Written Answers Nos. 289-300
289. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 26 November 2025, if he will confirm the current status of the office (details supplied). [66268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Probation Service office is situated at Kilcruttin Business Park, Cormac Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, in a premises leased by the OPW. I am advised that the Probation Service has ongoing child protection and safeguarding issues in organising its engagement with offenders at its current location.
I am further advised that the OPW has identified suitable alternative accommodation with the intention for the Probation Service to relocate once the premises has been fitted out.
290. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount spent by Gardaí on replacing musician instruments for the Garda band in 2025 and to-date in 2026, in tabular form. [66279/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
291. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals that have been tested for bluetongue virus since 1 January 2026 to date; and the number that have come back as positive. [65995/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals both bovine and ovine have been vaccinated against bluetongue virus since January 2026. [65997/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is tracing where the bluetongue virus that has been found in animals in Kildare and Wexford recently originated; and the actions his Department is taking to combat this virus. [66002/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is conducting testing of animals on surrounding farms of the two cases where bluetongue has been found in Wexford and Kildare in recent weeks. [65999/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 291, 292, 293 and 294 together.
Since 1 January 2026 to date, over 11,000 animals have been sampled and tested for antibodies to Bluetongue virus (ELISA) and close to 4,000 animals have been sampled and tested for presence of Bluetongue Virus through PCR in my Department’s laboratories. Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) PCR positive animals have been detected and notified to the WOAH in 12 bovine herds across the counties of Wexford, Wicklow, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Kildare, Cork and Tipperary. My Department's surveillance aims to identify broad geographical areas where Bluetongue Virus is present to guide on-farm decision making relating to vaccination in association with their veterinary practitioners.
Over 5.7 million doses of BTV-3 vaccines have been licenced for import into Ireland since January 2026. My Department does not track the number of bovines and ovines vaccinated as this remains a commercial matter between livestock owners and their private veterinary practitioners.
An epidemiological investigation and additional testing has been undertaken by my Department in relation to holdings where bluetongue has been detected in recent weeks in Counties Wexford and Kildare. Vaccination remains the best tool with which to combat bluetongue virus. I urge farmers who have not already done so to talk to their private veterinary practitioner to decide whether vaccination is right for their flock or herd.
Bluetongue is a notifiable disease in Ireland. Where a veterinary practitioner suspects a case of the virus, the regional veterinary office should be contacted so that the case may be investigated. If the disease cannot be ruled out on clinical examination, Departmental Veterinary Inspectors will take samples for laboratory testing.
Additional information on bluetongue virus can be found on the Government website at: www.gov.ie/bluetongue.
295. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on changes to agricultural grants from 2028; and if pensioners will still be able to access grants. [66091/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission’s original proposal for CAP post-2027 included a provision under which farmers who had reached retirement age and were in receipt of a pension would not be eligible for direct payments.
A number of Member States, including Ireland, raised concerns regarding this provision and in the latest draft of the regulation, it has been made optional for Member States to implement.
The CAP post-2027 negotiations remain ongoing. Ireland, as Presidency, will continue to facilitate progress towards an agreement on a CAP framework that is effective, and sufficiently flexible to reflect the different circumstances and needs of Member States.
296. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department maintains a risk register; if so, if copies of the register since 2022 will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66082/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department maintains an up-to-date risk register as part of its comprehensive governance framework.
The risk register serves as a central repository for the Department’s identified risk information. It provides the framework for my Department to identify, assess, prioritise and actively manage risks and supports officials in making informed, data-driven decisions that align with the Department's defined risk appetite and risk tolerance.
The Risk Register is an internal control document that contains potential risks to the Department and mitigants to address these potential risks. As such, the information on the Risk Register is sensitive in nature, and therefore cannot be released.
297. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a report referred to in a debate (details supplied) will be released publicly. [66121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoursing is regulated under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly by the Irish Coursing Club (ICC), subject to the general control and direction of Rásaíocht Con Éireann; hare coursing is managed and regulated by the Irish Coursing Club. The organisation consists of 89 affiliated clubs from Ireland and Northern Ireland, all of whom are governed by the ICC’s rules and regulations. The ICC does not receive any direct funding from my Department.
The ICC has provided my Department with an independent report that it commissioned in 2022 by Jim Power Economics entitled The Economic and Financial Contribution of the Coursing Sector. The report estimated that the coursing sector contributes approximately €70.7 million annually to the Irish economy, the majority of which directly benefits rural communities.
The publication and release of this report is a matter for the Irish Coursing Club.
298. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date by his Department in relation to a review of the eligibility criteria for the Succession Planning Advice Grant to ensure better uptake of the grant, in particular in the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). [66135/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFarm succession is a key priority for the Government to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Irish agriculture. A range of supports are in place to encourage timely succession, facilitate generational renewal and assist young farmers in establishing viable farm businesses. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides substantial resources to achieving generational renewal. These supports are complemented by a suite of national taxation measures and support for access to finance, to ensure a coherent approach to this issue. In addition, education, training and advisory services are provided by Teagasc.
The 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 |
|
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 |
As evident from these figures up take of the grant has improved significantly year on year.
CAP supports in the new round, post 2027, will be considered in the context of the new CAP regulation, the available budget, and stakeholder consultations.
299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to comment on his Departments engagement with the Department for Health in relation to examining the fair deal scheme to ensure it does not impede succession planning and recognises the distinctive position of agricultural land. [66134/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly referred to as the Fair Deal scheme, is a system of financial support for people who require long-term residential care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their means, while the State pays the balance of the cost. My colleague the Minister for Health has responsibility for the scheme.
A 3-year cap was introduced in 2021 for qualifying family farms and businesses, limiting the asset-based contribution to a total of 22.5% (7.5% a year, for 3 years). After three years, the value of family-owned farms and businesses is not considered when calculating the cost of a person’s nursing home care.
Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. That is why a Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to consider whether existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The Commission produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including the recommendation to “Improve and align information on pensions, social welfare benefits and the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, also known as the Fair Deal scheme”. An implementation group in my Department has considered the recommendations and progress is being monitored on an ongoing basis. The work of the Commission ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for our ongoing work in supporting generational renewal.
300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the progress made to date by his Department in relation to the establishment of a farm succession scheme. [66132/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government prioritises “supporting inter-generational farm succession”. Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is a priority of mine and critical to ensure a bright future for the agri-food sector.
There are currently a range of supports in place. Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 provides substantial resources focused on generational renewal. There are also strong national taxation measures to facilitate succession and assist land mobility. In addition, the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) provides low-cost, long-term investment loans and is a viable source of finance for young farmers. Teagasc education and knowledge activities focus on equipping young farmers with necessary education, training and advice to build long and successful careers in farming. As stated in the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming Report, the total financial support to generational renewal in Ireland was some €428.6m in 2024.
However, farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. That is why the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established, to consider whether the existing supports are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The Commission produced a thorough analysis and made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas.
Regarding any formal farm succession scheme, the Commission’s recommendations on CAP supports in the new round, post 2027, will need to be considered in the context of the new CAP regulation, the available budget, and in stakeholder consultations.
