Results 581-600 of 3,577 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 868 and 875 together. My Department recognises that wind events, such as the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, can cause varying degrees of damage around the country, including damage to trees. Since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided financial support to owners of ash forests impacted by ash dieback...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Responsibilities (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I wish to advise the Deputy that the briefing material I received on my appointment as Minister will be published on my Department's website.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: In answer to the Deputy’s question, my department has held one contract with Aramark in 2024 and to date in 2025, details of which are set out in the following table. Company Name Service Provided Contract Start Date Contract End Date Total Spend in 2024 Total Spend in 2025 Aramark Facilities Management ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Diseases (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department provides a range of financial supports that focus on compensating farmers for both direct and indirect losses incurred as a result of a TB breakdown on the farm. The On Farm Market Valuation Scheme is the principal compensation measure available to Herd-owners whose herds are affected by a bovine TB breakdown in their herd. The Scheme aims to compensate farmers up to the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Tree Remediation (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: One of the keystones of the European Union internal market is the principle of the free movement of goods. The legal basis for the free movement of goods are set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Ireland as a member of the EU is bound by the TFEU and therefore would not unilaterally ban goods which are free to move in the EU. The trade and movement of...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: European Council (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on 27 January 2025. I was pleased to have an early opportunity to meet with several of my fellow Ministers and also with the new EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, who visited Ireland recently. The Council held discussions on strengthening the position of the farmer in the food supply chain, CAP simplification,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Backup PTO generators are available for grant aid under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3). Farmers may apply for these generators under the Dairy Equipment Scheme (DES), Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS), Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme (WFCIS). While backup PTO generators are included as an...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application for the herd owner referred to by the Deputy was submitted late, by the herd owner, on 8 November 2024. A BISS Late Application Penalty Letter issued on 12 November 2024. The herd owner has since submitted an appeal and supplied supporting documentation. The appeal and supporting documentation is currently being considered...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Ministerial Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Ministerial advisers are appointed by the Government in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act 1997. The current grade for Senior Ministerial Advisers, including Advisers to Ministers of State who attend Cabinet, is aligned to the Civil Service Principal Officer salary scale. The current grade for Advisers to Ministers of State is aligned to the Civil Service...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Contracts (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: In response to the Deputy’s question please see details below of private companies contracted to provide cleaning services and security officer roles to offices in my Department. Service Provided Value and Length of contract Cleaning Services (Dublin locations) €5,000,000 over 4 years Cleaning Services (Regional...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: In answer to the Deputy’s question, the total number of Services staff and Cleaners currently employed by my Department is 31, details of which are broken down in the following table. All services staff and cleaners are directly employed by my Department on permanent contracts. Title Number Service Officer 26 Service...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Official Travel (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I set out the details as requested by the Deputy. Minister Hackett Mileage claims: Date From Date To Claim Total € 01/01/2023 31/12/2023 8,583.42 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 N/A Minister Hackett’s Civilian Drivers Overnights claims: Date From Date To ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Further to the recent announcements in relation to Government formation, my Department is restructuring to reflect the allocation of functions to Ministers. The staffing arrangements within the Ministerial Offices will be implemented in line with Government guidelines. Additional information will become available in due course.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Farm Safety (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Farm safety is a critical issue and farming continues to be the most dangerous occupation with regard to fatalities in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), under the auspices of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has statutory responsibility for health and safety in the workplace, including safety requirements such as the ‘Safe Pass’ safety...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Strategies (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, aims for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. It was designed using a food systems approach, recognising the requirement to have greater policy coherence across agriculture, food, and the environment. Food Vision has four high-level Missions: Mission 1: A Climate Smart,...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Forestry Sector (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department recognises that wind events, such as the recent storms Darragh and Éowyn, can cause varying degrees of damage around the country, including damage to trees. In advance of Storm Éowyn, a guidance document ‘Windblow and Storm damage Guidance for Forest Owners’ was updated and published on our website. In light of the significant damage caused by Storm...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: An Garda Síochána (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department strongly condemns any cruelty or mistreatment of animals and takes matters of equine welfare and the integrity of the food chain very seriously. Collaboratively with the Garda National Bureau of Crime Investigation, my Department is undertaking an extensive investigation. This joint investigation is ongoing and relates to suspected breaches of animal welfare and animal...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Land Issues (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has no plans to introduce supports for the purchase of land. The position has not changed regarding measures to place restrictions on the sale of land. As previously stated, issues relating to the ownership of private property are subject to very significant and complex legal, constitutional and policy considerations. Any statutory limitations on the sale of farmland would...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (5 Feb 2025)

Martin Heydon: I recognise the importance of Irish nationals on the staff of EU Institutions, and my Department encourages people to seek opportunities which will improve Ireland’s representation among EU staff. Implementation of the strategy is ongoing and includes a strong focus on raising awareness of EU careers paths for graduates, support opportunities for SNEs and provision of training for...

Proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2024: Motion (22 Oct 2024)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Deputies for their contributions on this important topic. I will start by answering some of the points raised. Deputy Kelly queried the mechanism around this debate and, to put on the record, in summary and further to my earlier statement it is to allow the Department to provide the monies allocated in budget 2025 it is necessary to comply with the technical requirement under...