Paul Murphy
Ceist:360. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fate of the horses due for slaughter since an abattoir (details supplied) was closed down. [38753/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Data
Ceisteanna (360)
Freagraí scríofa
The disposal and end of life decisions regarding animals are matters for the individual owners/keepers. With regard to those who are seeking options to slaughter horses for human consumption, my Department has recently certified a number of consignments of equines for intra-community movement for slaughter to the EU. Equines being so moved undergo official identity checks to ensure they are properly identified and registered on the Animal Identification and Movement Database (AIM). Checks with respect to eligibility for the food chain and fitness to be transported are also carried out.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (361)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:361. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expand the deadline for spreading slurry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38765/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My colleague, Minister O'Brien is responsible for the European Union Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended).
Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land commences on the 1st of October annually.
Following consultation with me, in 2022, Minister O'Brien published the scientific criteria that must be considered before granting any extension to the slurry spreading period. Due to the increased risk of the loss of nutrients to water through late application of slurry those criteria were designed to only apply in justified exceptional circumstances.
Last year the scientific criteria were met and that justified an extension to the period when slurry spreading was permitted. However, the same scientific criteria have not been met this year.
There has been a significant increased focus on water quality across the agri-food sector in recent years. Stakeholders across the industry are now very much focused on the objective of improving water quality.
Earlier this year I published 'Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach' which highlights the issues we face and the good work currently being done to improve water quality from an agricultural perspective.
Irish water quality needs to improve in order to meet the Water Framework Directive target and maintain Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
Farmers have been and are making great strides in implementing actions at farm level to improve water quality and the current government is providing strong incentives to support this work which is underpinned by science.
The relevant scientific criteria do not support a decision to extend the slurry spreading deadline this year and the closed period begins on 1st October.
Fishing Industry
Ceisteanna (362)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:362. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if draft net licence holders are eligible under any of the recently announced fisheries grant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38772/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The responsibility for the licencing of commercial draft net fishing comes under the remit of Inland Fisheries Ireland. As such any queries regarding grant aid available to draft net licence holders should be addressed to Inland Fisheries Ireland, which is under the aegis of my colleague at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, Minister Eamon Ryan TD.
My Department is the Managing Authority for the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) administers schemes funded under EMFAF which provide grant aid to the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
Draft net licence holders who are also active in the commercial sea-fishing, aquaculture or seafood processing sectors may be entitled to grant aid under the schemes administered by BIM. Details of all schemes are available on BIMs website, www.bim.ie Potential applicants can submit queries to BIM by calling +353 1 2144100 or emailing info@bim.ie, or by contacting one of BIM Regional Development Officers, whose contact details are available on the the website.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (363)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:363. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on training programme places (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38788/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
One of the eligibility requirements for continued participation in the programme is the completion of SCEP training by 15 November 2024. The online course consists of a brief explainer video and seven course modules. The course is accessible online using the pin number provided in the information letter issued to participants by post and via their agfood account.
The online course is laid out in a very user friendly format; it is easy to navigate and key information is conveyed effectively in relatively short modules, including interesting demonstration videos. The online training is preferential for the majority of participants given that it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a location of their choosing. Already, 6,715 SCEP participants have fully completed their online training with a further 2,305 currently progressing through the modules.
Earlier this year, I committed to monitoring the uptake of SCEP training and holding a number of in-person SCEP training events to assist those who do not have internet access or the support to access online training. On 11 September, I announced that in-person SCEP Training events will be held in five venues in strategically selected locations to maximise accessibility for participants. These will commence week beginning Monday 30th September in Kilkenny, Mullingar, Claremorris, Charleville and Ballybofey. Participants must register in advance to book their place and as of Thursday 26th September, circa 700 SCEP participants have registered to attend an in-person session.
My Department will continue to monitor the uptake of the training, continuously assessing the numbers completed and adjusting communications regarding the training, and providing additional supports to farmers as the closing date of 15 November 2024 for completion approaches, should it be required.
Agriculture Industry
Ceisteanna (364)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:364. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the deadline for slurry spreading to 15 October, as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38797/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My colleague, Minister O'Brien is responsible for the European Union Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters Regulations 2022 (SI 113 of 2022, as amended).
Under these Regulations the closed period for applying slurry to land now commences on the 1st of October annually.
