Written Answers Nos. 679-698
679. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware of a situation concerning an international protection applicant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34526/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials are aware of this case and the person's identified needs and that this is receiving attention.
IPAS officials are examining this in line with a previous commitment to review available suitable accommodation in the relevant locality.
More generally, I can assure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications for transfer in cases of medical priority, where people are undergoing specialist treatment or may need to live within a reasonable travelling distance to a hospital. Such transfers are dependent on accommodation availability, particularly in instances where a resident has specific personal, health and accessibility needs.
680. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of people held in solitary confinement 22+ hour lock up for more than 15 consecutive days during 2024; the number of people held in solitary confinement 22+ hour lock up for more than three months during 2024; the number of people held in solitary confinement 22+ hour lock up for more than six months’ during 2024; the number of people held in solitary confinement 22+ hour lock up for more than 12 months’ during 2024; the number of people held in solitary confinement 22+ hour lock up for more than 18 months’ during 2024. [34527/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that it does not collate the data in the format requested by the Deputy. It collates and publishes Prisoner Restricted Regime Census information on a quarterly basis. In 2024 the information was collated on the following dates;
Tuesday 16th January 2024
Tuesday 16th April 2024
Tuesday 16th July 2024
Tuesday 15th October 2024
This information is available on the Irish Prison Service website using the following link, www.irishprisons.ie/information-centre/statistics-information/census-reports/.
As the Deputy will be aware there are a number of reasons for the restriction of a person’s regime while in custody. This includes for safety or protection reasons, on the grounds of order and to protect the prison population from the spread of infection.
My Department has taken steps to bring the Irish prison system into line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as ‘Mandela Rules’) in respect of solitary confinement. This includes the introduction of Statutory Instrument 276 of 2017 which amended Rule 27 of the Prison Rules 2007 which provides for prisoners to be allowed to spend a minimum period of 2 hours out of their cell daily. This is operationalised through the Irish Prison Service's Policy on the Elimination of Solitary Confinement, which is publicly available on their website.
681. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that some applicants for naturalisation who received a letter in January 2025 with a statement that the Minister proposes to grant their application, and who have submitted the requested information, are still waiting for dates for their citizenship ceremony; the efforts being made to reduce the time for these dates to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34539/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that if a person received a grant decision in January, they should have received an invitation to attend a citizenship ceremony.
For any person where this particular scenario applies, they should check their spam folder in their emails, or they may also create a query via my Department's Customer Service Portal. They can register for an account or log in to their existing account at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
If the Deputy is aware of any particular instance where this has occurred, he can also raise the matter with my Department’s Immigration Oireachtas service at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie. The Deputy should supply the name, the application reference and the email address and my officials will investigate the matter.
682. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he is aware that some new citizens who attended their citizenship ceremony in February 2025 have yet to receive their naturalisation certificates; the efforts are being made to reduce the time for these certificates to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that all certificates of naturalisation for the attendees of the February citizenship ceremonies have been issued via registered post.
For any person who has not received their certificate, they should create a query via my Department's Customer Service Portal. When creating their query, they should select the sub-category “Certificates – I did not receive my certificate”. They can register for an account or log in to their existing account at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
If the Deputy is aware of any particular instance where someone has not received their certificate of naturalisation, the matter can be raised with my Department’s Immigration Oireachtas service at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie. The Deputy should supply the name, the application reference and the postal address of the person concerned and my officials will investigate the matter.
683. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the complete list of recipient firms and corresponding capital grant amounts allocated to each under the 'capital investment scheme for Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products', in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Capital Investment Scheme for the Processing and Marketing of Agricultural products was approved as part of the previous Government’s Brexit response to support the food processing industry. This €100 million support scheme assists food processors in the meat and dairy sectors to diversify their product ranges and markets to support their export activity, to the benefit of primary producers.
The scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is administered by Enterprise Ireland. The table below outlines the funds allocated to the projects of successful applicants under both calls following a competitive process.
The scheme rules provide that eligible projects must have total eligible capital expenditure of at least €1 million, up to a maximum of €25 million. The maximum aid intensity provided for was up to 30% of the eligible investment costs, up to a maximum direct grant of €5 million.
