Vol. 733 No. 2
38 Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the reason for the delay in drafting the document for submission to the implementation body for the first official review of the Croke Park agreement regarding the reduction of staffing levels; and when same is expected. [12612/11]
There was no delay in submitting my Department's progress report under the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement. It was forwarded to the Department of Finance on the 4th of May. The report outlines the significant progress made by my Department, which has been engaged in a fundamental process of re-organisation, major reductions in staffing levels and improvement of its business processes, including major changes to the local office network.
Of the 24 specific actions outlined in the plan, we have reported real progress in 20, including a reduction of 173 staff and administrative savings of nearly €14million since the end of March 2010. This brings to 1,200 the number of staff reductions achieved by my Department since 2005. These reductions have been driven by a process of re-organisation, changes in the way schemes and programmes are managed, reductions in disease levels, and advanced use of information technology. The Action Plan set out under the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement will further deepen the change management process that is now well underway.
39 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is concerned that Ireland could be over quota in the new 2011-2012 milk quota year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12582/11]
I am of course concerned that Ireland could be over quota in the 2011/2012 milk quota year. Favourable market and weather conditions during the 2010/2011 milk quota year contributed to a dramatic increase in milk production, which resulted in a remarkable turnaround from a position where the country was 10 per cent under quota at the end of the 2009/2010 milk quota year. Increased heifer retention is also a significant factor in what is expected to be a further increase in milk production in 2011/2012, and in subsequent years. Indeed, estimated delivery figures for April 2011 point to an 18 per cent increase over April 2010, and a projected national position of 8.67% over quota.
In such circumstances, it is appropriate to again remind all dairy farmers of the need to carefully plan their production activities and to pay close attention to the limitations imposed by the quota regime if they are to avoid potentially very damaging super levy fines. Even allowing for a further increase of one per cent in the national quota since 1 April 2011, recent delivery trends, if repeated, will put the country in serious danger of going over quota. It is therefore incumbent upon every milk producer to exercise the necessary caution and to seek advice from, for example, Teagasc on the most sensible approach to be taken in managing their enterprises as they enter a crucial phase of the preparations for quota abolition in 2015.
For my part, I intend to continue my efforts to raise the issue of the soft landing at every opportunity with Member State colleagues and with the Commission. The latter has resisted attempts to revisit this matter, and there is, in any event, no guarantee that a majority of Member States will support calls for a more flexible milk quota regime. Therefore Irish dairy farmers must continue to operate on the assumption that no further changes will be made to the quota arrangements agreed in the context of the CAP Health Check.
41 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12578/11]
54 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his priorities in the negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12579/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 54 together.
To coincide with the next EU multiannual financial framework, discussions are underway on the policy direction for the CAP after 2013. Ireland has taken an active part in the discussions to date in the Council and in bilateral meetings with the Commission, European Parliament, other Member States and groups of Member States. The size of the CAP budget is likely to be determined by Finance Ministers and EU Heads of State and Government in the negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework.
Aside from seeking a well-resourced CAP, my main priorities in the upcoming negotiations on the CAP are:
To retain Ireland's current funding both for direct payments and for rural development in any redistribution of CAP funds between Member States;
To obtain flexibility in the payment model or method for distribution of single payment funds to farmers within Member States; and
To retain investment and afforestation measures in the list of options for Member States in the Rural Development regulation.
A Commission communication setting out broad policy options for the future CAP "The CAP towards 2020" was presented on 18 November 2010. Following discussion on this communication at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, a majority of Member States lent their support at the March Council to a series of conclusions drafted by the Hungarian Presidency.
The Commission communication was the first formal step in the negotiating process for the CAP after 2013. The formal legislative proposals are due to be tabled by the Commission later this year. In that respect, the Presidency conclusions provide a strong signal to the Commission of the views of Member States in this process. I believe the Presidency's text was an inclusive presentation of Member States' positions and provides good guidance for the legislative work of the Commission.
