Results 4,661-4,680 of 23,963 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Bovine tuberculosis (TB), caused by infection with Mycobacterium bovis, is a persistent problem in cattle herds in Ireland. The epidemiology of TB is complex and challenging. I am committed to making real progress in eradicating TB because I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial pain associated with a TB breakdown. There are three main sources of infection for cattle - the purchase...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Horticulture Sector (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department, in conjunction with the Departments of Environment, Climate and Communications and Housing, Local Government and Heritage has developed a series of actions to support the horticulture sector as it transitions to sustainable alternatives. These targeted actions reflect the multifaceted nature of the problem and seek to address the short-term issue of supply, the medium...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Issues (20 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: All soils in Ireland are at risk of compaction and trafficability problems. Wet, poorly-drained soils can present problems for much of the year, but even free-draining soils will be prone to compaction and trafficability challenges during wet periods. Once soils are wet, they are structurally weak and this can result in a compacted structure. My Department does not have a mechanism for...

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Members for this opportunity to discuss this important issue today. It is something that has been raised on the floor of this House by colleagues from all sides. I welcome the representatives of farming organisations who are present in the Visitors Gallery. We all recognise the challenges faced by our sheep farmers over the past winter. I have spoken previously about the...

Seanad: Sheep Sector: Statements (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Acting Chairperson, Senator Cassells, and the many Senators who contributed to the discussion today including Senators Paul Daly, Boyhan, Lombard, Pauline O'Reilly, Boylan, McGreehan, Doherty, Murphy, Kyne and Ahearn. Many contributions showed a strong commitment to the sheep sector and many good suggestions were made. One of the lessons I will be taking away is that the next...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The new ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. The Native Tree Area Scheme will be included in the new Programme. This scheme will allow farmers to apply for areas up to one hectare without the requirement for a forestry licence. As such it will an opportunity...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Hydrogen has the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors, including heavy goods transport, high-temperature heat for industry, and electricity generation. It is at the very earliest stage of development and is at proof of concept stage of development in terms tractors and other heavy agricultural equipment. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The main support for farmers provided by my Department wishing to invest in renewable energy is the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment scheme. This launched on 22nd February 2023 and is proving to be a hugely successful scheme. The new TAMS is closely aligned to our climate and sustainability needs through continued and enhanced support for renewable energy. To help encourage on-farm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Each year, my Department provides funding to animal welfare charities across Ireland. In December 2022, I announced the provision of €5.8m to 99 animal welfare charities, a record amount which thereby exceeded the Programme for Government commitment to double the funding allocated to animal welfare charities. Many of these charities carry out trap, neuter and return programmes for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Grant Payments (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The person named has been paid in full for their participation in REAP. Their final payment was made in December 2022.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Equality Issues (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Census of Agriculture completed in 2020 reported that approximately 13% of farm holders in Ireland were female. I am very pleased that, for the first time, Ireland’s new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) includes a number of specific measures aimed at increasing the participation of women in farming. It will deliver some €10 billion to farm families over the next five years,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently secured funding of €1.3 billion for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027. Subject to State Aid approval, this will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme to date in Ireland. I am pleased to say that we have commenced our formal submission for State Aid approval and I expect that it will be fully lodged by the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Third Level Education (19 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy will be aware that it is my colleague Minister Harris and his Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science that has responsibility for the higher education sector and that Department may have the more definitive data on the matter. I understand from recent data circulated from University College Dublin, which is the sole provider of education of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I understand that this relates to the sale of private property located at Strawhall, Athy Road, Carlow Town, which is currently afforested.  My Department has no plans to purchase this property.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In order to fully realise the ambition set out in the new Forest Strategy and Forestry Programme, we need a well functioning forestry licensing system.  The issuing of licences, depending on the complexity, requires input from a range of Department staff including Forestry Inspectors, Ecologists, Archaeologists, Engineers and Administrative staff. The input required will depend on the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Any of the approximately 4,000 participants in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) can apply for support for mounted and self driven mulchers at a grant rate of 60% when the Organic Capital Investment Scheme opens. Applicants must indicate whether they are applying for a mounted or self driven mulcher. Organic farmers who are not participants in the OFS are eligible for grant aid of 40%.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department has been in contact with the persons concerned, to discuss this matter, and has examined the medical evidence provided. Unfortunately, the Department is not in a position to reinstate the entitlements to the named person for two reasons. The medical evidence in support of the named person's late applications is not relevant because the herd number had been transferred to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087 and 1088 together. As the Deputy may be aware, the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 replaces the previous Forestry Programme of 2014-2020 (extended to 2022) which expired at the end of 2022. The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is currently subject to an ongoing Strategic Environmental Assessment/Appropriate Assessment (SEA/AA) process. The Forestry Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy may be aware,  extensive work has been undertaken to date in the development of a new future for forestry in Ireland. Ireland has now for the first time a Shared National Vision for Trees, Woods and Forests in Ireland until 2050 which was informed by a series of comprehensive consultation and engagements. The Vision has informed the development of our new...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (18 Apr 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Deputy may be aware that the Department is involved in an intensive process with the EU Commission to secure state aid approval for the ambitious new Forestry Programme 2023 - 2027.  Late last year, interim schemes for afforestation and roads were launched providing the opportunity for existing approval holders who had not commenced work under the previous scheme to opt into the...