Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1828. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of any sugar beet feasibility or scoping studies since 2020; the indicative acreage, yield and capital expenditure required for one or more regional processing plants; the supports under CAP or national schemes for growers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47205/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In 2006, the EU introduced a restructuring mechanism intended to reduce overall production of sugar, acknowledging the then global over supply and resultant low prices. Ireland secured €353 million as part of the reform package with some €220 million being distributed to beet growers and a further €6 million to machinery contractors in the sector.

Since 2006, a number of groups have expressed an interest in the redevelopment of the sugar sector, two of whom prepared desktop feasibility studies between 2010 and 2011. In their findings, both proposals sought to develop a new sugar and bio ethanol production facility with capital costs, estimated at the time, of between €250 million and €400 million. There have been no known sugar beet feasibility or scoping studies since 2020.

As part of the reform of the CAP, agreement was secured on the abolition of sugar quotas from 30 September 2017. The decision to invest in sugar processing capacity is primarily a matter for industry, and investors in the European Union, including Ireland, are free to invest in sugar producing capacity if they wish.

Supports are available for sugar beet growers under CAP. Sugar beet is an eligible crop under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS). Tillage growers, who also grow sugar beet, can also avail of other CAP funded Schemes including the Tillage Capital Investment Scheme under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme and ACRES.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1829. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of nitrogen supplied domestically including green ammonia; the estimated annual phosphate recovery from wastewater and rendering; the potassium supply security; the planned incentives for legume rotations and soil pH correction with lime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47206/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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At present Ireland does not produce any inorganic fertiliser products. All Nitrogen (including Ammonia) and Potassium inorganic fertiliser products are imported into the State.

The question regarding estimated annual phosphate recovery from wastewater and rendering is a matter for Uisce Éireann. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have advised my department that any queries on this topic should be addressed directly to Uisce Éireann.

Regarding Ireland's security of potassium supplies, the fertiliser trade has not reported any issues to date. My Department last consulted the trade in June 2025 and they did not express any concerns regarding the availability of fertilisers.

Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 includes measures to support the use of legumes in grassland rotations, including the Multi-Species Swards Eco-Scheme agricultural practice. In addition, in recent years, funding from the national exchequer has facilitated the Multi-Species Swards Measure as well as the nationally funded Red Clover Silage Measure. Continuation of these nationally funded measures is being considered as part of the on-going discussions regarding Budget 2026.

For certain farmers there are regulatory requirements to correct soil pH, where necessary through the application of lime.  For example, Nitrates Derogation applicants must have a Nutrient Management Plan which addresses the need to apply lime where necessary.

For farmers who are not obliged to apply lime to correct soil pH, there is also an Eco-Scheme agricultural practice supporting Soil Sampling and Appropriate Liming.  In addition, in 2023 the National Liming Programme opened for applications as a once-off measure funded by the National Exchequer.  This was introduced as part of the suite of cost of living measures in light of significant cost increases for both fertiliser and ground limestone arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. Over 14,500 claims for payment were received under the National Liming Programme.