Funding is allocated to applicants on project completion following an assessment by Enterprise Ireland.
List of successful projects First call - Capital Investment scheme meat and dairy
|
Company |
Location |
Brief Project Description |
Funding Under This Measure Euros |
|
Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd |
Mallow, Co Cork |
Capital Investment to Support Product and Market diversification |
4,743,680 |
|
Dawn Meats Ireland |
Ballyhaunis Co. Mayo and Kilbeggan Co. Westmeath |
Capital enhancements to both facilities |
1,601,700 |
|
Dawn Meats Ireland |
Charleville, Co Cork, and Rathdowney, Co Laois. |
Capital enhancements to both facilities |
4,366,495 |
|
Dawn Meats Ireland |
Grannagh, Waterford and Carroll’s Cross, Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford |
Capital enhancements to both facilities |
4,031,805 |
|
Glanbia Ireland |
Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
2,700,000 |
|
Slaney Foods |
Bunclody, Co. Wexford |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
1,988,519 |
|
Tipperary Co Operative Creamery |
Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary |
Ingredients Processing System |
596,377 |
|
Glanbia Ireland |
Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny. |
Capital investment to support diversification of product base |
1,404,250 |
|
Kepak |
Watergrasshill, Co. Cork |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
3,119,188 |
|
McCarren Meats |
Drumavanagh, Co. Cavan |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
3,995,964 |
|
Glenisk |
Tullamore, Co. Offaly |
Decarbonisation strategy |
491,310 |
|
Kepak |
Ballybay, Co. Monaghan |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
916,919 |
|
Kepak |
Kilbeggan, Co. Westmeath |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
1,967,929 |
|
Silver Hill Foods |
Emyvale, Co. Monaghan |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
5,000,000 |
|
Henry Denny & Sons |
Charleville, Co. Cork |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy at Charleville facility |
5,000,000 |
|
Donegal Meat Processors |
Carrigans, Co. Donegal. |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
2,422,690 |
|
Liffey Meats |
Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan. |
Capital investment to support product and market diversification |
4,980,000 |
|
T O’Regan & Sons |
Clonakilty, Co. Cork |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
5,000,000 |
|
Kerrygold Butter Packing |
Mitchelstown Co. Cork |
Capital investment to support market diversification strategy |
4,972,208 |
|
Bandon Vale Cheese |
Bandon, Co. Cork |
Capital investment in Bandon facility |
5,000,000 |
|
Moyvalley Meats |
Broadford, Co. Kildare. |
Capital investment to support product and market diversification |
749,416 |
|
Dawn Farm Foods |
Naas, Co. Kildare. |
Capital investment to support product and market diversification |
4,951,550 |
List of successful projects Second call - Capital Investment scheme meat and dairy
|
Company |
Location |
Brief Project Description |
Funding Under This Measure |
|
Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd |
Castlefarm, Mitchelstown, Co Cork |
Market and product diversification in nutritional market |
1,430,603 |
|
Kepak Clonee Unlimited Company |
Ballybay, Co Monaghan |
Market and product diversification focused on beef products |
€2,000,000 |
|
Dansko Foods Limited |
Kilmallock, Co Limerick |
Market and product diversification project |
€2,243,188 |
|
Kildare Chilling Unlimited Company |
Kildare town, Co Kildare |
Market diversification project |
€2,459,700 |
|
Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited |
Lough Egish, Co Monaghan |
Post Brexit market diversification project |
€4,503,000 |
|
Tirlán |
Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny |
Product and market diversification project |
€1,477,000 |
|
Dew Valley Foods Unlimited Company |
Holycross, Thurles, Co Tipperary |
Post Brexit market diversification project |
€5,000,000 |
|
Tirlán |
Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny |
Product diversification project focused on nutritional market |
€3,965,670 |
|
Liffey Meats (Cavan) Unlimited Company |
Project across three locations (Cavan, Mayo, Carlow) |
Product and market diversification project |
€2,114,000 |
|
Ingredient Solutions Limited |
Boherbue, Mallow, Co Cork |
Market diversification project |
€2,830,000 |
|
Staunton Foods Limited |
Timoleague, Bandon, Co Cork |
Market diversification project |
€1,802,037 |
|
Queally Pig Slaughtering Limited |
Grannagh, Waterford |
Product and market diversification project |
€2,000,000 |
684. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33633/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a designated Head of Procurement position. However, my Department does have a Procurement Officer, which is at the grade of Assistant Principal Officer.
