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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Local GAA club among objectors to controversial north Mayo forestry plantation
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has granted permission for a 12.66-hectare forestry plantation consisting of 80pc sitka spruce and 20pc broadleaf at Carrownisky, Ballycastle. There has been widespread public opposition to the proposal, with public demonstrations and public meetings taking place there in recent days. A public meeting on Saturday heard calls for the development to be halted immediately and for a meeting with Coillte or the relevant government minister to resolve the matter. Local county councillor Jarlath Munnelly said there was 'a lot of concern' in the locality about the project. Cllr Munnelly said that locals were not against forestry but were strongly opposed to it being located near the GAA grounds and several houses. 'This is land that is suitable for farming, this is land that is not suitable for forestry,' the Fine Gael councillor told Midwest Radio. The Department of Agriculture's Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) reinstated the forestry license on December 24, 2024 after considering three appeals. Planting of the site has already commenced, and the contractor is currently not on site. Thirteen submissions were made regarding the forestry license in 2022 prior to its approval. One of these submissions was from Ballycastle, whose grounds are located beside the proposed site. Eilis Ormsby, Chairperson of Ballycastle GAA Club, said the development could damage their training grounds due to potential flooding. ADVERTISEMENT The club, which competes in the Mayo Junior Championship, opened new a new clubhouse at Tom Langan Park in 2022. Ms Ormsby said the applicant had given 'undue regard' to the aesthetic impact on the clubhouse viewing area and the loss of natural light to the adjoining pitches. She warned that the development could potentially increase the club's insurance costs due to the risk of fire and flooding. 'The proposed afforestation would be an ideal habitat for wild animals such as foxes, deer and badgers, who are known transmitters of disease i.e., TB and as a habitat for deer could cause damaged to boundary fence and damage to our ground,' she added. Ms Conway concluded by saying that the club were 'very disappointed' that that they were not consulted with prior to the application being submitted to the Department of Agriculture. The appeals against the license listed various other concerns, including an increased number of midges, traffic issues, sediment runoff into a nearby river and the existing wet grassland being home to the marsh fritillary, a protected species of butterfly. Addressing these concerns, the Forestry Appeals Committee said that herbicide would be applied by ''spot spraying' thus not allowing any of the herbicide to become airborne and effecting air quality'. 'The site is stated to be improved agriculture land and DAFM do not consider afforestation on this land type to increase fire risk. It is stated that there is no evidence that an increase in biodiversity and wildlife will have an adverse effect on the farming community. The proposed project area is stated to be to the east of the Wild Atlantic Way thus not hindering any views,' it continued. The FAC said there would no increased flood risk for the GAA club as the development is located upstream from the club grounds. Road safety matters were said to be a matter for Mayo County Council and An Garda Síochána. The application was referred to Mayo County Council and no response was received. It was noted that the site fronts onto a public road and the level of traffic generated by the project would 'not be greater than current agricultural practice'. The matter was raised in the Seanad this week by Ballina-based Senator Mark Duffy, who called on Minister of State with special responsibility for forestry, Michael Healy-Rae, to meet the community to discuss the issue further. 'Communities like Ballycastle on the western seaboard and the Wild Atlantic Way have been decimated by depopulation but have very gracefully welcomed international protection applicants within the community and are trying to lead the regeneration of buildings and make them better places for emigrants to return to. Measures like this fly in the face of a community that is trying to lead strong regeneration,' said Senator Duffy.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM: ‘Most complex' ACRES cases to be finalised this month
