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Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has prepared and published this Publication Scheme in accordance with Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. The Scheme has been drafted in conformity with the Model Publication Scheme and Guidelines issued by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The purpose of this Scheme is to publish as much information as possible in an open and accessible manner on a routine basis outside of FOI, having regard to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability as set out in Sections 8(5) and 11(3) of the Act. The Scheme will assist the general public in understanding the type of information that is held by this Department and how to access it.
The Department of Agriculture was created in 1919 with Robert Barton as the Director of Agriculture and T.P. Gill as its first Secretary. Over the years its name has changed several times and is now known as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine since 2011.
Our mission is to serve the government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits.
In carrying out its mandate the Department undertakes a variety of functions including:
• the promotion and safeguarding of public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers, producers and wider society
• the provision of income and market supports to underpin the rural economy and the environment
• provision of the optimum policy framework for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector
• delivery of a sustainable, growth driven sector focused on competitiveness and innovation driven by a skilled workforce delivering value added products in line with market demands
• maintenance and development of strategic, operational, regulatory and technical capacity to achieve operational excellence.
The Department is led by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and two Ministers of State. The Management structure of the Department under the Secretary General, Mr. Brendan Gleeson, comprises of 8 Assistant Secretaries (including the Chief Financial Officer), the Chief Veterinary Officer, the Chief Inspector, the Head of Laboratories as well as six Directors.
Information on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Information on Senior Management and Corporate Governance
Corporate plans and strategies include:
Details of the pay structures for Civil Service Grades are set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular here
Individuals seeking access to records under the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act or Access to the Environment Regulations should contact
Freedom of Information Unit
Address:
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Pavilion A, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
, R32 K857
Phone number:
Further information on making requests under the FOI Act can be found gov.ie here
There are twelve State Bodies under the aegis of the Department as outlined below. These bodies are split into two categories Non Commercial and Commercial.
• Bord Bia
• Teagasc
• Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) formerly Bord na gCon
• Coillte
The Department has a Performance Framework Arrangement which was approved by the Management Board for use in relation to its State Bodies. The document derives from the requirements on Departmental Oversight in the 2016 Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The objective of the Arrangement is to define the Department’s performance expectations for a State Body.
The Arrangement outlines the process for setting the performance expectations of a State Body, the procedure for reviewing their achievement and the respective responsibilities of the State Body and the Department in this regard. The Arrangement is also to facilitate performance evaluation between a State Body and the Department whilst respecting the operational independence of the Body. The document can be amended by Line Divisions as circumstances require in relation to the individual State Bodies. The Arrangement envisages a six-monthly or annual meeting, as appropriate, between officials and the Department and the State Body.
In relation to two of the four Commercial bodies, Coillte and the Irish National Stud, the format of an Oversight and Performance Agreement does not apply. A Shareholder Letter of Expectation, developed by DPER, is deemed by the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies to be the Oversight Agreement with these bodies. Coillte is the sole New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA) body under DAFM auspices. The NewERA approach is to facilitate an enhanced level of active ownership by the State as shareholder via the Shareholder Letter of Expectation. Under its legislation, NewERA has specific responsibility to provide financial and commercial advice to the Minister in relation to Coillte.
The arrangements for the appointment of members to the Boards of State Bodies are set out in the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards published in 2014. In accordance with the Guidelines, all vacancies (subject to specified exceptions) are advertised openly on the State Boards portal, operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Applications are then processed by way of a transparent assessment system designed and implemented by PAS to support the Minister in making appointments to State Boards under his/her remit. Applicants are shortlisted through this process for Ministerial appointment. Appointments meet specific and detailed criteria determined in consultation with key stakeholders (such as the current Chair of the State Board concerned and the Public Appointments Service) as necessary for the effective performance of the relevant role(s). However, in some instances, representative or other bodies may have the right, either statutory or by convention, to nominate Board Members. Currently, there is a particular focus on enhancing gender balance on the boards of State Bodies, to support greater diversity and effectiveness.
For information on Service Level Agreements please contact data.protection@agriculture.gov.ie
The Farmers Charter of Rights 2015 - 2020 was agreed following discussions with the farming organisations. The Charter runs in tandem with the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). A new CAP was due to be put in place for 2021 however negotiations are still ongoing at EU level and a transition period has been agreed. It was agreed by all parties to the Farmers Charter that the existing Charter would continue until such time as a new CAP has been put in place. The Charter sets out specific delivery targets to our farmer customers and includes the following schemes:
• Basic Payment Scheme and Greening Payments;
• Areas of Natural Constraint;
• Beef Data and Genomics Programmes;
• Knowledge Transfer Schemes;
• REPS;
• AEOS;
• GLAS;
• Organic Farming Scheme;
• TAMS II;
• Forestry Grant and Premium Schemes;
• Horticulture;
• Animal Health Schemes;
• Sheep Welfare;
• Young Farmers Scheme;
• Burren Scheme;
• National Reserve.
