Written Answers Nos. 121-139
121. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to help farmers who are worried about the threatened imposition of US tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a small, open economy, Ireland is sensitive to any change in global trading conditions. Therefore, any imposition of additional tariffs by the U.S. authorities will have the potential to pose significant challenges for Irish exporters of agri-food products to the US. The US is the second largest market for Irish agri-food exports, after the UK, with exports last year valued at almost €2 billion.
In April, I had the opportunity to visit the United States and see first hand how US consumers really value our premium Irish products. The additional tariff rate of 10% on all imports to the US, in place since 9th April, directly impacts on the competitiveness of Irish agri-food exports on the US markets and make these products more expensive for consumers.
I took the opportunity in my engagement with my US counterpart, Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, and other senior political representatives in Washington DC, to stress the mutually beneficial trading relationship between the United States and Ireland.
The ongoing 90-day pause on the imposition of higher tariffs announced on 2nd April has allowed space for meaningful negotiations to take place between the US and the European Union. Ireland’s position has been the same throughout these negotiations – we have sought calm, measured and comprehensive dialogue with the United States and a negotiated solution remains the goal and preferred outcome.
At the same time, we understand the need for the EU to undertake further internal preparations in case negotiations are unsuccessful. This is a sensible and measured approach. I am committed to working with stakeholders during this period and will continue to communicate Irish specific concerns to the Commission.
As part of the Government’s Trade Forum, I have also engaged in discussions on the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification. My Department and Bord Bia will continue to engage in the development of this Action Plan, and to collaborate across Government to optimise the impact of trade promotion and development initiatives in markets across the globe.
122. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has spoken to his counterparts in other EU member states in relation to the non-binding side attachments to the Mercosur trade deal, specifically in relation to deforestation and food safety standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the announcement last December by the European Commission that it had concluded negotiations and agreed a new “additional instrument” with Mercosur, my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and previously the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been engaged in analysing this text.
Throughout the negotiations, Ireland consistently highlighted that the agreement should include legally binding commitments on sustainability, including climate, biodiversity and deforestation protections. As it stands, it is not clear that the additional legal instrument negotiated by the European Commission with Mercosur provides those legally binding assurances.
Both I and the Tánaiste, as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, are in ongoing engagement with our counterparts in the European Commission and in other Member States to voice our concerns in relation to the agreement.
As Minister, I have had the opportunity to raise concerns at Agri-Fish Council since my appointment earlier this year. I have also held bilateral meetings on the margins of the Council in recent months with French, Austrian and Latvian counterparts where we exchanged views on these concerns.
As we await the European Commission's proposal as to how the ratification process will proceed, which is expected shortly. Ireland will continue to engage with like-minded Member States and at the appropriate EU fora on our concerns.
123. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will step up effective efforts in conjunction with the farming organisations to agree on and put in place a TB scheme that will include dealing with ineffective wildlife in all DVO areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36623/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB (bTB) levels have continued to deteriorate.
Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. As of 22nd June 2025, over a 12 month period we had a herd incidence of 6.43 % with over 43,455 reactors. This disease is having an impact on our farmers and their families both financially and emotionally throughout rural Ireland.
Following extensive discussions at the TB Forum, I met TB stakeholders on 8 May and farming organisations on 22 May with a view to agreeing an action plan for bovine TB on the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of bTB on farm families and to reduce herd incidence and spread of the disease.
At these meetings I presented 5 key pillars to address the current rates of bTB:
Support herds free of bTB to remain free
Reduce the impact of wildlife on the spread of bTB
Detect and eliminate bTB infection as early as possible in herds with a TB breakdown and avoid a future breakdown
Help farmers improve all areas of on farm biosecurity
Reduce the impact of known high risk animals in spreading bTB
The discussions I had at these meetings have fed into a TB plan that I intend to finalise the details of this plan and publish this shortly.
At a meeting of Cabinet on Tuesday 24th June I received the approval of government to address the current high level of bovine TB.
I will ensure that any measures adopted are based on the best scientific and veterinary advice, including in relation to wildlife.
Through strong leadership by all involved in the programme and by working together we can take the necessary measures to protect farmers livelihoods from bTB.
125. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expected timeline for delivering a farm succession scheme that supports generational renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36524/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new Programme for Government emphasises “supporting inter-generational farm succession.” Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, highlights that ensuring generational renewal in farming is vital for the sector’s long-term viability and social sustainability in rural Ireland.
Demographic challenges facing agriculture are not unique to Ireland; the difficulty of attracting young people into farming is a recognised issue at both national and EU levels, including in the recent EU Commission Vision for Agriculture and Food.Under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027, I am committing significant investment to promote generational renewal, with measures including:
• A Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ Scheme, supporting young farmers in establishing their businesses. Payments for 2024 under the CISYF began in early December 2024.
• The National Reserve 2023-2027, which offers support to two priority groups—Young Farmers and New Farmers—with approximately €3.1 million paid out for the 2024 scheme.
• Under the TAMS capital investment measure, a 60% grant rate for qualified young farmers remains available.
• A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme to financially encourage partnerships between existing farmers and trained young farmers.
• The Succession Planning Advice Grant, which helps cover costs for independent legal and financial advice to older farmers planning succession.
In March, I announced that over €1.5 million has been allocated to three Generational Renewal projects under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) measure of the CAP Strategic Plan.
Beyond the support measures available through the CSP, there are also comprehensive national taxation policies, access to finance supports, and extensive education and training programs.
Despite these substantial efforts, farm holder demographics are not improving, which demonstrates that farm succession is a complex issue influenced by numerous factors.
Last October, an independent Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. The Commission is taking an objective, evidence-based approach examining the various factors involved that contribute to the age demographic in the sector. It is engaging closely with stakeholders, including a public consultation. The Commission is making significant progress and I am expecting a report on policy options in the coming weeks, which will ensure that we have an objective analysis of the issue in advance of preparations for the next CAP.
126. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of farmers still awaiting ACRES payment; the plans in place to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36523/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme or ACRES is the flagship environmental scheme provided under the 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, with €1.5 billion in Exchequer and EU funding allocated over the course of the scheme. There are currently just under 54,000 participants in ACRES.
Payments in respect of ACRES continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases pass all required validation checks. A total of €512.2 million has now issued since ACRES payments commenced at the end of 2023.
In the case of the 2023 scheme year, almost 99% of participants have been paid in full. As regards 2024, 97% of participants have received their advance payments, and almost 94% of participants have now received a balancing payment.
My Department is committed to resolving the issues that have been delaying the remaining payments as soon as possible. Additional resources have been deployed, and we are systematically working through the remaining issues associated with the outstanding cases.
These issues can range from internal departmental matters such as the processing of changes of ownership and the finalisation of payment calculation processes, to external, applicant- or advisor-related matters such as the submission of documentation.
While we are continuing to work on those internal issues, I would also take this opportunity to remind farmers and advisors to submit, as soon as possible, any outstanding documentation that will allow my Department to progress and complete their claims as soon as possible.
My Department will continue to issue regular online updates over the coming period on the progress being made.
127. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the enforcement powers currently available to the Agri-Food Regulator; if he is satisfied these powers are sufficient to ensure compliance across the food supply chain; if he intends to bring forward any legislation to strengthen the regulator's role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEstablished on 13 December 2023, An Rialálaí Agraibhia, Ireland's Agri-Food Regulator, performs two principal functions:
• an enforcement function in relation to unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain and
• a price and market analysis function, aimed at ensuring more transparency and fairness throughout the agri-food supply chain
The Agri-Food Regulator has been granted very robust powers of enforcement in relation to Unfair Trading Practices in the Agri-Food supply chain, as evidenced by the first conviction for a breach of unfair trading practice (UTP) legislation in 2024. These powers are provided for in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023.
In the course of its UTP enforcement function, the Regulator has the power to conduct inspections of buyers and suppliers including where there has not been a complaint received. The Regulator also has the power to conduct investigations of suspected breaches of UTPs and initiate legal proceedings including referring cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions where it believes an indictable offence concerning a UTP has been committed under the Act.
The Act provides extensive powers for Authorised Officers of the Regulator for investigation of UTP. In the course of a UTP investigation, an Authorised Officer has the power to enter premises, as well as to inspect and seize records and data. The Regulator may also issue a compliance notice where it believes an offence has been committed under the Act.
In relation to the price and market analysis function, this function is separate and distinct to the enforcement function in relation to unfair trading practices. Over the last year the Regulator has published analysis on the egg and horticulture sectors.
While there has been much positive engagement with the Regulator from operators who have voluntarily responded to requests for information, there were a few operators who did not provide the requested data.
In light of its experience concerning those reports, the Regulator has reported to me that it requires enhanced powers to compel businesses to provide financial information that is not in the public domain. The Act, itself, does not permit the Regulator to compel such data. However, the Act provides that the Minister may make regulations on price and market information.
As I have previously stated, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Regulator is equipped with the necessary powers to fulfil its statutory function subject to the necessary consultative and legislative process. This is necessary to ensure that the additional powers granted are proportionate.
128. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding available for urban horse projects to help enhance awareness of animal health and welfare for participants and the wider nearby community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe welfare of equines is protected by legislation and appropriate enforcement action is undertaken by my Department and authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including An Garda Síochána, Customs agents, authorised officers appointed by local authorities, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA), where breaches or shortcomings are identified. Any reports of welfare issues received by my Department, including breaches of the animal welfare legislation, are acted upon and investigated.
I am fully committed to supporting sustainable initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and Working Together for Animal Welfare, Ireland's Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025. As part of this commitment, I continue to support urban horse projects nationwide, working with local authorities, charities and community stakeholders. These projects have proven very successful and are aimed specifically at equine welfare and marginalised communities. The projects can foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people.
From 2015 to date, over €2 million has been spent on urban horse projects by my Department, with €150,000 allocated for these projects in 2025. The Urban Horse projects greatly benefit the welfare of equines and of young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds. There are currently seven live projects.
Last year, my Department awarded six million euros in funding, which went to 101 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants Programme. Of that figure, just over €3.4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
More generally, my Department recently published a report by Professor Paddy Wall on equine traceability and welfare, and has prepared an action plan to implement its recommendations.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation, the dedicated e-mail address and helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of animal welfare are:
Helpline Phone No: 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie
129. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to deal with pollution in Lady's Island Lake; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36510/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn action plan to address the challenges Lady's Island Lake is facing is being developed by Wexford County Council.
My officials are contributing to that and my Department is committed to fully engaging with the local authority, all state agencies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as we seek to address the challenges facing Lady's Island Lake.
The Nitrates Directive has the objective of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. It is implemented in Ireland through our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have responsibility for the NAP and my officials work closely with them on its development and implementation.
Under the current NAP, new and enhanced measures have been introduced since 2022 including a 10% reduction in the chemical nitrogen allowances for grassland, introduction of dairy banding, increased requirements for soiled water storage, requirements for shallow cultivation on tillage ground post-harvest and soil testing requirements for arable land. My Department has also introduced the National Fertiliser Database which now provides full recording of all chemical fertilisers from point of import through to end-user. In terms of compliance, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) are leading the new National Agricultural Inspection Programme which aims have the Local Authorities complete 4,500 targeted inspections regarding farmer compliance with the GAP Regulations this year. All of these measures are providing enhanced protections for water quality.
In addition to the NAP, a number of EU and nationally funded schemes benefit water quality by incentivising farmers to go above and beyond minimum regulatory requirements. These schemes include the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES), the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS), the Multi-Species Sward Measure, the Red Clover Silage Measure and most importantly the Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP) which is co-funded between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
130. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied the current badger management programme is sufficient in light of the reported explosion in badger numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB (bTB) levels have continued to deteriorate.
Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. As of 22nd June 2025, over a 12 month period we had a herd incidence of 6.43 % with over 43,455 reactors. This disease is having an impact on our farmers and their families both financially and emotionally throughout rural Ireland.
On the issue of wildlife, funding and staffing allocations have increased over the last number of years for the wildlife programme. When comparing wildlife programme expenditure - expenditure for 2024, (€9,171,367) represents a 127% increase compared to a full year in 2019 (€4,040,000). This reflects my Department’s commitment to this particular aspect of the TB eradication programme. It should be further noted that 2024 saw the highest number of badgers culled since the introduction of a wildlife programme as part of the bovine TB programme in the 2000's
Population control of badgers is a key component of the wildlife programme in areas of high disease incidence and where the source of a TB outbreak is attributed to badgers. My Department's wildlife programme uses both vaccination and culling of badgers where appropriate.
