Written Answers Nos. 716-735
717. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether the revised Shareholder Letter of Expectation to Coillte will include specific and measurable biodiversity performance targets; if so, the targets proposed; and the enforcement or oversight mechanisms that will apply. [32672/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra718. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how conflicts between Coillte's commercial forestry operations and national biodiversity objectives are formally assessed within its governance framework; and whether any formal decision-making or escalation process exists. [32673/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 717 and 718 together.
Coillte 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.
The company's mandate is set out in Section 12 of the Forestry Act 1988 and provides, inter alia, that one of its principal objects is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis, and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices. Coillte currently manages 440,000 hectares of land (7% of the total area of the State).
Over time Coillte's role has evolved in accordance with Government policy to include the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the forestry sector and our rural economy.
Coillte's Strategic Vision for Our Future Forest Estate sets out its high-level ambitions for its forest estate to 2050, which aims to balance and deliver the multiple benefits of forests for climate action, biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood product industry. A guiding principle of delivering on this vision is the ambition to increase the area of its forest estate being managed for nature from 20% to 50% in the long term.
The Shareholder letter of Expectation issued to Coillte on 2nd June 2022 clearly defines the terms of the State body’s relationship with the Department and includes balancing Coillte’s commercial remit with national environmental objectives. Expectations set out in this letter are subject to regular monitoring and assessment, also in accordance with the guiding principles set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies. This letter is published on gov.ie. Discussions between Coillte and my Department on an updated Shareholder Letter are currently progressing.
719. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of Sitka spruce within the State forestry estate; the proportion of this area classified as monoculture or near-monoculture planting; and if he will provide a breakdown by year for the past ten years. [32674/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra720. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any policy targets are in place to reduce reliance on single-species conifer systems within State forestry; if so, the baseline percentage, current percentage, and target timeline; and if not, whether such targets are under consideration. [32675/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 720 together.
The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 in Ireland has set an ambitious annual target for broadleaf planting, increasing it to 50% of total annual planting. This is a significant rise from the 30% target in the previous programme. This includes a 20% minimum of broadleaf as mandatory for all mixed forest types and 15% of the total area to be afforested to be set aside for Areas of Biodiversity Enhancement. These targets apply to all new forests in the private and public forest estates.
Coillte 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 Strategic Vision for Our Future Forest Estate sets out its high-level ambitions to 2050 to balance and deliver the multiple benefits of forests for climate action, biodiversity and recreation, while continuing to deliver for the forest and wood product industry.
A guiding principle of delivering on this ambition is to increase the area of its forest estate being managed for nature from 20% to 50% in the long term. As of 2025 Coillte achieved its ambition to manage 30% of its estate primarily for nature and biodiversity.
The most recent National Forest Inventory survey in 2022 shows the extent of Sitka spruce in Coillte’s stocked forest area is 204,000 ha. The recording of Sitka as the main species in the inventory does not infer the forest is a monoculture as other tree species may also be present within the stand.
It was not possible to provide a breakdown by year for the past ten years within the allowable timeframes, but Coillte will provide the information directly to the Deputy.
721. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he or his Department has engaged with representative bodies or the Veterinary Council of Ireland regarding workforce sustainability challenges in the veterinary nursing profession, including recruitment and retention difficulties; and if so, the outcome of those engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32837/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra722. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessment that has been made of the potential impact of staffing shortages in veterinary nursing on animal welfare, veterinary service capacity, and the viability of practices, including in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32838/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra723. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether consideration is being given to undertaking or supporting a review of workforce sustainability in the veterinary sector, including training pathways, retention challenges, and long term service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 721, 722 and 723 together.
According to Veterinary Council Ireland (VCI) Workforce Report published in May 2025 there were 1,265 registered nurses in March 2024. The most recent quarterly newsletter published by the VCI shows the number of registered veterinary nurses increased in the intervening 12 months to 1,395.
The first recommendation of the VCI Workforce Report was "Promoting the role of the Veterinary Nurse". This highlights the respect and the regard which the role of the Veterinary Nurse is held in by the regulating body for veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses and I very much welcome this recommendation and look forward to it being actioned.
