Results 20,221-20,240 of 24,049 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Coillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy. However, my Department is aware of the practice of sale of seed to growers in the Netherlands. Contract growing is a fairly common practice and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department under Statute. My Department has plans for significant investment in a dredging and reclamation project for Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. The key objective of the project is to broaden the accessibility and navigability of the basin at Howth for all...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Greyhound Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Irish Coursing Club (ICC) is the competent authority with regard to the maintenance of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book. The ICC has been responsible for the Irish Greyhound Stud Book since 1923 and this was further underpinned by the enactment of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958. Microdog ID is a limited liability company that is a subsidiary of the ICC but is approved by my Department as a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Carcase Disposal (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department publishes an annual report each year on Beef Carcase Classification and Price Reporting. All reports up to and including 2023, are available on the Departments website at; gov.ie - EU Beef Carcase Classification Scheme (www.gov.ie). These reports give a detailed annual overview of beef carcass classification results, by category of animal, for all cattle slaughtered in the 33...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Replacement Index is part of ICBF’s Euro-Star Index system. It is a tool used by suckler farmers to breed/select more profitable replacement females. It comprises cost of production traits such as calving difficulty and cow liveweight as well as output traits such as milk and carcass weight. When used properly, the selection of animals using the Replacement Index will result in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Renewable Energy Generation (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The main support provided by my Department for farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy is under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). It is referred to as the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment scheme. This was launched on 22 February 2023 and is proving to be a hugely successful scheme. The new TAMS 3 scheme is closely aligned to our climate and sustainability needs...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine welcomes students to take part in internships and to avail of work experience throughout our divisions and subdivisions. With opportunities available in administrative, laboratory and technical Divisions, my Department facilitates the assignment of students within the division which is relevant to their area of study. All students are...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I would like to assure the Deputy that the receipt of formal State Aid approval and the launch of the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 is a matter of the utmost priority for my colleagues. My Department has engaged closely with the EU Commission, responding comprehensively to the many issues raised by the Commission. As you will be aware, a comprehensive and well-subscribed Forestry Programme...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In excess of 28 submissions from members of Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group were received during consultation and planning stage of the CSP. Submissions from all interested parties were examined prior to devising a scheme to include a broad range of applicants and investments. A meeting between my officials and members of the Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group was held on 17...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: A suite of ten schemes are available under TAMS 3. Nine of these schemes were launched under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and are co-funded under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). With the final Scheme Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme launched under CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These schemes were launched between 22 February 2023 and 21...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sports Funding (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to Horse Racing Ireland and 20% to Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ). The initial funding...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index. The issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion in the context of the Government's economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains positive - the long-term fundamentals of the dairy sector are really strong. We produce safe, nutritious and sustainable dairy products that are in demand across the globe. The Irish dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable industries. In 2022, Irish farmers produced over 8.8 billion litres of milk,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am satisfied that the Irish beef sector is well positioned to balance future development with the need for reduced carbon emissions. Beef farm enterprises contribute significantly to the economic sustainability and social fabric of rural areas. Food Vision 2030, the overarching agri-food strategy, contains several actions to guide stakeholder efforts in the sustainable development of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. I will be meeting next with industry representatives on 19th July. Along with regularly meeting with representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators. My Department prepares and publishes an Annual Review...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The current geo-political environment and challenges presented by Brexit, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine have created uncertainty on the international markets that Irish agri-food exports depend. My Department closely monitors these developments on an ongoing basis and is supporting the sector in addressing these challenges. For example, the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very conscious of the important role that prime lamb production plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector. For that reason, my Department provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through the Sheep Improvement Scheme and through the broad range of CSP schemes for which sheep farmers are eligible. The...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Mental Health Policy (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank the Deputy for this question on such an important topic. This Government has prioritised farm safety, health and wellbeing. In 2023, dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated for a range of initiatives that included support to promote increased awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing among farmers. My Department, along with the HSE and the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: As Deputies may be aware the new and ambitious €1.3bn Forestry Programme 2023-2027 will replace the previous Programme which expired at the end of 2022. The new Programme will benefit farmers, rural communities and the overall climate and environment. Subject to State Aid approval from the European Commission and the completion of the ongoing Strategic Environmental...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (13 Jul 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Farm safety is a major issue as farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation in terms of fatalities in the workplace. There has been an average of 19 fatal incidents per year on Irish farms over the last decade. Unfortunately, this year to date, there have been seven confirmed fatalities on farms. All of these fatalities are tragic losses to farm families, the community and the...