Following consultation with me, in 2022, Minister O'Brien published the scientific criteria that must be considered before granting any extension to the slurry spreading period. Due to the increased risk of the loss of nutrients to water through late application of slurry those criteria were designed to only apply in justified exceptional circumstances.
Last year the scientific criteria were met and that justified an extension to the period when slurry spreading was permitted. However, the same scientific criteria have not been met this year.
There has been a significant increased focus on water quality across the agri-food sector in recent years. Stakeholders across the industry are now very much focused on the objective of improving water quality.
Earlier this year I published 'Water and Agriculture - a collaborative approach' which highlights the issues we face and the good work currently being done to improve water quality from an agricultural perspective.
Water quality needs to improve in order to meet the Water Framework Directive target and to maintain Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
Farmers have been and are making great strides in implementing actions at farm level to improve water quality and the current government is providing strong incentives to support this work which is underpinned by science.
The relevant scientific criteria do not underpin a decision to extend the slurry spreading deadline this year and the closed period begins on 1st October.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (365)
Thomas Pringle
Ceist:365. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual renumeration for members of the Forestry Appeals Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The remuneration rate for members of the the Forestry Appeals Committee is as follows.
Chairperson
Oral Hearing: €450
Paper Hearing: €400
Postponement day of hearing: €300
Deputy Chairperson
Oral Hearing: €420
Paper Hearing: €380
Postponement day of hearing: €280
Ordinary Member
Oral Hearing: €350
Paper Hearing: €350
Postponement day of hearing: €280
In addition to the sitting rates, a flat rate of €6,000 is paid per year to the Chairperson for the ancillary duties associated with the role.
Animal Passports
Ceisteanna (366)
Michael Ring
Ceist:366. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when equine passports will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38861/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is a recognised breed society in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 and approved to manage the breeding books for the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Sport Pony, Irish Draught, Irish Cob and Irish Partbred Cob. As part of this recognition, they are authorised to issue identification documents, i.e. passports, for these breeds where breeders apply to enter their animals in the respective breeding book.
The processing of applications and the issuing of passports is an operational matter for HSI.
Food Industry
Ceisteanna (367)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quantity in tonnes of grain, such as maize, soya, wheat, and barley, that were imported into Ireland in 2023; the countries whence the grain came; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38931/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry producing high-quality grain for the food and animal feed industries. The sector also produces straw for feeding and bedding. Nevertheless, there is still a significant demand for imports of animal feed and the feed grain imports are as set out in the table below:
Table: Imports of grain imported for animal feed use in 2023
|
Commodity |
Tonnes |
Imported from |
|
Barley |
208,793 |
France, Germany, Poland, UK |
|
Maize |
1,030,865 |
Brazil, Canada, France, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, UK |
|
Soya Bean |
25,203 |
Canada, Ukraine |
|
Wheat |
182,810 |
Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, UK |
|
Oat |
27,725 |
Latvia, UK |
|
Distillers Grains |
239,242 |
Canada, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, UK, USA |
Tax Code
Ceisteanna (368)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:368. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38962/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person named submitted an application under the Dairy Capital Investment Scheme of the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) and subsequently received approval to carry out this investment.
A claim for payment was submitted on 4 July 2024, which has now been processed and approved for payment. I understand the payment for the above named will be included in next week's payment run.
Farmers who qualify for grant aid under TAMS 3 are grant aided on the lower of the reference cost or the receipted cost of the item, excluding VAT.
Tax policy is determined by the Minister for Finance and the rules for the reclaiming of VAT are set by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
Agriculture Schemes
Ceisteanna (369)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:369. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2023 balancing ACRES payment will issue to a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38980/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application was received in the name of this herd owner for the Co-Operation stream of ACRES Tranche 1.
An interim payment issued to the person named in February, and the final 2023 ACRES payment has been calculated.
As the ACRES payment has been calculated to be less than the interim payment a recoupment has been applied. My Department has contacted the participant advising on the amount due and on the repayment options available.
Energy Infrastructure
Ceisteanna (370)
Michael Creed
Ceist:370. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 25 September 2024, if he will confirm that his Department proactively seeks evidence on an annual basis from registered solar installers of appropriate insurance cover; and if, in the case of his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1644 of 23 July 2024, wherein he referred to a specific case, he will confirm that the solar installer involved in that case had the appropriate insurance cover to the satisfaction of his Department at the time of the contract, and retains the cover if still an approved installer. [38992/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All solar installers registered with my Department must provide evidence of appropriate insurance cover as a condition of being included on the registered list.
