Results 3,281-3,300 of 23,944 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Invasive Species Policy (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 244 together. I am aware of the recent finding of the bark beetle Ips typographus in Scotland. This is a bark beetle species that is of concern to us as it has the potential to cause damage to forests in Ireland. In November 2019, my Department launched a major plant health initiative in its ‘Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: There are currently 179 staff across the three forestry divisions in my Department. Based on the midpoint salary figure for each grade, the estimated total annual salary cost is €9,960,951.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The spend by my Department to date in 2023 for Ecology services provided by outsourced ecologists is €1,615,650.78. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) requires services to be provided in a range of ecology disciplines which may be needed at short notice. Access to contract ecologists in this manner helps avoid any future buildup of forestry applications waiting...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Expenditure (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The total cost of services provided by external ecologists for 2024 will be determined by the number of new applications received under the new Forestry Programme 2023 – 2027. While interest in the afforestation scheme in particular does appear strong it is difficult to provide an accurate cost for ecology service this early on in the Forestry Programme. The recent tender for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: To date in 2023, my Department has issued 2,623 forestry licences of all types. This can be broken down to 1,215 Coillte felling licences and 1,213 private felling licences. We have also issued 890 roads licences and 27 afforestation licences. In terms of a weekly average that equates to 69 forestry licences of all types per week.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Culls (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The requested data is held on a number of systems within my Department as well as manual records held in various offices. I will endeavour to provide a complete answer to the Deputy's question once all records have been collated.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department constantly monitors the performance and health of Ireland's agri-food sector. Along with regularly meeting with representatives of the sector, holding formal consultations and attending public forums, my Department monitors developments in farm incomes, viability, structures, key commodities, food industry trends and other key economic indicators. My Department prepares and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: A key element of Food Vision 2030, the Irish agri-food sector's 10-year strategic development plan, is to grow the value of our agri-food exports on international markets. Food Vision identifies a number of actions targeted at realising this growth ambition, including market diversification and market promotion activities. My Department works with industry and Bord Bia to realise the new...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pigmeat Sector (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very aware of the contribution of the pig meat sector to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy. In 2022, at a time when the pigmeat sector was experiencing severe financial hardship and when pig producers had to deal with enormous financial pressures, I provided...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am very aware of the contribution of the poultry production sector to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy. Poultrymeat, which is a high protein food source, has seen an increase in demand in recent years. Alongside this increased demand, prices have also risen....

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Irish tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-Food industry which I have strongly supported in recent years. I doubled the annual budget for the Protein Aid Scheme from €3 to €7 million. The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM) has paid €19.5 million to tillage farmers since it was launched as a pilot in 2021. I announced €7...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Climate Action Plan (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has several policies and strategies in place to ensure agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed. The Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out a pathway for Ireland to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. My...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The safety, health and wellbeing of farmers is a priority for this Government. This year, dedicated funding of €2.5m was allocated for a range of initiatives that included supports to promote increased awareness of mental health and wellbeing among farmers. My Department, with the HSE and the Department of Health, is co-funding the ‘On Feirm Ground’ programme which equips...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy industry remains very positive. The Irish dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable industries. Our livestock farmers and the dairy sector is already very sustainable but it is my aim to build a stronger and more sustainable future for farmers and the subsequent generations of farmers. One of the standout aspects of Food...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Food Industry (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Under EU food hygiene regulations, Food Business Operators have the primary responsibility for producing safe food. Officers from my Department conduct a comprehensive range of systematic and risk-based inspections and audits to verify that food businesses approved by my Department are operating in compliance with EU and national food hygiene regulations and that the food that they...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I am pleased to advise that following on from recent State Aid approval from the European Commission, the Government adopted the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 on 6 September and the new Afforestation Scheme launched on the same day. This is a significant milestone for forestry that will allow for the expansion, protection and development of Ireland’s forests and forestry sector. An...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: It has to be acknowledged that soil drainage poses particular challenges in Ireland. There is a great variety of soils and soil problems which means that every drainage challenge on soils is unique. My Department understands that drainage and drain maintenance may be required on farms. However my Department advises that farmers considering drainage or drain maintenance should firstly conduct...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Flood Risk Management (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department recognises the impact that climate change is causing to the everyday activities of farmers in Ireland. Adaptation to climate change is a priority for my Department and key actions are set out in the Agriculture, Forest and Seafood Sectoral Adaptation Plan published in September 2019. This Adaptation Plan is about preparing our systems to deal with the inevitable changes in...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (26 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Food Vision 2030 sets out a clear ambition to grow the value of Irish exports over the next ten years. This ambition will be realised by implementing actions that are focused on market diversification as well as investment in innovation at producer and processor level, which will drive the competitiveness of Ireland's agri-food offering on Irish and international markets. In 2022 exports...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pre-Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Discussion (25 Oct 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: I thank members for opportunity to present the sustainability impact assessment of fishing opportunities for 2024 to this committee. I am joined by Mr. Dominic Rihan from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, Ms Sinéad McSherry, assistant secretary, Ms Anna O'Sullivan, principal officer, and Mr. Ciaran Kelly from the Marine Institute. The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union has led to...