Government Departments have no role in the setting prescribing or regulating salary scales or employment terms 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 Ireland, which regulates the practice of Veterinary medicine and Veterinary nursing under the aegis of my Department has no statutory function in relation to remuneration or employment conditions, and neither does my Department.
724. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe named applicant received an on-farm Nitrates Derogation inspection in 2025. An Interim Control Report was provided to the applicant on the day of inspection detailing the non-compliances identified by my Department’s Inspector. After year-end it was possible to conclude the desk-based element of the inspection.
Due to the non-compliances identified during the inspection, and in line the scheme Terms and Conditions for 2025, the named person’s application was subsequently rejected due to the reasons set out in my Department's rejection letter dated 22nd April 2026. As part of that letter, the named person was advised of the procedure open to them if they wished to appeal my Department’s decision.
A request, appealing the decision of the Inspecting Officer has recently been lodged with my Department in this case. This is currently being considered by the Regional Inspector who will communicate the outcome of their review to the applicant in due course.
The Nitrates Derogation Inspection Programme and overall compliance with the requirements set out in the Nitrates Derogation Terms and Conditions and the European Commission Implementing Decision granting our derogation are essential elements supporting Ireland's Nitrates Derogation.
725. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his response to the call from an association (details supplied) for an increased share of the national pelagic quota for inshore fishermen; and to provide an update on work ongoing in his Department to reopen closed fisheries . [32874/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, fishing quota, including for pelagic stocks such as Mackerel and Herring, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management, conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. It is managed as a public good that ensures that property rights are not granted to individual operators. This is seen as a critical policy to ensure that quotas are not concentrated into the hands of large fishing companies whose owners have the financial resources to buy up such rights. In Ireland, any movement towards privatisation and concentration of rights into the hands of large companies would seriously risk fishing vessels losing an economic link with Ireland’s coastal communities and undermining the socio-economic importance of the fishing industry in the coastal communities dependent on fishing.
The result of this long-standing policy is that the Irish fishing fleet involves a balanced spread of sizes and types of fishing vessels which have retained a strong economic link with our coastal communities and have delivered economic activity including vital employment in these communities, where there are very limited alternative economic activities. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas.
Any amendments or changes to the overarching policy on quota management arrangements are determined by the Minister following detailed analysis and full consultation with stakeholders, in particular the fishing industry. In order to consider any review of the pelagic policies, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of a policy, it will require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the quota allocation for any group of vessels, it must be taken from other groups within the fleet. There are a number of opportunities for vessels to target pelagic stocks, such as Mackerel, Horse Mackerel, Herring and Albacore Tuna, which are open to smaller 'inshore' fishing vessels. The attached document provides details on these opportunities. As regards “closed fisheries”, in cases when a stock is seriously depleted, there may be no other option but to prohibit fishing for that stock. When the stock has recovered, consideration can then be given to reopening the fishery. This has been the case with stocks such as Spurdog, which re-opened in 2023 having been closed for over ten years to rebuild the stock.
726. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied); the plans in place to introduce legislation to regulate the use of animal-drawn vehicles on public roads; if he will indicate whether any such measures would include a complete ban on sulky racing on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33064/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. It must be emphasised that primary responsibility for the health and welfare of equines lies with the owner or keeper.
It is important to note that the use of sulkies on public roads specifically, as with the use of all vehicles, including animal-drawn vehicles, is governed by the relevant provisions of the Roads and Road Traffic Acts. Matters in connection with this legislation are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport. In addition, the drivers of all vehicles used on public roads, including horse-drawn carriages, are required to comply with road traffic legislation and to behave in a safe manner paying due care to other road users. The enforcement of such road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
In December 2025, my Department provided funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grants programme. Of that figure, just over €4 million was awarded to charities involved in the care and welfare of horses.
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 email 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
727. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the role that the Food Industry Development Division of his Department plays in respect of below cost selling of agricultural food products by supermarket chains (details supplied). [33177/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has no role in setting prices along the Irish agri-food supply chain.
Established in 2023, An Rialálaí Agraibhia is a state body which enforces rules on unfair trading practices along the agri-food supply chain, but below cost selling of agricultural food products is not an unfair trading practice under either EU or Irish legislation.