The solar PV installer referred to had appropriate insurance cover at the time of the contract and retains insurance cover which is a condition of continuing to be included on the registered list.
I can confirm correspondence was issued earlier this year to all solar PV installers on the registered list seeking confirmation of their current active insurance cover. I can also confirm that the registered list will continue to be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure all have the appropriate insurance cover in place.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (371)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:371. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contact he or any Minister in his Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39064/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that neither I, nor any Minister of State in my Department, have had contact with any Minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (372)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:372. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39126/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested for 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Name of company |
Subject matter |
Cost€ |
|
2023 |
Healy Communications |
Training for the then CEO-designate for An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agri-Food Regulator) |
738.00 |
|
2024 |
Drury Communications |
Training for veterinary inspectors in the Department |
5,412.00 |
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (373)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:373. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to alleviate the pressure at a centre (details supplied) which has resulted in one of the residents being moved to another centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39063/24]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (374)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:374. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on waiting lists in each of the four CDNTs in Donegal, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38514/24]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (375)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:375. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of days respite that are available per week at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38524/24]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (376)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:376. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a respite house (details supplied) which has a user group of 83 people has been unable to cater for the vast majority of the user group for approximately four years; the actions he is taking to address this; and the assurances he and the HSE can give that the entire user group will be able to avail of this facility in future. [38526/24]
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.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (377)
Pauline Tully
Ceist:377. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new respite centres that became operational in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; if each of these new respite centres are currently fully staffed and operational; and the name, address and CHO area of each of these new respite centres, in tabular form. [38530/24]
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.
Mother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (378)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:378. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 625 of 18 September 2024, the number of people who have attempted to apply to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme but were unable due to ineligibility; and the monthly breakdown of the number of applications to the redress scheme from it’s opening to date; in tabular form. [38533/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy has sought some statistics pertaining to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme which I provide here as at 23 September.
|
Applications to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme |
Number |
|
March |
951 |
|
April |
1,586 |
|
May |
971 |
|
June |
486 |
|
July |
646 |
|
August |
353 |
|
September (to 23rd) |
146 |
|
Total |
5,139 |
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March this year. As at 23 September, 5,139 applications have been received. There are 4,500 fully completed applications which have proceeded into the processing system. The other 639 applicants are being supported by the Payment Scheme Office in order to provide the outstanding information required so that their application can move forward.
3,012 notices of determination have issued to applicants. The number of those that are ineligible - where the notice of determination has issued with no offer of benefits - is 524. Once they receive a notice of determination, applicants then have 6 months in which to consider their offer before they need to respond to the Payments Office. With regard to those who have accepted an offer, 1,482 payments are either processed and completed or in the process of being made.
Mother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (379)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:379. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the advertising spend on the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the nature and location of each advertisement; and the demographics that each online advertisement was aimed towards. [38534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is an important measure in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Interdepartmental Group, that advised the Government on the design of the Scheme, estimated the cost of "Communication and Publicity" for a scheme of this scale at €2.75 million.
The Department is co-ordinating a significant public awareness campaign for the Scheme, operating on a phased basis. This campaign includes press releases, social posts, briefings with stakeholders, visits to Britain to meet with groups supporting applicants, and a paid, phased advertising campaign.
The initial phase of the paid advertising campaign ran in bursts, from end-March to end-June, across Ireland, the UK, USA and Australia. It consisted of radio (including 40+ national, regional and local stations in Ireland alone), print (including 70 inserts across national, regional and local in Ireland alone), and online advertising, along with an out-of-home poster campaign (e.g. post-offices, community centres, libraries). The total spend across all markets and media was €693,900.
With regards to online advertising, this consisted of social media ads across the meta platform, digital display ads on sites targeted at the Irish diaspora, and a paid search campaign. In Ireland, the meta ads were targeted at those aged 18-49 and 50+. Outside of Ireland they were targeted at ex-pats over 25 years of age. The digital display ads ran on sites targeted at the Irish diaspora, including Irish Central, the Irish Post, the Irish World, and the Irish Times Abroad. The search campaign ran across all markets and reached those who searched for specific terms related to the Payment Scheme.
The next phase of the public awareness campaign will commence circa mid October this year.