Written Answers Nos. 363-382
363. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any remedial or capital works are planned for Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel District Courts following concerns raised about inadequate facilities and infrastructure; the timeline for any such works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48813/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Courts Service Act 1998, the provision and management of court accommodation is a matter for the Courts Service, which is independent in the exercise of its functions.
To be of assistance to the Deputy, my officials have made enquiries with the Courts Service in relation to Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel Courthouses. The Courts Service has advised that concerns regarding the infrastructure and suitability of court venues in District 21, including Carrick-on-Suir and Cashel, were raised in 2025. Engagement has since taken place with relevant stakeholders to identify potential impacts and operational considerations arising from any changes to court sittings in the district.
Carrick-on-Suir Courthouse and Cashel Courthouse are both owned by the local authority. Recent expenditure at both venues, in coordination with the OPW, has focused on minor repairs and maintenance as issues arise.
At present, there is no major capital redevelopment project under consideration for either Carrick-on-Suir Courthouse or Cashel Courthouse. While the National Development Plan provides the overall framework for capital investment in the Courts Service estate, these courthouses are not identified as specific projects within it.
Any future works at either venue would have to be considered in the context of the broader Courts Service estate, including available capital funding and the required planning, business case and appraisal processes.
The Courts Service will continue to keep the condition and operational suitability of both venues under review.
364. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the status of the development of a Retail Crime Strategy, in line with the Programme for Government commitment; the expected timeline for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48814/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government takes any risk to retailers and retail staff very seriously. I am acutely aware of the personal and economic impact that retail crime is having on businesses, retail workers and communities. I recognise that shoplifting and organised retail crime pose a significant threat to the economic welfare of Irish retailers and that retail theft is not a victimless crime.
The Programme for Government makes a number of commitments relating to retail crime, many of which will be dealt with in the context of the Retail Crime Strategy, which is also a commitment under the Programme. These include:
• Support Garda Operations to tackle retail crime including through the use of organised crime and proceeds of crime legislation;
• Examine the introduction of a specific offence of assaulting a retail worker;
• Tackle the practice of “retail defamation”;
• Improve data sharing between retailers and Gardaí;
• Expand the use of community sanctions for retail crime;
• Update the Public Order Acts to allow a prolific offender to be excluded from a retail premises for a certain period of time.
Work on the Strategy is well advanced and I expect to receive a draft in the coming weeks for detailed consideration. I look forward to engaging with its proposed objectives, priorities and recommendations to ensure that the final Strategy reflects the priorities of the Government and the needs of retailers, workers and communities. Following this process and subject to final approval, it is my intention to publish the Strategy later this year.
Furthermore it should be noted that my Department’s work in relation to community safety, youth justice interventions and antisocial behaviour, as well as securing funding for more Garda recruitment for high visibility policing, will also contribute to the aim of supporting retailers, their staff and their customers.
365. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exemptions available for farmers purchasing land close to existing farmland, which would reduce the stamp duty rate from 7.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 604B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides relief from Capital Gains Tax for farm restructuring. The relief applies to a sale, purchase or exchange of agricultural land, where Teagasc has certified that a sale and purchase or an exchange of agricultural land was made for farm restructuring purposes. The initial sale or purchase, or the exchange, must occur in the relevant period (between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2029) and the subsequent sale or purchase must occur within 24 months of that sale, purchase or exchange. More information is available on the website of the Revenue Commissioners under [Farm Restructuring Relief].
Linked to Farm Restructuring Relief, section 81C of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999 makes provision for a relief from Stamp Duty to apply where farmers consolidate their farm holdings. Where the qualifying conditions are met, Stamp Duty at a reduced rate of 1% (instead of the usual rate of 7.5%) is applied to the excess of the value of the land purchased over the value of the land sold.
366. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will support and expedite the progression of the Protection of the Native Irish Honeybee Bill 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48420/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021, a Private Members Bill, which seeks to ban the importation of non-native honey bees is currently before Dáil Éireann, Second Stage.
Progression of the Bill through Dáil Éireann is subject to the procedures of the Oireachtas.
367. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing the tillage support scheme to €150 per hectare for the first 100 hectares. [48422/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding of €30 million was allocated in budget 2026 for the tillage support scheme in recognition of the important role the tillage sector provides in the overall sustainability of the agri-food sector as a whole, and its continued contribution to carbon efficient farming at a time of increasing global challenges regarding competitiveness.
This scheme design provided for a degressive rate of payment to applicants who declared cereal and oilseed rape crops on their 2025 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based application.
