Written Answers Nos. 2581-2600
2581. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants approved for the income support for young farmers scheme in each of the past three years; the total payments issued annually in each of these years; the average age of successful applicants; the county distribution of beneficiaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57179/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting young farmers and promoting generational renewal are key priorities for my Department. The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF) is a targeted income support measure under Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027. The scheme provides an annual payment to eligible young farmers and forms part of a wider package of supports designed to encourage generational renewal and support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Attached is a breakdown in tabular form of the number of applicants approved for the scheme in each of the past three years; the total payments issued annually in each of these years; the average age of successful applicants and the county distribution of beneficiaries.
2582. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under TAMS 3 to date; the number approved, rejected, automatically re-submitted and withdrawn; the value of grants approved to date; the figures of each TAMS measure separately, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57180/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
TAMS 3 has proved to be extremely popular, with payments of over €178 million issued to farmers since payments commenced in June 2024. Given that we are now well over halfway through the current CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), it is prudent that we are mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS tranches. Therefore, in order to ensure that the defined budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CSP, it was necessary to limit the number of approved applications in recent tranches by applying ranking and selection criteria. This will be kept under ongoing review for the remainder of the CSP.
Applicants who are not successful in a particular tranche will automatically rollover into the next tranche and will be reassessed under that tranche. Applicants who are not successful in two consecutive tranches will need to reapply to be included in the next available tranche.
As TAMS is a voluntary scheme, applications can be withdrawn at any stage in the process and applicants may also resubmit altered applications following non selection. There is no onus on an applicant to continue with the resubmitted application. The table below provides up to date details on the applications received in TAMS 3.
|
STATUS |
Applications Received |
Automatically re-submitted |
Applications Withdrawn |
Application Rejected |
Approvals Issued* |
Value of Approvals ** |
|
Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme |
19181 |
931 |
443 |
1182 |
14521 |
€102,500,887.70 |
|
Dairy Equipment Scheme |
3291 |
484 |
78 |
285 |
2242 |
€13,354,259.16 |
|
LESS |
4655 |
675 |
76 |
41 |
3548 |
€89,094,499.06 |
|
Organic Capital Investment Scheme |
5655 |
287 |
125 |
253 |
4466 |
€24,267,686.92 |
|
Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme |
385 |
28 |
3 |
14 |
297 |
€8,543,241.70 |
|
Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme |
4081 |
184 |
83 |
277 |
3095 |
€40,411,758.75 |
|
Tillage Capital Investment Scheme |
2910 |
220 |
75 |
180 |
2314 |
€30,401,558.38 |
|
Solar Capital Investment Scheme |
6868 |
1924 |
98 |
418 |
3677 |
€84,572,356.97 |
|
Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme |
19427 |
0 |
268 |
1533 |
15662 |
€55,441,273.19 |
|
Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme |
3139 |
228 |
71 |
268 |
2262 |
€25,714,259.63 |
|
TOTAL |
69592 |
4961 |
1320 |
4451 |
52084 |
€474,301,781.46 |
*Approvals issuing on a weekly basis, so approval numbers updating on ongoing basis.
**Approval values are based on average costs per investment item.
2583. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and proportion of TAMS 3 approvals to female applicants; the total number of female applicants; the value of grants approved to female farmers; if additional measures are being considered to encourage more participation by women in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57181/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is a specific new measure under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), which recognises the enormous contribution women continue to make to farming in Ireland and supports further participation of female farmers. A standard grant rate of 40% is provided for all eligible investments in TAMS 3, with an enhanced 60% rate available to women farmers who meet the eligibility criteria under the Scheme.
A total of 3,139 applications have been received under the WFCIS while a further 3,190 applications have been received from women farmers across the other ten TAMS 3 schemes, which equates to a combined number of just over 9% of the total applications received.
To date a total of 4,633 women farmers have received approval to proceed with their investment, amounting to a total grant aid value of €44.1 million.
The CAP places a particular focus on generational renewal and on promoting the participation of women in the social and economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming. Gender equality is also a key objective of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and a priority for me as Minister. I believe the TAMS 3 Scheme, in its current structure, is best placed to address the issues of both generational renewal and gender balance in farming. I therefore do not currently plan to amend the eligibility criteria for the Women Farmers Scheme in the current CSP programming period, which runs to end of 2027.
2584. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and percentage of farm holdings registered in the names of women; the average size of those holdings compared to holdings registered to men; the trend of women in ownership of farm holding over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57183/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent data available from the CSO’s Farm Structure Survey 2023 indicated that women account for 13.2% of the 133,174 farm holders in Ireland. It found that in general, larger farms were more likely to have a male holder, with male farm holders accounting for approximately 90% of farms larger than 50 hectares. 17.4% of farm holders on farms less than 10 hectares were female.
