Joe Costello
Question:53 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the rate REPS 4 payments will be when payments are made in October-December 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20165/09]
Written Answers.
The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].
Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, answered orally.
Questions Nos. 7 to 41, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 42 to 52, inclusive, answered orally.
Grant Payments.
At the time of the Supplementary Budget, in April, I indicated that, given the pressures on the public finances and having considered other alternatives, I had decided to reverse the seventeen per cent increase in REPS 4 payments. The effect of this decision is to bring REPS 4 payment levels back to the current REPS 3 levels. This reduced level of payment will be applied to REPS 4 payments made in respect of 2009.
Given that the closing date for the 2009 REPS scheme passed on Friday last, 15th May, my Department is now in the process of determining the final number of applications. While the majority of applications were prepared on eREPS, use of that system did not become compulsory until February and, by then, a substantial number of plans had been prepared manually or on other systems.
The first instalment of 75 per cent will be paid as soon as all administrative checks have been completed and I anticipate that this will be around October next. The remaining 25 per cent will be paid as soon as all on-the-spot inspections have been completed, which should be in December.
REPS has been particularly successful in meeting environmental imperatives and consumer demands for environmentally-friendly food production and the necessity to reduce the payment levels reflect its success and the participation levels.
In view of the decision to reduce the payment levels, my Department has indicated our willingness to examine the obligations imposed on participating farmers and, only last week, my officials met with the farming organisations to discuss this particular issue. I should say, however, that the undertakings in the REPS 4 scheme have been agreed with the European Commission and any changes to those undertakings can be introduced only with the approval of the Commission.
By 31st December 2008, my Department had received 12,146 REPS 4 applications. As of today, payments have issued to 9,332 applicants and a further 418 cases have been approved for payment in the coming days.
EU Funding.
Johnny Brady
Question:54 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the use of additional modulated funds negotiated at the 2008 CAP health check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20325/09]
Under the Health Check agreement €120 million in additional modulation funds will be allocated to Ireland's Rural Development Programme over a four year period beginning in 2010. This funding may only be spent on measures addressing the new and ongoing challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation, renewable energies, water management, biodiversity, innovation measures relating to these areas and the restructuring of the dairy sector.
I requested submissions on the measures to be funded by modulation from the bodies consulted on the initial draft of the Rural Development Programme. Almost forty submissions were received and they cover a broad area including agri environment measures, energy crops, forestry, the dairy sector and environmental projects in rural communities. Any measures to be funded must fit in with existing measures in the RD Regulation and must be clearly linked to the new challenges. The additional modulation must be co-financed from national funds at the rate of 25%.
I am currently considering how these funds can be used to optimum effect to develop Irish agriculture within the terms laid down in the EU regulations and also taking account of the current budgetary constraints. All submissions received have been examined carefully and will be a useful input to my decisions on these matters. The revised Rural Development Strategy and Programme must be submitted to the Commission by 15 July 2009 and the funds will become available in 2010.
EU Directives.
Lucinda Creighton
Question:55 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if future inspection arrangements for the nitrates directive will be carried out by his Department or the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government; the discussions he has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20232/09]
Inspections to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations are undertaken by my Department. The Department's inspectors currently undertake all on-farm cross-compliance inspections, including checks for compliance with the Nitrates Regulations and have considerable expertise in this area.
On-farm inspections are also required under the EU Water Framework Directive which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
My objective is to ensure that the duplication of on-farm inspections is avoided for practical reasons, to minimise costs and to simplify the inspection arrangements from the farmer's perspective.
Discussions are taking place between officials of my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to finalise the necessary arrangements in relation to inspections.
Food Industry.
Liz McManus
Question:56 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is in a position to regulate retailers in order that market share wars do not end up costing farmers their livelihoods and jobs in the food processing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20176/09]
While the relationship between the food industry and the retail trade is essentially a matter between the parties themselves, there are specific provisions in competition law that extend to business relationships, including relationships between suppliers and retailers. These provisions prohibit various anti-competitive practices, including price-fixing, abusing a dominant position, requesting "hello" money and imposing resale price maintenance.
In that specific regard, the House will be aware that the Tánaiste has requested the Competition Authority to conduct a study of the retail import/distribution sector as to how competition is working in the sector and whether there are any practices or methods of competition that are affecting the supply of goods or services. The Tánaiste has recently received the Authority's report and is currently examining its conclusions and intends to publish the report shortly.
The Government appreciates fully the value of the food sector to the Irish economy, not least in terms of the employment provided, and is committed to its ongoing support in terms of investment and innovation. We will continue to work with the industry to address the ongoing competitive pressures and to ensure that the industry continues to produce high-quality food product that is more than capable of competing with any comparable product at home or abroad.
EU Directives.
James Reilly
Question:57 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the consultation he has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with regard to ensuring compliance measures under the water frameworks directive are appropriate; the implications he envisages this directive will have for the farming community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/09]
The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister has established seven River Basin District Projects whose responsibilities include the development of management plans for each River Basin District, designed to achieve the water quality objectives required by the Water Framework Directive.
Draft management plans have been published for public consultation and it is open to all stakeholders to make an input to the process on or before 22 June 2009. My Department will also be providing its views, as appropriate, as part of that consultation process.
The Nitrates Regulations are the primary instrument for addressing water quality issues relating to the agriculture sector. Agriculture can make a major contribution to the achievement of the overall Water Framework Directive water quality objectives and I believe it is already doing so through the efforts being made by farmers in meeting their responsibilities under the Nitrates Regulations.
Inspections to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations are undertaken by my Department. My Department's inspectors currently undertake all on-farm cross-compliance inspections, including checks for compliance with the Nitrates Regulations and have considerable expertise in this area.
On farm inspections are also required under the EU Water Framework Directive which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment,Heritage and Local Government.
My objective is to ensure that the duplication of on-farm inspections is avoided for practical reasons, to minimise costs and to simplify the inspection arrangements from the farmer's perspective.
Discussions are taking place between officials of my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to finalise the necessary arrangements in relation to inspections.
Departmental Staff.
Kathleen Lynch
Question:58 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of personnel within his Department whose work involves the inspection of farms; if there will be a reduction in the number of inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20173/09]
There are currently a total of 372 inspectors involved in farm inspections in relation to schemes operated by my Department.
My Department's Management Services Division is engaged in a number of reviews related to staff currently involved in the inspection of farms. The number of inspectors involved in such work will continue to be examined in the light of these reviews.
Common Agricultural Policy.
John Cregan
Question:59 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied with the assistance provided by the EU Commission to support dairy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20321/09]
The Common Agricultural Policy of the EU provides a range of measures that can be utilised to assist the European dairy market. Those measures have been modified over recent years, in the Mid Term Review of the CAP in 2003 and in the Health Check last year. In those negotiations I argued strongly in favour of keeping the critical market instruments in place and of using them effectively. These measures are now being used to help the sector at this difficult time.
Most of the support schemes had been suspended from 2007 as prices were at record high levels. When the situation deteriorated in 2008 I called on the Commissioner to reintroduce appropriate market supports. The Commission has acted over recent months to address the situation. They initially responded last November by bringing forward the operation of the private storage scheme for butter. Following that, in January, the Commissioner announced the re-introduction of refunds for export of dairy products outside the EU.
In March the Intervention schemes for butter and skimmed milk powder were opened. I met with the Commissioner to discuss the market situation and stressed the importance of continuing to accept butter and SMP into intervention at effective levels. Since the intervention limits were reached the Commission has continued to buy butter and SMP into intervention at prices close to the fixed price under the tendering system. I also called for the continued use of export refunds at viable levels to move significant quantities of product from the EU.
Apart from pressing the EU Commission I have also raised the matter with my colleagues at the Council of Agriculture Ministers, most recently at the April meeting. I drew attention to the serious difficulties on the milk market where the severe slump in demand has led to a dramatic fall in prices. There was considerable support around the table and I will continue to build on that in the coming weeks. Milk will feature again on the agenda of the Agriculture Council and I will once again reiterate my views to the Commission and the Council.
The EU Commission actions in implementing the available support measures have helped to stabilise the market. However, I will continue to monitor the situation and intervene again with the Commissioner as the market circumstances evolve, including at next week's Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels.
Sheep Identification Scheme.
John O'Mahony
Question:60 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether proposals on the electronic identification of sheep are likely to result in losses to the sheep industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20293/09]
The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be definitively set for 31 December 2009.
I am of the view that the introduction of compulsory electronic identification (EID) of sheep should not have been decided on until it could be clearly demonstrated that its introduction would have clear benefits for all farmers.
I have also used every opportunity in EU discussions, both at Council and at bilateral level, to seek the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis.
However there is no appetite amongst the majority of Member States or the Commission for any further deferral of the deadline of 31 December 2009, or for the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis.
My Department is in the process of consulting stakeholders on the state of play in relation to EID in sheep. I am anxious that all Irish concerns are taken into account in whatever system is finally implemented. These discussions are taking place without prejudice to my continuing view that EID should be introduced on a voluntary basis.
I should also point out that under the EU legislation, EID will not apply to sheep born before January 2010, nor generally will there be a need to retag existing sheep.
Furthermore provision is made whereby lambs intended for slaughter and less than 12 months old can be permanently excluded from the EID requirement. If this provision is applied by Ireland, it will reduce the number of animals affected by EID substantively. In these circumstances, the introduction of sheep EID will be confined largely to new or replacement breeding stock and will take a number of years to impact fully on the sector.
Farm Waste Management.
Seamus Kirk
Question:61 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress being made by him to complete farm waste management inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20317/09]
Seymour Crawford
Question:62 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects that the remainder of the farm waste management grants will be inspected; when the first payment will be made; if he is satisfied sufficient staff have been made available to inspect the projects at farm level, to process the applications at office level and to have them sanctioned for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19986/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 62.
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.
It is intended that the first instalment of 40 per cent will have been paid by my Department in respect of all approved claims by end-June 2009 and my Department keeps its staffing arrangements in local offices under constant review in order to ensure that payments continue to flow in a timely manner to farmers under the Scheme. In addition, revised arrangements have been introduced by my Department to expedite the approval procedures involved.
EU Funding.
Johnny Brady
Question:63 Deputy Johnny Brady asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has had discussions with the farm organisations regarding the possible use to which the unused CAP funds and modulated funds might be put; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/09]
As part of the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP which was adopted earlier this year, Member States may utilise unspent Single Farm Payment (CAP) funds targeted at specific sectors to address economic disadvantages affecting farmers. I was instrumental in securing this agreement and in addition I successfully negotiated for the use of the National Reserve element of these funds from 2009. In this regard I have already announced that the available monies for 2009 which amount to approximately €7millon will be paid to hill sheep farmers as a once off payment in 2009 in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. This payment will benefit approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers.
For the following three years, 2010, 2011 and 2012, in the region of €25m will be available annually. I have consulted widely with all relevant stakeholders including the farming organisations on the possible use of these funds. A number of submissions have been received and these are being carefully considered having regard to the provisions of the regulations and the objective of achieving the most effective and efficient outcome for the development of Irish agriculture.
As regards modulation monies amounting to €120m approx over a four year period, the consultation process which involved all interested stakeholders including the farming organisations, is complete. In addition there have been individual discussions with a number of the farming organisations who have submitted specific proposals for these funds. The Monitoring Committee for the Rural Development Programme which includes representatives from all the farming organisations will also be consulted. As in the case of the unspent funds, decisions on spending will be taken on the basis of the regulatory requirements and with the aim of achieving the optimum outcome for the development of Irish agriculture.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Simon Coveney
Question:64 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether delays and difficulties in processing REP scheme four applications will result in some applicants keen to participate in the scheme not being provided the opportunity to do so; if he will adopt a flexible approach in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20253/09]
In the administration of REPS applications my Department, as an accredited paying agency, must respect the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. My Department must therefore ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. Applications are subjected to checks to confirm this and my Department has no option but to reject those which do not meet essential eligibility conditions, including the deadline of 15 May for the submission of applications. I have directed my officials to approach the European Commission officials to see what flexibility, if any, can be allowed in respect of ineligible applications for 2008 which were not rectified and resubmitted before the May 15 deadline.
Food Industry.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:65 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has fully examined all the implications of the ongoing World Trade Organisation discussions for the food producing sectors here with particular reference to ensuring these sectors are not penalised or disadvantaged in any way having particular regard for the need of employment generation in the future; if he envisages threats from low-cost economies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20312/09]
The current position in regard to the WTO negotiations is that talks are stalled following the failure to reach agreement at the Ministerial meeting last July and the decision to defer indefinitely a second Ministerial meeting planned for last December. The G20 meeting in April provided no new momentum for the negotiations and nor did it set a date for a conclusion of the talks this year. The prospects for agreement are uncertain, however, it is difficult to see serious negotiations restarting until later this year at the earliest.
Several initiatives are underway to anticipate and prepare for the more competitive environment facing the agri-food sector in expectation of a WTO deal at some point in the future and to address other challenges facing the sector.
Strategies for the development of a consumer focused, competitive and sustainable agri-food sector capable of meeting the challenges of more liberalised markets and broader societal demands both at home and abroad are set out in the Agri-vision 2015 report and the Cawley Report. These strategies identify the delivery of safe, high quality, nutritious food, produced in a sustainable manner in high value markets as the optimum road for the future of the Irish food industry in the light of the changes which have already taken place or are anticipated over the next number of years and span the entire food chain from primary production through processing to market access which is key to developing export potential.
An inter-Departmental Market Access Group chaired by my Department and comprising representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara is currently engaged in a co-ordinated effort to identify potential market opportunities for the full range of Irish food and beverages, prioritisation of market initiatives and broader access issues.
Bord Bia, recently published a Strategy to boost food exports for the period 2009-2011. The strategy comprises six key priorities to be addressed including enhancing the industry's position on its home market to capitalise on the potential for growth and expansion of exports with a particular emphasis on the Eurozone markets. During 2009 Bord Bia will implement a comprehensive set of promotional programmes and services, which have been developed in consultation with industry bearing in mind the impact of the sterling differential on competitiveness.
Aquaculture Development.
Seán Connick
Question:66 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the new EU strategy for the development of the aquaculture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20329/09]
The EU Commission published in April 2009 the document "Building a Sustainable Future for Aquaculture" in a Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and Council. The strategy was published following consultations with stakeholders including the representative organisation for aquaculture in Ireland, IFA Aquaculture.
EU Commissioner Borg presented the new EU Strategy for development of the aquaculture sector at the April EU Fisheries Council. At the Council I noted that aquaculture is the fastest growing food production in the world and that global production now exceeds 50m tonnes per year. I pointed out that the Irish Aquaculture industry is well placed to capitalise on the growth in demand for aquaculture products in Europe. I wholeheartedly welcomed this comprehensive and wide ranging Strategy Document with its emphasis on environmental sustainability, safety and quality of EU aquaculture production. I pointed out that the strategy, with meaningful stakeholder inclusion, has the potential to provide the appropriate framework for the sustainable development of the EU aquaculture sector. In the current global economic environment I believe we can further develop the Irish Aquaculture Industry in a sustainable manner to maximise the undoubted potential that exists.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Ulick Burke
Question:67 Deputy Ulick Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether difficulties in processing REP scheme four applications will result in a number of farmers falling outside of the qualifying criteria for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20242/09]
In the administration of REPS applications my Department, as an accredited paying agency, must respect the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. My Department must therefore ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. Applications are subjected to checks to confirm this and my Department has no option but to reject those which do not meet essential eligibility conditions, including the deadline of 15 May for the submission of applications. I have directed my officials to approach the European Commission officials to see what flexibility, if any, can be allowed in respect of ineligible applications for 2008 which were not rectified and resubmitted before the May 15 deadline.
Afforestation Programme.
Seán Barrett
Question:68 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the predicted decrease made by his Department in planting due to the reduction in forestry premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20154/09]
Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and I ensured that the funding for 5,500 hectares of new afforestation in 2009 has been maintained. I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:69 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the forecast made by him of increased unemployment in the forestry industry due to the reduction in forestry premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20148/09]
Maintaining an active afforestation programme is an important step in sustaining the forestry sector and all its related employment. Following the budget of April 7, funding for 5,500 hectares of new forestry planting in 2009 has been retained. I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009 given the continued availability of grants to cover establishment costs. Achievement of this level of planting will help to sustain the current levels of employment within the industry.
Common Agricultural Policy.
Tom Sheahan
Question:70 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had with his EU counterparts with regard to agriculture priorities under the Czech EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20301/09]
The main agriculture priorities of the Czech Presidency are to continue discussions on simplification of the CAP and on the future of the CAP with a particular focus on the system of direct payments and differences between Member States.
As regards the CAP simplification dossier, I and my officials have participated actively in a series of discussions among a group of Member States to produce a list of concrete proposals for simplification covering, inter alia, the rural development area, cross compliance and the definition of eligible land in the Single Payment Regulation. These proposals were well received by other Member States and the Commission at the most recent Agriculture Council in April. They will set the agenda for upcoming discussions and decisions on simplification and we have secured a commitment that the Agriculture Council will revert to measure progress made on this dossier later in the year.
As to the future of the CAP, I and my officials have visited or met counterparts from a number of other Member States to gain an understanding of their particular approach to the future of the CAP and to press Ireland's views on the shape of future EU agricultural policy. In addition to the informal interaction with all my Ministerial colleagues in the margins of the monthly Agriculture Council, I and my Officials have had formal meetings with Commissioner Fischer Boel and with a number of other Member States.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Olwyn Enright
Question:71 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the representations he will make to the European Commission with regard to a reduction in compliance measures under the REP scheme in view of recent budgetary cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/09]
The withdrawal of the 17% increase in REPS 4 rates of payments was a necessary response to the pressures on the public finances and the number of applications for REPS 4 expected by the closing date of 15 May.
The undertakings in the REPS 4 Scheme have been agreed with the European Commission and any changes to such undertakings can be introduced only with the approval of the Commission. I have indicated my willingness to examine the situation and to raise the matter with the Commission and, in that context, my officials have begun discussions with the farming organisations.
Joan Burton
Question:72 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of REP scheme four farmers who suffered a penalty to date; the monetary amount involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20164/09]
A proportion of REPS 4 applications were found to be deficient and were subject to a reduction in their first-year payments in the range of 1% to 5%. The recording of these penalties required additional computer programming which took some time; therefore not all have yet been recorded and the exact number and monetary amount involved cannot be provided at this stage.
Afforestation Programme.
Dan Neville
Question:73 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether it is possible that Ireland will meet its afforestation targets in view of the recent cutbacks in premia and the resulting negative effect this has had on the confidence of farmers in the scheme generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20285/09]
Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and funding for 5,500 hectares of new planting in 2009 has been preserved. I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009. With the continued availability of grants to cover establishment costs the overall planting package should still provide an attractive land-use option for farmers.
The expansion of Ireland's forest estate has been a policy objective of successive Irish Governments and this Government is committed to maintaining that policy.
Grant Payments.
Seamus Kirk
Question:74 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects all of the first 40% instalments of the remaining farm waste management grants to be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20318/09]
Michael Creed
Question:103 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in inspections and payments under the farm waste management scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20206/09]
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:110 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the date by which all first 40% tranche of farm waste management payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20161/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 103 and 110 together.
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.
It is intended that the first instalment of 40 per cent will have been paid by my Department in respect of all approved claims by end-June 2009 and my Department keeps its staffing arrangements in local offices under constant review in order to ensure that payments continue to flow in a timely manner to farmers under the Scheme. In addition, revised arrangements have been introduced by my Department to expedite the approval procedures involved.
Willie Penrose
Question:75 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if an 8% levy has been applied to forestry premia on a retrospective basis; if so, the reason payment that was due at the end of March 2009 was delayed until 5 May 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20182/09]
Following the supplementary budget on 7 April, an 8% reduction was applied to forestry premiums. This reduction applies to all premiums for 2009 onwards; it does not apply to any premiums in respect of the years prior to 2009. The forestry premiums are paid annually in late March or early April. Issues relating to the implementation of the reduction had to be addressed before payment was made this year.
Terence Flanagan
Question:76 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will clarify his intentions with regard to a review of REP scheme three payments as indicated in his April 2009 budget statement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20264/09]
Given the pressures on the public finances and the level of up-take of REPS 4, I decided that it was necessary to reverse the 17% increase in REPS 4 payments and this reduction applies to REPS 4 payments in respect of 2009.
The closing date for REPS applications for 2009 has now passed. When the number of applications has been determined, I will be in a position to assess what level of financial commitment is involved and in this context it may be necessary to review the payment level for REPS 3 participants.
I will also be initiating a review of the scheme in the context of the overall level of participation, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".
Bovine Diseases.
Margaret Conlon
Question:77 Deputy Margaret Conlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied the contingency arrangements are adequate to deal with an outbreak of bluetongue; if he proposes to introduce additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20323/09]
A contingency plan for the control of bluetongue disease has been drawn up, as required under EU legislation. Operational details in the plan include the drawing of control, protection and surveillance zones around the infected holding, with associated movement restrictions within and between these zones, the confining of animals indoors, the control and eradication of the vector by use of insecticides, entomological surveillance (light traps) and vaccination over a period of years.
All involved in the livestock sector have an obligation in the national interest to ensure that Ireland remains bluetongue free. The highest risk of the introduction of bluetongue into Ireland is via an imported animal.
In this regard I have a threefold message for all importers. Firstly, they should not import any animals from bluetongue affected areas. By so doing they are putting their farms and the entire industry in jeopardy. Certain types of imports are permitted but while the controls in place under the EU legislation reduce the risk of bluetongue spread, they cannot guarantee freedom from the risk of introducing infection. This is further complicated by the presence of various strains of bluetongue virus on the Continent. Vaccinating against one particular strain does not protect an animal from another strain which may be circulating.
Secondly, if cattle and sheep importers choose to ignore this advice and import animals from bluetongue affected areas on the Continent, a two test regime for these animals will apply following their import into Ireland. The first test is at the importers expense, to be carried out by his private Veterinary practitioner and is to take place on the farm of destination on day 1 post import. The second test takes place on day 7 post import also on the farm, and is carried out by Veterinarians from my Department's local office. The introduction of this second test may allow earlier detection of an infected animal.
Thirdly — should the results of these tests show that the imported animal is bluetongue virus positive, it will be immediately slaughtered without compensation. Importers should be aware of the financial exposure as well as the disease risk they are facing both to their own herd and to the national herd.
Similar measures are in place in Northern Ireland which is also bluetongue free. All bluetongue disease information can be found on the dedicated page of my Department's website: www.bluetongue.ie.
In summary, I am satisfied that we have appropriate contingency arrangements in place to deal with an outbreak of bluetongue. However, I believe that we must continue to focus on keeping the disease out of Ireland. In this context I would hope that no-one would import animals from bluetongue affected areas.
Farm Waste Management.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:78 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers awaiting inspection and payment under the farm waste management scheme; when inspections will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/09]
On 1 January 2009, 17,397 payment claims remained to be processed to payment stage under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. To date in 2009, 9,386 payments totalling almost €130 million have been made to farmers under the Scheme. Processing of the remaining claims continues and payment of the first instalment of 40 per cent will be made by my Department in respect of these claims as soon as they are approved.
It is hoped that all approved claims will have been paid their first instalment of grant-aid by my Department by end-June 2009.
Afforestation Programme.
James Bannon
Question:79 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he received advice from the Attorney General regarding the legality of adjusting the contract with 16,000 farmers under the afforestation scheme to reduce the forestry premiums by 8%; if he is satisfied with that advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20153/09]
I sought legal advice from the Legal Services Division in my Department prior to making adjustments to the current forestry premium rates. The forestry premiums under the afforestation scheme were reduced following receipt of this advice.
EU Funding.
Shane McEntee
Question:80 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the areas of investment he is considering for unused CAP funds available in 2010; when he will make an announcement in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/09]
Ruairí Quinn
Question:90 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if unused CAP single payment funds will be allocated to the sheep sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20183/09]
Bobby Aylward
Question:112 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his further plans to introduce additional supports for the sheep industry here, particularly from the unused CAP funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20316/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80, 90 and 112 together.
As part of the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP which was adopted earlier this year, Member States may utilise unspent Single Farm Payment (CAP) funds to provide support to farmers for:
specific economic disadvantages affecting the dairy, beef and veal, sheep and goat and rice sectors,
types of farming which protect or enhance the environment,
improving the quality and promotion of agricultural products,
enhanced animal welfare standards,
the prevention of land abandonment, and
contributions for crop animal and plant insurance premiums as well as support for animal and plant diseases.
I was instrumental in securing this agreement and in addition I successfully negotiated for the use of the National Reserve element of these funds from 2009. In this regard I have already announced that the available monies for 2009, which amount to approximately €7millon, will be paid to hill sheep farmers as a once off payment in 2009 in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. This payment will benefit approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers.
From 2010 for a period of three years, Ireland will have access to additional funds of the order of €25 million annually from unspent CAP funds. My main priority in allocating these funds is to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture.
Having consulted widely with all stakeholders I am considering all proposals received including those for the sheep sector and I will be making an announcement in relation to the use of these funds in the coming weeks.
Forest Recreational Facilities.
Bernard Allen
Question:81 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress made on the plans to provide high rope adventure courses in forests here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/09]
As previously advised to the House, following approaches from a number of potential aerial trail operators interested in operating such facilities on Coillte lands, the company examined the issue of locating aerial trail adventure systems in a small number of appropriate locations across the country, which is part of the company's strategy to improve the recreational facilities in the forest estate and promote its value as a recreational resource.
