Written Answers Nos. 301-306
301. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out in detail the engagement his Department has had with relevant stakeholders in relation to Generational Renewal policies, in particular regarding negotiations for the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). [66131/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerational renewal is fundamental for the long term sustainability of Irish and European agriculture. Supporting the next generation of farmers and addressing the barriers to entry and establishment are important to the long-term sustainability and resilience of the sector.
My Department has engaged extensively with relevant stakeholders on the generational renewal elements of the CAP post-2027. The CAP Consultative Committee (CCC), which brings together representatives of relevant agricultural and rural stakeholder organisations, meets regularly to discuss developments in the CAP. Generational renewal is discussed across the various strands of the CCC’s discussion and it was the central theme for one meeting, where stakeholders were provided with an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed generational renewal measures in the CAP post-2027 proposals.
In addition, my Department undertook a public consultation on the post-2027 CAP regulations, which included specific questions on generational renewal and sought the respondents' views on the measures that should be considered to facilitate generational renewal in the agriculture sector in Ireland.
Regarding the CAP post-2027 negotiations at EU level, Ireland has advocated for effective, appropriate generational renewal measures from the outset. Since Ireland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we have kept the focus on generational renewal in the negotiations by facilitating discussions between Member States on the subject. The Presidency has sought to build consensus on measures that can effectively support young farmers and address the barriers they face, while recognising the differing circumstances across Member States.
While the negotiations are not yet complete, I am confident that we can reach agreement on a framework that provides an effective package of measures to support generational renewal in the CAP post-2027.
302. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agricultural and forestry contractors based in County Offaly who applied for support under the 2026 fuel income support scheme; the number approved; the total value of payments approved and paid; and the average and highest individual payments made to qualifying contractors, in tabular form. [66284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Offaly who applied for support under the 2026 fuel income support scheme; the number approved; the number refused or deemed ineligible; the total value of payments approved and paid to farmers in County Offaly; and the average payment per successful applicant, in tabular form. [66283/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 302 and 303 together.
The Fuel Income Support Scheme was introduced as a targeted income support to assist farmers and agricultural/forestry contractors facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs.
The table below sets out the total number of applicants under the scheme in County Offaly and the total number of payments to date (September 15th). The figures represent both farmer and contractor applications. It is not possible at this point to give a detailed breakdown between farmers and contractors.
Nationally over 3,800 applicants are not eligible to receive payment as their claim was less than 1,200 litres and hence are below the minimum threshold for payment (€100). The maximum payment under the scheme was €50,000.
The average payment for farmers nationally is approximately €600 and for contractors it is approximately €4000.
Incomplete payments are due to a number of issues. For certain cases my Department is waiting on further information from applicants to allow them to be set-up on payment systems or a request has been made for further evidence, for example fuel receipts. As information is supplied cases are being cleared and payments will continue to be made on a weekly basis. There are also a number of cases where my Department has received information and is in the process of finalising payments.
|
County |
Number of Applicants |
Total Payments (September 15th) |
Total Payments (€) |
|
Offaly |
1,069 |
980 |
€806,347.76 |
304. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if financial support will be provided to farmers in respect of the purchasing of chemical fertiliser. [66256/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Commission announced at the end of July 2026 an EU exceptional aid package for farmers impacted by increased fertiliser and energy costs as a result of the Middle East crisis. The EU package totalled €540m, of which Ireland has been allocated €15.3m.
A possible mechanism to disperse this funding to farmers most impacted by increased input costs, including fertiliser costs, in a timely manner is being assessed.
Any details of a proposed scheme will be announced when it finalised and approved.
306. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department maintains a risk register; if so, if copies of the register since 2022 will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66069/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
