Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1623.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure a beef data geonomics payment is paid in full to an applicant (details supplied). [31193/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) formed part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and was extended to the transition period of 2021 and 2022. The objectives of the measure was to lower the intensity of Green House Gas emissions by improving the quality and efficiency of the national beef herd and to improve the genetic merit of the national beef herd through the collection of data and genotypes of animals.

Payments in BDGP were made on a per hectare basis, based on the number of eligible forage hectares declared in the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application of the applicant in the scheme year up to a maximum of the Maximum Payable Area (MPA) of the participant. The MPA and the number of reference animals on which the calculation of this area is based was advised to programme applicants upon acceptance into the programme. For an applicant to maximise their BDGP payment, an applicant had to declare at least enough eligible foragehectares under their BPS application each year to match their MPA.

The person named was issued payment for BDGP 2022 in respect of the 130.10 hectares which were declared by them as eligible forage land on their 2022 BPS application. A further 30.42 hectares of Spring Barley was declared on the 2022 BPS application, but Spring Barley is not an eligible forage crop in the context of BDGP and therefore this 30.42 hectares was not eligible for payment under BDGP.

The Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) was introduced in direct response to the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the impact this had on the availability of grain.

The aim of the Scheme was to encourage and support farmers to maintain/increase the area grown to eligible tillage crops in Ireland from 2022 onwards.

Support under the scheme was provided via two streams -

• a payment of €400 per hectare for newly converted tillage area in scheme years 2022 and 2023, and
• a maintenance payment of €200 per hectare for those who received a conversion payment in either 2022 and 2023 and continued to maintain their overall tillage area into the following scheme year.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1624.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the areas of natural constraints payment will be released to farmers prior to September due to the impact of flooding on agricultural production; the supports currently available to farmers impacted by flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31284/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. This commitment to farmers is affirmed by the recent agreement with all farm bodies on the Farmer's Charter, and evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers quickly and in compliance with the legal requirements of relevant EU Regulations.

In line with my commitment under the Farmer's Charter, my Department reviewed the payment dates at the end of the 2023 for future years with the aim of bringing forward the payment dates for the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme. I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 my Department will commence ANC payments from September 18th to ensure money flows as soon as practically possible to farmers. This payment date is in line with the traditional payment date of the ANC Scheme to farmers and is a month earlier than in 2023.

I was extremely conscious of the pressure on farmers as a result of continuing and exceptional adverse weather conditions last winter. As an initial response I re-convened the National Fodder and Food Security Committee to establish the most up to date facts regarding the fodder and feed situation on farms and to provide advice to assist farmers through this challenging period. I also asked Teagasc to establish a system for co-ordinating advisory supports to help farmers maximise existing fodder stocks and provide a basis for those with surpluses to engage with those who were struggling at the time.

In addition I introduced a Fodder Transport Support Measure to provide additional assistance to livestock farmers most severely affected by the prolonged exceptional weather conditions and I temporarily paused all non-essential farm inspections.

In recent weeks the National Fodder and Food Security Committee reconvened to assess the position on farms with regard to fodder supplies for the winter ahead.

In the event that individual farms are experiencing animal welfare issues they should contact the Animals Welfare Helpline on 01 6072379 or email animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie