Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In response to the point raised by the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, I think that the 7% is achievable across all sectors. It will require much constructive dialogue. It is important that constructive dialogue will lead to a much more climate-resilient future but also to a much more sustainable future for Irish farming. Farming is the anchor of our rural economy. Our family farms not only support our food needs but a wider ripple in rural Ireland, including mechanics, fitters, vets, contractors, co-operatives, local merchants, shops and schools which all benefit from our farming sector. The agrifood sector has been hit as hard as any sector by falls in income and profit through the Covid-19 pandemic. Farm businesses are the fabric that hold our rural communities together. They are the biggest employers and generate the most wealth and income as primary producers in these regions. Beef profitability is at an all-time low and dairy incomes are forecast to fall by at least 20% this year. Prices in dairy have taken a big hit in these crucial peak milk production months. It is imperative that these sectors be supported through these unprecedented market disruptions that we are experiencing due to Covid-19.

Farm businesses should not have been excluded from the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, Covid-19 support fund. These funds should have immediately been made available to the agrifood sector. It is imperative that they are supported through this downturn and keep a strong trading position to help the national economy to recover from the impending downturn caused by Covid-19. To that end, in light of the SBCI announcement of the €17.5 million in lower cost funding for small and medium enterprises, SMEs, will the Minister ensure that the next round of SBCI's future growth loan scheme includes a facility for low-cost working capital to help farm businesses to work through this difficult period? Will the Minister put pressure on banks to ensure that they exercise flexibility and forbearance with their farmer customers as they work through this unprecedented crisis?

I want to raise the challenges facing animal welfare charities. More than 100 receive grants from €2,000 to €4,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Most, if not all, have seen a dramatic decline in their income streams and fundraising due restrictions caused by the pandemic. Furthermore, the closure of some local authority pounds, and dog welfare and rehoming charities not being allowed to move animals that have been adopted by families, is causing further pressure on charities. Can we ensure that all local authority pounds remain open just to the charities? Animal rescue centres need clear direction on whether they can transport dogs under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. Can pounds be reopened to allow strays to be taken into rescue centres to reduce the stress on dogs? There is a funding issue too. Some €2.5 million is allocated to the rescue centres, while €16.5 million is given to Bord na gCon. I think some of that funding could be diverted to help these charities through this crisis. I welcome the comments that have been made by other Deputies about allotments and farmers' markets. I think that we could ease some restrictions. Farmers' markets are effectively open supermarkets. With social distancing, they provide an essential food outlet for food producers and people who want to buy essential food.

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