I will continue to ensure that the wildlife programme throughout the country is supported into the future. However it would be remiss of me to focus solely on one aspect of disease control. The wildlife programme must also run alongside good biosecurity controls, as well reducing the impact of known high risk bovine animals and residual infection.
131. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is aware of the Environmental Protection Agency's Coastal Lagoons: Ecology and Restoration Report; the actions his Department is taking of foot of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36511/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report was published in January 2025, the focus of which was to understand the extent to which Lady’s Island Lake is affected by over-enrichment of waters with nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus and to explain how this occurred.
The EPA’s findings indicate the lake is in poor ecological condition which is directly related to excess nitrogen input. This situation occurred in the period from the 1980's to the reporting period in 2019/2020.
The issue has been building for a considerable period of time, however the need to improve the situation is recognised as a priority.
Wexford County Council is leading development of an action plan to address the challenges the lake is facing. My Department is contributing to that action plan, and is committed to fully engaging with the local authority, all state agencies and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage as we seek to address the challenges facing Lady's Island Lake.
132. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how Coillte now takes biodiversity into consideration in its work following the closing of Coillte Nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte was established as a commercial state company with private limited status under the Forestry Act, 1988, to become custodian and manager of the national forest estate.
Coillte’s mandate is set out in Section 12 of the Forestry Act 1988 and provides, inter alia, that a principal object of the company is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis, and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices. The focus at the time when the company was established was to put the estate in the charge of a company that would realise its potential and support wood production. Coillte is currently managing 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total area of the Republic of Ireland).
Coillte's role has evolved over time to reflect the company’s important role in addressing the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the forestry sector and our rural economy.
It is Government policy that Coillte, as the State forestry company, should play a leading role in addressing our climate change and biodiversity challenges and they have responded to this in their Strategic Vision for their Future Forest Estate. This vision aims to deliver multiple benefits from its forests and bring more focus to climate action, setting ambitious new targets on biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood products industry.
Coillte has indicated that their afforestation ambition is to enable the creation of new forests providing a carbon sink of 18m tonnes of CO2. Coillte will also manage its existing forest estate to capture an additional 10m tonnes of CO2 by 2050. They intend to increase the area of its forest estate being managed primarily for nature from 20% to 50% in the long term, by enhancing and restoring biodiversity and planting new forests, half of which will be native woodlands
A total of 90,000 hectares, or the equivalent of one-fifth of Coillte’s forest estate, is currently managed primarily for biodiversity. Coillte has the ambition to manage 30% of its estate primarily for nature and biodiversity by the end of 2025. Coillte’s decision to absorb the work of Coillte Nature into its main Forest Division will not interrupt any of the Coillte Nature projects that have been ongoing, and its reorganisation will not impact negatively on the objectives set out in the Coillte Strategic Vision and Strategy for its forest estate.
133. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken by his Department to address the severe and growing problem of deer overpopulation across the country, including the impact on farmers and the spread of TB; if he will commit to a co-ordinated national cull and population management strategy in co-operation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35596/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage established the Irish Deer Management Strategy group to develop a strategy for the sustainable management of deer in Ireland. The Group comprised representatives from my Department, National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. A report was published into “Developing a Sustainable Deer Management Strategy for Ireland” in December 2023.
The report listed 16 Actions, 8 of which are recommended in the short term and 8 of which are recommended in the medium term. These recommended actions address a wide range of issues from hunter training and forest design to land use management and the venison market. The report concluded that a formal structure was required to manage deer in Ireland, which involved the appointment of a Programme Manager to implement the recommendations of the report and the establishment of local deer management units in known hotspot areas.
My Department is committed to progress the implementation of the actions identified by the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG) in this report. The Programme Manager, who has been appointed, will work closely with the IDMSG, my Department and the National Parks and Wildlife Service in prioritising and implementation of the short term recommendations identified in the report.
The locations of the deer management units (DMUs) have been finalised. The locations of the DMUs is in response to what might be referred to as deer hotspots. These DMUs aim to give the best geographic coverage in order to reduce the density of deer in these areas.
The programme manager, through the local deer management units, will be liaising with licensed hunters and landowners in relation to the management of deer populations within the deer management units. Deer can continued to be culled by appropriate licensed hunters within the hunting season and with the use of Section 42 licenses issued by the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) outside the hunting season.
134. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to ensure pharmacies that dispense veterinary prescriptions are not losing revenue due to the roll-out of the national veterinary prescription system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36630/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting all dispensers, including pharmacists, to use the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS). A number of measures have been taken to ensure pharmacies that dispense veterinary prescriptions are facilitated in the roll out of the NVPS.
The NVPS provides farmers with an SMS text prescription ID, allowing farmers to purchase veterinary medicinal products at their chosen outlet. Pharmacies that are registered to use the NVPS can dispense these prescriptions issued on NVPS. The NVPS is available as a free web application for all pharmacists or a pharmacist can use their software provider if it is integrated with the NVPS.
In the S.I. 462/2024 (Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 2024), there are provisions for a 'comparables' list, where a product, other than the product prescribed may be dispensed in the case of antiparasitic medicinal products. This list has been relaxed so that dose and withdrawal periods do not have to be identical and the NVPS will add this information in so that the original prescription is not being altered by the dispenser. This provides an appropriate alternative choice if the initial product is not in stock.
For pharmacists, there are provisions in the S.I. that when a human medicinal product is prescribed for an animal, for use under Article 112, 113 or 114 of the VMP Regulation (cascade use or outside the terms of marketing authorisation), an interchangeable human medicinal product may be dispensed in lieu of the prescribed product.
Online retail of antiparastic medicinal products is also authorised under S.I. 462/2024. This is the only POM that can be retailed online but will facilitate the farmer to choose an outlet of their choice to dispense their prescription.
135. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he will take to reduce carbon emissions from agriculture in light of the recent EPA report projecting a 1% increase in agricultural emissions by 2030 with existing measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36625/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency’s “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections Report 2024-2055” was published in May this year and it sets out the challenges that Ireland has on the road to meeting our 2030 climate target. The report projects in the With Existing Measures Scenario the Agricultural Sector will increases emissions by 1% by 2030 and in the With Additional Measures Scenario will reduce emissions by 16% by 2030.
The Environmental Protection Agency published Ireland's Final Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 report in April this year. The report sets out that total Green House Gas emissions from the Agricultural sector in Ireland in 2023 was 20.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 4.9% and follows on from a further reduction in emissions in 2022.
It is important that we continue to support Irish farmers and maintain this trajectory towards meeting our climate ambitions. The sector is very much up for this challenge, supported by Government and something I am and will continue to focus on through collaboration and engagement of all involved.
A pathway to enable the sector meet it’s 2030 climate ambition is set out in the Climate Action Plan which is reviewed, and actions updated annually in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021.
Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan is supporting farmers to transition to more sustainable practices while also supporting family farm incomes, with a budget of €9.8bn. As part of Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan my department is providing €1.5bn for the agri-environment scheme ACRES, increased funding for Organic Farming which has increased the area farmed organically in Ireland to 248,000 ha and €260m to improve the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd through genetic improvement. A budget of €1.3bn underpins the Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027 which is the means by which we are implementing the Forestry Strategy and supporting farmers and the industry to reduce emissions through carbon capture.
My aim is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment, and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to keep the agricultural sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieving all our climate targets.
136. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to ensure the TB eradication programme is fully resourced, in view of staff shortages in regional offices which in turn leaves staff unable to carry out thorough investigations in to the cause of breakdowns and to implement a wildlife programme around all TB breakdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36358/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine TB is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. In recent years, bovine TB (bTB) levels have continued to deteriorate.
Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, resulting in a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. As of 22nd June 2025, over a 12 month period we had a herd incidence of 6.43 % with over 43,455 reactors. This disease is having an impact on our farmers and their families both financially and emotionally throughout rural Ireland.
My Department is committed to ensuring that a workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. One of the actions in the Programme for Government on the National TB Eradication Strategy is to ensure appropriate staffing of the Wildlife Control Programme and resource regional veterinary offices to carry out this vital work.
To achieve this, workforce planning is utilised in identifying and addressing the needs for all our locations including our network of Regional Veterinary Offices.
All critical staffing vacancies are filled as soon as possible when suitable candidates become available, considering the balance of needs and resources across my Department. Recruitment is currently underway in my Department to fill vacancies through the standard recruitment mechanisms and my Department aims to minimise any delays in finalising assignments.
137. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied there is enough in the 1 January 2026 sixth nitrates action programme for Ireland to address water pollution from agricultural sources, specifically nitrates, and ensure no further erosion of the maximum organic manure limits from 220 kg N/ha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to begin by restating my, and indeed the Government's commitment to the twin objectives of improving water quality and retaining Ireland's Nitrates Derogation post-2025.
My colleague Minister Browne's Department is responsible for leading development of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme (NAP). My Department is responsible for leading negotiations on, and implementation, of the Nitrates Derogation. Our two Departments work very closely together, on these issues.
Ireland's current NAP introduced significant changes and is providing the strongest protections to date nationally for water quality from an agricultural perspective. In February of this year additional measures were introduced to further strengthen the NAP as part of the interim review of the Programme.
The next NAP is due to apply from January 2026. Officials from both departments are engaging with stakeholders through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group to develop a list of impactful measures from a water quality perspective for that Programme.
I am confident a combination of current and future measures under the NAP, combined with a continuation of the existing significant commitment and engagement by the entire agri-food sector will translate into improved water quality.
Indeed, we see signs of that already in the data published by the EPA yesterday confirming the significant reduction in nitrates levels in our rivers last year.
Having a robust NAP in place, is an essential component in our case to justify continuation of our Nitrates Derogation.
Along with my colleagues in Government, I will continue to engage over the coming months with the objective of giving the Commission the assurances it needs to justify granting a continuation of our Nitrates Derogation.
Ultimately the European Commission will decide the conditionality attached to that derogation, including that maximum permitted stocking rates. However, in accordance with the Programme for Government, the Government will continue doing everything in its power to make the case at EU level to secure the best outcome post-2025.
138. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a programme available to support the development of city farms; if he will support organisations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36670/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the key objectives of my Department is to deliver targeted support schemes for farmers. A wide range of schemes are operated to cater for the needs of the various sectors. These schemes are designed to: support farm income; protect the environment and our natural resources; facilitate structural and behavioural change, generational renewal and innovation; improve production efficiency and profitability; and support rural and coastal communities.
Any newly established farm is welcome to apply for the individual schemes that are of relevance to them. The primary financial support is offered through area-based schemes. These schemes, such as the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS), pay on a per hectare basis and annually a farmer must submit a land based application to my Department in Portlaoise by the 15 May deadline. By and large the amount of the support is proportionate to the area claimed. Separately sectoral schemes, to offer specific support depending on the enterprise type are also available, along with environmental schemes and schemes that offer assistance with farm modernisation.
For any new business it is important that advice and guidance specific to the farm is received. As with other Member States of the European Union, Ireland operates a Farm Advisory Service (FAS). These advisors are trained to ensure that they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and competency to provide suitable advice to farmers on a range of issues including but not limited to, land eligibility, conditionality, scheme applications and to help farmers to meet their obligations and avoid financial reductions under EU and nationally funded Schemes. Details of all FAS trained advisors are available on My Department's website (Farm Advisory System (FAS))
The establishment of any new farm, particularly one within city environs is to be welcomed. While a wide range of supports are in place, the suitability of the various schemes for a city farm would need to be looked at by the farm operator in conjunction with their advisors to see what individual supports are of relevance considering the scale of the farm and the enterprises in place. Presently there are no schemes specifically for city farms.
139. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Carlingford Lough Commission can avail of the shared Island civic fund for the maintenance of navigational equipment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are any funding streams available for the Carlingford Lough Commission for the maintenance of navigational equipment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36717/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 141 together.
While the Shared Island Fund is administered by the Department of the Taoiseach, my Department also plays an active role in delivering on the objectives of the Shared Island Initiative, including through the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (SICSF).
The SICSF supports cross-border partnerships between civic society organisations, and we receive applications for funding from a wide range of organisations, operating in many different sectors. .
While it would be open to the Carlingford Commission, as a civic society organisation, to apply for funding, (noting that the current Q2 2025 round is now closed for applications), it is important to point out that grants cannot be awarded to cover core operational or capital costs. Only direct project or programme work is eligible for funding, up to a maximum of €50,000.
I want to take this opportunity to commend the Carlingford Commission for its important work, and to say that we would of course be happy to consider any future application for funding for qualifying activities.