A review of the Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain is currently underway, with the EU Commission set to make a proposal to Member States in Q4 2026. Food Industry Development Division is the lead policy division in my Department for this process.
728. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 655, 649, 650, 651, 652, 653, 65 and 656 of 21 April 2026, when he proposes to answer these questions, and to account for the ongoing delay in providing responses to these questions. [33366/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the queries relate to payments over 10 years, across multiple schemes and a number of claimants it will take time to pull together the necessary data.
It is anticipated that this work will be completed in early May and my Department will then be in direct contact with the Deputy.
729. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a detailed breakdown of all gifts received in his capacity as Minister; the nature of these gifts and potential monetary value; the procedures followed in accepting gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33373/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA breakdown as requested by the Deputy is not available. Any gifts received in my capacity as Minister are of negligible monetary value, for example books, plaques, or other small mementos from a particular location.
730. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she continues to have confidence in the operation of a State and HSE funded charity (details supplied) following reports of potentially inappropriate invoice related transfers of up to €1.5 million; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 organisations.
While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, decisions on commissioning of services from individual service providers and funding allocations to individual service providers are an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
The HSE has a robust Service Provider Governance Framework in place to govern funding relationships with all non-statutory agencies. The framework was introduced to implement the legislative provisions of the Health Act, 2004 including the requirements for accountability. The HSE is legally obliged to account for expenditure of public funding while optimising outcome from the health and personal social services its funds and delivers.
The formal Service Agreements between the HSE and providers are important contractual arrangements. Most significantly, these agreements directly link the funding provided to a costed quantum of service and require services to be delivered in accordance with applicable regulations and quality standards. The HSE monitors service delivery to ensure equity, efficiency, and effective use of the available resources.
With regard to this specific question, I am advised by the HSE, as the funding and governance body, they did not approve, nor was it notified in advance or retrospectively of any transfer of HSE-funded monies or assets. The HSE advised that from an initial review of available records, no record of any such notification has been located indicating that the HSE was notified or made aware of such transfers at the time they occurred.
I am advised the HSE will conduct a more extensive review of relevant financial, contractual and governance records. As this is an ongoing operational matter, it would not be appropriate to comment further.
731. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the current funding model applied to Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers delivering residential and supported living services; whether her Department has assessed the financial sustainability of these providers; and the estimated funding gap arising from inflation and pay parity pressures since 2008. [32694/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 organisations following the transfer of function from the Department of Health in 2023. Funding arrangements prior to this year were the responsibility of the Department of Health.
In 2026, the Department is providing €3.9 billion for HSE specialist disability services, an increase of €628m, or almost 20% over 2025. This is the largest ever increase in funding for disability services. It follows significant year on year increases resulting in an overall increase of €1.85bn or 91%, since 2020.
While this Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, decisions on commissioning of services from individual service providers and funding allocations to individual service providers are an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
The HSE works in partnership with organisations including Section 38, Section 39, Out of State and private organisations to ensure the best level of service possible is provided to people with a disability and their families, within the available resources. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers funded by the HSE using allocated budget funding.
The Government acknowledges this essential role voluntary organisations have in delivering a range of disability services across the country.
As part of a HSE wide requirement to ensure appropriate governance arrangements that underpin the release of the funding of Agencies, a Governance Framework for Funded Agencies (Framework) has been developed which ensures a consistent approach in this regard.
The HSE must have in place appropriate contractual arrangements Service Arrangements (SA) and Grant Aid Agreements (GA) with all Agencies that have funding released to them for the provision of services.
With regards to pay parity, employees of organisations funded under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 are regarded as public servants. These staff are included within overall public service employment numbers. As a result, employees of Section 38 funded organisations benefit from the terms and conditions set out in public service agreements negotiated between Government, trade unions and representative bodies of public servants.
Section 39 funded organisations form part of the broader community and voluntary sector. The WRC pay agreement reached in 2025 between Government Departments and unions includes funding for a phased 9.25% pay increase, which will benefit workers in section 39 funded voluntary organisations. Taken with the October 2023 Agreement of an 8% increase, this amounts to a 17.25% pay funding increase over a 3½ year period.