A maximum payable rate of €110 per hectare on the first 100 hectare, thereafter reducing on a digressive scale to a minimum payable rate of €50 per hectare on eligible area above 150 hectares as per table below.
|
Hectares |
Rate |
|
Hectares |
Rate |
|
>1ha - |
€110 |
|
>100 ha - |
€90 |
|
>125 ha - |
€70 |
|
>150 ha |
€50 |
Increasing the initial payable rate from €110 to €150 on the first 100 hectares and retaining all other digressive payment rates would cost an additional circa €10 million.
368. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing the organics budget by 10%. [48423/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, a budget of €256 million is allocated to the Organic Farming Scheme over that five year period. The cost of increasing this budget by 10% would be €25.6 million.
369. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of young, trained farmers that are expected to qualify with a Green Certificate in 2026; and the estimated cost of providing installation of €10,000 per farmer to those qualified farmers who set up a farming enterprise. [48424/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate national statistics on the Green Cert Programme.
The Green Cert is delivered by a number of education providers from across the further education system. These providers include Teagasc, which operates under the aegis of my Department, along with some Employment and Training Boards (ETBs), and a small number of private providers.
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating education programmes leading to QQI awards provide accreditation for the various Green Cert programmes. My Department works in tandem with Teagasc to maximise participation in their Green Cert programme.
I have asked Teagasc to provide the Deputy with details on the numbers graduating from the Teagasc Green Cert Programme in 2026.
The previous Young Farmers’ Installation Scheme was closed in 2008.
My Department provides significant supports to young trained farmers under the current CAP Strategic Plan and previous CAP schemes.
Generational renewal is a focus in the ongoing negotiations at EU level on the next CAP from 2028 onwards.
In addition, very significant agri taxation measures are in place to support young farmers.
370. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated first and full-year cost of increasing the budget for animal welfare charities by 10%. [48425/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and for the Government.
In 2020, my Department allocated €3.2 million in funding for animal welfare organisations, under the animal welfare grants programme. In December 2023 and again in 2024, my Department announced the record allocation of almost €6 million in funding, to animal welfare charities throughout the country. In 2025 my Department awarded funding of almost €6.5 million to 94 animal welfare charities nationwide, under the animal welfare grants programme, surpassing the previous record amount. This marked the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below, in tabular form.
|
Year |
Award |
10% increase |
|
2021 |
€3,739,875 |
|
|
2022 |
€5,801,446 |
|
|
2023 |
€5,993,558 |
|
|
2024 |
€5,993,558 |
|
|
2025 |
€6,434,803 |
€7,078,283 |
371. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total budget and total spend for the Agri-Food Regulator in 2025 and 2026. [48426/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2025 the allocated budget of the Agrifood Regulator, including pay and non-pay, was €1.96 million. Of this amount, the total funds transferred to the Regulator from my Department amounted to €1,936,975.17. The balance was returned to the exchequer as savings.
In 2026 the Regulator's total allocated budget, for pay and non-pay, is €3.199 million. As of the 22nd of June 2026, my Department has transferred €1,019,591 euros in non-pay funding to the Agri-Food Regulator.
In 2026, the Regulator has also been allocated an additional once-off capital budget of €300,000, of which no funds have been drawn down to date.
372. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rate of payment farmers will receive in schemes in 2026 (details supplied). [48437/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency programme (SCEP) in the CSP is €256 million over the course of the programme 2023 - 2027. That equates to an annual allocation of €51.2 million per annum. In 2023, 2024 and 2025 that allocation was spent annually. I expect the level of payments for SCEP in 2026 to be of a similar nature as previous years with payment rates of up to €225 per hectare for the first 15 hectares and up to €180 per hectare for the remaining hectares up to the applicant’s maximum payable area subject to the applicant’s compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme.
In terms of the Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS), the allocation over the period 2023 - 2027 is €100 million or €20 million per annum. Payment is up to €12 per ewe subject to the applicant’s compliance with the terms and conditions.
In terms of the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme, the budget allocation is €22 million and payment will be up to €13 per ewe. In 2025, the scheme was oversubscribed and payment was €11.50 per ewe to ensure my Department respected the budgetary allocation of €22 million.
The 2026 National Beef Welfare Scheme will open in mid/late August and has a budgetary allocation of €28 million which allows for a payment of up to €75 per calf assuming full compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme. In 2025 the scheme was oversubscribed and the payment rate per calf was €67 per calf for up to 45 calves.
373. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the number of farmers herd and flock sizes under schemes (details supplied). [48438/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTable 1 below sets out the total number of eligible participants and the average Max Payable Area as of June 2026 for the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP)
Table 1
|
Scheme |
No. of Participants |
Average Max Payable Area (hectares) |
|
Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme |
15,847 |
16.89 |
Multiplying the Max Payable Area by 1.5 gives you the average SCEP reference number which is 25 suckler cows.
