Written Answers Nos. 575-594
575. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department will adopt an associations (details supplied) proposal to ensure the survival of the Irish inshore fishing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47067/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with the National Inshore Fishermen's Association and other representatives of the inshore sector and I am very aware of the challenges facing the inshore fisheries sector.
Ireland’s €258 million Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, which is co-funded by the Government and the EU Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) is the primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector including the inshore sector.
My Department has reviewed all funding mechanisms available, either through the Seafood Development Programme itself or through other State Aid routes to ascertain if there was a possibility to introduce a financial stabilisation scheme for inshore fishermen.
The measures which are eligible for aid are set out in the regulation governing the implementation of the EMFAF regulation, which is aligned with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy.
My Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is the Managing Authority for the EMFAF programme in Ireland, with a range of projects and industry supports to the inshore sector, provided by agencies of the Department under the programme. These include:
• Small-Scale Coastal Fisheries Scheme
• Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme – V-notching
• Seafood Training Scheme
• Seafood Capacity Building Scheme
The schemes and supports outlined above will continue over the lifetime of the Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027. They are all administered by BIM on behalf of the Department, and further details are available on www.bim.ie . Inshore fishers can also access further grant aid under the Fleet Safety Scheme which is also administered by BIM.
In addition to the above, a scheme specifically for the inshore fleet was implemented in 2024 and 2025 under the Seafood Development Programme, the Inshore Fleet Economic Assessment Scheme. This scheme gathered detailed economic and operational data on Ireland’s inshore fishing fleet, with a total of €3.669 million paid to the 868 inshore fishermen who took part in the scheme.
In summary, the government has put enhanced funding supports in place for the inshore sector from 2024 onwards, with over €6.25 million in aid granted to inshore fishers in a 2 year period.
In light of the challenges arising from the impact of quota reductions for 2026, Minister Heydon and I established a working group under the auspices of Food Vision 2030. The group is considering the challenges facing all three components of the Irish seafood sector – catch fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing, and the inshore sector is well represented on the Group.
Mr. Michael Berkery has been appointed to act as an independent Chairperson for this group and has been tasked with drafting a Chairman’s Report including recommendations by the end of June. I look forward to considering this report in due course.
As regards the very real concerns in the inshore sector regarding fuel Costs Minister Heydon and I opened a fuel scheme on 21st May and the closing date was extended to 17th June to ensure all vessels had an opportunity to apply.
Details of the Fuel scheme included
• A specific €15 million tailored fuel support scheme for owners of registered vessels in the fisheries and aquaculture sector has been developed.
• The scheme opened on 21st May and is being administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) on behalf of the Department. Payments will commence in July, subject to EU State Aid approval.
• The total payment for each applicant will be calculated once all claims have been submitted. However, it is anticipated that approximately 40 cents per litre of the estimated usage over a 5-month period will be the basis of the payment. For owners of vessels less than 6m LOA a flat rate payment of a minimum of €350 will be made.
576. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of applicants for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47235/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra577. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of successful applicants for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47236/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra578. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of successful applicants and rejected applicants per county for the badger biosecurity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47237/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 576, 577 and 578 together.
The On-Farm Badger Biosecurity Scheme closed on 7 June 2026 for applications from farmers. My Department is currently processing farmer applications received and will have a final number in the coming weeks following all administrative and eligibility checks. The maximum number of applications has not been exceeded.
The number of eligible Co-operatives and Agri-Retail Merchants is 43, the list is available on my Department’s website at www.bovinetb.ie
My Department will write to all successful applicants confirming their eligibility to participate in the scheme. Each eligible applicant will be provided with an approval letter and an approval number by my Department which must be shown to the Co-operative/Agri-Retail merchant when purchasing eligible items. Eligible items can be purchased by successful applicants from participating Co-operatives and Agri-Retail merchants from 1 July 2026 to 31 August 2026.
579. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the planned locations of cold storage units under the scheme proposed by the Deer Management Strategy Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47245/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra580. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost associated with each of the planned cold storage units under the scheme proposed by Deer Management Strategy Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47246/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.
Under the Irish Deer Management Strategy Group (IDMSG), the procurement and use of refrigerated cold storage units are recognised as essential elements in supporting sustainable wild deer population management and the development of Ireland’s wild venison sector. These units facilitate the safe and hygienic storage of deer carcasses harvested during targeted culling operations, enabling hunters and game handlers to efficiently consolidate and manage multiple carcasses for onward processing.