Over the ten-year period from 2013 to 2023, there was an increase in the percentage of female farm holders, which was 11.9% in 2013.
More data is available on the CSO website. The 2026 Farm Structure Survey has recently taken place, with results expected later this year.
2585. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total value of CAP payments received by gender of applicant in each of the past five years; the average payment to each gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57184/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total value of CAP payments received by gender of applicant in each of the past five years and the average payment to each gender are not readily available. This is due to differences in the data gathering requirements between the two CAP programming periods and the merging of Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 payments into the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027. However, under the new reporting requirements for the CSP, data is available for Financial Years 2023-2025, i.e. 16th October to 15th October the following year.
The tables below relate to the CSP by financial year in line with the Annual Performance Reporting requirements. Table 1 shows the total CSP expenditure by gender for financial year 2023, 2024, 2025. To note FY 2023 is not comparable due to the timing of payments in that year and the overlap with previous CAP period.
|
Table 1 |
Total Public Expenditure per Financial Year by Gender |
|
|
|
Gender |
FY2023 |
FY2024 |
FY2025 |
|
Female |
€0 |
€141,344,819 |
€134,218,452 |
|
Male |
€60,216 |
€1,230,118,113 |
€1,142,852,445 |
|
No Prevalence |
€9,928,611 |
€239,244,364 |
€222,127,723 |
|
Prefer not to say |
€0 |
€326,641,419 |
€320,348,814 |
Table 2 below shows the average CSP expenditure by gender for financial year 2023-2025. The absence of female CSP expenditure in FY 2023 has minor effects on the average value for the period financial years 2023-2025.
|
Table 2 |
Average by Gender FY2023-2025 |
|
Female |
€11,595 |
|
Male |
€14,231 |
|
No Prevalence |
€15,717 |
|
Prefer not to say |
€22,945 |
2586. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has undertaken any assessment of differences in farm income between male and female farm holders; if so, the findings of that assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57186/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2588. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total funding allocated by his Department specifically to programmes supporting women in farming over the past five years; the projects funded; the outcome achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57188/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2589. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he intends to publish a dedicated strategy for women in agriculture; the timeline for such a strategy; the targets that will be established to land ownership, succession, leadership and scheme participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57189/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2586, 2588 and 2589 together.
Gender equality in agriculture is a priority of mine and features in the Programme for Government. It is a core element of Ireland’s domestic policy framework, including Food Vision 2030.
Since my appointment as Minister for Agriculture I have prioritised increased participation and visibility of women in agriculture. Key measures include implementation of the Women in Agriculture Action Plan; 60% grant aid for women farmers under CAP investment schemes; women-only Knowledge Transfer Groups, mentorship and leadership initiatives; and ongoing work to address succession barriers that disproportionately affect women. Ireland is one of only two member states to have specific measures under the CAP Strategic Plan to improve gender equality.
With regards to farm incomes and farm holders, women represent 13.2% of farm holders in Ireland. HER-SELF (or Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable and Equitable Livelihoods in Farming), a study on women in agriculture led by researchers at Maynooth University and funded by my Department, provided an in-depth profile of female farmers in Ireland, identifying the barriers they face and recommending policy changes to tackle them. It included an analysis of data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) that indicates that on average over the 15-year time period between 2005-2020, female farm holders had annually €7,342 (30%) less farm income than their male counterparts.
The National Action Plan on Women in Agriculture (2024) represents a significant and welcome step forward for gender balance in Irish Agriculture. Several initiatives have been delivered to address issues across areas such as leadership and visibility, education and awareness, financial and legal matters including farm succession, and sustainability. Implementation of the Action Plan is nearing completion, and a report will be published in due course.
This year’s focus is on the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026. Ireland’s co-sponsorship of the launch event at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reflects our national commitment to advancing gender equality across the agri-food sector and to strengthening the visibility of women’s leadership in food systems.
A conference to celebrate International Women's Day and launch IYWF in Ireland was held in March. I was delighted to announce Carina Roseingrave as our IYWF Ambassador, and to announce the winners of a photo competition, highlighting the importance of gender inclusive imagery in agriculture.
We are also delivering a series of free events to celebrate International Year of the Woman Farmer, which I announced last month, focusing on the importance of farm safety, health and wellbeing and exploring the areas of education and training, financial awareness and farm diversification.