The Procurement Officer reports to the Head of Finance and Central Procurement Development Division.
The Procurement Officer supports Line Divisions and reports to senior management, as appropriate. The Procurement Officer also liaises with the Office of Government Procurement in terms of ensuring best practice, and in terms of learning about, and informing, emerging developments in the area.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
685. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff within his Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33651/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HR Learning and Development Division of my Department provides training and resources to staff on good practice in procurement and compliance with relevant guidelines and legislation. Such training resources are provided in the form of training courses and lunch and learn webinars.
My HR Learning and Development Division also supports staff to pursue academic qualifications in procurement through the Funding of Academic Fees scheme. Since 2020 to date, five members of staff in my Department have completed studies in procurement at NFQ Level 6 (or higher). The table below provides details of course names and course providers.
|
Year |
Course Name |
No. of Staff |
Course Provider |
|
2020-2021 |
Certificate in Public Procurement |
3 |
Institute of Public Administration |
|
2022-2023 |
Construction Law Procurement & Finance |
1 |
Atlantic Technological University |
|
2024-2025 |
Certificate in Public Procurement |
1 |
Institute of Public Administration |
The information requested by the Deputy regarding agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the public bodies themselves. I have referred this query to the bodies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond directly to the Deputy.
686. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33669/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department utilises a number of tools to monitor contract management and procurement.
The eTenders platform is used by my Department to advertise and run formal procurement competitions. The eTenders platform is maintained by European Dynamics, who were awarded the contract to provide this service by the Office of Government Procurement.
My Department has monitoring capability in respect of all stages of tendering competitions that it advertises on the platform. All notices relating to above-threshold procurements (currently set at €143,000 ex-vat) are also advertised on Tenders Electronic Daily, which is the online version of the 'Supplement to the Official Journal' of the EU. This site is managed by the Publications Office of the European Union.
My Department records and publishes the details of all contracts awarded with a value of €5,000 (ex-vat) or greater. These are published on a quarterly basis on the Department’s website, linked below.
gov - Contracts Awarded (www.gov.ie/en/collection/02cb8-contracts-awarded-2020/)
The details of my Department's contracts are recorded on a financial management system (FMS) operated by SAP, a German multinational software company. My Department monitors and maintains a register of contracts using information derived from the SAP FMS.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
687. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the possibility of cleaning or dredging a harbour at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33777/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. However, my Department has provided funding to assist coastal local authorities in carrying out projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership.
As part of my Department's annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, limited funding is provided for small scale shovel ready projects under a Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department also administered the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023, which provided unprecedented funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. In 2024, funding was allocated to 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects previously allocated funding under the BALAMI Scheme but which encountered delivery challenges including in relation to consenting, procurement, supply chain and weather windows for works.
Between the years 2010 and 2024, my Department reimbursed total funding of over €10.6 million to the relevant County Council under both the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure and BALAMI schemes.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that on 21st May last, Minister Dooley and I announced an allocation of €4.33 million for 57 projects across 11 coastal local authorities under the 2025 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. My Department will co-fund up to 75% of the eligible project costs, with the local authorities providing the balance.
The relevant County Council submitted applications for 9 projects, 6 of which were approved for funding. The Council did not submit any application for the project in question for consideration. Should an application for funding be made in relation to this project under any future capital programme in my Department, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding, and overall national priorities.
688. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of paying attendees at the Curragh racecourse for 2025, specifically for the Guineas weekend, to include Friday, Saturday and Sunday 23 to 25 May 2025. [33778/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse 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, and has therefore been referred to that body for direct reply.
689. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by his Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33799/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not actively 'unpublished' any relevant documents, reports, strategies, or resources over the past 10 years, notwithstanding any temporary, technical matter that would impact on website access, which is resolved as soon as possible. I am wholly committed to open publication of government information.
