Written Answers Nos. 381-389
381. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of the concerns of veterinary nurses regarding workforce planning and welfare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment Departments have no role in setting, prescribing or regulating salary scales for employees of private sector organisations, including those working in privately-operated veterinary practices. Pay and conditions in the veterinary sector are matters for individual employers and employees, or their representative bodies, and are determined through normal contractual arrangements and labour-market negotiations. The Veterinary Council of Ireland, which regulates the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing has no statutory function in relation to remuneration, and neither does my Department. Accordingly, any salary structures or pay-scale considerations for Registered Veterinary Nurses or other staff within private veterinary practices remain entirely outside the remit of Government pay policy.
382. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the next assessment for the SCIS, TAMS3 scheme will take place; if an applicant (details supplied) will continue to be automatically entered into each subsequent assessment or if they will have to apply again in the future; if retention of this scheme is part of the CAP negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23128/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named submitted an application for support under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme as part of tranche 10 of TAMS 3, which closed for applications on 5 December 2025.
Following the Ranking and Selection process, their application was not successful in this particular tranche. Their application will now be considered under tranche 11 of the scheme, which closed for applications on 6 March 2026. My Department will contact the applicant directly if any further information is required to allow their application to be included in Tranche 11.
Applications that are unsuccessful following assessment in tranche 11 will revert to a draft application, and will need to be resubmitted. It is anticipated that the assessment of all eligible tranche 11 applications will take place in May.
While discussions are currently ongoing at EU level on the regulatory framework for the CAP post-2027, it is expected that on-farm capital investment will be provided for, as it is currently included in the draft legislative text.
383. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to ensure the EU-wide review of the CFP, the Common Fisheries Policy, includes special emphasis on Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has consistently called for the Commission to fully analyse and report on the impacts of Brexit on the CFP, and in particular, the impact on the EU and Member States’ fishing opportunities as a result of quota transfers under the EU-UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement.
The European Commission’s evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation is currently ongoing. I have emphasised to Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, the importance of this evaluation in addressing the impacts of Brexit on our fishing sector when Ireland carried a disproportionate burden of the quota transfers to the UK under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement.
The outcome of this evaluation is expected in Q2 2026. Ireland will continue to advance discussions on the outcomes of the evaluation and consideration of next steps during our Presidency.
384. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he accepts that the EU December Agri/Fish Council meeting was a major blow to Ireland's fishing quotas and to fishing families across the country, where the mackerel quota suffered the greatest cut; if he will make every effort to ensure Ireland can be allocated an increased quota share for 2027 as this would provide a much-needed boost to the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23229/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe outcomes of the December 2025 Fisheries Council will, regrettably, result in reduced fishing opportunities for Ireland's fishermen and women in 2026.
The most significant reduction relates to the Mackerel quota and, as this is Ireland's most important pelagic stock, this will present ongoing challenges for our seafood sector and the coastal communities that depend upon it.
I have consistently highlighted the need for the EU to take concrete steps to protect the Mackerel stock and to robustly defend the EU's share at the ongoing Coastal States negotiations on a new sharing arrangement for Mackerel. I am also engaging regularly with the Fisheries Commissioner, Costal Kadis, on this matter.
Regarding Ireland's quota share, any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. This would require other Member States to give up existing quota shares. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and therefore poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context. Nonetheless, I will continue to pursue every opportunity at EU level to increase the available quotas for our fishing fleet.
Given the level of the challenges posed by the reduction in Ireland’s fishing opportunities for 2026, a whole of Government approach is required for an effective response. Minister Heydon and I have committed to engaging with colleagues across Government to assess what framework of supports may be available to the seafood sector, to explore options within the constraints of both EU and national Exchequer funding and the relevant EU and national legislation, and in particular taking account of the constraints imposed by EU state aid rules for the fisheries sector.
To facilitate this cross-Governmental approach, together with Minister Heydon, I have established a working group under the auspices of Food Vision 2030.
This Group will consider the challenges facing all three components of the Irish seafood sector – catch fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing. The Group’s overarching objective is to identify and develop a framework of measures to respond to these current challenges. In doing so, I encourage the Group to identify solutions to improve competitiveness and efficiency; to develop existing market opportunities; to consider how the sector can contribute to our national environmental goals; and to consider where the sector can innovate.
The Group's Chair, Mr. Michael Berkery, has been tasked with drafting a Chairman's Report by June this year.
385. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to take into consideration that there are vast amounts of bluefin tuna in Irish waters that the Irish Fishing Industry cannot benefit from; if he will do everything possible to secure a bluefin tuna quota to provide a welcome boost to our fishing industry given the value of bluefin tuna in international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Bluefin Tuna quota available to the EU is allocated each year to Member States based on relative stability, as established in the late 1990s. At that time, Ireland did not have a track record of commercial fishing for Bluefin Tuna and, accordingly, did not receive a quota allocation.
A small Bluefin Tuna by-catch quota is available to Ireland, primarily for use in our important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery and Celtic Sea Herring fishery, where there can be Bluefin Tuna by-catch.
In 2018, Ireland was successful in securing, for the first time, an agreement that allowed Ireland to set up a catch-tag-release fishery to contribute to the collection of scientific data for the Bluefin Tuna stock. A catch-tag-release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels has been in place since 2019 and supports the collection of valuable data on the migratory patterns of Bluefin Tuna in Irish waters. This fishery is most beneficial to Ireland as it increases our knowledge of the behaviour and abundance of Bluefin Tuna in northwestern waters, while also providing a small but valuable tourism benefit to peripheral coastal communities.