I understand from Coillte that it ran a competition for interested parties and received proposals from commercial operators on the operation of aerial trail adventure systems on its properties and that the operator Jungle Parc was chosen as the preferred operator. Planning permission has been granted to Jungle Parc to operate such a facility at Lough Key Forest Park in conjunction with Coillte's joint venture company, Moylurg Rockingham, but no works have yet commenced.
Sheep Industry.
Deirdre Clune
Question:82 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the recent Central Statistics Office statistics which show that the number of sheep in the national herd has fallen to its lowest level in 23 years; his further views on whether policy initiatives aimed at the sheep industry are adequate in addressing the decline of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/09]
Denis Naughten
Question:109 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to support the sheep industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19982/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 109 together.
The recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office indicate the difficulties faced by the sheep industry. The decline in the Irish sheep sector is not an isolated phenomenon. Similar declines are evident in most of the sheep-producing countries of Europe. The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group recognised the problems facing the industry and put forward a series of recommendations to address them. Some considerable progress has been made by my Department in implementing the Group's recommendations which are within its remit. These include: A new company called ‘Sheep Ireland' which will take over the Department's current breed improvement programme has been established to develop a new programme. An interim Sheep Board, comprising representatives of farming organisations and breeders has been established to oversee this process, with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) providing the technical and professional service required.
My Department secured European Commission approval for a new supplementary measure in REPS 4 promoting mixed grazing of cattle and sheep. Under this supplementary measure a farmer can qualify for a top up on his or her basic REPS payment. A trial to examine the feasibility of mechanical carcass classification for lamb was conducted last year. The results of this trial are being analysed. It is hoped that the system will allow for the accurate and objective mechanical classification of lamb carcasses and will gain universal industry support. This would aid greatly in price transparency, which is a prerequisite for efforts to improve quality and respond to the needs of the market.
The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established in 2007. This Scheme which is operated by Bord Bia, now has over 7000 participants and it is hoped to increase the participation rate during the current year. Bord Bia has intensified its efforts to promote lamb on home and export markets. Together with its UK and French counterparts it is part of a generic promotion campaign on the important French market.
Teagasc have developed a comprehensive plan to restructure their sheep support services, including a programme for Technology Evaluation and Transfer farms, which include hill and lowland areas. This approach will provide an opportunity to develop a dialogue with sheep farmers about the application of the latest management practices to their enterprises and to identify research and development needs.
The actions being taken by my Department and the state agencies under its aegis are in addition to those being taken by the Industry. I am satisfied that taken together, all of these actions will in the long term, be of significant benefit to the sheep sector. It should also be pointed out that this sector benefits significantly from the main schemes operated by my Department — the Single Farm Payment, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and REPS. I was also conscious of the needs of the sheep sector in deciding that the €7 million available from the National Reserve in 2009, should be used on the sector. That funding will be used on a new Uplands Sheep Payment this year, which is expected to benefit approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers. In addition, Bord Bia will spend up to €1 million on the promotion of sheep and lamb at home and abroad in 2009, and Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research.
You will also be aware that under the final agreement on the Health Check of the CAP, Ireland will have access to additional funds of the order of €25 million annually from unspent CAP funds from 2010. In accordance with the requirements of the regulation, these funds can be used to address specific disadvantages affecting farmers in the dairy, beef and veal, sheep and goat and other sectors. My main priority in allocating these funds is to ensure that they are used in the most efficient and effective manner for the development of Irish agriculture. Having consulted widely with all stakeholders, I am currently examining all proposals received, including those for the sheep sector and I hope to make an announcement in relation to the use of these funds in the coming weeks.
Suckler Cow Quota.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:83 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he plans to reduce the life span of the suckler cow welfare scheme to facilitate the annual payment of €80 per cow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20185/09]
The EU Regulation relating to rural development programmes, which sets out the framework for schemes such as the Suckler Welfare Scheme, requires that commitments must be for a period of 5 to 7 years. While the Suckler Welfare Scheme is fully funded by the Exchequer, approval to proceed was required under the EU State Aids regime. The objectives of the Scheme are to improve animal welfare standards, breeding practices and the quality of the national beef herd. The State Aid application for the Scheme was prepared by my Department and approved by the EU Commission on the basis that a 5 year programme was a realistic and credible timescale for the realization of these objectives. I remain of the view that the Scheme objectives would be best realized over that period.
The Deputy may be aware that in the context of the Supplementary Budget, I announced that the rate of premium under the Scheme for 2009 would be €40 per animal.
Grant Payments.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:84 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there are funds available to farmers who are suffering financial hardship due to the deferred payment of the farm waste management grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20150/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.
Animal Diseases.
Andrew Doyle
Question:85 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the co-ordinating action being taken with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to address the outbreak of canine brucellosis; the action being taken to stop the spread of this disease; and if he will make a commitment to the regulation of the welfare of the animals in dog farms here in view of the lack of regulation in this sector at present. [19979/09]
With regard to the case in question my officials have been in contact with the Local Authority Veterinary Service in the area and have offered to provide, if requested, any advice within my Department's area of competence. Canine brucellosis is not a notifiable disease and it does not pose a threat to the bovine herd. The disease, if confirmed, in dogs at the establishment in question would be a matter, in the first instance, for the breeder involved and his private veterinary practitioner. With regard to dog welfare regulation, the position is that my Department is drafting an Animal Health and Welfare Bill which aims to update existing legislation in the area of health and welfare to ensure that the welfare of all animals, including non-farm animals, is properlyprotected. My Department has no direct responsibility in regulating dog-breeding establishments.
Food Industry.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:86 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the plans for a debate with relevant stakeholders on the future of food production in Europe in view of the fact that major changes are expected to take place in 2013 in terms of the way the EU handles its food policy and farm family incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/09]
A first policy debate on the future of CAP after 2013 took place at the Informal Agriculture Council in September last year. While a large majority of Member States favoured maintaining a strong EU agriculture policy, there were marked differences in emphasis from different Member States. The French Presidency took discussions forward and the Czech Presidency has continued the debate in the first months of 2009.
Notwithstanding discussions to date, concrete proposals have yet to emerge on the shape of EU agriculture policy beyond 2013. Among the ideas emerging are: demands from some Member States for a lower budget share for agriculture and for eventual dismantling of CAP; demands from new Member States for "re-balancing" of Member States' shares of agricultural funding; Increased calls for changes to the Single Payment system to move from the historic model and to apply a "flatter" model of direct payments; Calls for a greater focus on pillar 2 and introduction of more specific selection criteria and indicators to measure the effectiveness, outputs and impacts of rural development programmes; Continuing pressures to reduce supply and market management mechanisms with a greater reliance on crisis management.
I am examining the options and possibilities being put forward with a view to determining what policies will serve Irish agriculture best in the years to come and I will be consulting fully with stakeholders on this starting later in the year. In this connection and following on from the very successful Agri-food 2010 and Agri-Vision 2015 initiatives, I have already decided that it is necessary to prepare an updated national strategy for the agri-food sector to adapt to forthcoming challenges, to maintain and improve its competitiveness and to underline its vital role in Ireland's economy. Currently my Department is engaged in preparatory analysis for this process, following which the consultation process with stakeholders will commence in the latter part of the year.
Departmental Offices.
John Deasy
Question:87 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proposals to rationalise the office network within his Department nationwide; the assessments conducted on the impact of this decision for service delivery and staff numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20236/09]
My Department is currently reviewing its local office structure. No decisions have been taken regarding the future of any local office, other than the Dublin local office, already announced.
Dairy Sector.
Kathleen Lynch
Question:88 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the measures he is seeking from the EU Commission to support milk price; the price these supports will deliver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20174/09]
Seymour Crawford
Question:93 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding his representations in Brussels and elsewhere to improve the support mechanisms for the dairy sector; his views on whether at this stage the most important issue is income and particularly the support towards the price of milk rather than additional quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19987/09]
Niall Collins
Question:94 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of the recent Council of Agriculture Ministers in relation to low dairy prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20314/09]
Brian O'Shea
Question:102 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he has taken to persuade the EU Commission that it needs to postpone the end of the butter APS scheme to late September 2009 and that it must handle the disposal of intervention stocks sensitively, so as not to dampen dairy markets once they start recovering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20178/09]
John Cregan
Question:115 Deputy John Cregan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will continue to press the EU Commission to provide additional supports, through market measures, to assist the dairy sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20322/09]
Brian O'Shea
Question:117 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he has undertaken to secure support from fellow EU Agriculture Ministers on critical issues for dairy markets, such as the re-introduction of processing aids and the continuation and increase of export refunds to help commodity prices lift above intervention equivalent levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20177/09]
Niall Collins
Question:126 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the engagements he has had at EU level in relation to the need to provide supports to the dairy sector here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20313/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 93, 94, 102, 115, 117 and 126 together.
Dairy farmers incomes are made up of the market price paid for milk and direct income support from the EU. Market forces of supply and demand have a major influence on the price paid for milk. World market prices determine the returns received by dairy processors and this is reflected in the price paid to farmers. In an open market it is not my role to predict or guarantee a minimum price for milk. However, the EU Common Agriculture Policy provides a range of measures that can be used to assist the dairy market. In the Health Check negotiations last year there was pressure to remove or weaken these considerably. At the time I fought hard to keep the key market instruments in place and these are now being used to help support the market. The Health Check also granted additional quota to all Member States, but that has no bearing on the current situation. Indeed, milk production in the EU is below the level it was before the quota increase in 2008 took effect.
In the EU, export refunds and internal subsidies had been suspended since 2007 as prices were at record high levels. As the market situation deteriorated towards the end of 2008 I called on the Commissioner to reintroduce support measures in order to help stabilise the dairy market. The Commission initially responded last November by bringing forward the operation of the private storage scheme for butter. In January the Commissioner announced the reintroduction of refunds for export of dairy products outside the EU. This was an important step and signalled an intention by the Commission to put a floor under the market. In March the intervention schemes for butter and skimmed milk powder were opened which allowed the purchase of product up to set limits at a fixed price. Around that time I met with the Commissioner to discuss the market situation and stressed the importance of continuing to accept butter and SMP into intervention at effective levels. I am pleased that the Commission has continued to buy butter and SMP into intervention at prices close to the fixed price under the tendering system. I also called for the continued use of export refunds at viable levels to move significant quantities of product from the EU.
At the Council of Agriculture Ministers in April I raised this issue again with my colleagues. I drew attention to the serious difficulties on the milk market where the severe slump in demand has led to a dramatic fall in milk prices. I urged the Commission to continue using the existing measures to support the market and to consider introducing additional methods where appropriate. I received considerable support from my fellow ministers and I will draw on that in the coming weeks. Milk will feature again on the agenda of the Agriculture Council and I will once again reiterate my views to the Commission and the Council.
The EU Commission's actions in utilising available support measures have helped to stabilise the market. However, as the milk price is greatly influenced by market forces of supply and demand, support schemes have a limited effect on milk prices. It is also important that the issue of disposal of EU intervention stocks is managed carefully. I will be taking this matter up with the Commissioner at the appropriate time. The short term outlook for the dairy sector remains uncertain and I will continue to monitor closely the Commission's management of the dairy market.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Michael Creed
Question:89 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the environmental benefits accruing from the REP scheme, he is committed to continuing with this scheme; his future plans in relation to the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20207/09]
Michael Creed
Question:233 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the environmental benefits accruing from the REP scheme, he is committed to the continuation of the scheme; his intentions in relation to the future of the REP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20646/09]
I propose to take Parliamentary Questions Nos. 89 and 233 together.
Since it was first introduced in 1994, the REP scheme has been highly effective in encouraging farmers in their role as custodians of our environment. It has delivered benefits in terms of water quality, biodiversity and the protection of the rural landscape. Agri-environment measures such as REPS are important for the benefit not only of farmers but of society as a whole. REPS has evolved over time to reflect changing priorities and circumstances and I believe that this evolution will continue.
The closing date for REPS 4 applications for 2009 was 15 May. I now intend to carry out a review of the scheme in the context of the overall level of participation, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".
Question No. 90 answered with Question No. 80.
Tax Code.
Enda Kenny
Question:91 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the consultation he has had with the Department of Finance with regard to the issue surrounding capital allowances and the income levy and the difficulty this poses for farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20273/09]
I have been in contact with the Minister for Finance and officials from the Department of Finance in relation to this matter. I have also facilitated contacts on this subject between farming representatives and the Department of Finance.
Departmental Expenditure.
Seán Barrett
Question:92 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of cuts in euro in expenditure in his spending in each section of his Department in 2009 in comparison to 2008; the percentage this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20155/09]
The 2009 total gross Estimate for my Department, broken down by subhead and measure, together with the percentage change under each heading compared with the outturn in 2008, was published by the Department of Finance on 23 April 2009 in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2009. It shows a gross provision of €1.985 billion for 2009 which is 6% lower than the comparable 2008 outturn of €2.101 billion. When the exceptional provisions in 2008 and 2009 for the Farm Waste Management Scheme (2008: €413 million; 2009: €220 million) and the measures dealing with dioxins in pig meat (2008: €35 million; 2009: €165 million) are excluded, the 2009 allocation is approximately 3% lower than the comparable 2008 outturn. The reductions reflect the measures taken by the Government to deal with the deterioration in public finances generally.
Questions Nos. 93 and 94 answered with Question No. 88.
Live Exports.
Denis Naughten
Question:95 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he is taking to support a live cattle trade to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19981/09]
The live export trade is an important element of Ireland's meat and livestock industry providing, as it does, a complement to the beef trade.
Live cattle exports to the UK, in the first four months of 2009, amounted to almost 26,000 head, over 235% up on the same period last year. The main reasons for this increase are reduced cattle availability and higher returns on the market. Bord Bia continues to work closely with the meat industry on monitoring and developing emerging opportunities for Irish livestock in Britain, the Continent and International markets. A number of important contacts among UK buyers were made during last year's Beef Expo and many of these continue to buy stock at pedigree sales.
Decentralisation Programme.
James Bannon
Question:96 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the status of the decentralisation plan for his Department; if it is completed; the number of civil servants who were located to another location; the date of same; the number of civil servants and sections who have relocated; the number of his original Department employees who were involved in these relocations; if the programme of decentralisation is completed in his Department; the number of civil servants who will remain in Dublin; the percentage of the staff of his Department this will represent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/09]
The original Government decision on the decentralisation of my Department was that some 600 headquarters staff would move to Portlaoise; that some 90 staff in the fisheries areas would move to Clonakilty; that the local offices in Cork city would move to Fermoy; and that the laboratories in Cork and Limerick would move to Macroom. The decision regarding State agencies was that Bord Bia would move to Enniscorthy and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) would move to Clonakilty. Following the decentralisation announcement in the budget, the moves to Portlaoise and Clonakilty (including BIM) were approved by Government to proceed. The moves to Fermoy, Macroom and Enniscorthy have been deferred pending a review in 2011.
To aid continuity of business and maintenance of service delivery to stakeholders, my Department's original Decentralisation Implementation Plan allowed for a phased movement to Portlaoise. The 2005, 2006 and 2007 advance phases of decentralisation to Portlaoise were completed on schedule. Since the programme began there has been an increase in Portlaoise of some 300 posts across a wide variety of divisions, bringing the total there to almost 500 posts. Over 130 of the increase of 300 originally worked in my Department. The move of the administrative staff of the fisheries areas to Clonakilty, comprising some 85 posts, is complete. The Department's permanent building in Clogheen, Clonakilty, has just recently been completed and occupied. To date, the Department has met its targets as set out in its original Plan.
The date for completion of the original plan was 2008, which at the time coincided with the initial estimate of availability of the permanent accommodation. The site purchase in Portlaoise was completed in 2007 and the Office of Public Works subsequently announced a preferred tender as part of a public private partnership, including other Government offices in Mullingar and Carlow. Planning permission for the new building was granted during 2008 and the OPW is actively pursuing the matter with a view to a contract being placed ‘at the earliest possible date'.
A revision to the Department's Decentralisation Implementation Plan is now being considered, to reflect the changes to the timetable and the progress so far, as well as the evolving operating environment; completion of the programme depends on the confirmation of the date of the availability of the permanent accommodation. An additional advance phase has been agreed and is currently under way. Arrangements for support to Ministers in Dublin, post-decentralisation, are being considered but have not yet been finalised.
Grant Payments.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:97 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the rate REP scheme 3 payment will be for farmers whose anniversary of year four falls due on 1 October 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20162/09]
Given the pressures on the public finances and the level of up-take of REPS 4, I decided that it was necessary to reverse the 17% increase in REPS 4 payments and this reduction applies to REPS 4 payments in respect of 2009.
The closing date for REPS applications for 2009 has now passed. When the number of applications has been determined, I will be in a position to assess what level of financial commitment is involved and in this context it may be necessary to review the payment level for REPS 3 participants. I will also be initiating a review of the scheme in the context of the overall level of participation, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".
Andrew Doyle
Question:98 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action being taken to determine the additional cost to the farmer due to his deferral of approved farm waste management grant payments under the 40/20/20 scheme recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20230/09]
The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40% being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40% will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20% in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5% of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment and I am satisfied that these arrangements are the best that can be achieved in the present economic circumstances.
However, the financial arrangements in respect of any loans taken out by farmers for the purposes of carrying out investments under the Farm Waste Management Scheme are entirely a matter between the individual farmers and financial institutions concerned.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:99 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farmers still awaiting payment under REP scheme four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20170/09]
By 31 December 2008, my Department had received 12,146 applications for REPS 4. Payment of the first instalment of 75% of the amounts due has issued in 10,021 cases and a further 340 have now been approved for payment. Payments will issue shortly to these applicants. Some 355 applications contained major deficiencies and have been determined to be ineligible. These applicants had until 15 May to resubmit corrected applications in order to be eligible for payment in 2009. The remaining applications are at an advanced stage of processing.
The applications submitted before the deadline for the 2009 scheme of 15 May are being examined and will be processed in due course.
Ciaran Lynch
Question:100 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide the figures or an estimate of the reduction there will be in REP scheme three payment arising from his announcement following the supplementary budget of 7 April 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20171/09]
Given the pressures on the public finances and the level of up-take of REPS 4, I decided that it was necessary to reverse the 17% increase in REPS 4 payments and this reduction applies to REPS 4 payments in respect of 2009.
The closing date for REPS applications for 2009 has now passed. When the number of applications has been determined, I will be in a position to assess what level of financial commitment is involved and in this context it may be necessary to review the payment level for REPS 3 participants.
I will also be initiating a review of the scheme in the context of the overall level of participation, the funding which is likely to be available to me and the flexibility provided by the additional funding which I negotiated in the recent CAP "Health Check".
Joe Costello
Question:101 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when will REP scheme four due in 2007-2008 be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20166/09]
By 31 December 2008, my Department had received 12,146 applications for REPS 4. Payment of the first instalment of 75% of the amounts due has issued in 10,021 cases and a further 340 have now been approved for payment. Payments will issue shortly to these applicants. Some 355 applications contained major deficiencies and have been determined to be ineligible. These applicants had until 15 May to re-submit corrected applications in order to be eligible for payment in 2009. The remaining applications are at an advanced stage of processing.
Question No. 102 answered with Question No. 88.
Question No. 103 answered with Question No. 74.
Data Protection.
Bernard Allen
Question:104 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he consulted the Data Protection Commissioner and if he expressed concerns to his Department officials before the publication by his Department of the recipients of CAP payments; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Minister for Agriculture in Germany has postponed publication due to data protection concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20149/09]
It is a requirement of the EU regulations governing the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy, which are applicable in all Member States, that details of payments to beneficiaries are published. Ireland is expected to receive transfers of EU funding of more than €11 billion between 2007 and 2013 through CAP payments. The requirement to publish originated in the European Transparency Initiative which is intended to increase transparency and accountability and is based on the principle that taxpayers and citizens have a legitimate interest in seeing how their taxes are spent.
I can confirm that officials in my Department consulted with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Ireland in the context of finalising the administrative arrangements for publication of this data. I can also confirm that the EU Data Protection Commissioner was consulted by the Commission during the negotiations on the EU Regulations governing publication to ensure compatibility with European Data Protection Legislation. In both cases, the advice received was that publication does not constitute a breach of data protection rights.
The CAP beneficiary data was not published in Germany by the 30 April deadline following a Court ruling in that country. However, I understand that the German authorities have recently indicated to the EU Commission that the details will be published in June.
Animal Feedstuffs.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:105 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has undertaken a review of surplus and waste food and its inclusion in the animal feed chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/09]
Given the potential for contamination of the animal feed chain from certain waste food products, my Department is currently drafting legislation to govern the collection, transport, treatment, use and disposal of former foodstuffs in the context of their use in animal feed. Officials in my Department are also in contact with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding their draft Regulations on the management of food waste.
At present waste food products from supermarkets are not allowed for animal feed, other than wrapped bread that is returned to bakeries, which may be used for animal feed.
Animal Diseases.
Niall Blaney
Question:106 Deputy Niall Blaney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the progress being made to implement the commitment in the programme for Government to introduce a herd health initiative to deal with non-regulated diseases and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20319/09]
Significant progress has been made regarding this initiative since the beginning of the year. Animal Health Ireland is now a legal entity with its own Board of Directors, having recently been incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. A specialist recruitment company has been engaged by Animal Health Ireland to proceed with the recruitment of a Chief Executive Officer for the organization a process that is now underway.
Animal Health Ireland hosted a very well attended information seminar for its stakeholders on the 6th March 2009, at which issues such as the current situation regarding non-regulatory diseases in Ireland and in competitor countries were considered and a realistic assessment of the scale of the challenges ahead was made. Similar seminars focusing on those individual diseases and conditions that come to be prioritised for action are planned for the future. The Animal Health Ireland website, which will go live within the coming days, will facilitate the communication process.
The Chairman and others associated with Animal Health Ireland have conducted a wide-ranging consultation with a large cross-section of stakeholders in recent weeks. Work is underway to identify and prioritise a definitive ranking of disease priorities to be addressed by Animal Health Ireland. An extensive survey of expert opinion is due to be completed by mid-June. In addition to the expert opinion, the opinion of farmers has been sought through a survey and the deliberations of Farmer Focus Groups established by Animal Health Ireland. Technical Working Groups will be created to establish nationally-agreed protocols for the prioritised diseases.
I understand that the feedback from the stakeholder group to this initiative has been very positive and this is confirmed by their willingness to commit funds to Animal Health Ireland. I believe Animal Health Ireland provides a unique opportunity to develop an improved understanding of current practices and future trends in international best practice in the area of herd health. It affords those organisations — including farmers, producers, processors, and support/advisory service — actively participating in the project to build on the significant resources, informational infrastructure, capabilities and expertise already available within the range of organisations. It also offers an opportunity to develop a national strategy to take appropriate action in the area of non-regulatory animal health which in effect will allow industry to a large extent shape its own future.
Sheep Identification Scheme.
Róisín Shortall
Question:107 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the introduction of compulsory electronic identification of sheep as is being mooted by the EU commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/09]
The introduction of electronic identification (EID) for sheep was agreed at EU level in late 2003. At that time, it was agreed to defer the implementation date until January 2008. The Council revisited this issue in December 2007 when it was agreed that the deadline for the compulsory introduction of EID should be definitively set for 31 December 2009.
I am of the view that the introduction of compulsory electronic identification (EID) of sheep should not have been decided on until it could be clearly demonstrated that its introduction would have clear benefits for all farmers.
I have also used every opportunity in EU discussions, both at Council and at bilateral level, to seek the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis. However there is no appetite amongst the majority of Member States or the Commission for any further deferral of the deadline of 31 December 2009, or for the introduction of EID on a voluntary basis.
My Department is in the process of consulting stakeholders on the state of play in relation to EID in sheep. I am anxious that all Irish concerns are taken into account in whatever system is finally implemented. These discussions are taking place without prejudice to my continuing view that EID should be introduced on a voluntary basis. I should also point out that under the EU legislation, EID will not apply to sheep born before January 2010, nor generally will there be a need to retag existing sheep.
Furthermore provision is made whereby lambs intended for slaughter and less than 12 months old can be permanently excluded from the EID requirement. If this provision is applied by Ireland, it will reduce the number of animals affected by EID substantively. In these circumstances, the introduction of sheep EID will be confined largely to new or replacement breeding stock and will take a number of years to impact fully on the sector.
Farm Retirement Scheme.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:108 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of cases of farmers who had progressed their application for the early retirement scheme but who had not lodged their application before budget 2009 who have had their files dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20167/09]
My Department received approximately 60 applications for the Early Retirement Scheme after 14 October 2008. These applications could not be accepted for processing as they were received after the date on which the Scheme had been suspended for new applications due to budgetary constraints. Apart from these 60 applications my Department is not aware of the number of other farmers who may have intended making an application under the Early Retirement Scheme.
I indicated at the time of the announcement on 14 October 2008 that I would monitor all schemes and services throughout 2009 and would review the position thoroughly in the context of the preparations of the 2010 Estimates for my Department.
Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 82.
Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 74.
Food Exports.
Margaret Conlon
Question:111 Deputy Margaret Conlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the purpose of the additional €2.5 million allocated to An Bord Bia in the budget of 7 April 2009. [20324/09]
The additional €2.5m in Grant in aid to Bord Bia will be used, in particular, to assist companies severely affected by sterling depreciation and the resultant challenges created in the Irish and UK markets. Initiatives being planned by Bord Bia will focus specifically at helping companies to broaden their export reach in European markets and will include a more aggressive trade fair calendar, buyer meeting opportunities and market research. Increased support in the area of innovation will also be a core element of this programme.
Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 80.
Fisheries Protection.
David Stanton
Question:113 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 637 of 22 April 2009, if the review of sea bass management and inshore fishing restrictions being carried out by his Department in consultation with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has been completed; the action he will take as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20309/09]
This matter is the subject of ongoing discussion with the Federation of Irish Fishermen and I am awaiting their specific proposals before taking any further action.
Foreshore Licences.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:114 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the long-running delays associated with the grant of foreshore applications have been cleared; if he will confirm that arrangements for the acceptance of independent valuations are in place; and if not, the reason for same. [19980/09]
Following confirmation by the Valuation Office that it would not be in a position to supply a valuation service in respect of activities on State foreshore, my Department sought approval from the Department of Finance for the use of valuers from the private sector. A number of applications for foreshore consents currently on hand cannot be progressed without valuation. The Department of Finance gave my Department sanction to obtain the services of valuers from the private sector subject to conditions. Private valuers have now been engaged by my Department to provide valuation advice on specific cases and I am confident that this will facilitate an early determination in the relevant cases.
Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 88.
Installation Aid Scheme.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:116 Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of installation aid cases that missed the October 2008 deadline which have now been dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20168/09]
The Young Farmers' Installation Scheme was closed for new applications on 14 October 2008 and only fully completed applications received up and including that date are being processed by my Department. I have no immediate plans to reopen entry to the Scheme at this time.
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 88.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:118 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to restore the disadvantaged area payment rates to their 2008 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20169/09]
Against the background of the deterioration in public finances, my approach in preparing the 2009 Estimates for my Department was to protect expenditure for major developmental measures in the agri-food sector. To achieve this objective, savings had to be found in other areas and I decided reluctantly to reduce expenditure under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme for 2009 by reducing the maximum area limit to 34 hectares (84 acres). While overall expenditure will fall, almost 67,000 farmers will not suffer any reduction in their payments as a result of the introduction of the 34-hectare limit. The rates of payment which were increased by 8% in 2007 remain unchanged.
The total amount available under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2009 is €220 million. This represents a substantial injection of funds paid to farmers situated in the areas and the Scheme continues to be one of the best well funded Disadvantaged Areas Schemes in the European Union.
Notwithstanding the difficulties in the public finances, the position is that in excess of €3.2 billion will be spent next year by my Department in support of agriculture, fisheries and food. It is important to get through this challenging period and continue towards achieving the full potential of our most important indigenous industry when the economy begins to grow again.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Emmet Stagg
Question:119 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek flexibility on the 15 May 2009 deadline to allow hundreds of 2008 REP scheme four plans to be corrected by planners and resubmitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20189/09]
In the administration of REPS applications my Department, as an accredited paying agency, must respect the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. My Department must therefore ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. Applications are subjected to checks to confirm this and my Department has no option but to reject those which do not meet essential eligibility conditions, including the deadline of 15 May for the submission of applications. I have directed my officials to approach the European Commission officials to see what flexibility, if any, can be allowed in respect of ineligible applications for 2008 which were not rectified and resubmitted before the May 15 deadline.
Food Labelling.
David Stanton
Question:120 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action taken and initiatives developed in the past 12 months by his Department to improve food labelling in particular the traceability of meat products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20310/09]
The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. At present EU food labelling legislation is harmonised by Council Directive 2000/13/EC, transposed in 2002, with 8 amendments since. In January 2008, the European Commission presented its proposals to update this legislation which aims to provide a high level of consumer protection in relation to food information while ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market.
The draft EU proposal consolidates and updates two areas of labelling legislation, general food and nutrition. The key issues are country of origin labelling, mandatory nutrition labelling and allergen labelling. The Commission has proposed that while country of origin labelling is not mandatory, where it is used, the country of birth, rearing and slaughter of the animal must be stated, if different to the country of origin. This proposal is currently being discussed at working group meetings. The Irish authorities submitted a position paper on the draft EU proposal to the EU commission in November 2008. In this paper, Ireland proposed that country of origin labelling be made mandatory. The Department of Health and Children has continued to pursue this request at EU Working Group meetings. The Regulation is expected to be finalised by end of 2009 at the earliest.
Notwithstanding the outcome of the current review on origin labelling my Department had taken steps to try to introduce origin labelling for meats other than beef, which is already subject to specific legislation since September 2000.
In conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, regulations were drafted that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation is not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. The Commission's main contention is that only harmonised rules with EU-wide applicability may be applied to food labelling other than in exceptional circumstances. In March, the EU Commission delivered a negative opinion on the regulations but afforded Ireland an opportunity to provide further information in support of them. Notwithstanding that additional information was provided, the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health formally adopted a negative opinion on the draft regulations in December 2008.
The issue of origin labelling will continue to be pursued by Ireland at EU level in the context of the current review of the labelling Directive and in the context of the review of EU quality policy for agricultural foodstuffs. It should be noted that products carrying the Bord Bia quality assurance label provide consumers with assurance on product origin.
Fisheries Protection.
Seán Connick
Question:121 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views in relation to the recently published EU Commission Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20328/09]
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next is formally scheduled for 2012.
On 21 April 2009 The European Commission published a Green Paper on the latest reform of the CFP in order to launch a consultation with Member States and stakeholders and to initiate a broad public debate on the future CFP reform. A summary of this consultation process will be published in 2010. It will be followed by a legislative proposal to the Council and the European Parliament to be adopted in 2011, with a view to its entering into force in 2012. It is clear that every aspect of the CFP is up for review and will require detailed attention.
An exchange of views on the Green Paper will be held at the next Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the 25-26 May 2009.
I welcome the Commission's Green Paper on the reform of the CFP and acknowledge the importance of the process we are embarking on, as it will culminate in the shaping of the strategic blueprint for the European fishing industry for the next decade.
In the current economic climate, we need a policy that both simplifies and reduces the administrative burden while at the same time strengthens and supports the industry's capacity to maximise employment in coastal communities dependant on fishing. This will be a key objective for Ireland. We will be pursuing initiatives that will help deliver and sustain jobs in coastal communities rather than those that promote the concentration of wealth and delivery of excessive profits for a few big international businesses.
Farm Inspections.
Liz McManus
Question:122 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farm inspections that will take place in 2009 by scheme; the cost of these inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20175/09]
The following are details of the approximate number of inspections which it is expected my Department will carry out during the course of 2009:
|
Name of Scheme/Programme |
No. of Inspections |
Cost of Inspections (Non Salary) |
|
Feed Inspection Programme |
900 |
€40,500 |
|
Farm Forestry Programme |
5,000 |
€150,000 |
|
On-Farm Investment Scheme |
20,000 |
1. |
|
Installation Aid Scheme |
50 |
1. |
|
Suckler Welfare Scheme |
1,040 |
1. |
|
Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas/Rural Environmental Protection Schemes integrated area eligibility and cross compliance inspections |
6,500 |
1. |
|
REPS/Organics |
3,500 |
1. |
|
Early Retirement Scheme |
200 |
1. |
1. Not possible to apportion costs to Specific schemes as the relevant staff work on a number of schemes operated by the Department.
Food Labelling.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:123 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the food labelling adequately and accurately reflects the origin of all meat and meat products sold within the European Union including Ireland; if the country of origin is indicated in all cases in which some of the ingredients originate outside the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20311/09]
The Minister for Health & Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this context the Commission has prepared draft revised labelling regulations and these are being discussed at Council Working Party level in Brussels. These draft regulations will be submitted to the EU Council of Health Ministers during 2009. The aim of the draft Regulations is to modernise and improve EU food labelling rules, so that consumers have, in a legible and understandable manner, the essential information they need to make informed purchasing choices.
Notwithstanding the outcome of the current review on origin labelling, my Department had taken steps to try to introduce origin labelling for meats other than beef, which is already subject to specific legislation since September 2000.
In conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, regulations were drafted that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation is not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. The Commission's main contention is that only harmonised rules with EU-wide applicability may be applied to food labelling other than in exceptional circumstances. In March, the EU Commission delivered a negative opinion on the regulations but afforded Ireland an opportunity to provide further information in support of them. While further information was submitted supporting the need for the regulations the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health formally adopted a negative opinion on the draft regulations in December 2008. The Commission adopted a Green paper on Agricultural Product Quality in October last as part of a drive to protect EU quality agricultural products against ‘low cost products from overseas'. One of the questions posed was whether a logo identifying European Union versus non European Union origin in terms of quality and environmental standards particular to the EU would be a useful mechanism. A High Level Conference organised by Czech Presidency to supplement the Green Paper consultation held earlier this month, concluded that further consideration was needed on the possibility of EU/Non EU labelling. A policy options paper based on the outcome of the conference and the 500+ submissions received on the green paper is expected from the Commission at the end of the month.
The issue of origin labelling will continue to be pursued by Ireland in the at EU level in the context of the review of the Labelling Directive and the review of EU quality policy for agricultural foodstuffs. It should be noted that products carrying the Bord Bia quality assurance label provide consumers with assurance on product origin.
Farm Inspections.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:124 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the new arrangements for farm inspections relating to the Nitrates Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20192/09]
Inspections to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations are undertaken by my Department. The Department's inspectors currently undertake all on-farm cross-compliance inspections, including checks for compliance with the Nitrates Regulations and have considerable expertise in this area.
On-farm inspections are also required under the EU Water Framework Directive which is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
My objective is to ensure that the duplication of on-farm inspections is avoided for practical reasons, to minimise costs and to simplify the inspection arrangements from the farmer's perspective.
Discussions are taking place between officials of my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to finalise the necessary arrangements in relation to inspections.
Grant Payments.
Bobby Aylward
Question:125 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the recently announced payments to hill sheep farmers, worth €7 million, will be awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20315/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I decided that unused funds from the Single Payment National Reserve would be paid to hill sheep farmers in 2009 in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. In reaching this decision, I recognised the difficulties, and costs including compliance costs, facing the sheep sector and was anxious to introduce a scheme immediately in order that Irish sheep farmers could benefit from these funds in 2009.
During the negotiations on the CAP Health Check proposals I was one of the first Ministers to press for the use of unspent funds from national Single Farm Payment ceilings to fund measures that targeted at specific sectors in need of assistance. The outcome of the health check negotiations had been very positive for Ireland, and had once again shown the importance of EU support for Irish agriculture.
In relation to the Upland Sheep payment, my objective was to ensure that it was simple and low cost to administer and created no additional administrative burden for farmers. The main features of the new Uplands Sheep Payment are as follows:
(i) Eligible applicants must have sheep recorded in the National Sheep Census for both the 2007 and 2008 calendar years.
(ii) Applicants must be eligible for the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in 2009.
(iii) Applicants must farm and declare in 2009 mountain type grazing land.
(iv) The mountain type grazing land must have been declared on the 2008 and 2009 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application forms.
(v) The aid will be payable on mountain type grazing land up to a maximum of 15 hectares.
(vi) The rate of aid per hectare will be calculated by reference to the available National Reserve funds and the total area eligible for payment when all of the 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme applications are processed.
(vii) Eligible farmers will apply for the Uplands Sheep payment when they submit their 2009 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application form.
Payments are scheduled to commence on 1 December 2009, the first date that payments can commence under the EU Regulations. Based on the estimated National Reserve funds of approximately €7 million and the eligible area declared by farmers in 2008, approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers will benefit from the 2009 payment. Based on the data available for 2008, it is estimated that the level of aid will be €35 per hectare and a maximum payment per farmer of €525.
I must emphasise that the measure is for 2009 alone. A decision on the use of unspent CAP funds and modulation monies from 2010 onwards, will be made when further information is available on the detailed EU rules that will apply to these measures.
Having consulted widely with all stakeholders I am currently carefully examining all proposals received for the use of these funds including those for the sheep sector and I hope to make an announcement in relation to the use of these funds in the coming weeks.
Question No. 126 answered with Question No. 88.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
Joan Burton
Question:127 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of REP scheme four plans lodged from end of 2007 up to 15 May 2008 that were rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20163/09]
By 31 December 2008, my Department had received 12,146 applications for REPS 4. Of those processed so far, 355 applications contained major deficiencies and were determined to be ineligible. The applicants in such cases had to resubmit a corrected application by the closing date for applications this year of 15 May in order to be eligible for payment in respect of 2009.
The applications received in 2009 before the deadline of 15 May are being examined and it will be some time before the number of applications which may be rejected will be known.
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:128 Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on amended plans for REP scheme four resubmitted by farmers who were rejected from the 2008 scheme as a result of deficiencies in their REP scheme plans due to a breakdown in communication between REP scheme planners and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20179/09]
In the administration of REPS applications my Department must ensure that the scheme eligibility conditions are complied with in all cases. A number of applications for 2007 and 2008 were rejected due to major deficiencies in the farm plans, and any new application submitted for 2009 will be subject to the normal checks before acceptance.
I am not aware of a breakdown in communication between REPS planners and my Department. REPS 4 was launched in August 2007 and all scheme documentation was immediately available in electronic format. Printed documentation was available in September and planner information meetings were organised at which the requirements for REPS 4 were clearly explained. In addition from September 2007 to 15 May 2008, the predetermined closing date for 2008 applications, officials of my Department were available to planners at all times where further clarification on any aspect of REPS 4 was required. My officials continue to be in touch with planners' representatives and to provide them on a regular basis with guidance on specific aspects of the scheme.
Bovine Disease.
Niall Blaney
Question:129 Deputy Niall Blaney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his estimate of the savings that can be achieved by securing brucellosis free status for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/09]
Brucellosis is now at an historically low level in Ireland. The last confirmed case was disclosed in April 2006. My Department applied to the European Commission on 31 March last for formal recognition of Officially Brucellosis Free status (OBF) for Ireland. I am hopeful that a decision on our application will be taken in July at the latest. Achievement of OBF status would allow the relaxation of some of the programme's control measures over the coming years and this will reduce the burden on farmers of testing and movement controls.
However, as Brucellosis continues to exist in Northern Ireland, my Department will be adopting a cautious approach to reducing controls and any change to existing controls will be based on risk assessment. Some consultations have already taken place with representatives of the farming bodies on the testing regime for the future.
With regard to possible savings arising from the attainment of Officially Brucellosis Free status, the position is that the cost of the Brucellosis eradication programme has been falling progressively over the last number of years in line with the reduction in the incidence of the disease. In particular, the cost of compensation paid by my Department to farmers in respect of Brucellosis reactors fell from €24.2m in 2002 to €280,000 in 2008. Since the cost of compensation has fallen to very low levels and, as a general rule, farmers themselves pay for Brucellosis testing, the savings for my Department will not be significant in the short-term, particularly in view of the fact that the reduction in control measures will be gradual, based on risk assessment in the context of the disease still being present on the island. However, over time there will be significant benefits to farmers in terms of reduced testing costs and the relaxation of restrictions on cattle movements and trade.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Dan Neville
Question:130 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will provide assistance to the many blind people here by insisting that braille is put on medicines, cleaning products and food items; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20424/09]
In so far as my area of responsibility is concerned, the European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2003, S.I. No 116 of 2003 and the European Communities (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Preparations) Regulations 2004, S.I. No 62 of 2004, which transpose the requirements of Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC respectively, require that packaging for substances and preparations offered or sold to the general public should carry a tactile warning of danger where those substances and preparations are labelled as very toxic, toxic, corrosive or harmful, extremely flammable or highly flammable. This warning takes the form of a raised triangle and has to meet the technical specifications set out in the EN/ISO standard 11683 as amended. Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC also provides for this requirement.
My colleague the Minister for Health and Children has responsibility for food labelling, and via the Irish Medicines Board, for labelling of medicines. The Department of Health and Children is responsible for the Office for Disability and Mental Health. My colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for equality issues arising from a disability.
Community Employment Schemes.
Willie Penrose
Question:131 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on lowering the age for participating in a community employment scheme from 55 to 50 years and over, which allows persons in this age group to participate in the scheme when otherwise eligible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20446/09]
Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. The purpose of CE is to help unemployed people to re-enter the open labour market by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.
The criteria for participating on the Community Employment programme are based on age and length of time in receipt of various social welfare payments. In general, the Part-time Integration Option is for people of 25 or over who are receiving social welfare payments for 1 year or more, and people of 18 years or over in receipt of disability-related payments. Those who are eligible usually participate for a period of 1 year.
The Part-time Job Option is for people who are 35 or over and in receipt of social welfare payments for 3 years or longer. Under this Option those who are eligible may participate for a period of 3 years. The 3 year option recognises the need to provide access to a part-time job for extended periods for older persons who have been unable to secure regular employment for some time.
Certain groups such as travellers and refugees aged 18 or over are eligible for both options. If you qualify under the criteria but do not wish to take up the option yourself, there are certain conditions under which you can do a spousal swap.
The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. However, it should be remembered that, in so far as participants remain on CE, they are precluding someone else from benefiting from the programme. FÁS makes every effort to ensure that differing levels of demand between neighbouring schemes are equalised. FÁS also operates the programme flexibly as far as possible to ensure the continuation of community projects.
In conclusion then, I would say that this Government will continue to support the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. I have no plans to amend the eligibility criteria for participation on Community Employment Schemes, however, the operation of the Scheme is kept under constant review in the context of the current difficult unemployment situation.
Work Permits.
Joe Costello
Question:132 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied) regarding work permits for non-EU workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20525/09]
The recent review of our employment permit arrangements was undertaken in order to ensure that they continue to be appropriate to the needs of a changing labour market, and were announced following the outcome of a consultation process with the Social Partners.
In recognition of the fact that skills and labour shortages no longer exist in various sectors of employment, a number of occupations have been added to the list of those ineligible for work permits, and a significant number of job categories have been removed from the Green Card eligible list where the salary payable for the job is in the range €30,000-€59,999 per annum.
It has been, and continues to be, Government policy to require that employers make a meaningful effort to give preference to Irish and EEA nationals in filling job vacancies. To underscore the application of this Community Preference principle, it was decided to strengthen the labour market needs test for new entrants from 1st June in order to ensure that only those vacancies that cannot genuinely be filled by nationals of EEA countries are considered for work permit applications.
Government recognises the fact that those permit holders who have been living in Ireland for several years have made a real contribution to the economy, and that they too are potentially impacted by adverse labour market conditions. Therefore, the revised employment permit rules provide that, in the event of the redundancy of work permit holders, they will have up to three months from the date of the redundancy to seek alternative employment, and that where they have been made redundant from a post which is now considered ineligible for a work permit, they may continue to seek work in an ineligible category in order to ensure the best possible chance of regaining employment. In the case of Green Card holders who have been made redundant, new Green Cards will be issued in accordance with the Green Card scheme salary requirement and for jobs where there is strategic skills shortage.
New arrangements regarding work permit renewals will only apply to non-EEA nationals whose permit application was approved on or after 1 June 2009. Persons who were granted a permit prior to this date will retain the original renewal conditions.
My Department will continue to keep employment permit arrangements under review to ensure they remain suitable and relevant to current labour market conditions.
Proposed Legislation.
Pat Rabbitte
Question:133 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when she will publish the consolidated bill on company law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20528/09]
The General Scheme of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill was published in July 2007. The General Scheme (which comprises some 1,250 sections) is broken down into two separate groups of provisions (Pillars A and B). Pillar A deals exclusively with private companies limited by shares (also called private companies) and Pillar B deals with other corporate forms such as public limited companies (PLCs), designated activity companies (DACs), guarantee companies, unlimited companies, etc.
The Bill is currently being drafted along the lines of the General Scheme prepared by the Company Law Review Group in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Given its size and complexity and in order to accelerate the drafting process, the Attorney General's Office has assigned two parliamentary counsel to the work. In addition, my Department has assigned two legal researchers to the project.
It is envisaged that the Bill will be substantially completed by the end of 2009 and published in early 2010.
Ministerial Correspondence.
Finian McGrath
Question:134 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support a matter (details supplied). [20558/09]
I wish to draw the Deputy's attention to my replies to his Parliamentary Questions of the 12th May 2009 and the 19th May 2009. As stated yesterday in my reply, an official of my Department contacted the person concerned on the 12th May 2009 and had further contact with him on the 13th May. A final response was issued to the person concerned on the matter on the 15th May 2009.
Pension Provisions.
Finian McGrath
Question:135 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will support a matter (details supplied). [20402/09]
Section 22 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2009 provides that the Minister for Finance may, after consultation with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, make a Pensions Insolvency Payment Scheme (PIPS) providing for the payment of monies to or in respect of relevant pensioners. The Act does not provide for the inclusion or exclusion of any particular pension scheme in PIPS. One of the main aims of the scheme is to support pension schemes in the greatest need. For that reason, and having regard to a number of factors, the Government decided to offer PIPS to insolvent pension schemes of insolvent companies, that is, companies which may not be in a position to assist schemes in meeting the original pension commitment made to pensioners.
It is my intention to bring forward the necessary regulations giving effect to PIPS shortly. Once that has been done, it is open to any pension scheme that meets the criteria to apply to participate. The principal qualifying conditions for PIPS are that the sponsoring employer must be insolvent (in accordance with the definition used in the Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Act 1984) and the defined benefit pension scheme must be in deficit.
Banking Sector Regulation.
Joan Burton
Question:136 Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Finance the extent to which ECB interest rate reductions in recent months have been passed on to customers with credit cards or personal loans; the steps that have been taken to ensure that interest rate reductions are passed on to these borrowers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20348/09]
The decision on pass through of ECB rate reductions to customers with credit cards or personal loans is a commercial decision for the financial institution concerned. This decision will reflect a range of different factors including funding costs, market conditions, profitability and business strategy, the risk profile of the consumer, whether the loan is secured or unsecured as well as the competitive environment overall. The Deputy will appreciate it is a core function of the Board and senior management of each institution to assess where the appropriate balance lies between these competing objectives particularly in ensuring the financial health and commercial viability of the relevant institution. It is not an appropriate role for the Minister for Finance to seek to determine this decision making by financial institutions operating under competitive market conditions.
The Central Bank publish monthly statistics on interest rates, however these do not include advertised rates for consumer credit or credit cards. The latest available data relate to March 2009. This data indicates that between September 2008 and March 2009:
Rates on new variable-rate consumer loans fell by 3 percentage points. Rates on new fixed-rate consumer loans fell by 0.7 percentage points.
Rates on overdrafts declined by 1.4 percentage points. (This category includes some credit card volumes, but balances and rates are not separately identified.)
Mortgage rates for new variable-rate customers fell 2.4 percentage points. The average rate for existing customers fell by 2 percentage points.
As part of its consumer information role the Financial Regulator provides cost comparison surveys on its personal finance website www.itsyourmoney.ie. The areas covered by these surveys include borrowing & credit. The banking cost comparison surveys, including credit card and personal loans are maintained on an always up-to-date basis. Within these surveys, features that are important to consumers, and in particular, those which have an influence over a purchasing decision (such as cost of credit) are highlighted prominently.
Tax Code.
Billy Timmins
Question:137 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20357/09]
The Deputy has not supplied sufficient detail to allow me to respond. I can point out that the public servants to whom section 2 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 applies are liable for the pension related deduction. Payment of the deduction does not confer any additional pension benefits.
Phil Hogan
Question:138 Deputy Phil Hogan asked the Minister for Finance the reason the staff of Waterways Ireland are subject to the pension levy in view of the fact that their salaries are paid through Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/09]
Public servants who are members of public service pension schemes are liable to pay the pension-related deduction legislated for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009.
The applicability of the new deduction to the North-South Implementation Bodies (including Waterways Ireland) arises from section 1 of the Act, by way of the definition of ‘public service body', which includes, at paragraph (i) ‘a body...that is wholly or partly funded out of money provided by the Oireachtas or from the Central Fund...and in respect of which a public service pension scheme exists or applies or may be made'.
Those employees of North-South Bodies in receipt of ‘remuneration' as defined in Section 1 of the Act i.e. ‘emoluments to which Chapter 4 of Part 42 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 applies' are subject to the deduction. Therefore, all Irish-taxed employees of the North-South Bodies are subject to the deduction whether they enjoy ‘core terms' or ‘reserved rights terms' under the North-South pension scheme or have other employer-supported pension arrangements or payment in lieu thereof.
I might add that, as the Deputy may be aware, in order to ameliorate the impact of the deduction on lower paid public servants (with a partial offset by an increase on earnings above €60,000) I announced, in the Supplementary Budget of 7 April 2009, a change to the structure of the deduction which will exempt the first €15,000 of earnings.
Departmental Expenditure.
Richard Bruton
Question:139 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Finance the spending on print procurement for the past three years; the spending on imported print materials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20382/09]
The total value of printing works procured by Government Departments, Offices and Agencies under contracts placed by the Government Supplies Agency was €9,374,092 in 2006, €11,157,120 in 2007 and €10,874,781 in 2008. Of these amounts, the cost of items printed outside the country was €193,160 in 2006, €1,267,915 in 2007 and €1,294,808 in 2008.
All contracts with an estimated value exceeding €132,000 must be publicly advertised in the EU Journal, and are open to competitive tenders under strict EU competition rules.
Registered Charities.
Damien English
Question:140 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Finance the registered charities which are primarily involved with self-harm prevention and suicide prevention. [20423/09]
The position is that up until now there has been no regulatory framework or register governing charities in Ireland. However the recent enactment of the Charities Act 2009 sets out the framework for the registering and regulation of charities into the future. Responsibility for the implementation of this legislation rests with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The Revenue Commissioners determine whether a body is entitled to charitable tax exemption under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. I have been advised by Revenue that there is a broad range of statutory and voluntary organisations carrying out a diverse range of activities both on a national and local basis in the area of mental health, self harm and suicide prevention, which have applied for and have been granted charitable tax exemption. The records maintained by Revenue do not provide a basis for compiling the detailed information in relation to those primarily involved with the prevention of self-harm and suicide as sought by the Deputy. However, a full list of bodies which have been granted charitable tax exemption under section 207 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is available on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie.
