Results 1-20 of 2,747 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Martin Heydon

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Departmental Correspondence (16 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: I can confirm that my office received and responded to correspondence in relation to the persons named and a follow-up inspection was carried out. Whilst my Department cannot comment on individual cases, it is worth highlighting that legitimate late evening animal sales take place at some marts across the country with animals transported subsequently. This activity is in compliance with...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Wildlife Regulations (16 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: Wild birds such as gulls are the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. My Department monitors the avian influenza disease situation in wild birds to inform the risks posed to poultry and captive birds. My Department's advice is that people should not pick up or touch sick, dead or dying wild birds and should keep their pets away from them. Dogs should be kept on a...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Health and Safety (16 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: Human health matters in regard to avian influenza are the responsibility of the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has primary responsibility with regard to issues relating to wild birds. My Department's primary function in relation to Avian Influenza is to help protect and to control outbreaks of the disease in poultry and...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Weather Events (16 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The unpredictable nature of extreme weather/flooding events, and the resulting impact on agriculture, does not lend itself to a ready-made scheme template, given that local effects vary with each event. My Department in recent years has provided a number of schemes to support farmers who have been badly affected by extreme weather/flooding. These include the Shass Landslide, the Shannon...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Schemes (10 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The herd owner in this matter was subject to a Local Authority Inspection, by Leitrim County Council, on 30th January 2025, following which a cross report was submitted to my Department. The result of this inspection was communicated by Formal Notice to the herd owner on 10th June 2025, by my Department’s local District Superintendent for Leitrim. The following non compliances were...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Aquaculture Industry (10 Jul 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: Departmental Expenditure (10 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The HR Learning and Development Division of my Department supports staff to pursue academic qualifications through the Funding of Academic Fees scheme. My Department currently operates a policy of advance payment to all staff participating in this scheme. All approved applicants under this Scheme may also be allowed paid study leave/examination leave, in line with Department of Finance...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agriculture Supports (10 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: I was very pleased to officially launch ABP's Young Farmer Academy and I welcome this support for the next generation of Irish farmers. As I said at the launch, the ABP Young Farmer Academy it is vital that young people are supported to build sustainable, resilient farm businesses that contribute positively to the economy, the environment and our rural communities. My Department has no...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Artificial Intelligence (10 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The following Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects are used within my Department for research and analysis purposes under business as usual at no additional cost unless otherwise indicated. AI technologies Purpose Function Associated licencing and use of AI costs Machine Learning Predicting the likelihood of TB outbreaks. ...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has overall policy responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014. However, local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Acts. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, issue dog licenses, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: From 1 June 2025, under S.I. No. 238/2025 – Dog Control (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Local authorities, through the Dog Warden service, have responsibility for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has policy and legislative 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. Each local authorities collate the information in relation to penalties for...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: From 1 June 2025, all policy and legislative responsibility for the Control of Dogs Acts transferred to my Department from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht (DRCDG). However, local authorities have responsibility for all operational matters under the Acts. Under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to appoint dog wardens, issue dog...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: Statistics in respect of a range of the dog control responsibilities of local authorities are published annually on Gov.ie. Information up to and including 2023, by county and in tabular form, is available on the dog control statistics page (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development -and-the-gaeltacht/collections/dog-control-statistics/) on gov.ie. The 2024 dog control...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Control of Dogs (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The ban on XL Bully type dogs was announced in 2024 in the interest of public safety following a series of serious attacks. The ban was brought in over two stages to give XL Bully type dog owners who wish to keep their dog, the time to obtain a free 'Certificate of Exemption'. There was a four month period between the 1st October 2024 and before 1st February 2025, where these owners were able...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Education and Training Provision (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: My Department has no role in accrediting individual education courses for trained farmer status. This is properly a matter for Teagasc in association with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency responsible for validating education programmes in Ireland leading to QQI awards. Accordingly, I have asked Teagasc to directly provide the Deputy with the information...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, which provides a modern framework for regulating and applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare. My Department has lead policy responsibility within government for animal welfare and takes the...

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

Martin Heydon: The new Programme for Government emphasises supporting intergenerational farm succession. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, highlights that ensuring generational renewal in farming is vital for the sector’s long-term viability and social sustainability in rural Ireland. There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to...

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

Martin Heydon: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine funds the Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme, which provides grant aid to farmers to conserve and repair derelict farm buildings and related structures. The main goal of the scheme is to preserve traditional farm buildings that enhance the character of our national landscape and hold significant heritage value, while keeping them in active...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Veterinary Services (9 Jul 2025)

Martin Heydon: This response is framed in the context of local authority dog shelters, on the assumption that this is where the Deputy’s focus of enquiry lies. Policy responsibility for dog control was transferred to my Department from 1st June 2025, in accordance with commitments under the Programme for Government. My Department is working with the Department of Rural and Community Development...