Table 2 below sets out the total amount of eligible participants and the average flock size as of June 2026 for the CSP Sheep Improvement Scheme (SIS) and the 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS)
Table 2
|
Scheme |
No. of Participants |
Average Flock Size |
|
Sheep Improvement Scheme |
17,895 |
114 |
|
National Sheep Welfare Scheme |
17,380 |
110 |
The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme has not yet opened so the figures for the 2025 Beef Welfare Scheme are as follows; 24,525 applications were received and the average number of calves applied for was 19.
374. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of restoring the cuts to the rate of payment for the beef welfare scheme and the sheep welfare scheme to €75 per calf and €13 per ewe. [48439/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2026, I secured an allocation of €131m for the livestock sector, which will ensure the continuation of existing dedicated supports, including €54 million for the nationally funded beef welfare, dairy beef weighing and sheep welfare schemes.
These annual schemes will largely contain the same practical straightforward actions that were popular last year with one timely modification. Bluetongue vaccination is now being included as an eligible action in both the 2026 beef and sheep welfare schemes.
The popularity of the three national schemes last year underlines the straightforward, practical and beneficial measures put in place. Adjustments to payment rates are provided for in scheme rules to ensure that total expenditure remains within allocated budgets in the event of oversubscription.
The 2026 National Sheep Welfare Scheme (NSWS) has a budget of €22m and is currently operational. The closing date for applications was 9 June 2026. The 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme (BWS) has a budget of €28m and is expected to open in mid-August. It is only when all applications are received, options selected and actions carried out that the budgetary position will be clear.
The maintenance of these dedicated schemes demonstrates my commitment to providing meaningful supports aimed at promoting a viable, resilient and sustainable drystock sector.
375. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total budget for TAMS for 2025 and the total spend in 2025. [48441/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra376. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the budget and spend in the 11 categories for TAMS funding in 2025. [48442/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra377. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of a 10% increase in TAMS funding. [48443/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 375, 376 and 377 together.
The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation. A budget of €86.9 million was allocated to TAMS in 2025 with a total spend of €86.6 million. Based on the 2025 expenditure, a 10% increase would amount to €8.6 million.
A breakdown of total expenditure across all TAMS schemes in respect of 2025 is outlined in the table below.
|
Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) |
TAMS EXPENDITURE 2025 |
|
Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme |
€13.42m |
|
Tillage Capital Investment Scheme |
€5.28m |
|
Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme |
€0.62m |
|
Dairy Equipment Scheme |
€2.42m |
|
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme |
€11.52m |
|
Organic Capital Investment Scheme |
€4.63m |
|
Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme |
€6.83m |
|
Solar Capital Investment Scheme |
€17.93m |
|
LESS |
€17.49m |
|
Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme |
€6.4m |
|
TOTAL |
€86.54m |
378. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the totals budget and the total spend for the TB eradication programme in 2025. [48444/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am committed to making real progress in eradicating bTB as I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial trauma associated with a TB breakdown for farmers.
The table below outlines the overall cost to the Exchequer of the bTB Programme, excluding staff costs, in 2025. Expenditure increased from €100.616 million in 2024 to €121.987 million at the end of 2025.
The cost of all elements of compensation paid to farmers was €77.498 million. This comprises of the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, Income Supplement Scheme, Hardship Scheme and the Depopulation Scheme and FWG Income Supplement Balancing payments.
|
Annual Expenditure ('000) |
|
|
|
2025 |
|
Compensation - Other |
€14,716 |
|
Vet Fees - Testing |
€18,733 |
|
Supplies |
€10,845 |
|
Research |
€1,777 |
|
On Farm Market Valuation |
€62,782 |
|
Valuer Fees |
€1,211 |
|
Wildlife |
€8,473 |
|
Other Costs |
€3,450 |
|
Total |
€121,987 |
379. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of increasing the budget for compensation for TB reactors to the current market value of cattle. [48445/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s TB Eradication Programme has a comprehensive compensation regime in place for herd-owners who are affected by bovine TB.
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 bTB breakdown on the farm.
The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme (OFMV) is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bTB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the open market value of an animal as if they were not affected by disease, subject to ceilings.
The most recent figures show, of 40,583 animals valued under the On Farm Market Valuation (OFMV) scheme in 2025, approximately 10.7% were valued above my Department’s maximum compensation ceilings. Compensating herdowners for the excess ceiling amounts would have increased the 2025 OFMV scheme expenditure by €1.2 million.