My view is that we need a strong and adequately resourced CAP after 2013 to ensure security of food supply, to maintain family farming in Europe and, to promote competitiveness and innovation. The continuation of direct payments to farmers is fundamental to achieving these goals. Decoupled income supports, together with the judicious use of market management measures, serve to support and stabilise farm incomes and provide the platform for the production of food and sustainable management of our natural resources and balanced rural development.
We also need to provide a series of targeted measures in the second pillar so that Member States can focus on the particular needs of their own regions and sectors. I am particularly focused on the need for investment measures to restructure and modernise family farms in the context of our Food Harvest 2020 ambitions. We must also of course provide appropriate scope to assist farmers with measures to underpin and improve the sustainability of their production systems and to encourage afforestation.
It is very early days in these negotiations. We still have to see the detailed legislative proposals and there will be difficult negotiations ahead, firstly to secure adequate funding from the overall multiannual financial framework and then to secure the CAP policies that are best suited to Irish needs. In addition to representing the Irish view at Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings I have recently met with my French, Spanish and Danish counterparts. I also plan to meet with my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Spellman over the coming weeks. I will also have the opportunity to engage with my EU counterparts at the Informal Council of Ministers meeting in Hungary next week. At official level also we have engaged actively with our colleagues in other Member States, the Commission and the European Parliament. This work has proved very effective in explaining the Irish context and viewpoint and in gaining understanding and acceptance of the Irish position.
42 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the role that agriculture and the agrifood sector can play in economic recovery here, with particular regard to the Food Harvest 2020 report produced by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12599/11]
Agriculture and the agri-food processing sector is Ireland's most important indigenous industry. It has a key role to play in terms of direct economic activity and is one of the growth sectors designated to advance our national export led economic recovery.
In my view, this sector provides a strong base for national economic development. Currently, the overall industry has an annual output of around €24 billion and most importantly is strongly embedded in the Irish economy. It remains Ireland's most important manufacturing sector, accounting for over 6% of GDP. A total of over 135,000 are currently employed in the production of agri-food and fisheries products, which is approximately 7.4% of national employment. This sector is the primary outlet for the produce and output of the country's 128,000 family farms and includes approximately 600 food and drinks firms. Its wide geographic spread throughout the country plays a major part in sustaining rural and coastal communities.
A further important facet of the sector is the extent to which it is embedded in the economy and contributes to national prosperity. Due to its low import content and low profit repatriation levels, the net foreign earnings of this sector amount to 32% of the total net foreign earnings from primary and manufacturing industries. According to Forfas, the food industry spends over €9.5 billion on Irish goods and services, representing 71% of total expenditure in 2009, far higher than the 44% for all manufacturing industry.
This industry has a huge export orientation with exports currently over €7.8 billion. Over the past decade, the Irish agri-food, forestry and fisheries sector has competed successfully on the world stage and has demonstrated its capacity to perform as a major player in the global food and drink market. Currently, Irish food and drink produce is exported to more than 160 countries. This multi-million export industry has also undergone continuous development as well as demonstrating considerable flexibility in responding to emerging market opportunities. Over the period it has moved from a largely commodity based sector, underpinned by market support mechanisms, to a far greater reliance on consumer-focused, value-added product.
In summary, in my view the three key attributes of the sector are
It's embedded contribution to employment and exports,
It's ability to garner foreign export earnings; and
The potential of the sector to generate export led growth.
Together these provide the solid foundation for positioning this progressive indigenous industry as one of the central components of the country's export driven recovery.
In the light of this potential, the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. I am personally focused on progressing the wide range of state actions needed to drive implementation of this strategic document, which was drawn up by key figures in the sector. It includes ambitious targets to be achieved by 2020 including:
Increase milk production by 50%.
Improve the value-added in the sector by €3 billion.
Achieve an exports target of €12 billion, a 42% increase.
Increase the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion.
Actions have already been taken to progress implementation. A High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), involving the CEOs of the relevant state agencies, has been established specifically to
ensure a fully joined up effort on the part of State bodies in the implementation of FH2020;
to encourage proactive engagement by the agri-food industry and private sector with the implementation process;
and to act as a "clearing house" for issues relating to the development of the sector.