A breakdown of recent funding for female initiatives within my Department is as follows:
|
Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS) |
€12.01M |
|
ACORNS |
€2.5M |
|
National Dialogue and Action Plan Delivery |
€25K |
|
Research (HERSELF & GENFARMS) |
€150K |
|
OECD Gender Policy Toolkit |
€7.5K |
|
IYWF Initiatives |
€15.3K |
2587. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of female participants in green cert and related agricultural education programmes in each of the past five years; whether participation rates have increased and measures being taken to further increase participation rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57187/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate statistics on participation in the Green Cert and related agricultural education programmes, which are delivered by public and private providers from across the further education system. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the national agency responsible for validating education programmes in Ireland leading to QQI awards.
I would advise the Deputy to contact QQI for details on female participation in agricultural education.
Schemes and supports are available from my Department under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to support young, trained farmers who hold a recognised qualification in agricultural education. These supports are complemented by a suite of national taxation measures targeted at young, trained farmers.
More generally, I am very much committed to promoting gender equality and supporting the participation of women in farming. My Department is supporting greater female participation through the Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (TAMS 3). It provides increased level of supports to female farmers to meet the considerable capital costs associated with establishing a farm enterprise. Grant aid is paid on approved expenditure at the rate of 60% up to the applicable maximum investment ceiling of €90,000 per holding.
2590. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the implementation group established to consider the recommendations of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming last met; the number of meetings that have been held to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57190/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2592. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has established measurable targets for generational renewal under Food Vision 2030; to provide those targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57192/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2593. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the publication of an annual Generational Renewal Scorecard setting out progress in relation to farm succession, new entrants, access to land, young farmer supports and gender balance within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57193/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2590, 2592 and 2593 together.
The Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. The Government currently provides a range of supports for generational renewal, including initiatives under the current CAP Strategic Plan, a suite of strong taxation measures, access to finance, as well as advisory and education & training supports.
However, we recognised the need to consider whether existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions and that is why the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established. While it is worth noting that their Report estimated that total financial support to generational renewal in Ireland was some €428.6m in 2024, it produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas.
An implementation group in my Department met last year to consider the recommendations and assigned the various actions, which are being monitored on an ongoing basis. Some of the recommendations may be commenced in the short term, but some will be more medium term:
• Some recommendations in relation to taxation have already been implemented and more are being examined in the context of the next Budget.
• The current CAP is fully programmed. Recommendations around CAP supports will have to be considered in the context of the next round, post 2027. The new CAP proposals include national strategies on generational renewal and our Commission’s report ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for future policy.
• I am consulting with my colleague the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recommendations around pensions.
• Discussions with Teagasc are ongoing regarding education & training and advisory services recommendations.
• The gender balance recommendation is being progressed through my Department’s Women in Agriculture initiatives.
• In relation to access to finance, a second tranche of funding under the SBCI’s Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is being considered.
Progress across a range of initiatives is monitored on an ongoing basis. A Food Vision 2030 dashboard has been developed and is available online. The dashboard displays baseline environmental, economic and social data for a number of key performance indicators.
The Deputy will be aware that a mid-term review of Food Vision 2030 is underway. As we enter the second half of this decade, it is timely to reflect on what has been achieved and to formally consider how Food Vision 2030 can evolve further, to ensure that it remains ambitious, focused, and responsive to evolving challenges and opportunities, including generational renewal.
2591. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who availed of the succession planning advice grant in each year since its introduction; the total expenditure involved; the number of completed farm transfers arising from participation in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57191/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Succession Planning Advice Grant was introduced in September 2023 to support farmers in the cost of procuring accredited professional advice on succession planning. Eligible applicants are reimbursed 50% of vouched costs, excluding VAT, to a maximum €1,500.
Since its implementation, a total of 431 applicants have been reimbursed under this grant to date, broken down as follows:
|
Grant year |
No. of successful applicants |
Totals paid |
|
2023 |
51 |
€61,534.17 |
|
2024 |
179 |
€222,200.48 |
|
2025 |
201 |
€264,195.32 |
|
Total |
431 |
€547,929.97 |
Tailte Eireann, under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, manages the Land Register and the Registry of Deeds. Details in respect of land transfers and ownership in Ireland are held by this agency.
2594. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide the number of active farms not claiming farming entitlements under CAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57194/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the latest Central Statistics Office Farm Structure Survey, there were 133,174 farms in Ireland. In 2025, 129,524 farmers in Ireland were recorded as receiving payments (direct payments and capital payments, including Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes - TAMS). Based on these figures, it is estimated that approximately 3,650 active farms (2.7% of the total) did not receive payments in 2025. Note, this is not the same as the number of farms who do not hold payment entitlements under BISS.