My Department shares various documents across the gov.ie web site which is managed by the OGCIO. This website underwent a major system upgrade in mid-April 2025. Almost 183,707 pages were migrated, along with 9,737 images and 133,925 documents. In a mass movement of web content, it is expected that broken links will occur, which take time to identify and resolve. An audit conducted post-migration revealed that less than 1% of all pages were affected by broken links and replaced with a placeholder text: ‘Item has been unpublished or removed'. All affected Government Departments, including my own Department, and public service bodies, were notified of their broken links and a resolution of the issue is ongoing.
An investigation is still underway, but the OGCIO has already been able to identify migration as the cause for the broken links or missing documents in almost all cases.
690. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is possible for an ACRES payment for 2024 to be paid to farm partnerships instead of individual farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33928/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per section 10 of the scheme terms and conditions, Registered Farm Partnerships (RFPs) are eligible to participate in ACRES subject to certain provisions as outlined. Payments have issued to RFPs and will continue to do so over the remainder of the scheme.
Having said this, issues have arisen in certain circumstances where a change of contract is taking place. The process of transferring ACRES contracts to a new owner, and updating the herd details across the various systems used by ACRES, is complex, but work is ongoing to facilitate these changes, and when completed - which I expect to happen very soon - payments will issue to those who have had their change of contract requests approved.
I can assure you that everything is being done to pay, as soon as possible, all ACRES participants who clear pre-payment checks.
691. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to detail each fishery harbour centre that was allocated capital funding since 1 January 2023 to date in 2025; and the total amount allocated to each fishery harbour centre since that date, in tabular form. [34059/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl, under statute.
Every year, my Department allocates funding under the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, which contains details of the capital projects planned for each Fishery Harbour Centre in the coming year. Since 2023, almost €84.8 million has been allocated by my Department for capital works in the Fishery Harbour Centres.
My predecessor, Minister McConalogue, announced funding of almost €34.8 million for the Fishery Harbour Centres in 2023, and funding of almost €27 million for 2024.
In March, Minister Dooley and I announced a capital investment package of €23 million for the six Fishery Harbour Centres as part of the 2025 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The allocation included capital commitments for ongoing projects and the planned commencement of some new projects.
All projects are subject to rigorous project management processes - including design, tender action and implementation stages - and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and review, in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructure Guidelines. Additionally, many projects are subject to environmental and other assessments, and statutory permitting.
My Department periodically reviews the annual capital allocation and reallocates accordingly within the overall Programme in the event of projects being delayed or postponed. As requested, the attached table details the funding allocated by my Department to the Fishery Harbour Centres in the period 2023-2025. This may differ from the actual expenditure per Fishery Harbour Centre within this period.
692. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34084/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl, under statute.
Every year, my Department allocates funding under the Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, which includes details of the capital projects planned for each Fishery Harbour Centre in the coming year.
All capital projects in my Department are subject to rigorous project management processes - including design, tender action and implementation stages - and ongoing monitoring, evaluation and review, in accordance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Capital Works Management Framework and the Infrastructural Guidelines. Additionally, all contractual projects are subject to the applicable conditions of contract and, as such, it is necessary to follow due process in accordance with such conditions.
I am aware of only one such project that is currently late in its delivery. The construction of the Deep-Water Quay in Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre began in January 2023 and was progressing according to plan. Unfortunately, the extension to the planning permission granted by the Planning Authority (Galway County Council) in May 2023 was the subject of a Judicial Review initiated by an Environmental NGO. This resulted in the issue of an order of certiorari in October 2024 that quashed the decision of Galway County Council to extend the planning permission.
Consequential to this, all works ceased on site in May 2024 - initially pending the outcome of the Judicial Review and, subsequently, pending the outcome of my Department’s Substitute Consent application to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Consultants from my Department commenced work on the necessary reports, design and planning documentation in August 2024, and anticipate submitting the application by July 2025. The process may extend to 12 months or longer, depending on the specifics of the project, the review of existing baseline information, and the completion of any necessary surveys that may be subject to seasonal limitations. Timelines may also be influenced by the required consultations with An Coimisiún Pleanála and other statutory entities, including Galway County Council. It is anticipated that when the project recommences it will take approximately 18-24 months to complete.
I am not aware of any infrastructure projects that are currently over budget.
693. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a pure oak plantation that is seven years old and in contract be converted to agroforestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34190/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra694. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an ash dieback site that was approved for replanting with pure oak can be withdrawn and money paid back or if it is possible to convert such a site to agroforestry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34191/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 693 and 694 together.
Under the 2014-2020 Forestry Programme, a pure Oak plantation approved under the relevant Grant and Premium Category at the time cannot be changed to Agroforestry. Similarly, if the Ash Dieback site has previously been reconstituted and already planted with Oak, it cannot be changed to Agroforestry. However, if the site has not yet been planted and the landowner wished to convert the site to Agroforestry, a new application can be made to facilitate this. There are 12 Afforestation Forest Type schemes such as Forests for Water, Emergent Forests and Continuous Cover Forestry from establishment. These Forest Types offer landowners additional choice and will bring added benefits for the environment and for biodiversity. Please see our website Afforestation Scheme: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/afforestation-scheme/#:~:text=This%20document%20provides%20the%20terms%20and%20conditions%20of,of%20trees%20on%20land%20not%20previously%20under%20forest or forestryinfo@agriculture.gov.ie for more information.
695. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the last date he met formally with the CEO of Horse Racing Ireland. [34258/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHorse 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.
Whilst I have not yet formally met with the CEO of HRI, I have met the CEO as part of my wider engagements with the horse racing industry and it is my intention to meet formally in the near future. In addition, officials of my Department maintain appropriate contact with executives of HRI on an ongoing basis.
696. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the last date he met formally with the CEO of Greyhound Racing Ireland. [34259/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Whilst I have not yet formally met with the CEO of RCÉ, officials of my Department maintain ongoing and appropriate contact with RCÉ at all levels. It is my intention to meet with the CEO in the near future.
697. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a foreshore licence application (details supplied) submitted in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for foreshore licensing functions in respect of designated fishery harbour centres, activities wholly or primarily for the use, development or support of aquaculture, and activities which are wholly or primarily for the use, development, or support of wild fisheries.
Applications for foreshore licences are considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well various consultees and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, which is a statutory requirement.
As the Competent Authority for the foreshore licensing functions set out above, my Department is responsible for assessing the potential adverse effects of foreshore licence applications (in combination with other plans or projects) on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in the context of the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. As part of this process all applications for foreshore licences are screened to determine if a full Stage 2 Appropriate Assessment is required. In addition, applications are screened to determine if an Environmental Impact Assessment Report is required.
The environmental screening process in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy is currently underway. Once this process has been completed my Department will be in contact with the applicant regarding the next stage of the licensing process. As this application is currently under consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate to comment further on it at this time.
698. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to address water quality in areas where pollution from agricultural practices has occurred that contributes to nutrient losses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34442/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently an unprecedented, significant and very welcome engagement across the entire agri-food industry to drive improvements in our water quality, and the Government is playing its part too.
The current Nitrates Action Programme, introduced in 2022, provides the strongest protections yet regarding water quality from an agricultural perspective. Earlier this year, the regulatory elements of that programme were further strengthened through the introduction of a number of additional measures by my colleague, Minister Browne.
In addition, financial support is available for farmers willing to go beyond regulatory requirements. For example, under TAMS, the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme, over €138m has been paid in grant aid to farmers since 2015 specifically supporting investments in manure storage and modern technology for the application of animal manures to land. This value illustrates the level of investment being made by our farmers as well as the Government’s commitment in this regard. Furthermore, in January, I launched the new 60% TAMS grant for capital investments in manure storage which, based on application numbers, is witnessing strong farmer interest.
The measures outlined above all apply nationally. In areas where agriculture has been identified as a pressure on water quality there are additional supports for farmers. For example, under ASSAP, the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme, free confidential advice is available to farmers. This is now complemented by financial support for additional targeted actions by farmers under the ‘Farming for Water’ European Innovation Partnership, which launched last year, with a budget of €60m.
Last August, my Department published 'Water and agriculture - a collaborative approach', which sets out more detail on the many substantive actions underway to improve water quality from an agricultural perspective.
The Government is building on this through strong commitments in the Programme for Government, including the Cabinet Committee chaired by An Taoiseach which is working to co-ordinate water quality improvement across all sectors.