Funding of €454,491.15 (inclusive of VAT) was approved to procure five refrigerated cold storage units by the programme manager for the implementation of the Deer Management Strategy Group report . To date, expenditure on the units themselves amounts to €356,028.86. In addition, over €50,000 has been incurred to date in respect of associated planning, site preparation works and ancillary costs.
All five larders have now been delivered to Ireland and are being prepared to be delivered to their respective sites, which are located within designated Deer Management Units (DMUs) in key deer “hotspot” areas, including Wicklow, Roscommon, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Limerick. Planning permission applications are currently progressing for each location and it is anticipated that all units will be fully operational in advance of the forthcoming hunting season in September.
581. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he will appoint a Director of Appeals within his Department given the long delays for decisions in the appeal office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47318/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.
I am advised that an Interdepartmental competition for appointment to the post of Director of Agriculture Appeals (Chief Appeals Officer) in the Office of Agriculture Appeals (Portlaoise) is currently being held by publicjobs.
A new Director of Agriculture Appeals will be appointed upon completion of this competitive process.
582. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47431/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the person named is an approved participant in the Farming for Water (FFW) European Innovation Partnership (EIP) project and will receive payment for measures undertaken under this EIP following detailed checks which are completed for each farmer payment.
The FFW EIP is delivered by an Operational Group led by LAWPRO (the Local Authorities Water Programme), which includes Teagasc, Dairy Industry Ireland and other stakeholders, including Bord Bia.
Approvals for applications, verification of measures taken, processing and approval of individual farmer payments for the FFW EIP are made by LAWPRO's administration staff and catchment scientists. Payment checks are conducted by my Department.
583. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of the ongoing crisis in the fishing sector and its devastating impact on coastal and inland fishing communities, if he will update the Dáil on the progress of the new Fishing Task Force; if he will confirm whether the Task Force has met as scheduled; and if he will outline the current status of its work and the timeline for the recommendations that were due to be completed by June 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47553/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reduction in Ireland’s fishing opportunities for 2026 will present ongoing challenges for fleet planning, processing throughput, and coastal communities that are highly dependent on specific fisheries.
Given the level of these challenges, 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 established a working group under the auspices of Food Vision 2030 - the Food Vision Seafood Sector Group.
Food Vision 2030 is my Department's strategy on positioning Ireland's agri-food sector as a world leader in sustainable food systems. Our seafood sector is fundamental to the delivery of that Strategy. The establishment of the Food Vision Seafood Sector Group reflects my personal commitment to our seafood sector.
The Group is considering 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, Michael Berkery, has been tasked with drafting a Chairman's Report by the end of June. The Chairman has meet with sector representatives on a number of occasions and his work continues.
I look forward to considering the report’s recommendations in due course.
584. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the Young Fisher Scheme will commence again; and when financial assistance will start to be released under the scheme. [47554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Young Fisher Scheme is designed to support the purchase of a first fishing vessel and can also support the purchase of partial ownership. It is targeted at people who are under 40 years of age and who have demonstrated an interest in working in the industry and have gained the relevant skills and experience required, whether from working in the industry for at least five years or undertaking the relevant vocational training.
Grants of up to 40% of the cost of purchasing a vessel are available under this scheme, with some restrictions on the age and size of the vessels concerned.
The Scheme is administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is expected to open in September 2026 and close for applications in November 2026. All applications will be subject to BIM's standard assessment and eligibility checks, with financial assistance expected to issue in early 2027.
585. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total landholding of his Department, broken down by county, including the amount currently unused or vacant, the portion zoned for development, and the number of sites that include vacant or derelict properties. [47617/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently owns lands, buildings, forest plots and former Land Commission plots totalling 2612.4 hectares, broken down as follows;
|
County |
Hectares |
|
|
|
|
Cavan |
17.0 |
|
Cork |
728.6 |
|
Donegal |
78.6 |
|
Dublin |
10.5 |
|
Galway |
386.2 |
|
Kerry |
289.4 |
|
Kildare |
137.0 |
|
Kilkenny |
18.3 |
|
Leitrim |
79.0 |
|
Limerick |
149.2 |
|
Mayo |
55.6 |
|
Offaly |
117.8 |
|
Roscommon |
225.0 |
|
Sligo |
245.0 |
|
Tipperary |
1.9 |
|
Westmeath |
40.6 |
|
Wexford |
15.9 |
|
Wicklow |
17.0
|
Currently, none of these lands are zoned for development. Two small units in Co Kildare are currently vacant, with consideration being given to their future usage.
