Written Answers Nos. 147-160
147. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commission a review of the policy permitting slaughter without pre-stunning, in view of EU developments, animal welfare considerations and public concern; and if he will report the findings. [52208/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently there is EU and Irish legislation in place for the protection of animals at the time of slaughter. The legislation requires animals to be stunned before they are slaughtered. However, slaughter of animals without prior stunning, as prescribed by religious rites, is also permitted under the EU legislation, under derogation. My Department is responsible for implementation of the above legislation and animal welfare legislation generally. Policy on all animal welfare issues is subject to periodic review particularly in light of new information on the topic or developments at EU level and on foot of such a review policy changes may be implemented if deemed appropriate.
148. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a Acres scheme payment will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry for the years 2023 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52214/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application under the ACRES Co-operation stream and was approved into Tranche 1 of the scheme, with a commencement date of 1st January 2023.
I have made enquiries and can confirm that payments are up to date for this herd. Balance payment in respect of scheme year 2024 issued on 16 May 2025, in the sum of €959.20.
Payments in respect of scheme year 2025 are due to commence in November 2025.
149. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of feedstuff samples taken by his Department at animal feed mills to date in 2025 ; the number of samples tested in the same period that were outside the required standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52251/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe focus of feed legislation is to ensure that feedingstuffs do not endanger food safety, do not pose a risk to animal health or the environment, meet the minimum standards prescribed, are accurately labelled, and are fully traceable. Feedingstuffs controls are implemented through inspections and sampling at all stages of the feed chain, including importation, storage, manufacture, transport and use at farm level.
In 2025 to date, 1,031 samples were taken to verify compliance with relevant legislation and circa 10,000 individual tests were carried out on these samples, for various compositional and contaminant analysis, for example, protein and ash content, undesirable substances, etc.
Out of these c. 10,000 tests performed, 50 out of tolerances were detected (0.005%) and my Department has proactively followed up on these out of tolerances with the companies concerned.
150. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmer milk samples taken by his Department at milk processing plants in to date 2025; the number of samples tested in the same period that were outside the required standards for milk testing at processor level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52252/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy clarified that he was requesting data on samples the Department take to verify testing by milk purchasers for payment purposes. My Department does not take farmer milk samples for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of milk testing machines specifically for milk payments, and, has no role in monitoring milk payments.
However, my Department is responsible for verifying that the raw milk standards including TBC (total bacterial count) and SCC (somatic cell count) that are set out in EU regulations are being complied with. To do this my Department carries out official controls in milk testing laboratories to ensure the validity and accuracy of this testing.
151. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department carries out tests to verify the protection coating on protected urea; if testing is carried out, the procedures on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52253/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department carries out sampling and analysis on fertilising products to ensure that they are in compliance with EU and domestic legislation.
Testing of protected urea is carried out using a quantitative method for determination of the urease inhibitors N-(n-Butyl) thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and N-(n-Propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT) content in urea-based fertilisers using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Testing is performed in accordance with UNE-EN 16651:2016 standard.
23 protected urea samples have been tested to date in 2025. One sample has been provisionally found to be out of tolerance and is being investigated.
152. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Departments policy in relation to depopulating herds for TB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52254/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to bovine TB, herd depopulation is not routinely practised. However, full or partial depopulation is considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the situation.
In certain cases where large numbers of reactors in more than one cohort group are disclosed at the breakdown test or subsequent clearance tests, immediate depopulation may be considered. A decision to fully depopulate maybe taken where the level of infection is such, despite repeated tuberculin testing, application of gamma interferon (GIF) testing, ongoing epidemiological assessment, review of testing quality, biosecurity controls and strategic removal of individual animals within the herd, the disease continues to spread.
Following depopulation, the land must not be restocked with bovine animals for a minimum of four months. A herd is required to undertake a comprehensive programme of cleaning and disinfection before restocking is allowed. Following the completion of restocking a post depopulation herd skin test is carried out.
153. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the national cattle herd, if he could provide details as of 1 September 2025 of the number of animals with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 plus and ten plus movements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52256/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1st September 2025 there were 6,620,314 cattle in the national herd. The number of moves per animal was counted and a breakdown is set out in the table below.
|
Number of moves |
Number of animals |
|
0 |
3,471,532 |
|
1 |
1,913,339 |
|
2 |
880,405 |
|
3 |
243,583 |
|
4 |
76,356 |
|
5 |
21,079 |
|
6 |
8,162 |
|
7 |
2,895 |
|
8 |
1,297 |
|
9 |
631 |
|
10 |
375 |
|
10+ |
660 |
|
Total |
6,620,314 |
154. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if section 14 of the Slaughter of Animals Act 1935 has been applied to the slaughter of animals in relation to the production of Halal meat; and if any amendments, exemptions or specific regulations have been introduced to facilitate the practice of Halal slaughter within the context of this provision. [52258/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Slaughter of Animals Act 1935 has been repealed by The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Animal welfare at slaughter in the European Union is governed by Regulation 1099/2009 which is enforced under SI 292/2013 in Ireland. This Regulation has a similar requirement to minimise pain and suffering, while at the same time having a derogation for slaughter under religious rites. This derogation is closely monitored by my Department to ensure that slaughter under religious rites complies strictly with the Regulation.
155. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of fertiliser samples taken by his Department to date in 2025; the number of samples tested in the same period that were outside the required standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department takes samples of fertiliser products placed on the market to verify compliance with Irish and EU legislation on labelling of products and minimum nutrient requirements. The fertiliser products are tested for a range of parameters specified in the legislation, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
To date in 2025, 162 fertiliser samples have been taken. Of these, three have been provisionally found to be out of tolerance and an investigation is ongoing in respect of each case.
156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the issues raised in correspondence by a national association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52300/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn advance of the Budget I have engaged extensively with agri-food stakeholders, including the organisation to which the Deputy refers. All the submissions made to me are taken into consideration in developing proposals for the Minister for Public Expenditure on expenditure and the Minister for Finance on taxation.
Beyond that, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the Budget on any matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the gaps in support for kinship carers and their families will be addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52164/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains commitments with regard to kinship carers. Accordingly, the Department is in the process of developing a national policy on the rights of children living in informal kinship care. As part of the development of the national policy the Department:
• is in the process of completing the scoping exercise on informal kinship care in Ireland. This exercise will cover relevant legislation, the current reality for families in these arrangements including current access to supports, as well as a review of national and international literature and international perspectives and examples of best practice;
• is ensuring that the voice of the child is present from the earliest possible stage. Consultations with children and young people with experience of informal kinship care arrangements concluded in September. This approach is aligned with Article 12 of the UNCRC and the requirement that the child's views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her;
• is concluding research to better understand the experiences of kinship carers, which will be finalised at the end of 2025.
• is concluding a consultation, via survey, with parents of children with experience of informal kinship care, which will also be completed at the end of 2025.
The scoping paper, including policy recommendations, will be finalised, reflecting findings from the foregoing research and consultations. The scoping paper will then be sent for public consultation, paving the way for the determination of a national policy on the rights of children living in informal kinship care. While this national policy considers the rights of children living in informal kinship care, the associated rights and necessary supports of their carers will also be considered.
158. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of parents who have put in a complaint regarding their child not receiving an assessment of needs in a timely manner; the number upheld for the years 2022 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52232/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
159. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the additional funding allocated to residential placements for adults with an intellectual disability in 2025; the number of places that will be provided in CHO 4; if additional funding will be allocated in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2025, a total of €3.2 billion was allocated for HSE Disability Services. This amounts to an increase of 11.5% in funding (some €333m), on funding provided in 2024.
Specialist Disability Residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, approximately 60% of the total budget.
Budget 2025 provided €107m to residential services for the development of new placements. €79m of this is to meet the incremental cost of new residential services provided in 2024 and €28m is additional funding for new placements which commence in 2025.
Nationally, from January to July 2025, 113 new residential places have been provided to people with disabilities. Together with 220 new places in 2024, this brings the total current provision of residential places currently being provided by the HSE and contracted service providers to 8,793 - an increase from 8,146 in 2021.
The HSE advises that HSE South West Disability Services has commenced 17 Priority 1 adult residential placements to date in 2025. This figure does not include placements into vacant residential settings, which are accessed through the Regional Residential Forum.
In addition are transitions from congregated settings or people under the age of 65 transitioning out of a nursing home into community settings. A more complete and comprehensive dataset relating to 2025 residential placements will be available by year end.
Consideration of Specialist Disability Services and funding requirements for Budget 2026 is ongoing. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has been actively engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and the Health Service Executive throughout this process.
Confirmation and further information on funding to be provided will be made public following the announcement of the Budget 2026, in the coming weeks.
Following confirmation of 2026 funding, the HSE will then publish their 2026 National Service Plan, which will set out expected activity for 2026.
160. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if he will make provision in the forthcoming Budget to allow for an increase in core funding of the Family Resource Centres of €80,000 additional funding per centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52260/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently no plans to further increase core funding provided to Family Resource Centre Programme members. Notwithstanding this, there is a Programme for Government commitment to work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres, and this is something I will engage on over the lifetime of this Government.
I can inform the Deputy that a funding equalisation scheme was initiated in 2024 for the Family Resource Centre Programme. The scheme ensures that all Programme members receive minimum core funding of at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. The measure benefitted 54 centres around the country.
This minimum core funding will also be awarded to the five services that are joining the Family Resource Centre Programme following a recent open call for applications, bringing membership of the Programme from 121 to 126 members. Funding for this measure was secured as part of the last Budget.
Core funding supports the pivotal role Family Resource Centres play in so many communities across the country, where they provide a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. My Department allocates core funding for the Family Resource Centre Programme through Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla administers the Programme, which supports members throughout the country. The core funding allocation is standardised across the Family Resource Centre Programme, and is intended to support a dedicated cohort of staff and to contribute towards a centre’s operational costs. This allows for the delivery of essential family support services, in line with Tusla’s national priorities.
It is important to note that funding from the Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres nationally. The Family Resource Centre Programme is a community development programme that is financially supported by many State agencies in a partnership approach. Centres may draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources. Such funding can allow centres to extend the scope and reach of their services. I would encourage every centre to engage with these sources and explore all funding options.