Ireland has made clear to EU Member States and the European Commission that it considers that there is a case for an allocation of Bluefin Tuna quota to be made available to Ireland for a targeted fishery. The case is supported by the data collected in the catch-tag-release science-based fishery for authorised recreational angling vessels.
Ireland has requested the opening of discussions at EU level to progress our case. However, opening up this issue is difficult as other Member States are resistant to any discussion on amending relative stability for this stock. Any change to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of Member States to agree under the qualified majority voting system. Any change to the current relative stability would involve a loss for some other Member States and, therefore, poses particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context.
Notwithstanding these challenges, I believe that there is a strong case for Ireland given the abundance of Bluefin Tuna in our waters, and I will continue to pursue it at every opportunity.
386. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered the organic benefits of seaweed and the opportunities that could be created for local coastal communities such as health foods, in view of the demand for organic products in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has responsibility for the licencing of aquaculture operations, including those engaging in seaweed cultivation, and as the Competent Authority under the EU Organic Regulations 2018/848, has supervision of the framework for organic certification of harvested seaweed. Consents for wild harvesting of seaweed are a matter for the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA)/ the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE).
The majority of seaweed produced in Ireland is wild harvested seaweed. The Irish cultivated seaweed sector in 2024 was valued at €495,883 and produced 496 tonnes (BIM, 2025https://bim.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Aquaculture-Survey-Report-2024-BIM.pdf). Currently 2 seaweed aquaculture businesses are certified as organic under the Irish Organic Association, with further seaweed producers who are harvesting wild seaweed also certified.
My Department is aware of the many uses of organic seaweed. Seaweed, as a natural resource, has been used in Ireland for hundreds of years and the market for seaweed is a global one, with consumers seeking out the product due to it’s health and nutritional value as food and as a highly valuable natural ingredient in cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
Our National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development (NSPSA) notes that there are already a number of projects taking the first steps towards determining extraction techniques for highly valuable commercial extracts from both macro algae and micro algae. These extracts are for use, inter alia, in the human food, human medicine, animal feed and cosmetics sectors. This early innovation work continues to be taken forward and supported by the development agencies (Including but not limited to BIM, Teagasc, Enterprise Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta) with the knowledge generated being transferred, where possible, towards product generation and commercialisation.
Seaweed aquaculture in Ireland is in an early stage and market development will be key to its success and growth. The NSPSA sets out the vision for Ireland's aquaculture sector in the coming years, and includes specific actions in relation to the development of the seaweed aquaculture sector, recognising the potential that exists within this sector.
The government is fully committed to the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Sustainable Aquaculture Development 2030 (NSPSA), which provides the necessary framework to support the development of both seaweed production and opportunities to develop new products and new market opportunities for our sustainably produced organic seaweed.
387. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the improvements being made to expedite the delays in the processing of aquaculture licences, whereby applicants are waiting five, ten, 15 and 20 years for a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.
The time for processing an aquaculture licence varies depending on a number of factors including location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites and potential visual impact. My Department also takes full account of all scientific and technical advice, in addition to all issues identified during the public and statutory consultation phases. Further factors that can impact the time taken to process an application can include; the requirement for an Appropriate Assessment and whether the application is required to be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report; the need for additional underwater or archaeological assessments; consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period, etc. Decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations.
Every effort is being made by my Department to expedite the determination of all outstanding applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to fully comply with all relevant national and EU legislation.
388. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the long overdue landing facility in Cromane, County Kerry; his views that this is a genuine "Health and Safety" issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/26]
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. This includes ensuring facilities are compliant with health and safety requirements. The facilities at Cromane are under the remit of Kerry County Council in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, thereafter.
My Department has provided funding, under both the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure and Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) schemes, to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale, shovel ready projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between 2010 and 2025, Kerry County Council received funding of over €6.7 million from my Department in this regard.
On 16th February this year, I announced an allocation of €4.3 million for the 2026 Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme. The deadline for receipt of applications was 9th March. Applications were received from every coastal Local Authority including Kerry County Council. My Department did not receive an application to fund any works at Cromane under this year’s scheme.
I and previous Ministers have provided a commitment for my Department to work with Kerry County Council to examine the feasibility of providing a landing facility at Cromane. Unfortunately I understand that Kerry County Council experienced difficulties in securing the land necessary to progress earlier development plans.
My Department recently engaged with Kerry County Council Senior Engineers on this matter and will attend a working group in the coming weeks to explore future plans. Any funding in relation to this pier will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of Department schemes, available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
389. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review an application (details supplied) under the 2026 Rural Innovation and Development Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23320/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial farming has been shown to provide benefits to participants such as improved community connections and relationships, increased self-esteem and capacity, improved health and well-being as well as providing the opportunity to develop occupational and life skills from engaging in farm-based activities.
My Department has recently published the Call for Tender for Social Farming model projects. The tender submission deadline is 24/04/26 at 12:00.
Funding of €377,000 is available this year subject to a maximum of €150,000 for any one project. There will be an option to extend contracts awarded for a further four years.
Each eligible tender received will be evaluated in accordance with public procurement guidelines as published by the Office for Government Procurement.