My Department also owns, operates, develops and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros an Mhíl, under statute. There are 265 properties in the Fishery Harbour Centre portfolio on 18th June 2026 (excluding pier infrastructure). The portfolio contains a diverse range of properties reflecting the harbours’ role as working fishery harbours and as the location for a broad range of other marine-related activities. Almost 30% of these properties are used by the Department in the operation of the harbours, providing facilities for net mending, pier service areas, storage for fishing gear, weighbridge etc. Almost all remaining properties are occupied by tenants under formal lease agreement. Some of the properties operate as commercial premises such as fish processing facilities, restaurants, clubs (yachting, rowing, scout hall) etc. Other properties reflect more functional aspects of the harbour such as car parking, marina, boat houses. In addition, a number of other State Bodies such as Bord Iascaigh Mara, Marine Institute, Revenue (Customs & Excise), ESB, RNLI, Coast Guard occupy properties within the harbours. There are currently 12 vacant properties across the six harbours, some of which are being prepared for open tender, and others which have recently come back into my Department’s possession and are undergoing remedial works.
|
County |
Total No. of Properties |
No. of Vacant Properties |
|
Cork (Castletownbere) |
56 |
1 |
|
Donegal (Killybegs) |
43 |
1 |
|
Dublin (Howth) |
83 |
7 |
|
Kerry (Dingle) |
18 |
0 |
|
Galway (Ros an Mhíl) |
20 |
2 |
|
Waterford (Dunmore East) |
45 |
1 |
586. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to confirmation that certain infant formula products contaminated with cereulide were manufactured in Ireland and exported, the findings of any investigation conducted by his Department, which regulates the relevant manufacturing facilities, into the way the contaminated ingredient arachidonic acid oil entered the manufacturing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47705/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra587. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given that analysis reported in February 2026 found the contamination of arachidonic acid oil with cereulide dated back to October 2024 and persisted throughout 2025, whether any infant formula manufactured in or placed on the market in the State during that period was affected; whether any cases of illness in the State have been linked to the affected products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47706/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra588. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the controls applied to imported ingredients used in the manufacture of infant formula in the State, with particular reference to arachidonic acid oil sourced from outside the European Union; whether those controls have been strengthened since the cereulide contamination incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47707/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587 and 588 together.
There have been no cases of illness directly linked to cereulide contamination in Ireland. Cereulide is a toxin which can cause severe vomiting in infants.
In January this year Ireland was notified of the potential contamination with cereulide of ARA oli (arachidonic acid), an ingredient in infant formula production, imported from a supplier in China. My Department in collaboration with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) coordinated a risk assessment to identify all batches of infant formula produced in Ireland that were, potentially, at risk of contamination. In order to ensure a high level of consumer protection all these batches were subject to recall from consumers and removal from the markets in question. Information on these recalls was made available to the public on the FSAI website and through point-of-sale notices in retail outlets. My Department and the FSAI also liaised intensively with the EU Commission and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) during this time. This led to the publication of a rapid risk assessment by EFSA that for the first time established limits for cereulide in infant formula
Following this incident, all infant formula manufacturing businesses in Ireland revised their procedures regarding the sourcing and testing of ARA oil.
In addition, since late February 2026, imports of ARA oil from China have been subject to special conditions upon the entry into the European Union. Every consignment of ARA oil originating from China has to be presented at Border Control Posts (BCP) of the Member States, where they are subject to documentary checks and, at a 50% frequency, physical and identity checks. In addition, every consignment has to be accompanied by the result of laboratory analyses and an official certificate, issued by the Chinese competent authority, stating that the results of sampling and analyses show the absence of cereulide.
In order to verify the effectiveness of the corrective actions implemented, my Department has taken samples from current production from all infant manufacturers and no cereulide has been detected. My Department will continue to carry out controls to verify that procedures implemented by manufacturers are effective and thus ensuring the safety of infant formula manufactured in Ireland.
589. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting nearly two years for a blind welfare allowance application to be processed. [47207/26]
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.
590. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children reported missing from Tusla care in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [47762/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy, for your question. As this relates to an operational matter within Tusla I have referred your question to Tusla to reply directly to you.
591. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children that remain missing from Tusla care in each of the past ten years; the length of time those children were missing and are currently missing; the number that are now 18 and over with a breakdown of duration by under 30 days, one–six months, six–12 months, 12–24 months, 24–36 months, and over 36 months, in tabular form. [47763/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. As this relates to operational matters managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly.
592. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount by which childcare fees will be reduced for a typical working family on the average wage with two children under five years under the national childcare scheme changes recently announced by her Department. [47222/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare through a subsidy paid directly to the provider that can be off set against fees charged.