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has reiterated that the 'most complex' payment cases under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) will be dealt with this month. This is according to the latest update from the department which shows that a total of almost €494.8 million has been paid to ACRES participants as of Monday (June 9). Just under €246.3 million is in respect of participation in the Scheme in 2024, while almost €248.5 million relates to participation in 2023. ACRES is the €1.5 billion flagship agri-environmental scheme provided under Ireland's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan 2023-2027. However, the scheme has been the subject of intense criticism due to the delay in payments being issued to farmers. Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Martin Heydon has previously expressed his frustration around the delays. ACRES According to DAFM, balancing payments in respect of participation in the ACRES scheme in 2024 commenced on May 15, 2025. The most recent payment run of June 6 paid €278,732 to a further 603 participants. This brought the total paid in balancing payments in respect of 2024 to almost €34.6 million, to 45,715 farmers. The department said that this means that almost 85% of all participants are up to date with payments. Advance payments, in respect of participation in the scheme in 2024, were made on June 9 to 37 farmers, with those payments amounting to €151,671.66. This payment run brought total 2024 Advance payments to almost €211.8 million, paid to 49,350 farmers, or over 91% of all ACRES participants. However, DAFM acknowledged that advance payments in respect of scheme participation in 2024 have still to be made to 4,680 ACRES participants across tranches 1 and 2. Of these 4,680 participants, 837 are also awaiting their balancing payment in respect of 2023, as that must be paid before the 2024 advance payment may be made to them. DAFM added that advance payments for 2024 will continue to be made on a weekly basis. Payments In relation to participation in ACRES in 2023, balancing payments were made to 112 farmers on June 9 totalling €91,130/ This brought the total paid in respect of participation in ACRES in 2023 to just under €248.5 million, paid to 43,955 participants, or over 98% of participants. A total of 837 farmers have yet to receive their final payments for 2023. Of these, 600 have already received an interim payment of either €4,000 or €5,000, respectively. The department said that in many instances, this will cover the entire amount of the payment due. DAFM said that it is continuing to progress the contracts awaiting final payment in respect of 2023 and/or advance payment in respect of 2024, 'with the most complex cases to be finalised in June 2025 at the latest'. Balancing payments in respect of participation in ACRES in 2024 have now commenced, the department added. Delays According to DAFM, the issues which are impacting on the making of payments in respect of each year are primarily: Contract and ownership / partnership issues; Issues with scorecards (incorrect score, scorecards not submitted, alignment of scorecards with data from the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS); Alignment of ACRES data with 2024 BISS information. 'The department is actively resolving the remaining issues through, for example, the development of the required IT functionality and the investigation of issues associated with specific contracts. 'The non-submission to date by participants, or by their ACRES advisors on their behalf, of certain returns also impacted on the making of advance payments to them in respect of 2024,' the department said.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Report shows environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for research and development, Noel Grealish has today (June 11) launched a report entitled 'Ireland's First Gap Analysis Report on Research needs in Relation to Antimicrobial Resistance'. Minister of State Grealish launched the report alongside the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor. The report by researchers from Maynooth University provides a comprehensive review of previous and ongoing research in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across human and animal health in the Republic of Ireland from 2017 to 2023. It also provides an update on research in relation to the environmental dimension of AMR in an Irish context from April 2021 to December 2023. According to DAFM, antimicrobial resistance or AMR is a global threat and an urgent challenge. It poses a significant risk to human health and requires a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to promote actions across the human, animal and environmental sectors to achieve the best health outcomes for all three sectors. Report Ireland has adopted a cross departmental 'One Health' approach to AMR, led by the Department of Health and DAFM. The report shows that Irish researchers have been to the global forefront of ongoing research on AMR. However, Irish research requires considerable expansion in research areas for novel diagnostics/therapeutics and vaccines. The report also indicates that Irish research needs to focus on providing solutions or alternatives to the identified AMR problems to minimise the impact of AMR to human, animal, and environmental health. Minister of State Grealish said: 'This timely report highlights the need for more research that examines One Health in its entirety, in relation to the complexity of the intersectoral interactions and how these interactions contribute to AMR. 'In a world of increasing uncertainty, complexity and change, a One Health approach is crucial to safeguard the interests of society as a whole,' the minister added.