Tax Code.
Michael Creed
Question:141 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Finance if he will approve a one parent family credit application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork which has been recently submitted to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20432/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a claim for the one parent family tax credit for the individual in question was processed on 13 May 2009, and the relevant refunds of tax will issue in the near future.
Olwyn Enright
Question:142 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Finance the timeframe for processing submissions by employers who apply for rebate on statutory redundancy; if his attention has been drawn to the delays in processing same; his views on permitting same to offset the refund due against any tax liability due with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20434/09]
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the 60% statutory redundancy rebates scheme. This is in fact a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who administer the relevant scheme.
I am however aware that where a business is awaiting a statutory redundancy rebate and it is experiencing particular difficulties in meeting its tax obligations because of a delay in receiving the repayment, then subject to satisfactory evidence being provided of the repayment due and its quantum, the Revenue Commissioners will be accommodating in deferring for a reasonable period collection or enforcement action that would otherwise ensue in the event of delayed payment of tax.
Customs Inspections.
Dinny McGinley
Question:143 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Finance if there are plans to establish a Border inspection post at Killybegs Harbour, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20504/09]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that one officer continues to be assigned full time to Killybegs Port and is accommodated in Killybegs Fisheries Harbour Centre. The Revenue Customs Mobile Enforcement Service also covers Killybegs Port as part of their ongoing patrols.
Customs officers have assessed the risk at Killybegs and other ports or landing places over a number of years and this assessment is being continually updated. Attendance by customs officers is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic frequency, routes and other risk indicators. Attendance can also be as a result of specific intelligence. Patrols of the ports are kept under constant review to take account of available intelligence and emerging smuggling trends.
There are no plans to extend the current level of border inspection at Killybegs Port.
Departmental Properties.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:144 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the properties owned by the Office of Public Works in Dublin 5, 13 and 17; if he plans to sell or lease these properties or to change their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20533/09]
The following list schedules the buildings in Dublin 5, 13 and 17 that the Office of Public Works have an interest in. It includes the current / intended use of each.
|
Location |
Name |
Address |
Type |
|
Dublin 5 |
Raheny GS |
Watermill Road, Raheny |
Garda Station |
|
Coolock GS |
Oscar Traynor Road, Coolock |
Garda Station |
Both the above to continue as Garda Stations
|
Location |
Name |
Address |
Type |
|
Dublin 13 |
Killbarrack Naomh Barróg |
Naomh Barróg GAA Club, Kilbarrack Road |
Misc. |
Lease in place. Proposed to grant a longer lease term to allow the club to avail of the Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism grant.
|
Location |
Name |
Address |
Type |
|
Dublin 17 |
Coolock Civic Centre |
Northside Civic Centre & Crèche, Bunratty Road |
Office |
|
Civic Centre Crèche |
Northside Civic Centre & Crèche, Bunratty Road |
Crèche |
Occupancy of Civic Centre to remain as is. Licence for use as crèche to be pursued.
Tax Code.
Róisín Shortall
Question:145 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements that are made by the Revenue Commissioners when a person of limited means inherits the house they live in but cannot afford the inheritance tax or cannot get a mortgage to pay for it because of reasons of age, income, infirmity or other; if exemptions apply to the tax; if arrangements will be made to pay off the tax in stages, appropriate to the person’s means; and the way, generally, such cases are dealt with. [20680/09]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the purposes of Capital Acquisitions Tax (gift and inheritance tax), the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance (the disponer) and the person who received the gift or inheritance (the beneficiary) determines the maximum tax-free threshold — known as the "group threshold" — below which gift or inheritance tax does not arise.
There are, in all, three separate group tax-free thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer:
Group A: €434,000 — applies where the beneficiary is a child (including certain foster children) or minor child of a deceased child of the disponer. In certain circumstances parents also fall within this threshold where they take an inheritance from a child.
Group B: €43,400 — applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, niece, nephew, or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer.
Group C: €21,700 — applies in all other cases.
When calculating whether a beneficiary has received benefits in excess of his or her group tax-free threshold, any other gifts and inheritances received by that beneficiary since 5 December 1991 from within the same group are taken into account. Apart from the tax-free group thresholds available to a beneficiary, the Capital Acquisitions Tax code also exempts a gift or inheritance of a dwelling-house completely from gift or inheritance tax in certain circumstances.
The main conditions attaching to the exemption are that the beneficiary of the dwelling-house must have resided in the dwelling-house for a minimum of three years prior to the gift or inheritance and must not have an interest in any other dwelling-house. In addition, the beneficiary must continue to occupy that dwelling-house as his or her only or main residence for a period of six years from the date of the gift or inheritance.
This exemption ensures that what may be the family home for many people will not be the subject of gift or inheritance tax when it is transferred. The dwelling-house exemption is available to any beneficiary who meets the conditions for the exemption irrespective of whether or not they are related to the disponer of the gift or inheritance and irrespective of the value of the dwelling-house being transferred.
The timely payment of taxes and duties by specified dates is a fundamental requirement of out tax system and is provided for in the legislation governing all taxes and duties. Under Capital Acquisitions Tax legislation, tax is normally due within four months of the person becoming entitled to the inherited or gifted property. However, a taxpayer has the option to pay the tax due and the interest accruing by five equal yearly instalments. In the case of hardship or illiquidity, the legislation also allows Revenue to consider such cases on an individual basis by reference to the facts and, where appropriate, allow for the postponement of payment for such period and on such terms as may be determined in a given case.
Health Services.
Joe Carey
Question:146 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20370/09]
In order to clarify the matter raised by the Deputy, more information is required in relation to the advice received by the organisation in question. I understand that the Deputy is agreeable to following up on this matter with officials in my Office.
Mental Health Services.
Richard Bruton
Question:147 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the protocols in place for dealing with asylum seekers held in reception centres, who present with psychological or psychiatric problems, and for acting on the recommendations or assessments of such problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20379/09]
Access to primary care and mental health services is available to all individuals experiencing psychological or psychiatric problems, including asylum seekers. As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Preschool Services.
Olwyn Enright
Question:148 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Health and Children the consultation that took place with the national voluntary childcare organisations and the city and county child care committees regarding the introduction of the early childhood care and education scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20436/09]
The decision to introduce a free Preschool Year in early childhood care and education (ECCE) from January 2010, at an estimated annual cost of over €170 million, was announced as part of the package of measures provided for in the April Supplementary Budget. As a budgetary initiative, details of the scheme were not publicly available prior to the Budget announcement.
Immediately following the announcement, details regarding the scheme were communicated to the City and County Childcare Committees and the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations, all of which are funded by my Office. The scheme was subsequently discussed with them in depth at a special seminar held on 7 May 2009. I have also had a number of meetings with the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations since the announcement and have listened carefully to their views. Where possible, issues raised by the sector will be taken into account in the terms and conditions governing the scheme.
The scheme as announced already provides for a very flexible approach for childcare and playschool services, in terms of the ways in which they can provide the free preschool year. They can opt to participate on the basis of a 50 week model or for a longer daily session over 38 weeks each year. There is also provision for a service which cannot operate for 5 days a week to operate for 4 days over 41 weeks. As a result, it is expected that existing service providers who wish to participate will be accommodated without difficulty. While the provision of a free preschool year is fundamental to the scheme, it is open to services to charge for optional additional services which parents may wish to avail of.
The introduction of a free Preschool Year in early childhood care and education has been called for by the sector for many years. The announcement of the scheme has been strongly welcomed by the City and County Childcare Committees and the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations as a major policy development which they had long called for. The preschool provision will be founded on the principles of Siolta, the national framework for early learning, which was developed in close consultation with the sector. I am satisfied that the introduction of the free preschool Year is the first important step in the provision of quality early years care and education.
Child Care Services.
Sean Sherlock
Question:149 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available to a community group (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20681/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, I have responsibility for the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) 2006-2010.
Under this programme funding has been made available by my Office to the 33 City and County Childcare Committees to enable them to support the development and expansion of parent and toddler groups throughout the country. I understand that the group referred to by the Deputy has applied to Cork County Childcare Committee for a grant under the parent and toddler initiative and that this application is currently being processed. I am not aware of any further applications for funding by this group under the above programme.
Health Services.
Bernard Allen
Question:150 Deputy Bernard Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will investigate a situation whereby a person (details supplied) in County Cork has been told by the Health Service Executive that they cannot get a replacement home-help as their permanent home-help is ill at the present time. [20360/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Deirdre Clune
Question:151 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive an appointment for audiology services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20368/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Deirdre Clune
Question:152 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children waiting for an appointment for audiology services in Cork; the length of time they will be waiting for an appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20369/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services.
Michael Ring
Question:153 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo is waiting more than 15 months for an operation; and when they can expect to be called. [20376/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
Nursing Home Subventions.
Jack Wall
Question:154 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on correspondence from a person (details supplied); her plans to address their concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20385/09]
At present, there are approximately 15,500 residents in private nursing homes. Of these, approximately 9,000 are in receipt of subvention. A further 3,000 are in "contracted" beds in private nursing homes. People in contract beds pay public nursing home charges and the State pays the balance of the cost. The expenditure on nursing home subventions for residents in registered nursing homes for the year 2007 was €171m, increasing to €202m in 2008. Furthermore, in 2007 the maximum rate of basic subvention was increased to €300 per week to help alleviate the financial burden on residents in private nursing homes pending the introduction of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
The Bill for the New Nursing Homes Support Scheme completed Committee Stage in the Dáil on 12th March 2009. It is the Minister for Health and Children's intention to progress the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to implementing the scheme later this year. The scheme will ensure that nursing home care is affordable for all who need it regardless of whether they choose a public or private nursing home bed. There has been significant investment in long-term care supports for older people over the last few years and Budget 2009 provided a further €55 million specifically for the implementation of the new Nursing Homes Support Scheme this year.
The Deputy will be aware that a new process of the registration and inspection of nursing homes by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will commence from July 1st, 2009. This will introduce an independent system of inspection of both public and private nursing homes.
Residents, their families and the public need to be reassured that HIQA will be monitoring the care people receive and in this regard it is important to have an effective, robust, independent and properly resourced inspection regime for residential services for older people. While the new regime for registration and inspection of all nursing homes will begin this year it is important to note that under the Health Act 2007 statutory responsibility is also given to the Chief Inspector of Social Services for inspecting and registering residential services for children and people with disabilities.
Following analysis of the types of centres, numbers of places, etc. it was a decided to set a registration fee of €500, payable every 3 years by each nursing home together with an annual fee of €190 per place in each registered centre. It is estimated that this will generate a minimum income of about €4.5 million which would cover the minimum annual additional funding required without putting an excessive burden on smaller residential units. The fees as calculated cover staff costs only; non-pay costs such as accommodation and equipment are coming from the overall HIQA budget. It is further estimated that the fee will represent an average weekly cost of €3.73 per registered place. Finally I can confirm to the Deputy that it is intended that the Department will carry out a review of these charges in 2010.
Services for People with Disabilities.
Richard Bruton
Question:155 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Prosper Fingal is unable to provide a long-term placement to 24 individuals completing short-term training programmes and to 11 people who need long-term placement in a day service; the number of new day places she is funding in 2009; the number in the Dublin area; the policy criteria she sets for the Health Service Executive in allocating places to different service providers; and if she is satisfied that waiting lists throughout the country will not rise under the proposed decisions. [20388/09]
Expenditure on health services for persons with a disability in 2009 will total around €1.5 billion. €1.1 billion of that funding will be allocated by the Health Services Executive (HSE) to voluntary agencies who provide a range of specialist day, respite, and residential services. My colleague Minister Harney's policy with regard to the allocation of this funding is that it is a matter for the HSE to arrange for the delivery of the maximum range, quality and quantum of services practicable within available resources. The HSE may to do this by direct service provision or by the allocation of funding to those service providers who in its judgment provide a best fit in terms of the quality and content of the services on offer and the needs of the service user, taking into account factors such as the geographical location of the service provider and the identified service need, together with best use of existing organizational capacity, staffing and funding.
The Deputy's specific question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services.
Michael Ring
Question:156 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a child (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for surgery in view of the fact that they are classed as a priority. [20391/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. The National Treatment Purchase Fund arranges treatment for patients who have been on a surgical waiting list for more than three months. It is open to the person in question or anyone acting on their behalf to contact the Fund directly in relation to their case.
Health Service Staff.
Finian McGrath
Question:157 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [20400/09]
In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers, the Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment, promotion, or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade with effect from 27 March 2009 to end 2010. A HSE circular has issued which gives effect to the Government decision in the public health services and other specific aspects of the employment control framework for the health services.
The Government decision has been modulated to ensure that key services are maintained insofar as possible in the health services, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability. The HSE will be focussing on the scope that exists within the health services for reorganising and restructuring of work in order to minimise the impact on essential service delivery. The redeployment and reassignment of existing staff will also support the reorientation of care from hospitals to the community and to facilitate the development of integrated care. It is seeking a high level of flexibility from staff and unions to achieve this.
In addition, the employment control framework specifically exempts the following front line grades in the health sector from the moratorium: Medical Consultants, Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Clinical Psychologists, Behaviour Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, and Emergency Medical Technicians. The framework actually allows for a growth in the number of those posts within the overall approved employment ceiling (111,800 wtes) for the health sector. The framework also includes provision for the creation of 225 new development posts this year for cancer and disability services.
The focus on these key grades is in line with existing Government policy on the prioritisation of certain development areas, for which significant funding has already been provided. The overall result will be to assist in the reorientation of health employment to services delivered in primary and community care. This moratorium relates to the public health service which includes voluntary hospitals, therefore, the moratorium and the conditions attached to it apply to the hospital in question as well.
Hospital Services.
Finian McGrath
Question:158 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [20401/09]
The Health Service Executive is fully aware of the financial challenges being faced by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and is involved in ongoing discussions with hospital management regarding its 2009 financial allocation and Service Plan. The priority is to ensure that services are maintained at an optimum level. Each hospital funded by the HSE is required to deliver services within the financial allocation provided.
The 2009 allocation to Our Lady's Children's Hospital is €139.6m. The allocation has increased by over €38m or 39% since 2004. In line with budgetary constraints across the system, the 2009 allocation is 3% below the 2008 allocation of €143.8m.
In the first three months of this year there were 2,745 treatments for children as in-patients and 3,841 treatments for children as day cases in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. This represents 244 more treatments for children than during the same period in 2008. There were also 21,252 attendances in the Out Patients' Department, an increase of 1041 over the same period last year.
The HSE has advised that, based on the financial performance for the first quarter of 2009, the hospital should achieve a break even position at year end. This assessment takes account of cost saving measures totalling €6.5m which have been agreed with the hospital, and which are to be implemented over the remainder of the year. Much of the focus of the discussions between hospital management and the HSE has been on ensuring that all areas of non-pay expenditure are critically examined and that costs are reduced where possible. It has also proven necessary to take measures to reduce activity, including the closure of a theatre and a ward from this month. However, the hospital has confirmed that it is committed to delivering on the full level of its service plan commitments for 2009.
Health Service Reform.
James Reilly
Question:159 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the details of consultancy contracts awarded by the Health Service Executive, since 1 January 2007, to assist in devising and implementing a reform, or reorganisation, of its management structures including the number of contracts awarded, the value of these contracts, the number of contracts which have been completed and the number of contracts which were completed on time and within budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20417/09]
James Reilly
Question:160 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultancies currently contracted by the Health Service Executive to assist in devising and implementing a reform strategy for its management structures including the names of each contracted individual or company, the value of each of these contracts and the dates on which it is expected that each of these contracts will be brought to a conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20418/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 160 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services.
Damien English
Question:161 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people residing in the Health Service Executive sponsored temporary and bed and breakfast accommodation through social services; the breakdown by gender, age and county basis; and if she will provide the information in tabular form. [20422/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Accommodation.
Seán Connick
Question:162 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 31 January 2008, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the McCauley Ward, National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire is still closed and that there are a number of patients waiting for beds in this national facility who could be accommodated if this ward was opened; when this ward will open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20438/09]
Bobby Aylward
Question:168 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will intervene with the Health Service Executive and arrange to re-open the McCauley ward at Our Lady of Lourdes National Rehabilitation Centre, Dún Laoghaire in which 11 public beds and six private beds were closed 18 months ago in view of the large number of patients awaiting admission to his hospital and the commitment the was given to re-open this ward in 2008; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20518/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 168 together.
As the Deputies questions relate to service matters I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Service Staff.
Seán Connick
Question:163 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in December 2008 the average social worker in County Wexford had an average of 31 cases, which was the fourth highest figure from the 32 local health offices in the State, that 500 children in County Wexford who were identified as being at risk of abuse or neglect had not being allocated a social worker and that this corresponds to 43% of children in County Wexford who were identified as being at risk of abuse or neglect; her proposals to resolve these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20439/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Diseases Classification.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:164 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if fibromyalgia is recognised as a disease by the Health Service Executive; the procedures that are followed to diagnose this condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20443/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:165 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children her views on the campaign to have fibromyalgia recognised as a disease at EU level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20444/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together.
Fibromyalgia is recognised as a distinct condition with its own code under the current version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). The International Classification of Disease is the international standard diagnostic classification for all diseases and which is accepted by Ireland and endorsed by the World Health Organisation. The diagnosis and management of Fibromyalgia is a clinical issue and covers the spectrum of Primary Care, specialist services and rehabilitation if appropriate.
The Department is aware of the recent European Parliament declaration on Fibromyalgia which calls on the Council and Commission to take action on raising awareness, facilitating research and to improve access to diagnosis and treatment. The Department will work with the Health Council and the Commission to address the issues raised by the European Parliament.
Health Service Allowances.
Tom Sheahan
Question:166 Deputy Tom Sheahan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been refused the domiciliary care allowance. [20445/09]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Services.
Finian McGrath
Question:167 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [20497/09]
The National Partnership Agreement Towards 2016 included a commitment to the development of a national carers strategy which was reinforced in the Programme for Government. During 2008 an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with secretariat support provided by Department of Social and Family Affairs, undertook work, including a public consultation process to develop a National Carers' Strategy. However, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to set targets or time lines which could be achieved. In that context, rather than publishing a document which did not include any significant plans for the future, the Government decided at its meeting on 24th February 2009, not to proceed with publication of a National Carers' Strategy. On the matter of home help, home care packages and respite care services these are provided by the HSE. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Question No. 168 answered with Question No. 162.
Children in Care.
Charles Flanagan
Question:169 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of foster children currently under the care and supervision of foster care parents, with a breakdown on a county basis, with confirmation or otherwise of the number of such children having been placed in foster care who do not have a specific care plan agreed between the foster parents and the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20519/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Services.
Pat Breen
Question:170 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the Health Service Executive plans to reconfigure acute hospital services in the mid-west region, she will report on the plans for the redevelopment of Ennis General Hospital; the expected cost of this redevelopment project; the timeframe for the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20524/09]
The HSE has commissioned a number of reviews in relation to how acute hospital services should be organised, including the Teamwork/Horwath Report in relation to the Mid-West region. The Health Information and Quality Authority recently published its report on services at Ennis General Hospital. These reviews have highlighted the need for changes to be made in the provision and organisation of acute hospital services across the region, particularly in relation to accident and emergency services, critical care, and surgical services.
The HSE has indicated that certain changes to the present arrangements for the provision of some acute services must be made, in the interests of patient safety and also to make best use of the clinical resources available within the Mid West region. The first phase of the re-configuration involved the reorganisation of the arrangements in Ennis and Nenagh so that these hospitals provide an urgent/minor injuries service for 12 hours a day as part of a regional Accident and Emergency structure. These hospitals will also continue to admit appropriate medical cases.Ambulance services in Clare and North Tipperary have been enhanced and an advanced 24-hour paramedic service is also in operation as part of the new arrangements.
The plans also involve the reconfiguration of acute hospital services into a network and their better integration with primary care services across the region, with a regional centre at the Regional Hospital Limerick that will deal with complex and specialist cases. The changing nature of health service delivery is such that smaller hospitals can meet much of the demand for less complex services, especially those that are increasingly done on a day case basis. Day surgery and diagnostic service activity at Ennis and Nenagh will also be significantly enhanced.
I am satisfied that the measures being taken by the HSE are necessary and appropriate in order to ensure the provision of safe and effective health services to the people of the Mid West region. My Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the detailed operational issues raised.
Child Protection Services.
Charles Flanagan
Question:171 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to Parliamentary Question No. 32 of 19 February 2009, she will ensure that a comprehensive reply is forthcoming within the three-month period as specified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20526/09]
My Office has been in contact again with the Health Service Executive in this regard. I understand that the information requested in the Deputy's Questions is not routinely held in the format requested. As the request is quite detailed and comprehensive and covers the last decade, it is currently being researched and collated across 32 Local Health Offices. I understand that this involves an enormous amount of search and retrieval of files which may have been closed and archived as well as current files. This work is ongoing but is being done in the context of having to manage the daily workloads in child protection as a priority.
Hospital Charges.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:172 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount of hospital fees collected in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the corresponding amounts which remain uncollected; and the breakdown of the reason for and value of uncollected fees. [20532/09]
My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Children in Care.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:173 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in care who have been admitted to hospital in respect of drugs overdoses for each of the past five years; the number of those who were residing in foster care; the number who were in a residential care setting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20663/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:174 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been placed in residential facilities outside of the State for each of the past five years. [20664/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:175 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the average cost of placing a child in a residential care facility outside of the State; the average cost for placing a child in a public residential care facility here; and the average cost of placing a child in a private residential care facility here. [20665/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:176 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been placed in residential facilities outside of the State who have made complaints of abuse of any nature for each of the past five years; if the Health Service Executive have conducted their own investigations into each of the allegations made; the results of such investigations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20666/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:177 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the type of care which is provided to children placed in residential care facilities outside of this State that is not available here. [20667/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:182 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who are on a waiting list for admission to a residential care facility outside of the State; and the number of children who are on a waiting list for admission to a residential care facility here. [20672/09]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:183 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been removed from residential care facilities outside of the State for each of the past five years at the request of parents or social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20673/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 177, inclusive, and 182 and 183 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:178 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she has conducted a feasibility study on establishing a facility to cater for children needing highly specialised residential care that is not available here; when this feasibility study was conducted; the results of this study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20668/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:179 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of migrant children who have been moved from hostel accommodation by the Health Service Executive to foster care and residential children’s homes during March and April 2009; the number of children placed in foster care and the number of children placed in a residential home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20669/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:180 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have gone missing from State care to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20670/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:181 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been placed in British residential care facilities who have participated in activities with army cadet programmes or other army training exercises for each of the past five years; the institutions in which they have participated in these activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20671/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Questions Nos. 182 and 183 answered with Question No. 174.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:184 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish a review committee to inquire into the high number of children who have died in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20674/09]
The Health Service Executive has established a high level Review Group to review the deaths of children in the care of the state since 2000. The Terms of Reference are as follows:
To review reports of the deaths of children in the care of the state since 2000 to:
Identify key messages of the reports.
To identify learning from each report.
To identify key themes or issues common to the reports.
To make recommendations to the HSE National Director in relation to the above.
I understand from the HSE that there are 20 cases in all. Of these, 9 deaths were either accidental or related to complications arising from an existing medical condition or due to a terminal illness. Of the remaining 11, four investigations are still ongoing. Once these investigations are complete and the reports made available to the Review Group, a comprehensive report will finalised.
Residential Care Services.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:185 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce a mechanism for independent inspections of care facilities for people with disabilities. [20675/09]
A Standards Advisory Group was established by HIQA to develop National Quality Standards on Residential Services for People with Disabilities. The Group comprised officials of HIQA, my Department, the HSE, service providers, organisations representing people with disabilities and service users, and met on a number of occasions during 2008. Following a public consultation process initiated by HIQA, the proposed standards were formulated and have now been published. These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for people with disabilities in a residential setting and relate only to adult services at present.
Given the current economic situation, it is not proposed to move to full statutory implementation of the standards, including regulation and inspection, at this time. However, notwithstanding the difficulties of immediate statutory implementation, my Department, the HSE and HIQA have agreed that progressive implementation of the Standards will now commence, and that they will become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that the HSE funds. Further discussions will take place regarding the introduction of an appropriate level of external validation for relevant settings.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:186 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of care orders granted to the Health Service Executive during 2007 and during 2008. [20677/09]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Preschool Services.
Arthur Morgan
Question:187 Deputy Arthur Morgan asked the Minister for Health and Children the services which will replace the early child care supplement from 1 January 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16964/09]
As the Deputy will be aware I have responsibility for the implementation of the new scheme to provide a free Preschool year of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) which was announced recently by the Minister of Finance. The Early Childcare Supplement (ECS) will be withdrawn at the end of 2009 and will be replaced by the Preschool Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from January 2010. This is a free scheme to benefit children in the key developmental period prior to commencing school. The scheme will allow eligible children to avail of a free playschool place in their preschool year, which will be provided for 3 hours per day, 5 days per week for 38 weeks. It will also allow eligible children in their preschool year who are attending full day or part-time daycare services to avail of a free session of 2 hours and 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week for 50 weeks. As the new scheme will be introduced from January next, the first full year will be from September 2010.
