Written answers

Thursday, 28 May 2026

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Programme for Government

Photo of Cormac DevlinCormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41378/26]

Photo of Martin HeydonMartin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new Programme for Government, “Securing Ireland's Future”, was published in January 2025. Of the 122 actions in the Agriculture and Food, and the Fisheries and Marine sections, my Department was identified as the lead organisation for 105 of these. 32% of the actions are either ‘Target achieved’ or ‘Substantial action undertaken & ongoing’, with another 61% reported as ‘Action commenced & progressing’.

The table below provides a status overview of these actions.

Action Status Number of Actions
Total actions where DAFM is the lead Department 105
Target achieved 5
Substantial action undertaken and ongoing 28
Action commenced and progressing 64
Action not yet commenced 8
Some of the main achievements since January 2025 include:
  • Continued Government support for farmers under the €9.8 billion CAP Strategic Plan and via specific sectoral supports.
  • My Department issued more than €2.18 billion in payments to farmers and fishers over the course of 2025.
  • The establishment of a new €30 million National Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme.
  • Preparations for a new round of CAP post-2027 have commenced.
  • Ireland has secured the continued availability of the Nitrates Derogation for a further three years.
  • Ongoing implementation of Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for the continuing development of the agri-food sector, including progress across the dairy, beef & sheepmeat, tillage, horticulture, organics, forestry and fishery sectors. A new dashboard to track economic, environmental and social progress has been launched. A 'Food Vision Seafood Sector Group was established. A mid-term review of Food Vision has commenced.
  • The launch of the Bovine TB Action Plan.
  • The launch of the second National Farmed Animal Biosecurity Strategy(2025-2030).
  • Ongoing market access work, including the opening of the Thai and Vietnamese markets for Irish beef exports, priority export markets for the beef sector.
  • The publication of the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.
  • The re-establishment of a dedicated Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine issues.
  • The allocation of €27.75 million for capital projects in Ireland’s publicly owned harbours through the 2025 Fishery Harbour Centre and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
  • The launch of Phase 2 of the €26.2 million Vista Milk Research Ireland Centre and the launch of DAFM’s €30 million Thematic Research Call 2025.
  • The opening of the National Centre for Brewing and Distilling in Oakpark, Teagasc, which has been allocated funding of €2.3 million by DAFM since 2020.
  • The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee.
  • The signing of a €105 million Partnership Agreement with the World Food Programme, the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, over the period 2025 to 2027.
I will continue to lead the development of the agri-food and fisheries sector in collaboration with stakeholders and to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.