In addition to the compensation package for eligible reactor animals that are removed during a TB breakdown, my Department operates three supplementary schemes that assist farmers with the indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on their farm.
The Income Supplement Scheme is a targeted scheme which assists farmers who lose 9.5% or more of their herd to disease due to a single TB breakdown. Income supplement is only payable in cases where the 9.5% threshold is met in one continuous restriction period and where full Depopulation is not deemed an appropriate measure.
The Hardship Grant is a targeted scheme aimed at assisting eligible herd-owners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown and that have more animals than the same period in the previous year. The scheme runs each year for herds restricted between November 1st and April 30th.
Depopulation Grant is paid for each animal removed in the depopulation measure and for those herds that are partial or fully depopulated on foot of a veterinary decision made on analysis of the overall TB disease situation within a herd.
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, over the last two years 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.
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 has risen to over €121 million in 2025.
380. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount of revenue that could be raised by removing the tax exemption. [48446/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraForestry income, including premium and income from timber sales, is exempt from both income and corporation tax to incentivise afforestation. While my Department issues payments to forest owners, taking the variance in individual circumstances into account, it is not possible for my Department to estimate a potential amount of revenue if the exemption were removed.
The overall aim of government forestry policy is the development of forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis.
My Department remains committed to promoting forestry as a viable land use choice, supporting farmers and landowners through a broad range of financial and other supports.
381. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is taking to ensure that the beef being imported from Mercosur countries are not containing any type of chemical preservative to their fresh meat which, achieves an extended shelf life, leading to negative health impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeef can only enter the EU from non-EU countries which are listed by Regulation (EU) 2021/405. Before a non-EU country is listed and can gain access to the EU market, it must apply for listing by the European Commission, and the application must be evaluated satisfactorily by the Commission. Following its listing, the country may propose establishments for listing. Establishments producing beef intended for export to the EU must comply with the public health requirements specified in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004.
Also, consignments of beef entering the EU from any non-EU country, including Mercosur countries, must do so through an approved Border Control Post (BCP). At the BCP, consignments are subject to official controls in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These controls include documentary checks, identity checks and, where required, physical examinations and sampling. Consignments that satisfy these controls may be released from the BCP for placing on the market.
As part of the certification process in the non-EU country, the official veterinarian must certify that the meat fulfils the guarantees covering animals and products thereof provided by the control plan on residues and contaminants submitted in accordance with Article 6(2) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292, and that the third country, or region thereof, of origin is listed as approved by the EU for importation of beef.
Controls on imported beef, including testing for residues, are governed by EU legislation on official controls, and are graduated and risk-based. Consignments entering any EU Member State from any third country are sampled and tested in accordance with a national, risk-based monitoring plan (NRCP) for residues and contaminants, in line with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. The NRCP must be approved by the European Commission. Sampling at BCPs is targeted based on risk factors, including previous compliance history and EU-wide monitoring priorities.
Where serious or repeated non-compliances are identified, intensified official controls may be applied, including increased and targeted sampling, additional physical checks, or other appropriate enforcement measures.
Imported beef placed on the market in the EU must comply with EU food safety and labelling rules. Imported beef is required to bear a date of minimum durability. Labelling checks of imported product are among the controls carried out at the BCP.
382. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the fishing and aquaculture registered vessel fuel support scheme, if he will clarify whether the purpose of the scheme is to offset fuel costs already borne by fishing vessel owners or to offset current and future fuel costs; if guidelines are issued to beneficiaries of the scheme, outlining that share fishers working on the eligible vessels and who bear a share of high cost of fuel should benefit equitably from the proceeds of the scheme; where share fishers are excluded from benefiting equitably from the proceeds of the scheme, the way in which they seek remedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48565/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fishing and Aquaculture Registered Vessel Fuel Support Scheme is a targeted scheme designed to assist owners of fishing and aquaculture vessels to offset the increased cost of fuel experienced as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The scheme will cover the months of March up to the end of July 2026, which are a critical time in the fisheries calendar. It is a straightforward scheme aimed at those most impacted by the sudden increase in the cost of fuel.
The scheme is open to owners of fishing vessels which must be registered on the Irish Fleet Register at the time of grant application and who must have been actively fishing from March to July in 2025. As set out in the scheme detail aid amounts will be calculated based on verified fuel invoices within a defined historical period. The scheme is restricted to applications from vessel owners as the sole beneficiaries, with eligibility, payments, and appeals processes applying only to them. The scheme introduces no instruction to vessel owners on how they manage their business relationship with share fishermen. Any such discussions are a matter for discussion between the relevant vessel owner and the share fishermen.