Participating children must, normally be aged between 3 years 3 months and 4 years 6 months on the 1st September of each year. Exceptions will be allowed where children have special needs or it is necessary to accept children at an older age due to the enrolment policy of the local primary school. Participating services will receive capitation of €64.50 per week where children attend for 38 weeks, and €48.50 where they attend for 50 weeks of the year. Services will receive payments at the start of each term. Where the child is attending full-day or part-time childcare, the service will be required to reduce the childcare fees by the amount of the capitation.
While the scheme will normally be required to provide services on a five day per week basis, transitional arrangements will apply during the initial period of January to August 2010, to allow services to adjust to the requirements of the new scheme. During this period, services which are already accommodating children on a pro rata basis, may continue to do so and the capitation grant will be set by reference to the number of children attending per day rather than the total number of children per week.
To ensure that a satisfactory standard of preschool provision is delivered, a minimum enrolment of 8 children is envisaged. Exceptions will be considered where, for good reason and subject to compliance with all other contractual requirements governing the scheme, a service has an enrolment of at least 5 children in their preschool year or there is a minimum enrolment of 8 children of which at least 3 are in their preschool year and the remainder would be eligible in the following year.
The scheme will be open to almost 5,000 private and voluntary preschool services and officials in my Office will be writing to these very shortly to provide further details and to advise them of the application process. Pre-School leaders will be expected to have a qualification in childcare to FETAC level 5 or 6 qualifications, or equivalent or to be in the process of completing their qualification. All services will be required to provide an educational programme consistent with the principles of Síolta and appropriate to the age of participating children. A national team of Síolta co-ordinators will assist services in meeting these standards.
Road Safety.
Shane McEntee
Question:188 Deputy Shane McEntee asked the Minister for Transport the criteria for designating an accident black spot; if all accident black spots here are catalogued; the number of same; the person with whom responsibility for this lies; if there is a programme currently in place to deal with accident black spots specifically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20389/09]
It is no longer the practice to designate sites on the public road network as blackspots. The emphasis now is on identifying locations with a high accident record and devising suitable remedial measures. The undertaking of any survey of its road network, to, inter alia, ascertain its condition, including identification of locations with a high accident record, is a matter for each local authority.
Since 2000, road grants have been paid to local authorities under the Low Cost Safety Improvement Works Scheme for regional and local roads. The National Roads Authority (NRA) assesses applications for grants under the regional and local roads scheme on behalf of my Department. The criteria for grant approval are based on accident data, inspection of sites, locations showing a demonstrable hazard and discussions between the local authority and the NRA. In 2009, grants totalling €6.25 million have been allocated under the scheme to local authorities for works on regional and local roads. The allocation of grants for national roads is a matter for the NRA.
Appointments to State Boards.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:189 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport when he will appoint a new chairperson to the board of Dublin Port; if he is running an open competition to select the new chairperson; the criteria he will use to select the candidate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20394/09]
As provided for under Section 30 of the Harbours Act 1996, I have sought nominations for the current vacancy on the board of Dublin Port from a number of stakeholders. The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland, IBEC, ICTU and a number of representative bodies from the shipping sector were included in the consultation and I received a number of nominations. The Ports Policy Statement gives a number of indications with regard to port company board appointments. It points out that an appropriate balance of skills, competencies and experience is required at board level. It is also important that board members cultivate a commercial ethos and display a genuine dedication to the welfare of the port and all its stakeholders. I will consider these points and the nominations received when making my decision. In the meantime the board has selected an acting chairperson, as provided for in its Articles of Association.
Port Development.
Brendan Howlin
Question:190 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport his plans to develop Rosslare Europort, County Wexford; if he has a strategy for the future of this port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20421/09]
Rosslare Europort differs somewhat from the other ten State owned commercial ports, in that it operates as a commercial division of Iarnród Éireann, rather than a stand alone company under the Harbours Acts. The port is the second largest roll on/roll off port in the country and provides important transport links to the UK and continental Europe. Traffic through the port has grown substantially over the last decade. My Department liaises closely with the port with regard to ports policy developments and in particular port capacity.
The port was one of seven ports to make a detailed submission as part of the Port Capacity Study carried out in 2006. Since the study my Department has continued to monitor capacity developments under the Port Sub-Programme of the current NDP. Rosslare has a major capital investment programme for 2009. The bulk of this will be spent on a new linkspan in the port, which is currently under construction.
Appointments to State Boards.
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:191 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport the number of appointments to State boards, State bodies or other like entities which he has made or envisages making or nominating in the period 1 January to 31 December 2009; the board, body or entity involved in ease case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20531/09]
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in Tables 1 and 2 below. Table 1 lists the appointments I have made to State Boards and State bodies in the period from 1 January 2009 to date. Table 2 provides details of the existing and anticipated vacancies in the period ending 31 December 2009. I will give due consideration to filling any particular vacancy as and when that vacancy arises and taking account of the particular circumstances prevailing at the time.
|
State Body |
Appointments Made |
|
CIE Group — Bus Átha Cliath |
4 |
|
CIE Group — Bus Éireann |
3 |
|
CIE Group — Iarnród Éireann |
6 |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
1 |
|
Medical Bureau of Road Safety |
4 |
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
4 |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
4 |
|
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation |
2 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company |
1 |
|
New Ross Port Company |
1 |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
6 |
|
State Body |
Existing or Anticipated Vacancies |
|
Córas Iompair Éireann Appointments to the CIE Board are made by Government Decision. The Minister for Transport puts forward the names |
5 |
|
CIE Group — Bus Átha Cliath |
6 |
|
CIE Group — Bus Éireann |
3 |
|
CIE Group — Iarnród Éireann |
2 |
|
Railway Procurement Agency |
1 |
|
National Roads Authority |
3 |
|
Dublin Transportation Office |
16 |
|
Dublin Transport Authority The Dublin Transportation Authority is due to be established later in 2009. |
6 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
12 |
|
Shannon Airport Authority |
12 |
|
Cork Airport Authority |
13 |
|
Aer Lingus The State’s shareholding of 25.1% of ordinary share capital entitles the Minister for Transport, acting through the Minister for Finance, in his capacity as shareholder, to nominate up to three persons as “Minister’s Nominees” on the Board of the Company. There is currently one such vacancy on the Aer Lingus Board |
1 |
|
Advisory Council to the Commission for Taxi Regulation |
18 |
|
Irish Aviation Authority |
3 |
|
Drogheda Port Company |
2 |
|
Dublin Port Company |
1 |
|
Galway Harbour Company |
1 |
|
Port of Waterford Company |
1 |
|
Arklow Harbour Commissioners |
3 |
|
Baltimore Harbour Commissioners |
5 |
|
Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners |
2 |
|
Kinsale Harbour Commissioners |
3 |
|
Tralee and Fenit and Harbour Commissioners |
3 |
|
Wexford Harbour Commissioners |
5 |
Passport Applications.
Billy Timmins
Question:192 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who has applied for a temporary passport as they need to go to Kosovo to renew their passport but cannot travel; if this will be granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20358/09]
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person in question was refused refugee status following appeal in 2002 and is therefore not entitled to be issued with an Irish travel document. The person concerned currently has temporary permission to remain in the State until 18 July 2010. The person in question sought an Irish temporary travel document in April 2009. He was advised by the Travel Document Unit in writing on 16 April 2009 to seek assistance from his relevant embassy which is the appropriate course of action in such circumstances. In all cases, INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to an Irish temporary travel document applicant preventing them from procuring their own national passport or travel document before an Irish temporary travel document will issue.
As the person in question is a Kosovan national it is advised that he should seek consular assistance from his own national authorities. The Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo, 15 Stratton Street, Mayfair, London W1J8LQ, United Kingdom would be best placed to offer assistance to him with a view to obtaining a national passport or travel document.
Proposed Legislation.
Andrew Doyle
Question:193 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way the proposed Civil Partnership Bill will incorporate the provisions of the Family Home Protection Act, 1976, in particular for registered but unmarried partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20367/09]
The General Scheme of the Civil Partnership Bill, published in June 2008, extends provisions analogous to those in the Family Home Protection Act 1976 to the shared home of registered civil partners. The provisions are contained in Heads 33 to 46 of the General Scheme. The Government Legislation Programme published on 22 April 2009 provides for the publication of the Civil Partnership Bill during the current Dáil session.
Bench Warrants.
Charles Flanagan
Question:194 Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of bench warrants that remain outstanding; his views on the execution of bench warrants; and the action he proposes to take to address deficiencies in the bench warrant system. [20419/09]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are 36,916 bench warrants recorded as un-executed as of 17 May, 2009. It is inevitable in any criminal justice system that at any given time there will be a significant number of warrants awaiting execution. The Garda authorities are committed to strengthening the warrants in the system enforcement process. The Commissioner has raised the issue of the execution of warrants with each Regional Assistant Commissioner and a range of measures, aimed at reducing the number of warrants on hand, have been identified and are being implemented.
It should be borne in mind too that the vast majority of the outstanding bench warrants relate to unpaid fines for modest sums, arising from minor infractions of the law and not convictions arising from violent and other serious crime. An Garda Síochána give priority to the execution of warrants in respect of serious crime.
The Fines Bill 2009, which was published on 20 April, provides for the payment of fines by instalment and an improved means of assessing the capacity of a person to pay a fine. It also gives the courts powers to treat non-payment of a fine in the same way as non-payment of a civil debt and to impose a community service order for non-payment of a fine. As a result, imprisonment for default should in future become the exception rather than the rule. As so many warrants relate to financial penalties, these proposals should result in a smaller number of warrants being issued and so reduce pressure on the system.
The operation of the warrants system will continue to be monitored, particularly with a view to making whatever changes may be necessary to improve its operation.
Detention Centres.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:195 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people under 18 years of age who have been remanded in custody during each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 due to the lack of State psychiatric services for young people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20676/09]
The position is that children are remanded to custody in a Children Detention School or St Patrick's Institution on the order of the Court when criminal charges have been made against them. While it is a matter for the judiciary to decide on the disposal of each individual case, information as to the basis for the Judge's decision is not available.
State Passports.
Damien English
Question:196 Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has received a query from a person (details supplied) in County Meath regarding the status of their passport; if he will investigate the status of this passport as this person has encountered difficulties on entering the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20505/09]
The person in question contacted my Department last year regarding difficulties she was encountering when travelling to the USA. My Department confirmed that she held a passport which is valid until 2014 which should have met the requirements of the US visa waiver programme. I understand that the difficulties she has encountered in travelling to the USA have arisen because her identity details match those of a different individual on a US watch-list. On the advice of the US Embassy in Dublin, she applied for, and was issued with a ten year visa. Despite this, I understand that the problem has not been resolved.
Entry into the United States is a matter for the US Department of Homeland Security. My Department, having contacted the person concerned, is making further enquiries with the US authorities to see if a solution can be found. My Department will contact the person in question again shortly.
Údaráis Áitiúla.
Dinny McGinley
Question:197 D’fhiafraigh Deputy Dinny McGinley den Aire Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil iarratas faighte aige ó eagras (sonraí tugtha) le haghaidh trealaimh breise, an bhfuil an t-iarratas á mheas faoi láthair agus cén uair a bheidh cinneadh á dhéanamh. [20386/09]
Mar is eol don Teachta, is ceist do na húdaráis áitiúla soláthar trealaimh den tsaghas atá luaite aige a mhaoiniú. Bhí cruinniú agam, áfach, le h-ionadaithe ón eagras atá luaite ag an Teachta lé déanaí faoin gceist. Ag eascair as an gcruinniú sin, tá teagmháil déanta agam le h-Údarás na Gaeltachta agus tuigim go bhfuil feidhmeannaigh de chuid na heagraíochta sin ag plé na ceiste leis an Údarás áitiúl caoi.
Inland Waterways.
Michael Ring
Question:198 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress regarding the provision of private mooring facilities beside the Waterways Ireland marina at Leitrim Village in County Leitrim; and the position regarding further meetings or correspondence that Waterways Ireland may have had with the developer. [20682/09]
Michael Ring
Question:199 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on contacting Leitrim County Council regarding compliance by developers with its planning permission in regard to the provision of private mooring facilities beside the Waterways Ireland marina at Leitrim Village in County Leitrim. [20683/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
I am advised that Waterways Ireland is not engaged with the developer in question in relation to the provision of private mooring facilities. However, Waterways Ireland has been in contact with the developer's consultants and advisers to progress outstanding technical queries regarding the provision of public moorings. In this regard, I understand that a meeting took place on 19 May 2009 between the developer, his consultants and Waterways Ireland to focus on specific outstanding issues. Following the meeting, a number of issues still remain to be resolved. All parties agreed to further meetings to resolve any outstanding issues. The next meeting is scheduled for 19 June 2009.
Finally, the Deputy will understand that I have no role regarding the developer's compliance with planning permission in relation to the provision of private mooring facilities. Such compliance is solely a matter for the local authority.
Pension Provisions.
Richard Bruton
Question:200 Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if there are rules ensuring that the owners of PRSAs can move their funds to another managing fund without unfair obstacles being put in their way. [20381/09]
I understand that the Deputy is questioning what obstacles there may be in place for Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) holders wishing to switch providers. Legislation covering the operation of PRSAs is detailed in Part X of the Pensions Act 1990. Specifically, Section 108 of that Act deals with transfers between PRSA providers. This section prevents obstacles to transfers by forbidding any provisions in PRSA contracts that prohibit a contributor from entering into another PRSA contract and transferring his or her assets to the new PRSA. Furthermore, the section does not allow providers to charge contributors who wish to transfer to another provider.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Michael Creed
Question:201 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork was refused rent allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20553/09]
Rent supplement is administered on behalf of the department by the community welfare division of the Health Service Executive as part of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. The purpose of the rent supplement scheme is to provide short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation, whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The Executive has advised that the person concerned was refused rent supplement as her income from one-parent family payment, maternity benefit and maintenance payments is sufficient to meet her accommodation costs. The person concerned has been advised of her right of appeal against the decision to an Appeals Officer of the Executive.
Departmental Offices.
Joe Carey
Question:202 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the extra resources she plans to allocate to the social welfare offices in County Clare in order to deal with the surge in claims for assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20371/09]
The Department has one departmentally staffed local office in Ennis, Co. Clare. In addition there are three branch offices located in Ennistymon, Kilrush and Tulla. Branch offices are not staffed by civil servants but operate under a contract for service on behalf of the Department. Claims from the branch offices in Co Clare are decided in Ennis Local Office as are claims from Gort Branch Office in Co. Galway. Under the terms of their contract Branch Managers are responsible for recruiting their own staff and are required to employ sufficient staff to deliver an efficient service to the public. The additional number of people applying for jobseeker payments has placed increased pressure on all of the Department's offices and on branch offices. Staff in these offices are working extremely hard to process claims as quickly as possible.
During the past year an additional 190 staff have been assigned to local offices throughout the country. Following a review late last year 3 additional staff were assigned to Ennis Local Office. Many offices are now at capacity in relation to accommodation and to support these offices the Department has set up four central decision units around the country and a further three are planned. In addition, since early in 2008 we have been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining them wherever possible with a view to expediting decisions.
Olwyn Enright
Question:203 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when she is establishing a full time social welfare office in a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20435/09]
At present, social welfare customers in the Lucan area attend the Clondalkin Social Welfare Office to access social welfare services. However, the Department operates a special signing centre in Main Street, Lucan for local people signing the Live Register. The Department's Inspectors also operate from an office in Lucan town. The Dublin South Council has indicated its intention to provide civic offices for public bodies within the Adamstown Development. This proposed development presents a possible solution for the establishment of a local office to service the greater Lucan area. The Department has requested the Office of Public Works which has responsibility for the provision of all new office accommodation for the Department to pursue the matter further.
Social Welfare Code.
Seymour Crawford
Question:204 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the length of time an application from a social welfare applicant will take to get clearance from the habitual residency section; if she will make additional staff available to ensure the applications are dealt with in a reasonable period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20450/09]
The requirement to be habitually resident in Ireland was introduced as a qualifying condition for certain social assistance schemes and child benefit with effect from 1 May 2004. It was introduced in the context of the Government's decision to open the Irish labour market to workers from the 10 new EU Member States, without the transitional limitations which were imposed at that time by most of the other Member States. The effect of the condition is that a person whose habitual residence is elsewhere would not normally be entitled to social welfare assistance or child benefit payments on arrival in Ireland.
Habitual residence condition (HRC) decisions for child benefit, disability allowance, carers allowance and pensions are now made in their respective headquarter offices. In addition, 90% of Jobseeker's Allowance habitual residence condition cases are straightforward and are decided in local offices at the point of claim. The average processing times for Jobseekers' claims is currently 6 weeks. The more complex habitual residence cases are sent to the central HRC unit for decision. As a result of the increase in the volume and complexity of claims currently being referred to the central unit, it can take to up to 5 months for a decision to be finalised in certain cases.
The Department has recently introduced a number of measures to address the delays and expedite the HRC decision-making process. Since the beginning of 2009, a further three staff have been assigned to the unit. In addition, a programme of devolving all decisions locally has commenced. Formal training for the first phase for staff involved commenced on 19th May 2009. The training of the remaining staff will be rolled out over the coming months. The localisation of the decision making functions when completed will result in speedier processing of claims.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Finian McGrath
Question:205 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will support a matter (details supplied). [20495/09]
As Deputies will be aware, in the context of the current economic circumstances, it has been necessary for the Government to take steps to reduce overall public expenditure in order to restore order and stability in the public finances. This has involved reviewing all public expenditure programmes, including social welfare programmes, which at some €21.3 billion in 2009 form a substantial portion of overall public expenditure. In order to avoid cutting all the weekly social welfare payment rates while trying to keep the welfare budget at a level the State can afford it has been necessary to discontinue funding for the Christmas bonus that in the past has been paid to certain welfare recipients. The payment of a 100% Christmas bonus in 2009 would cost an estimated €223 million. The decision not to pay the bonus this year was the most difficult decision the Government had to make in framing the supplementary budget.
The rates of child benefit have increased significantly since 2001 having trebled for the first two children and increased by over 185% for the third and subsequent children. Overall expenditure on child benefit grew from the equivalent of €965 million in 2001 to nearly €2.5 billion in 2008 as a result of these rates increases and the growth in the number of eligible children. The Minister for Finance announced in the Supplementary Budget the Government's intention to subject child benefit to income tax or means-test it from 2010. The Department, together with the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, will be giving the matter careful consideration over the coming months. Furthermore, the Commission on Taxation is considering the issues underlying the possible taxation of child benefit. The Commission's deliberations will inform the Government's final decision on how to proceed. Officials of this Department, in their submission and their meeting with the Commission, set out their views on the issues involved in means testing or taxing child benefit.
While very difficult decisions have been taken in order to restore order and stability in the public finances, I have been successful in keeping expenditure control measures in the social welfare area to an absolute minimum and ensuring that the more vulnerable in society have been protected from their effects.
James Bannon
Question:206 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford has been refused jobseeker’s allowance in view of the fact that they have no income other than approximately €50 per week they receive for doing odd jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20500/09]
A claim for Jobseeker's Allowance was received from the person concerned by the Department on 12th of May 2009. Payment of Jobseeker's Allowance is subject to a means test. In this regard his application was referred for investigation to a Social Welfare Investigator who will accordingly be in touch with him. A person may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance from their local Community Welfare Officer while an application for Jobseeker's Allowance is being processed.
Social Welfare Code.
Olwyn Enright
Question:207 Deputy Olwyn Enright asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on a statement (details supplied); when her policy on SSIA savings and social welfare payments changed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20507/09]
The statement to which the Deputy refers is a press release issued by the then Minister for Social and Family Affairs on 14 February 2005 which announced details of changes introduced in the Social Welfare and Pensions Act, 2005. These changes included an improvement in the means test arrangements for all social welfare schemes (except supplementary welfare allowance) under which the amount of capital disregarded for means test purposes was increased, with effect from June 2005, to €20,000 from €12,697.38. The enhanced disregard applied to all capital regardless of where it is or was held, be it in a SSIA, a Credit Union, with An Post or any other account with a bank or other financial institution. The change was introduced following a review of the arrangements for the assessment of capital particularly as they related to SSIAs. The policy in relation to SSIAs and social welfare payments has not changed since 2005.
In assessing means for social assistance purposes, account is taken of any cash income the person may have, together with the value of capital and property (except the family home). Capital may include the following:
Stocks and shares of every description, which are assessed according to their current market value.
Savings certificates / bonds / national instalment savings, which are also assessed according to their current market value.
Money invested in a bank, building society etc.
Capital amounts held in Special Savings Investment Accounts when such accounts existed were treated in the same manner as other capital. Following the closing of such accounts in 2007, capital formerly held in these accounts continues to be assessed for means tested purposes in the same manner as before. Currently, for the purposes of most social assistance schemes the first €20,000 of capital continues to be disregarded. The first €50,000 is disregarded in the case of disability allowance while the first €5,000 is disregarded in the case of supplementary welfare allowance.
Sean Fleming
Question:208 Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if people in receipt of disability allowance automatically become entitled to the contributory State pension; if this does not occur in some situations, if she will make arrangement to pay PRSI contributions in order that they will have an entitlement to the State pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20511/09]
Eligibility for the State (Contributory) Pension is determined by an individual's PRSI contribution history. The standard qualifying conditions for contributory pensions require a person to enter insurance 10 years prior to pension age, pay a minimum of 260 contributions at the correct rate, and achieve a yearly average of at least 10 contributions on their record from the time that they enter insurance until they reach pension age. As signalled in 2002 and provided in the Social Welfare Acts, the minimum number of contributions required will increase from 260 to 510 from 2012.
Individuals in receipt of Disability Allowance are only eligible to apply for the State (Contributory) Pension, at age 66, if they started paying social insurance contributions before reaching the age of 56. They are not liable to pay PRSI contributions but may be eligible for credited social insurance contributions if they have paid at least one PRSI contribution and have paid or credited contributions in either of the last two income tax years before a claim was made for Disability Allowance. Credited contributions are only awarded to those people who were employed contributors, as opposed to self-employed contributors, reflecting differences between the nature of employment and self-employment.
Alternatively, individuals may be eligible to pay voluntary contributions in order to maintain their contribution record and subsequent entitlement to the State (Contributory) Pension. In order to be admitted to the voluntary contributions scheme, a person must have a minimum of 260 weeks of PRSI paid in either employment or self-employment and apply within 12 months of their past paid contribution. The requirement to have 260 paid contributions to gain access to the scheme is essential in that it ensures that the requisite number of paid contributions required is in place to establish a contributory pension entitlement.
Social Welfare Benefits.
Seán Barrett
Question:209 Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it can take up to 12 weeks for a person applying for jobseeker’s benefit on completion of a FÁS course to receive the payment; the steps she is taking to ensure that jobseeker’s benefit will be automatically payable to an applicant immediately on completion of a FÁS course; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20534/09]
The Deputy will be aware of the huge increase in the number of people applying for jobseekers' payments in recent months. This has placed increased pressure on all of the Department's offices and on branch offices. Staff in these offices are working extremely hard to process claims as quickly as possible. In order to deal with the unprecedented number of claims, during the past year an additional 190 staff have been assigned to local offices throughout the country. Many offices are now at capacity in relation to accommodation and to support these offices the Department has set up four central decision units around the country and a further three are planned. In addition, since early in 2008 we have been examining all aspects of the work associated with the processing of claims and streamlining them wherever possible with a view to expediting decisions.
For several years, the Department has operated a fast-tracking system for certain categories of claims. So, for example, if a person supplies all the necessary information and documentation to support their claim at the outset, their claim will be decided ahead of other claimants who have not produced all of the required information. Customers who have already established entitlement on an earlier claim and who then sign off either to go to work or avail of a FÁS course will, generally speaking, not require significant re-investigation of entitlement if they have to sign-on again and will fall into the fast-tracking arrangements. There should be only minimal delay in deciding this type of claim. Inevitably there will be some claims that may require further examination and delays may arise in such cases. However, these should be the minority of cases.
Where there is a delay in processing a jobseeker's claim, the person may apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance from the local Community Welfare Officer.
Defence Forces Recruitment.
Brian O'Shea
Question:210 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence when he will lift the moratorium on promotion in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20353/09]
Brian O'Shea
Question:211 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has to lift the ban on recruitment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20354/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
The Government has introduced a moratorium on recruitment and promotions in the Public Service with effect from 27 March until the end of 2010. The implications of the moratorium, which is being implemented in the Defence Forces, are currently under consideration by my officials in consultation with the military authorities. While the restriction on recruitment, promotion and payment of allowances for the performance of duties of a higher grade applies to the Defence Forces across the board, questions have arisen in relation to a number of issues and particular cases, including the impact on promotion competitions which had advanced, for example to the final medical stages. Officials from my Department and the military authorities are working together to clarify all the issues arising.
Defence Forces Strength.
Brian O'Shea
Question:212 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether recent cutbacks in regard to the Defence Forces will render the Defence Forces unable to properly and fully discharge all duties that must be performed on behalf of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20355/09]
The recent Government Decision on savings measures on public service numbers is being implemented in the Defence Forces. The implications of the Decision are currently under consideration by my officials in consultation with the military authorities. I am advised that the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by Government at home and overseas.
The Defence Forces have improved in every respect since 2000 through the implementation of the White Paper. This represents a significant public service success story. The organisation is therefore in a healthy state both in terms of personnel and equipment. The economic reality is such that the Government decision must be implemented. It can be anticipated that further flexibility and re-structuring will be required arising from the implementation of these measures I intend, within the resources available, to retain the capacity of the organisation to operate effectively across all roles. This will represent a significant challenge in the coming years and one in respect of which I will work closely with the Chief of Staff.
