister I have worked and continue to work hard to deliver funding for the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors and to support the income of our farming and fishing families.
The funding I have negotiated over the last four budgets is supporting farmer incomes while also supporting the sector’s environmental ambition and on-farm sustainability. This funding also provides key supports and vital infrastructure to support the development of our fishing sector and coastal communities.
Officials from my Department and I are engaging with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and his officials on the 2025 estimates process. Further details on supports for the sectors listed by the Deputy will be announced on budget day.
1298. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he intends to introduce the 'forgotten farmers' scheme, which aims to provide support to farmers who missed out on previous schemes; if this scheme will allow eligible farmers to access the complementary income support for young farmers, the national reserve, and the TAMS/young farmers’ capital investment scheme, with an increased grant aid rate of 60%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35650/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have long supported the cohort of farmers known as the forgotten farmers and have committed to supporting them. At my behest, my Department has developed a preliminary outline of a proposal to provide support to the forgotten farmer group.
Work continues on addressing a number of issues, such as the funding required, consistency with public expenditure and state aid considerations before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants under the scheme can be finalised. Details of the scheme will be made available as soon as this process has been completed.
I am committed to delivering for these farmers, many of whom find themselves in this situation through no fault of their own, at the earliest opportunity.
1299. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of kilograms farmers can spread per hectare in circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35716/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (SI No.113 of 2022, as amended) set out maximum limits for the application of chemical Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) to land under various scenarios.
Based on the limited information outlined, it is not possible for my Department to confirm the amount of fertiliser that can be applied in this specific case.
However, my Department has published tools on www.gov.ie/nitrates to aid a farmer in making the necessary calculations so they can identify the maximum allowable N and P that can be applied.
Alternatively, I recommend this farmer should contact an accredited Farm Advisory Service (FAS) advisor who will be able to help them calculate the allowances specific to their own personal circumstances.
1300. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current status of afforestation licensing, given the recent achievement of licensing 182 hectares for afforestation recently; if his Department has met the minimum target pace for the issuing of such licences; if he will address the ongoing issue of sluggish planting rates, which remain at less than a third of the targeted weekly pace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35769/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUp to the week ending 30th August, 2024, my Department has approved 363 afforestation licences, representing 3,104 hectares. In addition, 278 approvals have issued under the Native Tree Area Scheme, representing 304 hectares.
Recent weeks have seen an upward trend in afforestation licence approvals, with 70 licences for 560 hectares issuing in August, the highest output since late 2022.
As regards planting, some 1,091 hectares have been planted and paid for to date in 2024, with applications for payment being submitted and paid on a weekly basis. It should be noted that there are also 4,858 hectares approved and available for planting, and I would encourage landowners who have permission to plant to avail of this opportunity.
In order to encourage uptake my Department is engaging in extensive promotion of the new forestry options and the enhanced payments available, including an ongoing media campaign across all communication channels, as well as direct messaging of farmers and landowners. In collaboration with Teagasc, my Department will hold four regional town hall information and advice meetings in October. In addition, my Department is funding 42 stakeholder projects, which are promoting the Forestry Programme through a wide variety of approaches. These will engage with the wider community to highlight the benefits of forests to deliver multiple societal objectives - economic, social and environmental.
1301. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to address the unsustainable levels of private felling, as indicated in the recent forestry licensing dashboard (details supplied); and how current Department policies and approaches to afforestation will be adjusted to mitigate severe consequences for the forestry and construction sectors, as highlighted in a review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35770/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1302. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to ensure that Ireland can meet its housing needs with homegrown lumber; to address the concerns raised about the potential need to import timber due to Government inaction, as highlighted in the recent Forestry Licensing Dashboard (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35771/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1301 and 1302 together.
Ireland’s Forest Strategy (2023 – 2030) has an overriding objective to urgently expand the national forest estate on both public and private land in a manner that will deliver lasting benefits for climate change, biodiversity, water quality, wood production, economic development and quality of life.
Following an extensive period of engagement and consultation about the role of forests and forestry in Ireland’s future, it is clear that there is a strong public appetite for more trees and forests in Ireland, as well as a very strong appreciation of the positive impact that trees and forests can have in helping to combat climate change and to restore nature - addressing two of the greatest global challenges of our time.
A new Forestry Programme 2023-2027 was approved by the Government in September 2023, along with other non-Forestry Programme Actions under the Forest Strategy Implementation Plan. This new Programme, funded with €1.3 billion by the Government, is extremely ambitious and distinct from previous Programmes, aiming at more multi-functional and diverse forests.
Ireland’s Roundwood Forecast 2021 to 2040 predicts that the annual potential roundwood supply will increase from 4.9 million cubic metres in 2021 to 7.9 million cubic metres by 2035, followed by a small decrease to remain constant at about 7.6 million cubic metres up to 2040. This level of production is sufficient to meet Ireland’s housing needs and supports the needs of other countries through the export of sawn timber.
My Department has also established a Timber in Construction Steering Group which brings together key government departments and industry representative bodies with the purpose of identifying barriers and opportunities. Timber provides excellent opportunities to replace non-renewable building materials and to decarbonise our built environment.
The levels of felling detailed in the forestry licensing dashboard for the private sector provides detail on those licences issued. However, it is important to bear in mind that many of these felling licences incorporate felling activity that will actually occur over the next 10 years.