Further information on direct payments in Irish agriculture can be found in chapter two of the Annual Review and Outlook for Agriculture, Food and Marine 2024 - 2025, my Department’s flagship economic publication, which is available at: gov.ie/en/department-of-agriculture-food-and-the-marine/publications/annual-review-and-outlook-for-agriculture-food-and-the-marine-2024/.
2595. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total value of non-compliant public procurement identified within his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57199/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has robust measure in place to monitor procurement expenditure to ensure compliance with procurement guidelines.
My Department recorded non-compliant expenditure of €2.252 million in 2025 which represented approximately 1% of overall procured expenditure. The value of non-compliant expenditure for 2026 will not be available until the end of the year.
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue as soon as possible.
2596. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the usage of artificial intelligence within his Department; the categories of usage; the usage of artificial intelligence within any bodies under the aegis of his Department; the categories of usage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57217/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not possible to provide the information requested in the required time, and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
2597. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether there are sufficient checks in place to ensure animal welfare standards are adhered to in the greyhound industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57241/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
There is a strong commitment to improved animal welfare in the Greyhound Racing sector in the Programme for Government. Government support is directly contingent on RCÉ annually guaranteeing that welfare standards are strictly upheld.
The ongoing welfare and integrity initiatives operated by the industry are pivotal. The work of RCÉ underscores this commitment, with RCE informing my Department that it conducted 2,636 inspections in the past year alone. This is the highest annual number of inspections on record. Inspections are both random and targeted.
In 2025, arising from 208 investigations, Welfare Officers issued 11 Fixed Payment Notices and served 10 Welfare Notices. The industry maintains a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches, demonstrating its commitment to the highest standards.
RCÉ also operate a confidential phone line to enable reports of welfare breaches to be reported for investigation by relevant agencies. In 2025, 18 calls were received relating to greyhound welfare matters which resulted in 6 investigations by Welfare Officers.
Veterinary practitioners also attend all race meetings and sales trials at RCÉ licenced venues and are the appropriate competent person to make decisions regarding the welfare of a greyhound.
Finally, RCÉ provides a quarterly update on Care and Welfare to my Department.
I am satisfied with the current arrangements that are in place.
2598. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out by agents and agencies of his Department of greyhound racing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57242/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra2599. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections carried out by agents and agencies of his Department of greyhound breeding facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57243/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2598 and 2599 together.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The questions raised by the Deputy are operational matters for RCÉ and, therefore, the questions have been referred to that body for direct reply.
2600. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the report published by an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the wellbeing and longevity of greyhounds bred for racing in Ireland; the actions he will take to address any concerns raised about this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57244/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
RCÉ has informed my Department that the report published by Greyhound Action Ireland, which states that "70% of racing greyhounds born in 2022 remaining on the island of Ireland and no longer racing are dead", does not take account of a significant subset of greyhounds born in Ireland during this period that were subsequently exported and remain subject to the Rásaíocht Con Éireann Traceability System (RCÉTS).
RCÉ further stated that, when assessing greyhound population outcomes, it is important that all greyhounds are considered, including those that are exported. Exported greyhounds represent a legitimate and significant component of the greyhound industry, and their movement to other jurisdictions forms part of the overall lifecycle of the greyhound population.
Excluding exported greyhounds from analysis, as reflected in the metrics referred to, can lead to an incomplete picture of industry outcomes, as it does not fully reflect the range of destinations and pathways available to greyhounds. In particular, analyses that focus solely on dogs remaining on the island of Ireland may overstate the proportion of greyhounds retained domestically and may not accurately represent the total population being tracked.
A comprehensive assessment should therefore take account of all traceable outcomes, including exports, to ensure that conclusions are based on the complete dataset. This approach provides a more accurate and transparent understanding of greyhound movements and supports informed discussion based on the full range of available evidence.
RCÉTS is a highly advanced system that supports greyhound traceability.
The Welfare of Greyhound Act 2011 and the Animal Welfare Act 2013 alongside the 2019 Greyhound Racing Act provide a strong regulatory basis for enforcing and regulating welfare and integrity within the greyhound racing sector.
Where breaches or shortcomings are identified in relation to greyhound welfare, the Department and authorised officers appointed under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including in Rásaíocht Con Éireann will undertake appropriate enforcement action.
The Department is satisfied with the arrangements currently in place to support greyhound welfare.