Defence Forces Training.
Dinny McGinley
Question:213 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if he has advertised for accommodation in the Letterkenny area of County Donegal to facilitate the Reserve Defence Forces training; the reason this cannot be facilitated by carrying out the necessary training in properties belonging to his Department in Lifford and Rockhill, Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20509/09]
My Department recently advertised for accommodation for the Reserve Defence Forces based at Rockhill, Co. Donegal. Training for the Reserve Defence Forces currently takes place at Rockhill and the advertisement was placed to ensure continuity of training for these Forces should the Department's vacant properties in Co. Donegal be disposed of in the coming months.
Defence Forces Reserve.
Billy Timmins
Question:214 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to persons (details supplied); when they will be attested. [20515/09]
The Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service with effect from 27 March 2009 and the Defence Organisation is required to operate with reduced funding for 2009. In this context, all recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force was suspended. It is important that we continue to provide appropriate opportunities for paid training to all members of the Reserve to the greatest extent possible within the current budgetary provisions. The first priority is to consolidate the gains that have been made over recent years in developing the Reserve. Yesterday (19 May) I announced the re-commencement of limited recruitment to the Reserve so as to replace existing members who leave during the course of 2009.
Many of those individuals who have already applied to join the RDF and who are awaiting attestation, may be attested into the RDF as vacancies arise in the various Brigades. The numbers recruited will depend on the number leaving. This limited recruitment will be monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training within the RDF and the future budgetary provision.
Defence Forces Allowances.
James Bannon
Question:215 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence the reason soldiers from Connolly Barracks, Longford, have not received their allowances due to moving to Athlone Barracks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/09]
Under Defence Force Regulations S3, personnel on transfer from one location to another may qualify for Change of Station allowance provided they satisfy certain criteria under those Regulations. The Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) has submitted a claim under the Conciliation and Arbitration (C & A) Scheme for the payment of a lump sum to personnel who do not qualify for Change of Station allowance following the closure earlier this year of a number of barracks including Connolly Barracks. This claim is still under discussion with the Association. The Deputy will appreciate that as discussions under the C & A Scheme are confidential to the parties involved it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter.
Defence Forces Reserve.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:216 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the reason Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil became the Cúltaca an Airm and that the English language of the title Reserve Defence Forces is used in most publications and statements by him and by his Department, since the change in 2005; and his policy regarding the promotion of the Irish language within the Cúltaca an Airm. [20540/09]
The reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force was provided for in the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan (RDFRIP), which was launched in 2004. In accordance with the plan, new organisational structures for the Reserve were introduced on 1st October 2005 and An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil was re-titled the Army Reserve (Cúltaca an Airm).
The Defence Organisation is pro-active in the development and promotion of the Irish language. The title "Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca" is used in Irish language versions of publications/statements and "Reserve Defence Force" appears in the English versions of these publications/statements.
The Defence Forces Official Languages Policy in the form of an Administrative Instruction was launched in 2004 and the Defence Forces Scheme (Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann) 2006-2009 under the Official Languages Act was approved by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in September 2006. The development of the Irish language in the Defence Forces is led by An Chomhairle Gaeilge (Irish Language Council) which is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Scheme.
The use of the Irish language will continue to be promoted within the Defence Forces including Cúltaca an Airm.
Naval Service Reserve.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:217 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the reason Slua Muirí became the Cúltaca An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh and that the English language of the title Naval Service Reserve has been used in most publications and statements by him and by his Department, since the change in 2005; and his policy regarding the promotion of the Irish language within Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Cabhlaigh. [20541/09]
The reorganisation of the Reserve Defence Force was provided for in the Reserve Defence Force Review Implementation Plan (RDFRIP), which was launched in 2004. In accordance with the plan, new organisational structures for the Reserve were introduced on 1st October 2005 and An Slua Muiri was re-titled the Naval Service Reserve (Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh).
The Defence Organisation is active in the development and promotion of the Irish language. The title "Cúltaca An tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh" is used in Irish language versions of publications/statements and "Naval Service Reserve" appears in the English versions of these publications/statements.
The Defence Forces Official Languages Policy in the form of an Administrative Instruction was launched in 2004 and the Defence Forces Scheme (Scéim Óglaigh na hÉireann) 2006-2009 under the Official Languages Act was approved by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in September 2006. The development of the Irish language in the Defence Forces is led by An Chomhairle Gaeilge (Irish Language Council), which is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Scheme.
The use of the Irish language will continue to be promoted within the Defence Forces including Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh.
Defence Forces Strength.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:218 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the active strength of Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Cabhlaigh and an Slua Muirí for each of the past ten years. [20542/09]
The information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in the near future.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:219 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the active strength of Cúltaca an Airm and An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil for each of the past ten years and per brigade area. [20543/09]
The information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in the near future.
Naval Service.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:220 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the annual budget for Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Cabhlaigh and An Slua Muirí for each of the past ten years. [20544/09]
Subhead D of the Defence Vote includes payments for Reserve Defence Force (RDF) training, gratuities, allowances and also includes grants paid into unit funds. The budget for the last ten years is outlined in a table. The figures are for Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh/An Slua Muirí and Cúltaca an Airm/an Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and excludes the First Line Reserve.
|
Year |
**2000 |
**2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
*Budget €M |
7.74 |
9.74 |
11.05 |
11.48 |
12.04 |
12.47 |
12.91 |
12.45 |
10.39 |
8.83 |
*Based on REV Publication Figures from 2000 to 2009.
**Figures are in Euro.
Defence Forces Reserve.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:221 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence the annual budget for Cúltaca an Airm and an Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil for each of the past 10 years. [20545/09]
Subhead D of the Defence Vote includes payments for Reserve Defence Force (RDF) training, gratuities, allowances and also includes grants paid into unit funds. The budget for the last ten years is outlined in the table below. The figures are for Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh/An Slua Muirí and Cúltaca an Airm/an Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and excludes the First Line Reserve.
|
Year |
**2000 |
**2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
*Budget €M |
7.74 |
9.74 |
11.05 |
11.48 |
12.04 |
12.47 |
12.91 |
12.45 |
10.39 |
8.83 |
*Based on REV Publication Figures from 2000 to 2009.
**Figures are in Euro.
Defence Forces Recruitment.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:222 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if he has taken a decision to downgrade or cut back on the active strength or the budget of Cúltaca an Airm or Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Cabhlaigh. [20546/09]
The Government introduced a moratorium on recruitment to the Public Service with effect from 27th March 2009 and as with the broader public service, the Defence Organisation is required to operate with reduced funding for 2009. In this context, all recruitment to the Cúltaca an Airm and Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh was suspended. My first priority was to consolidate the gains that have been made over recent years in developing Cúltaca an Airm and Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh.
While the budgetary provision for training of members of Cúltaca an Airm and Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh has been reduced, it will be sufficient to allow all current members to undertake paid training during 2009. I have recently announced the re-commencement of limited recruitment to Cúltaca an Airm and Cúltaca an tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh in order to replace existing members who leave during the course of 2009. This limited recruitment will be closely monitored and kept under review in the light of the uptake of paid training and future budgetary provision available to Defence.
Recycling Policy.
Andrew Doyle
Question:223 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he is intending to prepare a national waste food recycling management policy in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20365/09]
Under Article 5 of Directive1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, each Member State of the European Union is required to prepare and oversee the implementation of a National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste which will set out measures progressively to divert biodegradable municipal waste away from landfill in accordance with specified targets over the period to 2016.
In April 2006, Ireland's first National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste set out a range of integrated measures designed to facilitate the achievement of these challenging diversion targets. The Strategy envisages that 80% of biodegradable municipal waste will be diverted from landfill by 2016, with the separate collection and subsequent biological treatment of organic waste (i.e. food and garden waste) to generate compost having a critical role in minimising the use of landfill into the future. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to implementation of the National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste.
Against this background, a detailed circular issued in summer 2008 to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins for domestic householders and to promote the use of home composting. In tandem with the above, my Department is working with industry towards the development of a statutory instrument to require the source segregation and appropriate treatment of food waste arising in the commercial sector. Consultations are ongoing with a wide range of stakeholders in this regard, including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food given the cross-cutting issues concerning the treatment and subsequent reuse of animal by-products. It is envisaged that these regulations, when made, will have the potential to divert significant amounts of commercial food waste from landfill towards more sustainable and environmentally beneficial practices.
I have also signalled my intention to introduce primary legislation to allow for significant increases in the landfill levy to act as a further deterrent to landfill and a regulatory impact analysis for this purpose has recently been completed to inform the legislative process. In the light of the above, I am confident that all of the measures outlined will contribute significantly to the achievement of the targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill and to an overall reduction in our use of landfill going forward.
Water and Sewerage Schemes.
Jack Wall
Question:224 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the provision of a new sewerage treatment plant (details supplied) in County Kildare; his views in relation to correspondence from an association which expresses concern in relation to the delays in regard to the need for the provision of a new plant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20383/09]
The Ballymore Eustace Wastewater Treatment Plant was included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 under the Services Land Initiative.
Last month, my Department, following a review of the Serviced Land Initiative in light of developments in the economy at large, and in the housing market in particular during 2008, and having regard to the oversupply of housing in some areas, informed all local authorities that the Initiative was being discontinued. All existing scheme approvals under the Initiative, for which contracts had not been signed or letters of intent had not issued, were withdrawn.
However, local authorities were also informed that where they are of the opinion that the continuation of a scheme is necessary for the proper development of an area, it is open to the relevant authority to make a case to the Department by 29 May 2009 for the scheme to progress. My Department will consider any case that Kildare County Council may make within the specified time limit in respect of this project.
Joe Carey
Question:225 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the problems with the new permanent water treatment plant for the Ennis water supply, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20397/09]
Joe Carey
Question:227 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position with regard to the development of the Ennis water augmentation scheme, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20399/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 227 together.
The Ennis Town Water Supply Treatment Scheme and the Ennis Town Water Supply Augmentation Scheme are both included for funding in my Department's Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009. Clare County Council is monitoring the commissioning of the new water treatment plant to ensure its long-term reliability to consistently produce both the required quantity and quality of water. Overseeing the commissioning is the responsibility of the Council and I have no function in the matter.
Nevertheless, I understand from the Council that, with the exception of some fluoride results in the early weeks of operation, the quality of water produced by the new plant has consistently complied with required standards since operation started on 2 March but that there are issues related to quantity that are being pursued by the Council. I understand that the Council expect construction work on the Augmentation scheme to be completed in July 2009.
Joe Carey
Question:226 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position on the provision of the Ennis-Clarecastle main drainage scheme, County Clare; when it is planned that work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20398/09]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 308 of 7 April 2009. The position is unchanged.
Question No. 227 answered with Question No. 225.
Special Protection Areas.
Michael Creed
Question:228 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the scheme of assistance available from his Department for environmentally friendly farming practice on lands which have been identified as a habitat for the hen harrier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20431/09]
Farmers with land in areas which have been designated as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for the hen harrier are eligible to join my Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme, which has special provision for hen harrier areas. Entry to the scheme is voluntary.
Applicants for the NPWS farm plan scheme are provided with a list of approved NPWS farm planners. A farm plan is drawn up by the planner, containing a description of the designated lands, the current farming activity, a description of the habitats and species on the lands, the prescribed future management requirements, and an account of what is to be paid by NPWS. The planner will advise on all matters relating to the scheme including Stocking rates and grazing regimes, scrub and rush management, Adjustments to the current farming regime and Itemised list of undertakings and deliverables.
To be eligible for the scheme, a farmer must have either owned or leased, for five years, designated farmland and must be prepared to farm it according to the individual prescription as drawn up by the farm planner and approved by NPWS. Plans operate for five years and my Department pays for the preparation of approved plans.
In SPAs designated for the hen harrier, plans provide for the proactive farming of land to ensure protection of breeding and foraging sites. In return, participating farmers receive payments of €350 per hectare every year for the first 40ha, €25/ha for the next 40-120ha and €5/ha for the remainder of the designated land.
As an alternative to the NPWS farm plan scheme, designated lands, including SPAs, can attract payments through the Rural Environmental Protection scheme (REPs) which is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Local Authority Housing.
Seán Connick
Question:229 Deputy Seán Connick asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether it is preferable to refurbish or to demolish and rebuild a local authority housing estate (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20440/09]
At a meeting I held with a deputation from New Ross Town Council on 1 April 2009, which the Deputy also attended, the options of refurbishment or demolition and rebuild at the housing estate concerned were discussed, with the latter being my Department's preferred option. New Ross Town Council undertook to consider the matter further and I understand that the Council, at a meeting on 28 April 2009, passed a formal resolution to refurbish one vacant block in the estate, using their Internal Capital Receipts, and to re-evaluate the position in light of the outcome of that refurbishment.
Ministerial Responsibilities.
Finian McGrath
Question:230 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [20557/09]
This is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Social and Affordable Housing.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:231 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 will allow local authority mortgage holders to remortgage without triggering the clawback; if this provision will apply to existing homeowners or only to those who purchase their homes after the enactment of the legislation; and when the provision will come into effect. [20678/09]
Legislative provision to facilitate arrangements under which a local authority could agree to its clawback charge ranking in second place behind a new or topped-up mortgage charge, thereby facilitating persons in affordable housing, including existing homeowners, wishing to re-mortgage with a private lender, is included in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 which is currently before the Oireachtas and is targeted for enactment by the Summer recess.
Telecommunications Services.
Seymour Crawford
Question:232 Deputy Seymour Crawford asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources when proper broadband will be available in each of the parishes of Annyalla, Oram and Broomfield, County Monaghan; his views on whether proper broadband in rural areas can allow people to carry on useful work from their own homes, is valuable for persons in education and that it is unfair that rural areas such as these cannot get a commitment from a company (details supplied) as to when proper broadband will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20451/09]
Broadband services can be provided over various platforms, (DSL (i.e. over telephone lines), fixed wireless access, mobile, cable, satellite and fibre) by the private sector service providers. The enabling of exchanges for broadband purposes is a matter for the owners of the relevant exchanges. It is anticipated that the facilitation of greater competition from different technology platforms should encourage the more rapid enabling of exchanges for broadband.
Some of the harder to reach rural areas remain without any broadband service as the cost of rolling out networks to such areas is not commercially viable. To address this, my Department has entered into a contract with "3", a Hutchison Whampoa company, for the delivery of the National Broadband Scheme (NBS). 3 will be required to provide services to all residences and businesses that are within the NBS area and who seek a service.
3 is currently planning the construction and rollout of the required infrastructure for the purposes of the provision of the service. Challenging roll out targets have been agreed with 3. Services were launched in a small number of rural areas at the end of April and the entire NBS area must be covered by September 2010.
The general areas of Annyalla, Oram and Broomfield, County Monaghan will be covered by the NBS. However, 3 is not in a position at this juncture, to predict the progression of site rollout in advance of obtaining the necessary planning permissions. One month prior to the NBS being launched in any given area, 3 will implement a marketing campaign to announce the forthcoming service availability. The campaign will include, inter alia, local press and outdoor advertising. Details of the areas to be covered by "3" under the NBS are available at www.three.ie/nbs.
Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 89.
Food Safety.
Andrew Doyle
Question:234 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 29 April 2009, if he is satisfied with the administration of food safety and traceability regulations whereby his Department coordinates with six other agencies; if he will review the current system with a view to reform, simplification and reduction of cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20362/09]
As indicated in reply to Question No 209 of 29th April 2009 the FSAI has overall responsibility for coordination and enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. It carries out this remit through service contracts with this Department and the other agencies concerned. These service contracts are established in accordance with the provisions of The Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act 1998. Any question of amendment of this Act would be primarily a matter for the Minister for Health and Children.
Animal Feedstuffs.
Andrew Doyle
Question:235 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 644 of 22 April 2009, the action his Department is taking to ensure a supply of alternative non-genetically modified grain to comply with Ireland’s official GM free status; if he will review this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20363/09]
Maize, soya, oilseed rape and cotton are the only crops used as animal feed ingredients for which there are GM varieties. The World market has adequate supplies of both GM and non GM varieties of these crops for purchase by Irish feed operators. For economic reasons the vast bulk of the purchases made of these are of GM varieties. It is not necessary for my Department to intervene in this market.
On the question of GM free status, the Deputy should note that the commitment in the current Programme for Government, which seeks to negotiate the establishment of an all Ireland GM free zone, relates primarily to the cultivation of GM crops in Ireland. All indications are that GM crops will not be cultivated in Ireland for the foreseeable future.
Food Labelling.
Andrew Doyle
Question:236 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a case to the EU Commission to strengthen the labelling regulations governing origin of seafood following the court cases on the issue of origin of smoked salmon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20364/09]
The issue of labelling of fisheries products is governed by S.I. No. 320 of 2003 which gives effect to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 104/2000 and to Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2065/2001 laying down the conditions for informing consumers about fishery and aquaculture products.
The Regulations set out the specific information required on the label where fishery products are sold at retail level to consumers. In addition, for the purposes of traceability, this information must be included on the commercial documents for the fishery products throughout the marketing chain, such as during processing, at wholesale level and for use by mass caterers.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have a primary role in the enforcement of these regulations and have published a guidance note on the labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products which is available on their website. The guide specifically details the labelling and packaging requirements for fishery and aquaculture products and may be consulted for a more detailed guide to the legislation.
The cases referred to by the Deputy relate in the first instance to a case brought against a company for breach of the regulations which was ultimately dismissed, not for salmon labelling issues but because the judge felt that the evidence put before her did not adequately prove that the salmon was farmed as set out in European Council Regulation 1198/2006. I understand that FSAI and SFPA are reviewing the case in its totality and the implications arising, I await their findings.
In another case brought against the same company, they admitted falsely describing fish as being "caught at sea" when they were in fact farmed and declaring that particular fish were caught in the northeast Atlantic Ocean when they were in fact captured in Norway.
I take these instances as evidence that the FSAI are active in their role of protecting consumers from misleading labelling.
Potential damage to Ireland by companies trying to manipulate legislation to gain some sort of competitive advantage must be prevented and any such activities will not be condoned.
In the overall context, I would favour strengthening of the current labelling EU Regulations to ensure that there is more information available to the consumer. I am particularly interested in ensuring that the consumer has enough information to understand where fish have been caught. It should enable the consumer to make an informed choice and I will be pursuing these issues at EU level.
Waste Food Recycling Policy.
Andrew Doyle
Question:237 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is intending to prepare a national waste food recycling management policy in conjunction with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/09]
At present the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government is drafting legislation on the management of food waste. Officials in my Department are in contact with that Department regarding the regulation of food waste in animal feed.
Grant Payments.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:238 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 993 of 24 March 2009 when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be awarded their REP scheme four payment; the amount of the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/09]
Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.
P. J. Sheehan
Question:239 Deputy P. J. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment of their REP scheme four grant; the amount they will receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20395/09]
Payment will issue to the person named within the next fifteen days.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:240 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment of a scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20407/09]
The person named submitted an application for an allocation of entitlements under Category B of the 2008 National Reserve. This category caters for new entrants to farming who commenced farming after 31 December 2005 and who did not pursue any agricultural activity in his/her own name or at his/her own risk in the five years immediately preceding the commencement of the new agricultural activity.
As the person named did not submit sufficient information with her application in order to fully process her application my Department wrote to her requesting the outstanding documentation. This documentation was only received recently and her application has now been finalised.
The person named has been deemed successful for an allocation from the National Reserve under this category and a formal letter outlining the allocation has issued to her.
James Bannon
Question:241 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way he can justify the 8% cut in forestry premia, which leaves farmers and growers in a catch-22 situation, tied to contracts and yet unable to realise a fair return on investment and furthermore forced to pay for fire insurance, which was not a condition of their original contracts; the measures he is putting in place to counteract this further blow to the viability of the farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20499/09]
The decision to reduce the forestry premium and to restrict the availability of the reconstitution grant to forests damaged by disease or frost was set against the background of unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of limited resources.
Maintaining an active afforestation programme was an important consideration in deciding how to make the most effective use of these limited resources following the supplementary budget on April 7th. New planting is a key element of the Government's overall strategy for forestry and funding for 5,500 hectares of new planting in 2009 has been preserved. Notwithstanding the reduction in premium levels, I am confident that this level of planting will be achieved in 2009. With the continued availability of grants to cover establishment costs the overall planting package should still provide an attractive land-use option for farmers.
Notwithstanding the budgetary changes, it has always been considered good practice for forest owners to insure their investment against the potential for financial losses resulting from damage to their estate and they have been consistently encouraged to do so over many years.
Michael Creed
Question:242 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their REP scheme three payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20502/09]
Payment will issue to the person named within the next 15 days.
Michael Ring
Question:243 Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the current position regarding the payment of forestry grants (details supplied) in view of last month’s supplementary budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter [20522/09]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the annual forestry premium that is paid to clients who have established forests under the Afforestation Scheme administered by my Department. This year's annual forestry premiums were paid earlier this month and included an 8% reduction. This decision to reduce the forestry premiums must be viewed in the context of the unprecedented pressure on the public finances and the necessity for my Department to take difficult decisions in order to make maximum use of limited resources.
Farm Waste Management.
Ned O'Keeffe
Question:244 Deputy Edward O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when an inspection will be carried out in respect of a grant application by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and when payment will issue. [20684/09]
The person concerned is an applicant under the Farm Waste Management Scheme. The arrangements for payment of grants under the Farm Waste Management Scheme on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.
My Department is currently processing the application concerned and a farm inspection will be arranged as soon as possible.
Food Labelling.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:245 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the success of his efforts to discourage misleading re-labelling of meat or meat products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20685/09]
The Minister for Health and Children has overall responsibility for the general food labelling legislation. Under the general labelling Directive (2000/13/EC), the place of origin of the foodstuff must be given only if its absence might mislead the consumer to a material degree. The European Commission is currently undertaking a major review of all food labelling legislation. In this context the Commission has prepared draft revised labelling regulations and these are being discussed at Council Working Party level in Brussels. These draft regulations will be submitted to the EU Council of Health ministers during 2009.
Notwithstanding the outcome of the current review on origin labelling my Department has taken steps to try to introduce origin labelling for meats other than beef, which is already subject to specific legislation since September 2000.
Regarding the labelling of poultry meat, there are EU Regulations, which provide for the labelling of unprocessed poultry meat at retail level. The Regulations require such poultry meat to be labelled with the information regarding class, price, condition, registered number of slaughterhouse or cutting plant and, where imported from a Third Country, an indication of country of origin.
My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Children, drafted regulations that would require the country of origin to be indicated on pigmeat, poultry and sheepmeat. This was notified to the EU Commission in December 2007 as required by legislation. The Commission was not prepared to adopt the draft regulations in their present format on the grounds that the proposed legislation is not in compliance with EU food labelling regulations. The Commission's main contention is that only harmonised rules with EU-wide applicability may be applied to food labelling other than in exceptional circumstances. In March, the EU Commission delivered a negative opinion on the regulations but afforded Ireland an opportunity to provide further information in support of them. While my Department submitted further material the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health formally adopted the negative opinion on the draft regulation in December 2008.
We will continue to pursue this issue in conjunction with Department of Health and Children, at EU level in the context of the current review of food labelling legislation. In the meantime products carrying the Bord Bia quality assurance label provide consumers with assurance on product origin.
Food Industry.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:246 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which food prices have increased or reduced in the past four years at retail outlets; the degree to which prices have fluctuated to the producer in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20686/09]
According to the Central Statistics Office, in the 4-year period covering the years 2005 to 2008 inclusive, the food price index has recorded a slightly lower level of increase than the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food prices increased by 11.1% over that period while overall prices as measured by CPI increased by 13.5%.
The most recent annual data available from the Central Statistics Office relates to 2008 when food and non-alcoholic beverages prices, as measured by the food price index, increased by 6.5% on average during that year. This is a higher level of increase than the overall annual rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, which averaged 4.1% during the same year.
Prices paid to producers are measured through agricultural output price indices (API). In the four-year period in question the total index for agricultural output prices increased by approximately 19.6%, with significant variations between commodities over the period. For example, these indices increased by 21% for cattle, 20.5% for milk and 37.8% for cereals during the period.
Food Labelling.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:247 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the labelling on all poultry products sold here reflects the country of origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/09]
An indication of the country of origin is not mandatory for the poultry sector, except in the case of unprocessed meat coming from third countries. My Department has been in extensive communication over the past year with the European Commission with a view to making such labelling compulsory. While the Commission adopted a negative opinion in relation to our proposal for national legislation, I will continue to press for country of origin labelling in the context of the Commission's proposal for a new regulation on food information. The Department of Health and Children is the lead Department for that proposal and my officials remain in contact with it on this issue.
Arable Crops.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:248 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the acreage of potatoes grown here in the years 2006, 2007 and 2008; if the trend is on the increase or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20688/09]
The area of potatoes grown in Ireland in the past three years was as follows.
|
Year |
Hectares |
|
2006 |
11,500 |
|
2007 |
11,700 |
|
2008 |
11,600 |
The area grown has remained static in recent years.
Pigmeat Sector.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:249 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the future development and expansion of the pig meat industry at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20689/09]
Teagasc has prepared a development strategy for the Irish pig industry, which identifies the issues facing the sector and makes certain recommendations. The ‘Pig Industry Strategy Steering Group', which includes representation from my Department and all sectors of the industry, has been established for the purpose of furthering those recommendations. This group will identify, prioritise and promote actions needed to ensure a viable sustainable future for the pig sector.