Agriland
10-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM seeks services of recruitment agency
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is currently inviting tenders from recruitment services providers. The department said the reason for undertaking this procurement process is so it has 'the people resources it needs, in a timely manner, through the services of a recruitment agency'. According to the tender documents, the value of the contract, which will be for a maximum period of four years, may amount to some €500,000, excluding VAT. DAFM The department currently employs over 4,000 staff operating from six large, centralised locations across the country. Staff also work in 16 regional offices, fishery harbours, meat plants, border inspection posts and laboratories. In addition to the general administrative grade streams, the department employs several technical and professional grade streams. This includes technical agricultural officers, veterinary practitioners, agricultural inspectorate, forestry inspectorate, engineers, harbour masters, laboratory specialists and services support staff. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine The process for filling vacancies in the civil service is as follows: open competition; internal promotion competitions or expressions of interest and the Civil Service Mobility Scheme. 'The DAFM Competitions and Recruitment Unit already carry out a large number of competitions and this tender is to add the option of using an outside agency to carry out some of these competitions,' the documents said. The successful tenderer will be required to design and administer in consultation with the department, 'an effective, efficient and fair recruitment and selection process for various DAFM positions'. The department noted that the following actions will be carried out by DAFM and not the recruitment agency: Negotiating start dates; Contracts; Garda vetting; Job descriptions, including the terms and conditions for each position; The advertising of positions on Public Appointments Service (PAS); Translation of advertising into Irish; The advertising of positions on European platforms, where appropriate. The department said that it has 'a wide and diverse customer base' which includes farmers, consumers, food processers and other commercial operators, those involved in sea fishing, forestry, bioenergy, research as well as diverse EU institutions, other state bodies and special interest groups. The deadline for the submission of tenders is 5:00p.m on June 24.
Agriland
10-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
DAFM: Over 80% of TAMS tranche 5 applications approved
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that over 80% of the applications made under tranche 5 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) have been approved. The scheme, which is divided across a range of different measures, provides grants to farmers to build or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their farm. According to the latest data published by the department, 4,731 (81%) out of the 5,823 applications submitted under this tranche have now been approved. Some 716 applications are 'in progress', 305 have been rejected by the department, while 71 have been withdrawn. The following table provides the latest update on tranche 5 applications for the 10 schemes contained in TAMS 3: TAMS 3 scheme Applications Rejected Withdrawn In progress Approved Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage Scheme 1,409 70 26 133 1,180 Dairy Equipment Scheme 115 9 1 19 86 Farm Safety Capital Investment Scheme 2,112 127 17 199 1,769 Low Emission Slurry Spreading 516 2 5 3 506 Organic Capital Investment Scheme 359 13 3 41 302 Pig & Poultry Investment Scheme 32 2 1 8 21 Solar Capital Investment Scheme 513 29 4 220 260 Tillage Capital Investment Scheme 203 11 5 11 176 Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme 225 20 1 39 165 Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme 339 22 8 43 266 Total 5,823 305 71 716 4,731 TAMS 3 tranche 5 applications. Source: DAFM 143 applications made under tranche 4 are still being processed by the department. 5,262 out of 5,864 applications made under that tranche have been approved. There are 20 applications still outstanding in tranche 3. The department said 3,401 of the 3,799 tranche 3 applications have been approved. TAMS Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, recently confirmed that all eligible applications received under tranches 6, 7 and 8 of TAMS 3 will be approved. Tranche 6 closed to applications on March 7, 2025, with 4,931 applications received across the 11 schemes. Tranche 7, the emergency tranche, which was opened in response to Storm Éowyn, closed for applications on March 28, with 1,945 applications submitted in respect of the agreed emergency investments. Tranche 8 closed for applications on Friday June 6, with approximately 5,000 applications received. Tranche 9 of the scheme is now open. However, the minister warned that the department will need to be 'mindful of the budget available for the remaining TAMS tranches'. Over €70.5 million has issued to over 8,000 applicants under the scheme, with payments of approximately €2 million continuing to issue on a weekly basis. 'In order to ensure that the available budget is distributed fairly over the remainder of the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Strategic Plan, it may be necessary to limit the number of approved applications per tranche going forward by applying ranking and selection criteria, including for the upcoming Tranche 9, which opened on June 7 and will close on September 6,' Minister Heydon said.