The Farmers' Charter continues our commitment to the principles of Quality Customer Service set out in our Customer Charter and Action Plan gov.ie - Customer Service . Progress under the Charter is monitored by a review committee under an independent chairman. The committee is comprised of representatives of farm organisations and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine staff.
Further information regarding the Farmers' Charter of Rights can be obtained from
Quality Service Unit
Address:
Communications and Corporate Affairs Division, Pavilion A, Grattan Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
, R32 K857
Phone number:
A Customer Charter and Customer Action Plan is also in place. This Customer Charter is a clear statement describing the level of service our customers can expect from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Our Customer Action Plan which follows this Customer Charter describes in detail how the commitments and standards set out in our Customer Charter, and other customer service improvements, will be delivered and evaluated by the Department.
Information on schemes and services provided by the Department can be found here . The website provides details of all of the schemes and services provided by the Department, and in relation to schemes, how to apply, eligibility, rates of payment, Terms and Conditions, right of Appeal.
The Department engages in Public Consultations in relation to any major policy proposals. These Consultations can be found here
The majority of schemes administered by the Department are approved under EU Regulations. Terms and Conditions of the various schemes specify the requirements and obligations for compliance with all schemes and decisions regarding compliance and payments are made in accordance with the Regulations and the Terms and Conditions.
The Departments Annual Accounts are published here
The Annual Appropriation Account of the Department is audited by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. The most recent audited account is the 2021 Appropriation Account.
This Account includes information on ex-gratia payments made by the Department in 2021.
The Departments Estimated Expenditure for 2023 is €1.788bn inclusive of appropriations in aid and exclusive of EU funding of c. €1.186bn. €27.5m is available by way of the application for capital supply services of unspent appropriations, the surrender of which may be deferred under Section 91 of the Finance Act 2004. Further information on this can be found here
In line with EU Regulations 1306/2013 the Department publishes the CAP beneficiaries data . Beneficiaries of CAP funding for both legal and non-legal persons remain available for two years from the date of initial publication.
It is the Department’s policy that the procurement function:
• operates to the highest standards of financial management in full compliance with EU and national procurement rules and requirements,
• applies the principles of equal treatment, transparency and value for money; and
• implements best practice relating to public procurement.
The Department publishes on a quarterly basis, public contracts with a value of €25k or greater awarded for Works or Goods and Services. The following details are included:
Whether this is an award for a single contract or an award from a framework,
Name of winning contractor and legal address,
Value of the contract (exclusive of VAT),
Type of Contract (Works or Goods and Services),
Contract Award Date,
Duration of contract in months,
Brief description of contract.
The following processes are undertaken for public procurement competitions:
Central framework contracts are put in place by the OGP and other Public Sector Bodies e.g. The Educational Procurement Service (EPS) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). In accordance with public sector reform of procurement, the OGP is responsible for centralising the public procurement function for the public service.
In circumstances where the OGP or another public body has put in place central frameworks that facilitates DAFM requirements, DAFM will source procurement requirements directly from those contracts. This can take the form of mini-competitions or direct draw down.
Requests for tenders for works or goods and for which central framework contracts are not in place, and for which the respective estimated value exceeds the financial thresholds (exclusive of VAT) referred to in Directive 2014/24/EU on public procurement and as implemented by S.I. No. 284/2016; Directive 2014/25/EU on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and as implemented by S.I. No. 286/2016; and Directive 2014/23/EU on the award of concession contracts and as implemented by S.I. No. 203/2017, are published in the Official Journal of the EU and advertised on the government e-tenders website www.etenders.gov.ie.
The current financial thresholds are as follows:
| Works | |
| Contract Notice €5,350,000 | Threshold applies to Government Departments and Offices, Local and Regional Authorities and public bodies |
| Goods and Services | |
| Contract Notice €139,000 | Threshold applies to Government Departments and Offices |
These thresholds are reviewed by the EU Commission every two years, with the next review due 1st January 2022.
• Published on national etenders website:
Requests for tenders for goods and services for which central framework contracts are not in place and that have an estimated value above €25,000 and below €139,000 are advertised on the government etenders website
Requests for tenders for works that have an estimated value above €50,000 and below €5,350,000 are advertised on the government etenders website
- Requests for tenders issued directly to suppliers
Requests for tenders for works or goods and services that have an estimated value of below €5,000 and for which central framework contracts are not in place are purchased on the basis of email quotes from at least three competitive suppliers or service providers;
Requests for tenders for goods and services that have an estimated value of below €25,000 and above €5,000 and for which central or framework contracts are not in place are purchased on the basis of responses to a specification sent by DAFM by e-mail to at least three suppliers or service providers;
Requests for tenders for works requirements that have an estimated value of below €50,000 and above €5,000 and for which central framework contracts are not in place are purchased on the basis of responses to a specification sent by DAFM by e-mail to at least five suppliers or service providers to tender.
In order to access current Requests for Tenders on the e-tenders website suppliers are required to register an interest on-line on etenders .