Results 3,581-3,600 of 23,944 for speaker:Charlie McConalogue

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 747 together. I am pleased to say that the new Afforestation Scheme, which offers an increased establishment grant and increased premiums for up to 20 years, was opened on 6th September 2023, and we are now in a position to grant afforestation licences and scheme approvals under the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme. The aim with the new Forestry...

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

Charlie McConalogue: A focussed and dedicated Communications and Promotion Campaign to inform stakeholders about the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme is planned for the coming weeks. My Department’s presence at the National Ploughing Championships this week is forestry-themed, with a dedicated area for promotion of the Programme. An advertising campaign, which will include radio and print media, has also...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The premium rates in the new Forestry Programme represent the calculation of income foregone from other farm enterprises and an additional amount for forest management and forest-environmental and climate services provided by the forest owner. The relevant rotation period for the mix of tree species was also taken into account so that the income foregone was considered for the rotation period...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I would like to assure the Deputy that the 20% broadleaf requirement will be achievable on the vast majority of sites. The evaluation of site productivity, by using a method that includes giving existing vegetation on site combined Reaction plus Nitrogen (R+N) values, is part of the assessment that my Department undertakes on afforestation applications. All sites submitted for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Harbours and Piers (20 Sep 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, the Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 751 and 752 together. The new forestry programme 2023-27 will support the biggest and best-funded Forestry Programme ever in Ireland, and provides unprecedented incentives to encourage the planting of trees that can provide a valuable addition to farm income, and help to meet national climate and biodiversity objectives. The published proposed grant rates for...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The annual number of forestry licences required by the industry is determined by a number of economic and environmental factors. My Department's targets for afforestation are informed by the Climate Action Plan, the targets for roads by historic and projected activity, and the targets for felling licences by the timber harvest forecasts from the COFORD Roundwood Production Forecast 2016-2035....

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Forestry Programme 2023-2027 provides significant grant increases across all forest types, including increases in the eligible rates per metre for each type of fence erected, as well as an increased maximum financial cap per forest. The rates detailed in the fencing grant table follow the same format as the rates described in the previous Forestry Programme, and there are no errors....

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

Charlie McConalogue: My Department will be writing to holders of valid grant aided road licences and valid RUS approvals, who have not opted into the De Minimis Schemes, in the coming weeks offering them the opportunity to opt into the new Roads and Reconstitution Ash-dieback schemes under the new Forestry Programme. Those who received approval under the Department's De Minimis Schemes may commence work in line...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 757, 765 and 766 together. Significant training requirements exist to support the delivery of the new Forestry Programme, and this work is underway. Last month my Department held two initial online information sessions for Registered Foresters on the new afforestation scheme in advance of its launch on the 6th of September. Further training is required...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I am pleased to say that the Afforestation Scheme under the new 2023-2027 Forestry Programme opened for applications on the 6th of September 2023, and in tandem we are opening the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme this week. Applicants who wish to use deer shelters will need to receive written approval under the Deer Tree Shelter, Hare and Deer Fencing Scheme prior to...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 761 and 762 together. The State Aid approval for the Forestry Programme 2023-2027 contains new environmental requirements. These additional requirements fully align the licence application and assessment process for afforestation with both environmental legislation and with the State Aid conditions underpinning the new Forestry Programme. I would like...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (20 Sep 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: Last year Ireland secured a new Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025. When these discussions were taking place, largely in 2021, there had been increases in Ireland’s national herd and chemical nitrogen use combined with declines in water quality. As a result, the European Commission attached increased conditionality to Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation, including the...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The European Commission is not obliged to grant any Member State a nitrates derogation and to do so they must be assured that derogation will not compromise achievement of the Nitrates Directive’s objectives of reducing and preventing water pollution caused by agriculture. Last year Ireland secured a new Nitrates Derogation covering the period 2022-2025. The European Commission...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (20 Sep 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: In my Department the grade of Chief Analyst is remunerated with a salary that starts at €68,268, and increases annually to €89,230 on a nine point incremental scale. Deputy Chief Analysts start on a salary of €64,361 which increases to €85,213, also on a nine point scale. The full year cost to the Department to recruit one additional WTE Deputy Chief Analyst and...

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

Charlie McConalogue: Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, it is my aim to deliver a felling licensing system which meets the needs of the forestry sector. This is regardless of whether that application comes from a private individual, a forest owner or Coillte. Each licence has a value, particularly to the rural economy, where the timber is harvested,...

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

Charlie McConalogue: The Director of Forestry was appointed to the position on 15 November 2021. As part of his role the Director has met with a range of established organisations from the forestry and farming sectors, relevant stakeholder groups and Coillte.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Pesticide Use (20 Sep 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority in Ireland for the regulatory evaluation of pesticides and enforcement of controls on their use. The regulatory evaluation procedure is a two-step process, in which pesticide active substances, such as glyphosate, are first assessed centrally at EU level and approved, or not. Plant protection products containing...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (20 Sep 2023)

Charlie McConalogue: My Department's current Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of the Department’s core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both my Department’s employees and the clients of the Department who avail of its wide range of services. Referring to Action 2.2, My Department...

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

Charlie McConalogue: I propose to take Questions Nos. 777 and 779 together. I fully appreciate that there is a lot of detail in the new forestry programme and would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is more than happy to provide clarification on the details of the new forestry programme to stakeholders and to update the FAQs accordingly. The Deer Tree Shelter rate of €1,600 per hectare applies...