Following on from the dioxin incident, it remains important to re-assure markets as to the safety and quality of Irish pigmeat. Bord Bia has put in place a number of relevant marketing and promotion initiatives. On the Irish market, a series of promotional campaigns are in operation and focus on building awareness and loyalty to the Bord Bia Quality Mark. These underline the quality of Irish pigmeat and communicate its origin. A customer reassurance programme is continuing in export markets. This entails: continued direct Bord Bia contact with customers, placing key information about the Irish pigmeat industry in context and demonstrating the integrity of Irish health controls; a trade communications programme designed to position the capability of the Irish pigmeat sector and the safety and quality measures in place to influence key decision makers in the retail, food service and manufacturing sectors and; a programme to maximise international market access for Irish pigmeat products has been established. This will involve communications activities designed to build confidence among national authorities and opinion formers in markets based around Ireland's health controls.
Animal Feedstuffs.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:250 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the volume of pet foods imported into Ireland; if he is satisfied that European traceability and husbandry requirements have been applied in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20690/09]
Data supplied by the Central Statistics Office indicates that the total quantity of pet food imported into this country from January to December 2008 was approximately 72,700 tonnes.
Under EU harmonised rules petfoods must be produced from animal by-products obtained from animals that are fit for human consumption in accordance with EU legislation. Processed petfood must be produced at an approved petfood plant, be subjected to specified heat treatments, undergo random testing, be appropriately packaged and labelled and accompanied to its destination with a commercial document in accordance with EU rules.
Importers of pet foods from 3rd countries are required to register with my Department and, in the case of 3rd country imports, give at least 24 hours notice of intention to import to an approved Border Inspection Post where a veterinary examination of consignments is undertaken. Such petfoods must also have been produced from animal by-products derived from animals that fit for human consumption, come from third countries approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in establishments approved by the competent authorities of the third country and be accompanied by a health certificate in accordance the provisions of EU harmonised rules. Imports that do not satisfy these requirements will be seized and will be required to be returned to the country of origin or destroyed.
Food Labelling.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:251 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of enquiries or inspections carried out by his Department in the past 12 months with a view to authentication of meat or meat products purporting to be of Irish origin; if he is satisfied that all such labelled products accurately reflect their original source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20691/09]
Responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency. As far as my Department is concerned labelling checks are carried out as part of the routine official checks at meat plants where there is a permanent presence of DAFF Veterinary or technical staff. Checks are conducted on a random, risk based frequency and cover labelling, traceability/origin, identification of cattle, labelling of carcases, meat, mince meat, meat products.
Food Exports.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:252 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the markets he has identified for expansion in respect of Irish food exports in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20692/09]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:259 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which he has monitored the growth of food exports throughout world markets; the degree to which new markets are being established when existing markets have been lost; if he has in mind a particular strategy to address issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/09]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 259 together.
Bord Bia closely monitors food exports and has recently published a Strategy to boost food exports for the period 2009-2011. The strategy sets out the Bord's six key priorities to be addressed including enhancing the industry's position on its home market to capitalise on the potential for growth and expansion of exports with a particular emphasis on the Eurozone markets. My Department in conjunction with the industry, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Bord Bia continues to pursue the opening up of markets. A Meat Market Access Group was established in 2007 to ensure market access for Irish meat to non-EU markets. The main barrier had been the restrictions imposed by countries as a result of BSE and efforts to remove remaining restrictions has met with considerable success. The Saudi Arabian and South African markets were re-opened in 2007 while, more recently, the Philippines and Israel have lifted their restrictions. Efforts are continuing to regain access to other markets such as Japan, which continues to restrict for BSE related reasons, and Russia, whose restrictions are related to the recent dioxin incident.
Building on the ongoing work of the Meat Market Access group an inter-Departmental Group chaired by my Department and comprised of representatives from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, An Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Bord Iascaigh Mhara has also been established and is currently engaged in a co-ordinated effort to identify potential market opportunities for the full range of Irish food and beverages, prioritisation of market initiatives and broader access issues.
Sheep Sector.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:253 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans for the future growth and development of the lamb industry with particular reference to home and export markets; if he is satisfied that the product is sufficiently competitive at home and abroad; if issues have arisen in the area of markets sought, lost or gained in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/09]
I believe that the report of the Sheep Industry Strategy Development Group sets out a proper framework for the future development of the sheep sector. While most of the group's recommendations need to be implemented by the industry itself, a number of them fall within the remit of my Department and the state agencies under my aegis and good progress has been made on them.
‘Sheep Ireland' has been established to take over the Department's current breed improvement programme and develop a new one. An interim Sheep Board, comprising representatives of farming organisations and breeders will oversee this process, with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) providing the technical and professional service required. My Department secured European Commission approval for a new supplementary measure in REPS 4 promoting mixed grazing of cattle and sheep. Under this supplementary measure a farmer can qualify for a top up on his or her basic REPS payment. The results of a trial to examine the feasibility of mechanical carcase classification for lamb, which was conducted last year, are being examined. It is hoped that the system will allow for the accurate and objective mechanical classification of lamb carcases and will gain universal industry support. This would aid greatly in price transparency, which is a prerequisite for efforts to improve quality and respond to the needs of the market.
The Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme was established in 2007. This Scheme is operated by Bord Bia and now has more than 7000 participants. Teagasc have developed a comprehensive plan to restructure their sheep support services, including a programme for Technology Evaluation and Transfer farms, which include hill and lowland areas. This approach will provide an opportunity to engage with sheep farmers on the use of the latest management practices and to identify research and development needs.
The actions being taken by my Department and the state agencies complement those being taken by the Industry. I am confident that taken together, all of these actions will be of significant benefit to the sector. In addition and in recognition of the difficulties and costs facing this sector, I decided to allocate the extra funds available in 2009 under the National Reserve to hill sheep farmers, in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. It is estimated that some 14,000 hill sheep farmers will benefit from the estimated National Reserve funds of €7 million for 2009.
Approximately 70% of Irish sheepmeat is exported, mostly to the high-value EU market. Traditionally, France has been the major export market for Irish lamb and in 2008 it accounted for more than 50% of Irish sheepmeat exports. Irish sheepmeat is however facing strong competition in France from the UK due to a weakened sterling and from New Zealand, which continues to build up its presence of chilled lamb on the EU market. The French market has also seen a decline in consumption. The impact of any reduction in Irish exports to France has been lessened by increased exports to other markets. Exports to Sweden and Denmark have increased significantly in recent years. Bord Bia will continue to promote intensively Irish lamb at home and abroad. Its actions include a generic promotion campaign with its UK and French counterparts on the important French market.
Food Safety.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:254 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which all imported food and food products are checked and tested here to ensure compliance with national and European health and traceability standards; if he will provide an assurance that no such products are exempt from such tests or scrutiny; the action he proposes to take to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20694/09]
My Department is responsible for the operation of EU controls on imports of products of animal origin and fresh fruit and vegetables under its service contract with the FSAI and in compliance with Community rules for the hygiene of food and feed. The EU rules stipulate that food products of animal origin imported from an EU source must be from approved food business establishments and be accompanied to destination by a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin.
In the case of importation from third countries products of animal origin for human consumption must have originated in a country approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment (with the exception of honey), be appropriately labelled and transported and must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate in accordance with the models laid down by Community legislation. Consignments from third countries must be landed at an EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) approved by the Food and Veterinary Office of the EU (FVO) for veterinary checks. In co-operation with Customs services my Department undertakes a range of checks on imported consignments including documentary, identity and physical including the sampling of imported products for analysis under national residue monitoring programmes and EU safeguard measures. The level of testing is in compliance with EU requirements.
The scope of products of animal origin coming under these requirements are set out under Commission Decision No. 2007/275/EC11 Official Journal of the European Communities No. L116 of 4.5.2007 which also provides for an exemption from border inspection in the case of certain composite and specified food products comprising processed low risk animal products and plant products. Details of the products are set out in the Annex to this reply. Such products must comply with public health requirements for their placing on to the market. Consignments of animal products must remain under Customs control until the BIP has authorised entry into the EU. Any imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination.
Where non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed. Where there are risks to animal and public health, and in cases of animal disease outbreaks, the Community adopts safeguard measures that ban or restrict imports from affected countries or areas until the risks have been removed. The FVO monitors and inspects each Member State's controls on Food Safety including the operation of BIPs to ensure the conditions for import and placing of animal products on to the market, as provided under the harmonized legislation, are being correctly applied. Imported fruit and vegetables are checked for compliance with EU marketing standards. Apart from quality criteria these standards also set down strict provisions regarding labelling, including country of origin. There are currently 36 specific marketing standards. Regulation (EC) No 1221/2008 will, with effect from 1 July 2009, reduce the number of specific standards to ten but all fruit and vegetables will be required to satisfy the EU's general marketing standard. Controls on the import of food of non-animal origin comes under the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.
Annex
Composite Food Products that may be exempted from EU veterinary checks import controls
Qualifying low risk composite products would be those containing processed products of animal origin and products of plant origin where:
the processed animal product is not a meat product and;
the processed animal product content is less than 50% of the substance of the composite product and;
where the processed animal product content is a milk product, it has come from an approved country and;
the products are shelf stable at ambient temperatures or have clearly undergone in their manufacture a complete cooking or heat treatment process throughout their substance, so that any raw product is denatured and;
are clearly identified as intended for human consumption and are securely packaged in sealed containers and;
are accompanied by a commercial document and are labelled such that both together give information on the nature, quantity and number of packages of the composite products, the country of origin, the manufacturer and the ingredients.
Specified food products not subject to veterinary checks at importation under EU legislation
Biscuits;
Bread;
Cakes;
Chocolate;
Confectionery (including sweets);
Unfilled gelatine capsules;
Food Supplements packaged for the final customer, containing small amounts of animal products, and those including glucosamine, chondrotin or chitosan;
Meat extracts and meat concentrates;
Olives stuffed with fish;
Pasta and noodles not mixed or filled with meat product;
Soup stocks and flavourings packaged for the final consumer, containing meat extracts, meat concentrates, animal fats or fish oils, powders or extracts.
Farm Retirement Scheme.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:255 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of farm retirement pension applications on hand at present; the number approved in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20695/09]
The number of applications under the Early Retirement Scheme currently being processed by my Department is 68. These were all received before 14 October 2008. A total of 280 applications have been approved in the past 12 months. My Department received approximately 60 applications for the Early Retirement Scheme after 14 October 2008. These applications could not be accepted for processing as they were received after the Scheme had been suspended for new applications due to budgetary constraints. I indicated at the time of the announcement on 14 October 2008 that I would monitor all schemes and services throughout 2009 and would review the position thoroughly in the context of the preparations of the 2010 Estimates for my Department.
Forestry Planting Programme.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:256 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which, in the course of the forestry planting programme, an effort is being made to ensure the planting of tree species most likely to be efficient in the context of carbon sequestration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20696/09]
All tree species grant-aided by my Department under the forestry grant schemes achieve high levels of carbon-sequestration.
The potential of different tree species to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere depends mainly on their rate of growth. Some conifer species grow rapidly and will begin to sequester considerable amounts of carbon early in their life. Other species, including some broadleaves, grow more slowly and do not sequester the same level of carbon until later in their life. Generally, as trees reach maturity, there is little difference in the total amount of carbon dioxide sequestered, when all species are compared.
The relationship between forests and carbon sequestration is a highly complex one and the efficiency of forests to absorb carbon is not dependent upon the tree species alone. Other factors such as soil type, previous land use, local climate, disease, fire, forest management activities, fertilisation and the rate of decomposition of forest organic matter all contribute, to greater or lesser degrees, to the overall forest carbon cycle.
Fishing Industry.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:257 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he has taken or proposes to take at EU level to minimise the impact of over fishing in Irish coastal waters with consequences for the fishing community; if he will impress upon his EU colleagues the necessity to recognise that persons who contributed most to the depletion of the stocks should be restricted adequately to allow stocks to recover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20697/09]
Since taking up the Agriculture Fisheries and Food portfolio in June 2008, it has been highlighted to me very forcefully by the Federation of Irish Fishermen that it is essential to have in place a level playing field on control across the EU.
The EU Commission estimates that 88% of EU stocks are over-exploited and Scientists have recommended closure of 19% of fisheries. These are shocking statistics and should make us all pause and take stock of the serious situation facing the industry across Europe.
Each December we agree the TACs and quotas for the following year taking account of the scientific advice available, but where we are failing, I believe, is that these limits are not being respected and there is persistent overfishing well in excess of quota across Member States.
The EU Court of Auditors report in December 2007 highlighted this problem and identified substantial control failures across Member States. On foot of the Court of Auditor findings, the Commission has brought forward a proposal to strengthen fisheries control across the EU.
The Commission's proposals for a new control system are aimed at tackling over fishing. The main themes of their new approach are:
A new common approach to control and inspection. This involves a strong focus on inspections on shore based links in the supply chain whereby the owner of the fish must be able to produce documents proving that the product was caught in conformity with the rules and that it observes a principle of product traceability. It involves using best practices such as risk analysis, concentrating control on problematical fisheries and periods. It also involves the use of new technologies to ensure the maximum effective delivery.
The promotion of a culture of compliance with the rules. This involves a proposal for dissuasive and harmonised sanctions whereby a list of infringements is established together with a minimum fine applicable in all Member States. It also involves a points based system which may lead to the suspension of a fishing licence or its permanent withdrawal.
The promotion of enhanced co-operation between Member States involving systematic exchange of information involving a common website where all relevant information and control data is available to the control authorities of all Member States, the Commission and the Community Fisheries control Agency.
The proposal also strengthens the Commission's powers to guarantee common implementation of the Regulations and to intervene in case of poor application of control measures on the ground.
I am, in principle supportive of these measures. I am convinced that if we do not have a common approach to fisheries control across the EU it is grossly unfair to fishermen and will result, despite all our best efforts in Ireland, in the further decline and eventual closure of the fisheries that our fleet rely upon for their economic survival.
It is important to remember that I and my predecessors as Ministers for Fisheries pushed strongly for a level playing field on control. As a coastal state with responsibility for protecting some of the richest fishing ground in the EU and with a fishing industry almost completely dependent on sustainable fish stocks in our own waters, it is of the highest priority that there are effective control regimes in place across all Member States.
Our own industry here in Ireland strongly believe that they are on their own in being subject to controls, and that operators in some other countries are not detected or when they are, that they face low penalties. I consider that this new proposal offers the best opportunity to introduce a level playing field on control.
I will be seeking certain amendments to the provisions where the provisions are excessive or impractical. I will in particular be seeking strong powers for coastal Member States to effectively police waters under their control. These measures should, I believe, compliment the introduction of the electronic log book requirement which Ireland pursued vigorously and which will have legal effect from 1 January 2010. I firmly believe that we must seize this opportunity to put a stop to illegal fishing which will if left unchecked destroy fish stocks and the livelihoods of coastal communities around our coast dependent on fishing.
Farming Statistics.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:258 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of full time farmers in 1999; the number currently engaged full time in farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20698/09]
The most recent figures available from the Central Statistics Office are for the year 2007 and these show that there were 67,177 farmers whose sole occupation was farming or 52% of the total, this compares with a figure of 87,500 for 1997. Over this period the number of farmers with another either major or subsidiary occupation rose from 56,200 to 60,923.
The trend in recent years has been towards part-time farming and reflects a combination of factors including the increased availability of off-farm employment during the period from 1999 to 2007. For many small-scale producers combining farming with off-farm employment is an effective way to ensure their continued viability in farming.
Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 252.
Food Exports.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:260 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the countries to which dairy products have been exported in each of the past five years; the number of new markets established; the loss of existing markets; his projections for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20700/09]
Irish dairy products are exported to other EU Member States and to over 100 countries worldwide. The amount of exports to any particular destination varies in accordance with changes in the supply/demand dynamics in particular regions of the world and in respect of the various dairy products involved. In overall terms, Ireland's dairy exports amounted to €2.2 billion in 2008. The UK represented the largest single share of export sales with 32%. The rest of the EU accounted for 48%, while North America and Africa accounted for 6% and 7% respectively. As international demand changes there will be an increasing emphasis on consumer food markets, particularly in the EU, US and high growth emerging economies, together with strategically expanding marketing and distribution capability worldwide.
Dairy product output from Ireland and the EU is of course constrained by the limits placed on milk output by the EU milk quota regime. The recent CAP Health Agreement raised these limits with a 1% increase in Member States' quotas from 1st April 2009, together with an adjustment to the butterfat calculation which will deliver the equivalent of a further 2% increase in quotas in the 2009/2010 quota year. These increases will provide Irish dairy farmers and processors with further opportunities to respond to global demand and to increase production and capture new market share.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:261 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of countries to which Irish beef, pig meat and lamb are currently exported; the extent to which new markets have been established or old markets lost; the countries with which Ireland has to compete on such markets; the degree to which Ireland is holding or losing its competitive edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20701/09]
The value of Irish meat and livestock exports reached almost €2.6 billion in 2008, some two per cent ahead of 2007 levels. Within the overall food and drinks sector, meat is extremely important, with exports accounting for just over 30% of total agri-food exports of over €8 billion. In 2008Irish beef exports totalling 486,000 tonnes, were sent to 21 markets within the Continent of Europe and 16 countries internationally. Despite the challenging market environment, the position of Irish beef in the key European markets should be maintained this year. While the economic situation across Europe has had an effect on volume and the type of cuts consumed, trade so far in 2009 has been quite stable due to the diversified profile of customers and markets.
Almost 99% of total exports now go to the high value EU markets. This compares to just 50% as recently as 2000. The UK remains our single largest destination with more than half our exports destined for that market.
To date in 2009, trade to the UK has been dominated by currency volatility, and trade has been somewhat slower than usual. Overall prospects for the remainder of 2009 will be largely driven by how consumer purchasing patterns evolve and the impact of this on demand for beef. If the trend of switching to cheaper cuts continues and the steak cut trade remains slow, it will continue to put pressure on overall carcase returns.
Notwithstanding the fact that most of our exports are to EU countries, the international market, also, remains an important outlet. The re-opening of markets in Saudi Arabia and South Africa in 2007 and more recently in the Philippines and Israel show that our controls on BSE are recognized as working. Work on opening other markets is continuing and a Market Access Group supports our efforts in this regard.
Approximately 70% of Irish sheepmeat is exported, 99.9% of which goes to the high-value EU market. Traditionally, France has been the major export market for Irish lamb and in 2008 it accounted for more than 50% of Irish sheepmeat exports. Irish sheepmeat is, however, facing strong competition in France from the UK due to a weakened sterling and from New Zealand, which continues to build up its presence of chilled lamb on the EU market. The French market has also seen a decline in consumption. The impact of any reduction in Irish exports to France has been lessened by increased exports to other markets. Exports to Sweden and Denmark have increased significantly in recent years. Bord Bia will continue to promote intensively Irish lamb at home and abroad. Its actions include a generic promotion campaign with its UK and French counterparts on the important French market.
Last year, Irish sheepmeat was exported to 16 countries on the Continent of Europe and 4 countries internationally. The absence of export refunds, together with a production deficit within the EU means that the market focus is on Europe and there is little penetration outside the EU.
Ireland exports pigmeat to some 24 non-EU countries in addition to the other Member States. These include all the most important pigmeat importing countries such as Japan and the USA.
Currently the Peoples' Republic of China and Russia have a temporary ban in place as a result of the dioxin incident of December 2008 and my Department is working towards having these reopened.
With regard to market access, it is my policy and that of the Government to ensure that Irish producers have access to markets worldwide. My Department maintains an extensive scheme of controls on the hygienic production of pigmeat and on the operational procedures that are required to underpin the certification of pigmeat for markets worldwide.
Bord Bia's overseas marketing initiatives include pigmeat. My Department will continue to work with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the industry to retain existing markets and develop others.
Cereals Sector.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:262 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the future of cereal growing here; his plans to develop and expand in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20702/09]
The maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly of the utmost importance. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, it is a key source of feedingstuffs for the livestock sector. Annual cereals production in Ireland has fluctuated around 2 million tonnes in recent years. It is desirable to try to sustain this level of production in order to avoid over-dependence on imported cereals. Last year, despite the adverse weather conditions in Ireland at harvest time, yields generally held up very well resulting in the second highest cereals production on record, at approximately 2.4 million tonnes. For 2009, the total area planted to cereals in the EU is expected to be down slightly by about 2% while in Ireland the early indications were of a decrease in sowing of winter cereals, influenced by the lower cereals prices and the late and difficult harvest.
EU policy regarding the cereals market is determined within the framework of the CAP. Irish cereal farmers, following the decoupling of the direct payments from production, are now in a position to respond to market signals. With the cushion of the single payment, they can focus on supplying market requirements, minimising production costs and maximising their incomes. Under the CAP Health Check agreement of December 2008, compulsory set-aside of tillage land was abolished, allowing growers to maximise their production potential.
The State supports the development of the cereals sector in a number of ways. My Department operates a range of services aimed at improving the efficiency, quality and viability of cereal production. These services include seed certification, seed testing, recommended lists of varieties etc. In addition, Teagasc provides comprehensive research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereal producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world. I believe the outlook for cereal growing in Ireland is quite positive and that Irish cereal producers are well positioned to meet the competitive challenges ahead.
Common Agricultural Policy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:263 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action he has taken at EU level to ensure that steps taken in the course of the CAP health test address the issues arising from CAP reform from an Irish perspective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20703/09]
The main aspects of the deal that are of interest to Ireland are as follows: Milk quotas will be increased by 1% per annum for each of the next five years (2009-2013). In addition an adjustment in the butterfat reference will mean the equivalent of an extra 2% in milk quota for Ireland in 2009. Two reviews of the market situation are planned, by December 2010 and by December 2012.
Due to our additional production potential, Ireland will benefit greatly from these changes. Including the 2% quota increase already in place for 2008, this means that an additional 500 million litres of milk will be produced in Ireland when these changes come into effect. This was an outstanding achievement given the alignment of forces on the Council. I am particularly pleased that our farmers and processors now have policy clarity and can plan their investments with a greater degree of certainty about the future.
As regards market support schemes, in essence, the key market management mechanisms that are most important to Ireland have been left completely unchanged.
I also was successful in obtaining the option of using funds from the National Reserve together with unused monies from the Single Farm Payment funds allocated annually to Ireland, to target at specific vulnerable sectors. There is approximately €7 million available in the National Reserve and I secured agreement to use these funds with effect from 2009. Under the final agreement, we will also have access to additional funds of the order of €25 million annually from unspent funds from 2010.
The funds can be used to address specific economic disadvantages affecting farmers in the dairy, beef and veal, sheep and goat and rice sectors. I persuaded the Commission to expand the scope of these measures to include economically vulnerable sectors irrespective of their geographical location. I recently announced details of my decision to allocate the €7 million becoming available this year to the sheep sector, specifically in the form of an Uplands sheep payment to be paid this year to eligible farmers. In the region of 14,000 hill sheep farmers stand to benefit from this payment. As regards the funding available from 2010 I am currently examining proposals for the use of these funds and having regard to the provisions of the regulations and my objective of putting these monies to the most effective and efficient use for the development of Irish agriculture I will be making further announcements over the next few weeks.
Simplification is another area where I am pleased with the progress achieved and the commitment secured from the Commission and the Council as regards further simplification. The details of the simplification measures resulting from the Health Check have been well documented and I am continuing to press for even further reduction of the administrative burden for farmers and administrations alike. To this end I and a number of my counterparts from other Member States have submitted proposals to the Commission for consideration and in addition the issue is on the agenda for the forthcoming Council of Ministers meeting next week.
As to modulation, the rate has been increased by 5%. I would have preferred if no additional modulation was agreed. However, this was one element of the negotiations on which Commissioner Fischer Boel was particularly determined. I am satisfied that we succeeded in getting the rate of additional modulation considerably reduced from the original proposals. It is worth noting that over 50,000 Irish farmers will be exempt from this increase and I have ensured that all the funds raised can be passed straight back to Irish farmers.
In this context an additional amount of €120 million approximately over a four year period, will be available for distribution under the Rural Development Programme. As in the case of the unspent funds, decisions on spending will be taken on the basis of the regulatory requirements and with the aim of achieving the optimum outcome for the development of Irish agriculture.
Bio-Energy Crops.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:264 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues in the matter of bio-energy crops; the extent to which such discussions are expected to impact positively on climate change issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/09]
There has been contact with the European Commission at Ministerial and official level in relation to support for energy crop cultivation. Under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), farmers who cultivate energy crops can benefit from the Single Farm Payment and the EU Energy Crops Scheme, which pays farmers a premium worth €45 per hectare. My Department has supported participation in the EU Energy Crops Scheme by offering farmers an additional €80 per hectare national premium to grow energy crops. We have also supported EU efforts to increase production of biomass crops following the decision in 2007 to recognize support for willow and miscanthus establishment within the framework of the Single Payment regime. My Department subsequently introduced a Bioenergy Scheme in 2007 to provide farmers with grants of €1,450 per hectare to establish these crops. In the recent Health Check review of the CAP, we supported the Commission proposal to recognize support for biomass crop production under the Rural Development pillar.
Apart from these support measures, EU and National policy targets to increase the use of renewable energy and tackle climate change can help to stimulate the energy crops sector. For example, the EU target of 10% penetration of renewable energy in transport fuel by 2020 should encourage demand for biofuel feedstocks produced from energy crops. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gases in the agriculture sector can also provide a stimulus. Energy crops can make a positive contribution to greenhouse gas abatement by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, similar to afforestation. They also displace the use of fossil fuels in heat, power and transport markets. My Department is supporting research into energy crops under the Research Stimulus Fund to assess the contribution of energy crops to greenhouse gas abatement. A vibrant energy crops industry in Ireland could provide farmers with additional income streams and complement broader energy supply and climate change reduction policies. My Department will continue to work closely with industry stakeholders to ensure the development of the energy crops sector.
