Robert Troy
Ceist:387. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine the TB compensation scheme payment for a person (details supplied). [68564/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (387)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm.
The primary support scheme is the On Farm Market Valuation scheme, where animals removed as reactors receive compensation equivalent to what their market value would have been if they had not been disclosed as TB reactors, subject to scheme ceilings. Further supports are available through the Income Supplement Scheme, Depopulation Grant scheme and the Hardship Grant scheme.
The animals in the herd referred to were non-pedigree and my Department's ceiling of €3,000 is applicable to non-pedigree animals.
In the period up to 31st of October, of the 32,860 animals valued under the On Farm Market Valuation scheme, just under 97% of animals were valued below the scheme ceilings.
As part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group was established to review the financial modelling of various elements of the bovine TB Eradication programme.
As a result of the agreement reached in this Group in 2023, there were rate enhancements to the Income Supplement Scheme, the Hardship Grant and the Depopulation Grant as well as enhanced ceilings for select animals being removed as part of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme.
In addition, the Financial Working Group also expanded the eligibility criteria under the Income Supplement Scheme and Hardship Grant Schemes.
Due to the increased cost of the bTB programme in recent years, the focus at present is on reducing the levels of disease which will reduce the impact of bTB on Irish farm families and reduce the cost of the programme which rose to over €100 million in 2024, a figure which will be exceeded in 2025.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (388)
Cathy Bennett
Ceist:388. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the allocations in current and capital expenditure to Teagasc in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68692/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Teagasc is the national body for providing integrated research, advisory and training services to the agriculture and food industry and rural communities. It is an body that operates under the aegis of my Department and receives substantial funding from my Department's annual Voted allocation.
Teagasc's current and capital allocations for each of the years requested are as set out in the table below.
|
Teagasc Allocation |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2026 |
€165,622,000 |
€10,000,000 |
€175,622,000 |
|
2025 |
€164,537,000 |
€10,900,000 |
€175,437,000 |
|
2024 |
€154,106,000 |
€13,871,000 |
€167,977,000 |
|
2023 |
€150,746,000 |
€11,450,000 |
€162,196,000 |
|
2022 |
€142,227,000 |
€10,450,000 |
€152,677,000 |
|
2021 |
€139,193,000 |
€6,600,000 |
€145,793,000 |
|
2020 |
€132,582,000 |
€10,950,000 |
€143,532,000 |
|
2019 |
€132,082,000 |
€9,150,000 |
€141,232,000 |
Food Safety
Ceisteanna (389)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:389. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions taken by his Department following recent FSAI and DAFM inspection findings relating to non-compliance in certain meat processing facilities; the enforcement steps initiated; and the measures in place to ensure full traceability, food safety and animal welfare compliance across all such facilities. [68739/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department supervises all Department approved and registered establishments, including meat establishments. In meat establishments, my Department carry-out official control inspections to verify a food business operator’s compliance with relevant food safety legislation, including traceability, and animal welfare legislation. Where non-compliances are identified through audits or inspections, appropriate and proportionate enforcement procedures are followed, depending on the risk category of the non-compliance. Enforcement actions taken by my Department can include verbal directions, written notices, compliance notices, welfare notices, fixed payment notices or suspension and revocation of approvals or registrations.
Departmental Investigations
Ceisteanna (390)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:390. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of investigations currently under way relating to unpaid debts owed by meat processors to primary producers; the scale of the debts identified; and the systems in place to protect farmers from late or non-payment by processors. [68740/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 established An Rialálaí Agraibhia (The Agri-Food Regulator) as an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department.
The Regulator performs
• an enforcement function in relation to unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain with a view to strengthening the position of smaller suppliers against larger buyers with greater bargaining power, and
• a price and market analysis function, aimed at ensuring more transparency and fairness throughout the agri-food supply chain.
An Rialálaí Agraibhia is the designated Enforcement Authority for the provisions of The Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023, which is the current transposition of EU Directive (2019/633) on Unfair Trading Practices into Irish law
As the Enforcement Authority, An Rialálaí Agraibhia has extensive powers to investigate alleged breaches of the 16 specific unfair trading practices set down by the Act and secured Ireland’s first successful conviction for a breach of unfair trading practice rules in 2024.
As an independent body, the number of investigations An Rialálaí Agraibhia is currently undertaking is an operational matter for the Regulator. However, I want to assure the Deputy that any primary producer or small business that believes themselves to have been the victim of an unfair trading practice can contact the Regulator in confidence through the channels available on their website at:
www.agrifoodregulator.ie/whatwedo/enforcingunfairtradinglaw/howtomakeacomplaint/[]
Departmental Inquiries
Ceisteanna (391)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:391. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine a matter (details supplied) in respect of the importation of non-native honeybees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68855/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 is a Private Members Bill that is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage. The Bill seeks to ban the importation of non native honey bees. Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad, my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations.
Following advice received from the Office of the Attorney General, my Department procured independent scientific evidence and in October 2023, a 12 month contract was signed with the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) for the provision of research services on the native Irish honey bee (Apis mellifera mellifera).
The research work concluded in December 2024, and the research report was subsequently evaluated by an external expert. Following the completion of the evaluation, the research service provider (NUIG) was afforded the opportunity to respond to the evaluator’s comments. This process has recently concluded and is under consideration.
In relation to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red list (IUCN Red Lists) and classification updates, these are outside the direct remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (392)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:392. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); if she will provide an update on their request for an increase in their personal assistant budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68961/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Family Resource Centres
Ceisteanna (393)
Ken O'Flynn
Ceist:393. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason the child and family agency, Tusla, has decided to close the aftercare service based at Liberty Street House in Cork city; if Tusla has put in place an alternative service to meet the needs of the young people affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [68600/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (394)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:394. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will ensure that a meeting with a social worker is provided to a person (details supplied) urgently. [68622/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.