Results 23,361-23,380 of 24,065 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Energy Infrastructure (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Solar Capital Investment Scheme is a measure under the The Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy. To encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided to assist farmers in maximising their production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV panels, together...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Water Quality (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Nitrates Directive has the objective of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. It is implemented in Ireland through our Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and the Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters (GAP) Regulations (SI 113 of 2022, as amended). The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are responsible for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme 2023-2027 includes a 100% increase in the site clearance grant from €1,000 to €2,000 per hectare and considerably enhanced planting grants under seven forest types for the planting of other species, as well as an innovative top up premium for those ash sites still due premiums under the original afforestation scheme. In determining the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The objective of the Geese and Swans action in the ACRES Scheme is to promote the production of an undisturbed foraging area to support overwintering geese and swans. The requirements in relation to this action are stated in the Scheme Specifications, with one of the requirements being that no livestock or machinery operation is to take place on lands from 1st October to 31st March (with the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department has responsibility for S.I. No 63/2015, the Microchipping of Dogs Regulation 2015 and S.I. 427/2015 - Microchipping of Dogs (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Under these Regulations, all dogs over 12 weeks of age (or younger if sold before 12 weeks) must be microchipped. It is illegal to sell or supply a dog that is not microchipped. The microchip number must be registered; this...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Mayo County Council is responsible for the development and maintenance of Purteen Harbour. My Department provides funding to local authorities for capital works projects for the development and repair of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme and more recently under the Brexit Adjustment Local...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Staff (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The information requested by the Deputy in relation to Special Advisers who have served at my Department since I took office is as follows: Special Advisor Minister From To Salary Scale Stiofán Nutty Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State 07/09/2020 07/11/2021 Principal Officer ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I can confirm that there is an appeals process in relation to the ACRES scheme, as it is one of the schemes listed in the Schedule of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001. Participants in ACRES may therefore submit appeals in respect of decisions taken in relation to their participation in the Scheme. The appeals process in respect of ACRES is outlined in Section 28 of the Scheme Terms and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The agriculture sector is a cornerstone of the Irish economy and as the Deputy is aware, last year - 2023, was a year of considerable progress for agriculture with emissions reduced by 4.6% relative to 2022. This is the largest single year reduction observed in the agriculture sector. Not only does this reflect the efforts that farmers are putting in on the ground, it gives confidence to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department continually monitors the levels of employment in the agriculture and wider agri-food sector. Employment figures are primarily sourced from the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) quarterly Labour Force Survey. The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric of Ireland, especially in rural and coastal areas. Irish food is produced by farmers, fishers...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Dairy Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy industry and Irish dairy exports remains very positive. The dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable sectors. Irish dairy exports exceeded the €6 billion euro mark for the second year in a row last year, making it the largest food and drink export category. Last year, we exported over 1.6 million tonnes of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Change Policy (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: As the Deputy will be aware, the agriculture sector has committed to reducing emissions by 25% by 2030 based on an emissions baseline of 23MT CO2 eq in 2018. It is clear that we are on the right track and that the sector is rising to the challenge. We saw a reduction of 4.6% in emissions from agriculture in 2023. This is attributed to the work done at farm level, supported by my...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for the Government, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context. The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. Gaining new market access and enhancing access to existing markets for Irish pigmeat exports is integral to...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Beef Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very confident that the outlook for the Irish beef industry is positive. Irish beef exports amounted to almost 476,000 tonnes and were worth almost €3 billion in 2023. The vast bulk of these exports are shipped to high-value markets in the UK and the EU, notably France, Netherlands, Italy & Germany. While the EU will continue to be the dominant market for Irish beef...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Fishing Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: I can assure the Deputy that my Department constantly monitors the needs of the fisheries sector. In addition to meeting representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, we monitor developments in key economic indicators. I established the Seafood Task Force in 2021 to examine the impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on our...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Poultry Sector (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish poultry sector over the medium to longer term. My Department continues to monitor the markets for any impacts on the agri-food sector in this regard. I am acutely aware of the pressures being faced by many in the agri-food sector due to the increase in input costs, exacerbated by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Irish sheepmeat was exported to more than 30 markets last year, which is testament to the world-class product produced on our farms. The introduction of the Sheep Improvement Scheme in 2023 combined with the rollout of the National Sheep Welfare Scheme in 2024 demonstrates my commitment to supporting sheep farmers. Between the support I have provided under these two schemes, €20...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a challenging disease to control and eradicate. I am committed to making real progress in eradicating TB because I am acutely aware of the emotional and financial trauma associated with a TB breakdown for farmers. As the spread of this disease is multifactorial, it is being fought on many fronts. The TB programme in each county focuses on factors including...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Purteen Harbour is the responsibility of Mayo County Council. The responsibility for the development and maintenance of local authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each local authority in the first instance. The primary governance role for local authorities rests with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and any wider funding issues for local authorities...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (26 Sep 2024)

Charlie McConalogue: Balancing payments in respect of participation in ACRES in 2023 started to issue in mid-June 2024. Payments in full have now been issued to 38,701 participants. Payments will continue to issue on a regular basis as cases pass all required validations. With regard to scorecards, a summary report on the scores assigned is issued to all participants following the processing of their payment....