The agreement also includes an automatic linkage to future public sector pay agreements for these workers, to match all future pay increases. In delivering on this 9.25% pay increase, the Government is improving the ability of service providers to actively recruit and retain staff and supporting the overall sustainability of the sector.
As part of the 2025 WRC pay agreement, a comprehensive data gathering exercise is underway, which is due to be concluded before end Q2 2026. The completion of this exercise will provide a more robust evidence base to continue discussion on pay funding in the voluntary sector.
Each year the Estimates process allows the HSE to request funding for the full cost of service provision, including cost increases experienced during the previous year. In advance of the budgetary process for Budget 2027, commencing in July, I look forward to hearing feedback from representatives at the upcoming Pre-Estimates Forum, in May 2026.
732. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether an emergency or accelerated provision pathway exists for adults with an intellectual disability whose primary carer becomes incapacitated or dies; and the number of cases in which such emergency placements have been required in each of the past five years. [32698/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
733. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps she is taking to ensure the survival of an organisation (details supplied) and the vital services, funded by her Department. [31834/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving delivered important services to the local Traveller community over many years, the organisation in question encountered significant difficulties in late 2025/early 2026. Its Board notified its public funders in February 2026 that a resolution had been passed to place the company into voluntary liquidation on the grounds of insolvency. On 3 March 2026, the Board confirmed that all operations had ceased and that it was engaging with a proposed liquidator.
The main public funding organisations are the Health Service Executive (HSE), the relevant Education and Training Board and the Department of Social Protection, with an allocation also coming from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality to coordinate and support front line service delivery.
Prior to these developments, concerns had been raised regarding governance and financial matters arising at the organisation in the past year. In October 2025, the public funders, the local Education and Training Board, the HSE, the Department of Social Protection and this Department, commissioned an independent finance and governance review. The review was primarily focused on the period 2024-2025. Funding of the organisation was continued so that services to the local Traveller community could remain in place while the review was underway.
However, in light of the Board’s communications in February and early March, the remaining steps to enable the review to be brought to finalisation could not be progressed.
In a statement on 21 April, the Board has advised that it is currently progressing the appointment of a liquidator to place the organisation into formal liquidation. It is assumed in this regard that all steps will be taken in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act.
The matter is being kept under close review by the State funders as the necessary legal and financial steps that must be taken by the Board are progressed. During this time, to support Traveller families in the area continuing to access services, the funders are actively working to ensure flexibility, where possible, in their response to the delivery of the services that were previously provided by the organisation.
The Government remains fully committed to Traveller and Roma inclusion and to the promotion of equality, participation and access to services across all areas of Irish society. Strong, well-run community organisations are central to this work, and the situation continues to be kept under review by the relevant public funders with a focus on supporting affected Traveller families.
734. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if an application to adopt will be expedited (details supplied). [31849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is an independent statutory body . It is the only body in Ireland that can grant or refuse the declarations of eligibility and suitability that are required for prospective adoptive parents to adopt a child; and the only body that can grant or refuse adoption orders.
The importance of timely decision-making for applicants cannot be understated. However, it is important to emphasise that the Adoption Authority of Ireland operates as an independent statutory body in the performance of its functions. In that context, neither I nor this Department has any role in individual adoption cases, nor can we intervene in or seek to expedite individual applications.
All adoption applications are considered by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010 (as amended) and having regard to the specific circumstances of each case: the best interests of the child concerned is, and must be, the paramount consideration.
Accordingly, while the Department maintains ongoing engagement with the Adoption Authority on matters of policy and resourcing, decisions on individual adoption applications are matters solely for the Authority.
735. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the emergency supports that are in place for working parents affected by sudden closures of pre-school facilities by Tusla. [31881/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla Early Years Inspectorate (EYI), the independent statutory regulator for early years services, including pre-school, school age and childminding services, is responsible for maintaining the register of services under the Child Care Act 1991.
The Department is aware of the difficulties sudden closure may impose on the families and children who attend the facility, as well as the staff who work there. The Local County Childcare Committee (CCC) can provide contact information for parents should they need help to secure alternative places. Parents/guardians can also use the following website to find Core Funding Partner Services in their area at www.ncs.gov.ie/en/childcare-search/.