In September 2026, the Income-Assessed thresholds for the scheme will increase. This was committed to in Shaping the Future: The Early Years Action Plan. This investment will support households earning below a certain amount to access higher subsidies, offsetting the cost of early learning and childcare.
Through increasing the NCS Income-Assessed thresholds, families whose reckonable income falls within the new thresholds will receive a higher subsidy, as they will move to a higher income-assessed rate, according to their individual circumstances. The Multiple Child Discount will also increase, further reducing the reckonable income for families with two or more children. This will enable those families to receive a higher subsidy and thereby reduce the cumulative burden of cost.
From September 2026, most families currently receiving an Income-Assessed subsidy will see an increase in their rate due to these changes. This investment will also support additional families to move from their existing Universal rate to an Income-Assessed subsidy where it may be of more benefit.
The increase in Income-Assessed thresholds is expected to improve early learning and childcare affordability for up to 47,000 families.
Multiple factors go in to calculating the Income Assessed award. These include income after tax, hours of subsidy claimed, parents' participation in school or work, and the child's age, among other factors. Families can use the Childcare Subsidy Calculator, available on the Hive, to calculate what their expected subsidy is.
The Deputy has asked the increased benefits that would accrue to a working family with a reckonable income of €61,666 per year, after taxes and including child benefit, with two children under 5. Since a number of factors determine the Income Assessed Award, the Department has made a number of additional assumptions.
First, the Department assumes that their youngest child is 9 months old at the start of the year, and turns 1 year of age 3 months in to the claim, thereby moving into a lower rate age band. This child is assumed to claim full-time, 45-hour a week early learning and childcare.
Second, the Department assumed that their eldest child is 3 years old. It was assumed this child is also enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Education, which reduces their claim hours during the ECCE term, but is attending for full-time hours - of 45 hours per week.
After the threshold changes, their youngest child's subsidy will increase from €2.37 an hour to €3.17 an hour, an €0.80c increase, which will change to a €0.60c increase once they turn one. This equates to an annual savings of €1,512 for this child.
Their eldest child's subsidy will increase from €2.31 an hour to €2.91 an hour, a €0.60c increase. This equates to an annual savings of €1,062 for this child.
While the Income Assessed calculation does rely on a number of factors, and families will have to estimate their award based on their own unique circumstances, in this scenario the family could expect an annual savings of €2,574 from the threshold changes.
593. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of adults with intellectual disabilities currently awaiting supported living arrangements within CHO8 area, by length of time waiting. [46839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
594. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports in place for those leaving foster care at the age of 18 years where those young persons may still need certain assistance. [46864/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla’s aftercare service is the primary support for young people who have left care. Young people who have had a care history with Tusla are entitled to access this aftercare service based on their eligibility and assessed needs. The assessment of need considers a number of factors including the young person’s needs in relation to education, financing and budgeting matters, training and employment, health and well-being, personal and social development, accommodation, and family support.
Upon reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla. Care leavers, depending on need, may be allocated an aftercare worker. All care leavers, without exception or age limit, can attend drop-in services organised by the Tusla aftercare service.
The Child Care Act 1991 (as amended) sets out that aftercare eligibility applies to those up to the age of 21 who were in the care of the Child and Family Agency for a period of not less than 12 months in the 5 year period immediately prior to the person attaining the age of 18 years.
Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s aftercare plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adult’s day to day costs, including accommodation, as they progress in their education or training.
Additionally, the Child Care Act sets out that the aftercare assessment of need will include the young person’s needs in relation to accommodation. The majority of young people who leave the care of the State each year, having reached 18, do so with secure, stable, safe accommodation in place such as remaining with their foster carers, moving to independent living or returning home to live with their families. The primary responsibility for housing lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities. Currently, care-leavers who are at risk of homeless are assisted by the Child and Family Agency, in partnership with other Government Departments or agencies. Since 2017, care-leavers have also been included as a separate category for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). This scheme provides targeted assistance to the most vulnerable care leavers by enabling Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them. Additionally, the Youth Homelessness Strategy, which launched in 2022, adopted a whole-of-Government approach, identifying care-leavers as a cohort who are particularly at risk of becoming homeless, and setting out specific actions for identified vulnerable cohorts.
Work is also underway on The National Policy Framework for Alternative Care. The Framework will aim to articulate a future and Whole of Government vision of alternative care in Ireland, including aftercare, and will also deliver on a Programme for Government commitment in this regard. A robust consultation process was undertaken to support the development of the National Policy Framework, through which the views of members of the public, stakeholders, key workers and carers, and people with care experience were captured. The Framework is expected to be delivered in the coming months.
