Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The salaries of senior management management in Government Departments and Ministers and Ministers of State are determined in accordance with public pay policy which is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

The senior management team in my Department is led by the Secretary General. My Department has a diverse portfolio which supports our mission in leading, enabling and regulating the agri-food sector in a way that optimises its contribution to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

To successfully deliver on the objectives set out in our Statement of Strategy 2021-2024, the reporting structure within my Department comprises 11 Assistant Secretaries with responsibility for a range of activities across the five main pillars of the organisation. All salaries relating to the aforementioned officers are in accordance with Circular 15/2022 which is attached for the information of the Deputy.

There are two Ministers of State in my Department. One Minister of State has responsibility for land use and biodiversity and also holds a Senator role, following election to the Agricultural Panel of Seanad Éireann in November 2019 and re-election in 2020.This role carries an additional yearly allowance of €11,470.00. A second Minister of State has responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development at the Department. Therefore, the Ministers of State receive salaries of €51,934.00 and €40,464.00 respectively from my Department. Remuneration in respect of the role of Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine is at a salary of €82,730.00. These salaries in respect of Ministerial roles are paid in addition to remuneration paid directly by the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Government Decision S180/20/10/2486 dated 27th July 2020 provides that all Members of Government and Ministers of State will gift a portion of their salary to the State. All of my Department’s Ministers are compliant with this decision.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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578. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38402/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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579. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the green certificate courses for young farmers; the number of college places available in 2022 and 2023; the enrolment details; the length of time that applicants will wait when applying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38442/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Teagasc was established under the “Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act”, 1988, as the national agency with responsibility for the provision of research, training and advisory services to the agriculture and food industry.

Delivery of the Teagasc Green Cert programme is an operational matter for Teagasc. Accordingly, the question raised by the Deputy has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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580. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the report on the potential for a domestic woollen industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38479/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that funding of €100,000 was committed in Budget 2021 to conduct a review of the potential demand in domestic and international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers.

Following a competitive public procurement procedure, ‘The Agile Executive’ a consortium made up of experts from Munster Technological University and Donegal Yarns, were appointed in November 2021 to carry out the wool review and examine the submissions received under the public consultation process.

The Agile Executive produced a report of the findings of the wool review which was published on July 1, 2022. This report, which was independently compiled by The Agile Executive, includes a number of findings and recommendations, including potential funding streams, market opportunities for wool, and multiple areas for additional research and development.

One of the main recommendations of the wool report is the formation of an industry-led Wool Council to develop and promote Irish wool on a domestic and international scale, as well as bringing together multiple stakeholders to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling activities in the wool sector.

I am very supportive of this recommendation and have committed to provide €30,000 towards the initial costs of setting up this industry-led Wool Council which will provide a clear pathway towards maximising the potential of this valuable natural resource into the future.