Food Safety.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:265 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all beef and beef products imported into Ireland and on sale through shops, supermarkets or the catering trade are expected to be compliant with EU regulations in regard to traceability, hygiene and husbandry requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/09]
All such products are expected to be compliant with the specified EU Regulations. In general, responsibility for enforcement of labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) through its service contracts with my Department, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, the Health Services Executive, the Local Authorities and the National Consumer Agency.
My Department is responsible for the operation of EU controls on imports of products of animal origin under the service contract with the FSAI and in compliance with Community rules for the hygiene of food and feed. These rules stipulate that food products of animal origin imported from an EU source must be from approved food business establishments and be accompanied to destination by a commercial document or a health certificate signed by an official veterinarian of the competent authority of the Member State of origin.
In the case of importation from third countries products of animal origin for human consumption must have originated in a country approved by the EU for trade in such products, have been produced in an approved establishment (with the exception of honey), be appropriately labelled and transported and must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate in accordance with the models laid down by Community legislation. My Department undertakes import controls in co-operation with Customs services. Consignments from third countries must be landed at an EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP) approved by the Food and Veterinary Office of the EU (FVO) for veterinary checks.
The scope of products of animal origin coming under these requirements are set out under Commission Decision No. 2007/275/EC11 Official Journal of the European Communities No. L116 of 4.5.2007 which also provides for an exemption from border inspection in the case of certain composite and specified food products comprising processed low risk animal products and plant products that nevertheless must comply with public health requirements for placing on the market. Consignments of animal products must remain under Customs control until the BIP has authorised entry into the EU.
Any imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. Where non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.
Where there are risks to animal and public health, and in cases of animal disease outbreaks, the Community introduces safeguard measures banning or restricting imports until the risks have been removed.
The FVO monitors and inspects each Member State controls on Food Safety including the operation of BIPs to ensure the conditions for import and placing of animal products on to the market, as provided under the harmonized legislation, are being correctly applied.
Grant Payments.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:266 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all payments of premia or aid due to farmers are paid up to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20706/09]
The following is the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the main schemes operated by my Department.
Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes
In respect of both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, full payments have issued to all Scheme applicants, other than those subject to appeal or outstanding query. A small number of payments are also outstanding in cases where the applicant is now deceased and the necessary legal formalities have yet to be completed.
REPS
Under the EU Regulations governing REPS 4, the first 75% of each year's payment can be released when administrative checks for all applications for payment in respect of that year have been completed. The remainder can be paid when all on-farm REPS inspections for that year have taken place.
Audits by the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors in 2007 and 2008 indicated that, in the auditors' view, my Department's systems for the administrative checking of REPS applications were defective in some significant respects. Revised systems were put in place during 2008 to meet the auditors' requirements and as a result it was not possible to complete the administrative checking of 2007 and 2008 REPS applications until early in 2009. The 75% payment has now been paid in most cases and the balance will be paid shortly. Payments to participants in REPS 3 continue to be made in accordance with the timeframes in the Charter of Rights for Farmers.
Suckler Welfare Scheme
The position regarding the Suckler Welfare Scheme for 2008 is as follows:
|
Number |
|
|
Number of applicants |
53,975 |
|
Number of herds paid |
40,826 |
|
Number of herds partially paid |
32,077 |
|
Number of herds fully paid |
8,751 |
Approximately 1,900 applicants have withdrawn from the scheme and a further 1,900 approx have not supplied the required information. A number of applicants have not undertaken all of the measures as yet and a substantial number of applicants have unresolved issues, which are under query with them.
Farm Waste Management Scheme
In the case of the Farm Waste Management Scheme, the arrangements for payment of grants on a phased basis have been confirmed with 40 per cent being paid this year as claims are approved. A further 40 per cent will be paid in early January 2010 and the remaining 20 per cent in January 2011. I have also announced that a special ex-gratia payment not exceeding 3.5 per cent of the value of the deferred amount will be made to farmers whose Farm Waste Management grants have been partially deferred. This payment will be made in January 2011 along with the final instalment.
Forestry Schemes
To date, 16,945 forestry premium payments have been made for 2009. There are still 1,217 outstanding. Of these, 723 are delayed because the applicants have not returned their forms, and the remaining 494 have administrative queries to be resolved. All forestry grant payments are being made within the targets set out in the Charter of Rights for Farmers.
National Energy Crop Scheme
In 2007, the Department introduced a National Energy Crop Premium worth €80 per hectare to encourage farmers to grow energy crops. The premium is paid as a top-up to the EU Premium available under the EU Energy Crops Scheme and in normal circumstances is paid in December of the year of application. The payment for 2008 has been delayed pending submission of state aid declarations from recipient farmers. Submitted declarations are currently being processed and payments will issue shortly.
Reactor Compensation
Payment of compensation for cattle removed as reactors under the ERAD compensation schemes are generally made within the time limits set down in the Charter of Rights for Farmers. The position up to the end of March was as follows: 96% of valuation payments were made within 3 weeks of receipt of all the required documentation and over 99% were made within 8 weeks. In the case of the other supplementary compensation schemes (Income Supplement, Depopulation and Hardship Grant), 98% of payments were made within 3 weeks of receipt of the required documentation and over 99% were made within 8 weeks.
Agricultural Development.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:267 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to ensure the future development of the agricultural industry with particular reference to meat and dairy sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20707/09]
The AgriVision Action Plan was the Government's response to the seminal Report of the AgriVision 2015 Committee on what needed to be done to secure the optimal development of the agriculture and food industries. It contained 167 actions based on three key drivers for success, i.e. competitiveness, innovation and consumer focus. Substantial progress has been made to date with 98% of its actions implemented. The combined effect of these and related actions has been that:
The value of agri-food exports increased by 17% from €7.8 billion to €9.2 billion.
The Government Asian target, of doubling food and drink exports to €400 m by 2009 million, was reached two years ahead of target.
Exports of Irish beef to the EU rose from 145,000 tonnes in 2005 to 245,000 tonnes in 2008, with 95% of beef exports destined for the high-value EU markets, compared to over 50% in 2000.
Capital funding was provided for both the dairy and beef /sheepmeat sectors to increase efficiencies in processing and improve their market sustainability.
A new milk quota trading scheme was implemented from 2006 onwards to facilitate quota transfers and to contribute to more competitive milk production. Testing of milk constituents was extended to include milk protein.
Participation in the beef quality assurance scheme increased from 4,000 to 22,000 producers while lamb producers also increased their involvement in their QA scheme from 3,750 to 7,000 participants.
The implementation of the wide range of actions in the AV2015 Action Plan has strengthened significantly the sustainability and competitiveness of the agri-food industry and has enabled it more successfully compete on the global markets.
Addressing the industry's capacity to compete successfully at home and overseas has assumed a new urgency and my belief is that a new development plan for the period to 2020 is required to maintain the impetus gained from the Agri-Vision 2015 strategy. My Department has already started the preparatory work on this plan which is focusing on the opportunities arising from a growing international food and energy crop markets, the challenges from the global economic downturn, currency fluctuations, climate change and the critical issue of competitiveness.
Beef
As regards the beef sector the development of non-price strategies is fundamental to meeting evolving market challenges. To this end, and in line with the Agri Vision 2015 Action Plan, a number of policy initiatives have been developed and enhanced. These include:
A Capital Investment Aid Scheme aimed at increasing value added and increased efficiencies for the beef and sheepmeat industries at processing level;
a nationally funded Suckler Welfare Scheme aimed at improving animal welfare and contributing to the improved quality and viability of suckler herds;and
a Beef Forum to examine the various issues arising in the sector and to consider appropriate responses.
In addition, Bord Bia is intensifying its promotional measures to publicise the positive response of the beef industry to an ever-evolving market. These initiatives complement and underpin the existing quality assurance schemes and the advances in breed improvement being developed by ICBF.
Sheepmeat
The Sheep Industry Development Strategy Group set out a series of recommendations covering areas such as production, research, advice, processing and marketing. The objective is to facilitate the development of a more profitable sheep sector in Ireland covering production, processing and marketing. Most of the recommendations in the Report fall to be implemented by the industry itself and of their nature will take time for their effects to be seen. My Department is playing its part by providing assistance for breeding, processing facilities, mechanical grading and quality assurance.
Other aspects of the Group's report are also being pursued and sheep farmers are major beneficiaries of various schemes being operated by my Department. Under REPS 4, a new mixed grazing measure is specifically targeted at them. I decided to allocate some €7 million of additional funds available to Ireland under the National Reserve this year to hill sheep farmers, in the form of an Uplands Sheep Payment. It is estimated that approximately 14,000 hill sheep farmers will benefit from this payment. The downward trend in lamb consumption in certain markets presents a real challenge. To address this, Bord Bia is collaborating with its French and British counterparts on a 3 year generic lamb promotion on the French market to promote lamb to younger consumers.
Pigmeat
Teagasc has prepared a development strategy for the Irish pig industry, which identifies the issues facing the sector and makes certain recommendations. The ‘Pig Industry Strategy Steering Group', which includes representation from my Department and all sectors of the industry, has been established for the purpose of furthering those recommendations. This group will identify, prioritise and promote actions needed to ensure a viable sustainable future for the pig sector.
Following on from the dioxin incident, it remains important to re-assure markets as to the safety and quality of Irish pigmeat. Bord Bia has put in place a number of relevant marketing and promotion initiatives. On the Irish market, a series of promotional campaigns are in operation and focus on building awareness and loyalty to the Bord Bia Quality Mark. These underline the quality of Irish pigmeat and communicate its origin. A customer reassurance programme is continuing in export markets.
Poultry
It is my policy that this industry should develop to its full potential and be in a position to meet the demands of today's consumers and withstand the very strong competition from abroad. The Poultry Expert Group was set up to review the main factors impacting on the poultry and eggs industry and draw up relevant action points. The group was comprised of various industry players including producers, processors, packers, feed suppliers, relevant State bodies etc. The final report of the Group contains recommendations concerning such matters as poultrymeat labelling, animal welfare, environment protection and feedingstuffs. My Department will be implementing the recommendations relevant to it.
Dairy Sector
My Department provided funding of €114 million towards investment in dairy processing and a total of 19 capital investment projects were approved and awarded Government grant assistance under the Fund, which will generate an estimated capital spend of €286 million at full production. The purpose of the Fund is to increase the efficiency of the main dairy outputs by supporting the upgrading of plant and buildings. This will assist operators in capturing new business in global markets and in developing new value added products. Some of those projects have already been completed and others are progressing to the implementation phase, which will continue during 2009.
Milk Quotas
Reducing costs and increasing scale means getting more milk quota into the hands of active and committed producers at the lowest possible cost. This is being achieved through the Milk Quota Trading Scheme, which has now completed its third year of operation and has been responsible for the transfer of 375 million litres of milk quota to active and progressive dairy farmers.
At EU level, I think it is generally accepted that last November's Health Check agreement was a very positive one from a milk perspective. The decision to increase quotas by 1% each year from 2009 to 2014 ahead of abolition in 2015 was a good outcome, given the wide divergence of views among Member States. In addition, the increased milk deliveries that will be possible as a result of the downward adjustment in the butterfat co-efficient represent the equivalent of a further 2% rise in quotas in 2009. When the 2% quota increase in 2008 is taken into account, the result is a cumulative increase of 9.3% in Ireland's milk quota by 2014. I was also able to secure a very positive outcome in relation to market instruments, with all of the measures of highest importance to Ireland retained unaltered. These included intervention and private storage aid for butter, and the retention of the intervention quantity limits of 30,000 tonnes for butter and 109,000 tonnes for SMP.
Again on the domestic front, a complete overhaul of the milk quota regime was conducted in 2008, leading to the replacement of SI 94/2000 with SI 227/2008, with effect from 1 April 2008. The new regulations greatly simplify the quota regime and bring the legislative framework into line with modern farming realities. They include the elimination of unnecessary bureaucracy, the provision of greater flexibility in the transfer of quotas, and the introduction of new rules for the operation of Milk Production Partnerships that remove obstacles to partnership formation and encourage new entrants to dairying.
Most recently, I announced the allocation key for the first of the five annual 1% milk quota increases agreed under the Health Check. Three-quarters of the increase will be allocated to all active milk producers on a permanent, saleable basis, and the remaining 0.25% (approx. 13.5 million litres) will be allocated to new entrants to dairying on a scale (200,000 litres per successful applicant) designed to achieve viability from the outset. I made this move because I believe that the extent of the quota increases in 2009 presents a real opportunity to allow new entrants to get a start in dairying on a scale that is immediately viable, and I do not think we should let that opportunity pass.
Schools Refurbishment.
Dinny McGinley
Question:268 Deputy Dinny McGinley asked the Minister for Education and Science if an application has been received from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal for renovations and extra facilities; when the application was received; the facilities and renovation works that have been requested; the stage the project is at; when a decision will be made to grant aid the project in order that work can commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers made an application to my Department in October 2007 for large scale capital funding for mainstream classroom accommodation, ancillary accommodation and refurbishment. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.4 rating. The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Schools Building Projects.
Enda Kenny
Question:269 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a contract has been signed for the provision of a sports hall at a college (details supplied) in County Mayo; if so, the date the contract was signed; the name of the contractor appointed; the tender price agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20351/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project to which he refers is currently out to tender. Subject to the necessary technical and financial approvals, it is expected that I will be in a position to place a contract in the near future.
Enda Kenny
Question:270 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that a contract has been signed for the provision of a new gaelscoil (details supplied) in County Mayo; if so, the date the contract was signed; the name of the contractor appointed; the tender price agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20352/09]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the project at the school to which he refers was included in my recent announcement of 43 projects to proceed to tender and construction in 2009. The school's design team is currently finalising the tender documentation. A contract notice seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified contractors was published on the State's etender website on 7th May 2009. The closing date for return of expressions of interest is at the end of this month. Until the project has been tendered and a contract put in place, it will not be possible to provide the other details requested by the Deputy.
Special Educational Needs.
Billy Timmins
Question:271 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in regard to a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow who has been recommended for a full-time special needs assistant; if this will be provided as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20356/09]
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support.
All schools have the names and contact details of their local SENO. Parents may also contact their local SENO directly to discuss their child's special educational needs, using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie. I have arranged for the information provided by the Deputy to be forwarded to the NCSE for their direct reply.
Site Acquisitions.
Michael Noonan
Question:272 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made on the application for a new school building by the management of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20372/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band 2.2 rating.
In view of the current budgetary constraints, I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with a definite date for the acquisition of a site for this school. The further consideration of the proposed site acquisition and any subsequent building project for the school will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Schools Building Projects.
Michael Noonan
Question:273 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made on the application for a new school building by the management of a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20373/09]
The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. As the Deputy will be aware, in February, I announced details of 43 major building projects to proceed to tender and construction and 25 high priority projects to commence architectural planning. The project to which the Deputy refers was not included in this announcement. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be progressed further in 2009.
The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
School Staffing.
Michael Noonan
Question:274 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will reverse the decision to abolish two full-time teaching posts and to suppress posts of responsibility at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20374/09]
I have consistently said that the 2009 Budget required difficult choices to be made across all areas of public expenditure. These decisions were made to control public expenditure and to ensure sustainability in the long run. In this respect Education, while protected to a much greater extent than most other areas of public expenditure, could not be totally spared. The various impacts at school level were included in the Budget day announcements and in view of the ominous financial circumstances that we are facing I am not in a position to reverse any of the decisions taken.
Teacher allocations to all second-level schools are approved annually by my Department in accordance with established rules based on recognised pupil enrolment. In accordance with these rules each school is required to organise its subject options within the limit of its approved teacher allocation. The deployment of teaching staff, the range of subjects offered and ultimately the quality of teaching and learning are in the first instance a matter for the Board of Management of the school.
In accordance with existing arrangements, where a school management authority is unable to meet its curricular commitments within its approved allocation, my Department considers applications for additional short term support i.e. curricular concessions. This concession is available as a short term support to enable essential curricular provision to continue. An application for curricular concessions was received in my Department from the school referred to by the Deputy. The school has been notified of the outcome.
The allocation processes also include appellate mechanisms under which schools can appeal against their allocation of teachers. It is open to the school in question to submit an appeal to an independent Appeal Board which was established specifically to adjudicate on appeals on staffing allocations in post-primary schools. The school in question has appealed the decision to the independent Appeal Board. The school will be notified of the outcome in due course. This Board operates independently of my Department. Discrete allocations are also made to schools to cater for pupils with Special Educational Needs and those with Language difficulties for example.
Following the Government decision on the moratorium on promotions in the Public Service my Department issued a circular to all schools indicating that with effect from 27 March, 2009 schools may no longer make any appointment to a post of responsibility including those that may have fallen vacant on or before 27 March, 2009. This Circular 0022/2009 is available on my Department's website.
It is a matter for the school authority to re-organise and prioritise the appropriate duties for post of responsibility holders in the context of implementing this moratorium. Under the revised arrangements schools may continue to fill posts of Principal and Deputy Principal. The Government decision provides for an exception in respect of the first allocation of posts of responsibility in new schools.
Michael Noonan
Question:275 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will explain the circumstances which led to the loss of a teacher at a school (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/09]
I am committed to providing information in relation to the allocation of teachers to schools and as a new feature on my Department's website. The process has begun with the provision earlier this year of initial information on the allocation of mainstream classroom teachers to primary schools under the revised schedule for 2009/10.
In terms of the position at individual primary school level the key factor for determining the level of resources provided by my Department is the pupil enrolment at 30 September 2008. The annual process of seeking this enrolment data from schools took place in the autumn and the data has since been received and processed in my Department enabling the commencement of the processes by which teaching resources are allocated to schools for the school year that begins next September.
My Department has written to the primary schools that are projected to have a net loss or gain in classroom teaching posts in September, 2009. As part of my efforts to ensure that relevant information is openly available to the public detailed information on the opening position for primary schools is now published on my Department's website. This provisional list sets out the details on individual schools that, taken collectively, are projected to gain 128 posts and to lose 382 posts — a net reduction of 254 posts. It is my intention to have this information updated and ultimately to set out the final position when the allocation processes are completed.
Within the terms of the staffing arrangements for primary schools there is provision for additional posts, referred to as developing school posts, to be assigned to schools on the basis of projected enrolments for the next school year. Under these arrangements, a developing school post may be sanctioned provisionally where the projected enrolment at 30th September of the school year in question equals or exceeds a specified figure. If the specified figure is not achieved on 30th September, sanction for the post is withdrawn.
I understand that the Board of Management of the school referred to by the Deputy has indicated to the Primary Allocations Section of my Department its intention to submit an application on developing school grounds. Based on the information supplied to date it is expected that the school will retain the post referred to by the Deputy.
Schools Building Projects.
Simon Coveney
Question:276 Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in relation to the extension for a school (details supplied) in County Cork; the cost of the extension; when he envisages this project will be completed; the time this project has taken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20403/09]
I can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has made an application to my Department for large scale capital funding for a new school project. The application has been assessed in accordance with the published prioritisation criteria for large scale building projects and assigned a band rating of 1.1.
Following a site examination it was established that additional land is required to extend the existing Gaelscoil site to facilitate the proposed building project of a 16 classroom school. My Department is liaising with the neighbouring Community School with regard to a proposed land transfer to achieve an extended Gaelscoil site.
When the issue of the site has been resolved, the progression of this project, as with all large scale building projects, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time.
Psychological Service.
David Stanton
Question:277 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to expand the National Educational Psychological Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20425/09]
As the Deputy will be aware all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) which is administered by NEPS.
I can inform the Deputy that there are currently 159 psychologists employed in my Department's NEPS service which represents an increase of some 21 posts on last year's numbers.
However in regard to further improving the service to schools I was pleased to announce recently, in the context of Budget 2009, an increase in the funding available to NEPS which will allow for an expansion of up to 50 additional psychologists. Recruitment of these psychologists is currently underway from an existing panel of qualified Personnel and upon its depletion discussions will commence between my Department and the Public Appointments Service in relation to the establishment of a new panel in this regard. The number envisaged will, upon realisation, enable the expansion of the NEPS service to all schools in the country.
Schools Recognition.
Denis Naughten
Question:278 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20427/09]
A Notification of Intention to apply for recognition of a new primary school in the Athlone area has been received from the Patron Body for Educate Together.
I have recently announced a review of the procedures for the establishment of new primary schools under the Commission on School Accommodation. It is expected that the review of procedures for recognising primary schools will be completed and revised arrangements will be in place within a two year time frame.
In the interim it is not proposed to recognise any new primary schools, except in areas where the increases in pupils numbers cannot be catered for in existing schools and which require the provision of new schools. This means that new schools will not be established for reasons unrelated to demographic growth in areas where there is already sufficient school accommodation or where increases can be catered for by extending existing school accommodation.
The Forward Planning Section of my Department is in the process of identifying the areas where significant additional accommodation will be required at primary and post-primary level for 2009 and onwards and Athlone will be included in this process. Factors under consideration include population growth, demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. Having considered these factors decisions will be taken on the means by which emerging needs will be met within an area.
School Transport.
Michael Creed
Question:279 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if a bus will be sanctioned to transport children to a school (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20433/09]
My Department received a list of names and addresses of pupils wishing to avail of a transport service to the school referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied. These names have been forwarded to Bus Éireann to determine (a) the pupils eligibility for transport and (b) whether a service may be established within the terms of the school transport scheme. My Department has asked Bus Éireann to liaise directly with the school in question regarding the case.
Schools Refurbishment.
Terence Flanagan
Question:280 Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make funds available for refurbishment works at a school (detail supplied) in Dublin 20; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20442/09]
The school to which the Deputy refers made application under the Summer Works Scheme for an electrical upgrade. I am pleased to confirm that the school concerned were successful in their application for funding and have been notified accordingly.
The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from and minimal interaction with the Department.
Special Educational Needs.
Michael Noonan
Question:281 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will arrange a place in a special facility in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20490/09]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the enrolment of a child in a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of the school concerned. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment in schools. Where a school refuses to enrol a pupil, the school is obliged to inform parents of their right under Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 to appeal that decision to the Secretary General of my Department.
Where an appeal under Section 29 is upheld, the Secretary General of my Department may direct a school to enrol a pupil.
As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through the local special educational needs organisers (SENOs), is responsible for processing applications from primary and post primary schools for special educational needs supports. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. The responsibility also includes identifying appropriate educational placements for individual children with special educational needs.
My Department encourages parents and school authorities to engage locally regarding pupils' education. It is open to the parents concerned to raise any queries they may have relating to their child's special educational needs directly with the school authorities or with the local SENO. The parent may contact the SENO using the contact details available on www.ncse.ie.
Schools Building Projects.
Joanna Tuffy
Question:282 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this school is in bad condition and that some classes have to be accommodated in prefabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20493/09]
The school to which the Deputy refers is one of ten projects announced in January to be re-tendered with a view to going on site as soon as possible.
My Department has received and reviewed the Stage 2B (detailed design) submission from the Design Team. There are some issues to be clarified and it is proposed to meet with the school authorities and their Design Team shortly to discuss these issues. My Department is liaising with the school authorities in this regard.
School Staffing.
Finian McGrath
Question:283 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will support a matter (details supplied). [20498/09]
I understand that the Deputy is referring to the review of all Special Needs Assistant (SNA) posts in primary, special and post-primary schools by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
I wish to advise the Deputy that the NCSE has been requested by my Department to arrange for its Special Educational Needs Organisers to review SNA allocations in all schools with a view to ensuring that the criteria governing the allocation of such posts are properly met. I wish to clarify that there has been no change in these criteria and the current review will be carried out by reference to those criteria. The review is currently underway and it is intended that it will be completed by the end of this school year.
Site Acquisitions.
Joe Costello
Question:284 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress on the acquisition of a site and the construction of a permanent building in respect of a school (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20521/09]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department recently wrote to Dublin City Council advising them of the design option favoured by the GAA club, and requested the Local Authority to consider a technical assessment of the site incorporating the views of the GAA. A response is awaited.
School Accommodation.
Róisín Shortall
Question:285 Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if there is an area value set down in primary or secondary legislation or on an administrative basis for minimum classroom size; and if he will provide details of the measurements and legislative provisions. [20679/09]
There is no area value set down in primary or secondary legislation or on an administrative basis for minimum classroom size.
However, my Department has guidelines in relation to the size of classrooms in new school buildings. These are guidelines rather than statutory requirements.
In the provision of major extensions/new school buildings it is the current practice of my Department to use a guideline of 80 sq. metres as a standard size of general primary school classroom. This space allows for the inclusion of two en suite toilets and in room storage.
80 sq. metres is considered to be the optimum size of classroom in a new primary school and was determined by studies carried out by my Department and in line with international best practice.
Due to the varied nature of subject provision under the post-primary curriculum the guidelines for classroom size in a new or refurbished post-primary school are more complex and vary from 49m2 for a general classroom up to 136m2 for some of the larger specialist subject rooms. Detailed dimensions along with room layout sheets are set out in my Department's Post-Primary School Design Guidelines which are available on the Departments web-site.
It should be stressed however that, at both primary and post-primary level, these are guidelines rather than statutory requirements. Classrooms in older schools may be of a smaller size but can allow the full delivery of the curriculum.