Results 701-720 of 4,255 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (9 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the State Bodies and have requested that a response issue within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Marine Institute (9 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department considers applications for aquaculture and foreshore licences in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 as amended, the Foreshore Act 1933 (as amended) and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Legislative Measures (9 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Protection of the Native Irish Honey Bee Bill 2021 which is a Private Members Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil last November. When the Bill was proceeding through the Seanad my Department raised some concerns in relation to imposing a statutory ban on the importation of non-native honey bees as it could constitute a restriction on trade under EU Regulations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The table below provides details on the numbers of technical grades that retired/transferred out from the Agricultural Environmental Schemes Division in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 as requested by the Deputy. Technical Grades Retired/Transferred out Agricultural Environmental Schemes Division Grade 2022 ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Staff (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs. Workforce planning processes are utilised to identify our requirements across all technical grade streams and locations, and to ensure a long-term, proactive and strategic plan through which current and future staffing needs are addressed. Overall staffing levels...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Policies (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I am aware of the incident and my Department is liaising with National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) in relation to this matter. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the individual case. My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline and email through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect. The Helpline number and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Data (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information requested by the Deputy is set out below.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Funding (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The contract for delivering Equine National Breeding Services (NBS) on behalf of my Department was awarded to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) following a competitive public procurement competition. The programme of measures delivered by HSI under the NBS includes a 'Breeding Grant' scheme. The delivery of measures funded under the 'Breeding Grant' scheme is a matter for the HSI. I understand...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: A zebra is an animal of the equine species and is therefore required to comply with all of the EU equine identification and health certification requirements applicable to other equines such as horses and donkeys. There are several species and sub species of zebra. Depending on the species of wild animal involved, The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wind Fauna and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The welfare of equines is protected by...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of equine welfare most seriously. The welfare of equines is protected by legislation and there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise equine welfare and to build on existing inspectorate supports across the country, ensuring a consistent approach to dealing with horse welfare. My Department and authorised officers appointed under the...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department takes the matter of animal welfare most seriously and responds to any reports of alleged animal cruelty or legislative non-compliance. Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. The welfare of equines is protected...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Projects (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The information requested by the Deputy is being collated by my Department and a response will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: I recently launched the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme which will support farmers rearing progeny from the dairy herd. The scheme to be implemented in 2025 has a budget of € 4 million and will provide farmers with a €20 payment per eligible calf subject to certain conditions. The scheme is currently open for applications and I would encourage all farmers to consider...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is an agri-environmental climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027, approved by the European Commission in October 2022. There are currently 54,223 participants in the scheme which exceeds the planned complement of 50,000. Participants in the ACRES Co-operation approach have had the opportunity since their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The tillage sector is an integral part of Irish farming. This Government recognises the importance of the sector and wants to grow the area under tillage crops. My Department has provided significant direct supports to tillage farmers. The financial allocation for coupled support under the Protein Aid Scheme has been increased to €10m annually from 2024. The Straw Incorporation...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: As part of Budget 2025 my Department secured an allocation of €5 million for 2025 to support the group of farmers commonly referred to as forgotten farmers. Work is ongoing to address a number of remaining issues, before the details of the eligibility requirements and benefits to successful applicants under any scheme can be finalised.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Microfinance Ireland (MFI) is a not-for-profit organisation funded through the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund. MFI is not under the aegis of my Department, nor does my Department impose any restrictions or have any role in its operational decisions. However, where it offers loans to farmers, MFI must ensure that such loans comply with relevant EU state aid regulations. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Irish Grown Wool Council was established in April 2023, following recommendations from the Wool Feasibility study, and was set up as an independent stakeholder-led Council. I am supportive of its work and my Department allocated €30,000 to the Council in start-up seed funding, almost €26,000 of which has been drawn down. In addition, in 2024 my Department provided a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Industry (8 Apr 2025)

Martin Heydon: Grazing Rights are usually linked to an area of land and permit individuals to graze a certain number of livestock pro rata to the number of rights held. Grazing Rights may in certain instances be documented as an appurtenant right on a Land Folio Record and in other instances remain unregistered. My Department has no responsibility in the redistribution of grazing rights.