I chair this Committee and I look forward to chairing its next meeting which is scheduled for 22 June next.
I will continue to work to make substantial progress towards the achievement of the agri-food industry targets, and, this summer, I will produce a progress report which will outline the actions taken on each of the 215 recommendations in Food Harvest 2020 and identify key features of the road ahead.
43 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the current level of investment in the research and development agrifood sector; if there is potential to encourage more investment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12601/11]
The total level of current investment in agri-food research is significant and comprises a number of sources.
My Department operates 2 competitive funding programmes for agri-food research, namely the Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) and the Stimulus Research Programme under the National Development Plan 2007-2013. Awards under the 2 Programmes since 2005 amount to €131m while expenditure in 2011 will amount to about €19.1 m. The FIRM and Stimulus Programmes are open to the public research organisations and higher education institutions via Research Calls announced periodically. The Programmes are directed at building capability, expertise and critical mass through inter-institutional, multi-disciplinary collaboration. They fund research along the continuum from basic through fundamental/applied to the pre-commercial stage. I would hope to be in a position to announce some new awards under FIRM and Stimulus in the near future arising from a Call my Department issued in the Autumn of 2010, which was closely linked to achieving the targets set out in Food Harvest 2020.
A portion of the annual grant-in-aid to Teagasc is allocated to research. In 2010 this amounted to approximately €49 million (including pay). This goes towards supporting research at its various Research Centres and is directed at its 4 programme areas, namely: Animal & Grassland Programme; Food Programme; Crops, Environment & Land use Programme; and Rural Economics & Development Programme.
Investment committed to seafood-related research by the Marine Institute, under the Marine Research Sub-Programme of the NDP, for projects that range in duration from one to seven years, amounts to €12.9m since 2007. Expenditure on these projects in 2011 is estimated at €1.9m.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) administers awards to companies for food related research under the "Fund to Improve Food Industry Competitiveness" on behalf of my Department. The development of R&D initiatives is one of the key aims of this Fund. In 2010, as part of the Fund, EI launched a dedicated food Call under its Innovation Voucher Scheme. The Scheme provides funding worth €5,000 for small Irish food companies where companies can obtain an innovative solution to a technical or business challenge from a Higher Education Institute in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The Innovation Voucher Scheme saw 145 vouchers being approved in 2010 and 3 more Calls are taking place in 2011.
Non-exchequer funding arises mainly under the EU’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7) which is the largest public good research programme in the world. FP7 provides an opportunity for Irish research institutions and companies, including SME’s, to attract external funding for agri-food research in these challenging budgetary times. It also provides them with an opportunity to benefit from collaborating with other high ranking scientists from across Europe and beyond.
The main element of FP7 of relevance to agri-food research is Theme 2 "Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology (FAFB)" which has a budget of €1.9b over the 7 year period 2007-2013. Ireland had secured €8.5m under this Thematic area up to 2010. Both Teagasc and the Marine Institute have been very successful in attracting funding from the Programme.
Investment in research by the private sector arises mainly in the food area. Most of the investment in food research is carried out by the larger dairy oriented companies, both indigenous and foreign owned multinationals based here such as those involved in the manufacture of infant formula.
Research and development priorities, including those related to agri-food, are set out in the Programme for Government which, in particular, endorses the recommendations in the Food Harvest 2020 Report. In this regard, it is generally acknowledged that research has a major role to play in achieving the planned further expansion and innovation in the dairy and meat sectors and in helping to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the sector.
Research is also seen as critically important to helping the sector face the challenges that lie ahead such as achieving the emissions targets in the context of climate change and ensuring the general environmental sustainability of the sector.
44 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has raised concerns in relation to the trade negotiations with Mercosur countries with the EU agriculture Commissioner and his EU agriculture Minister colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12584/11]
As I have stated previously, I am very concerned about the EU/MERCOSUR negotiations.
I raised this issue at both the March and April meetings of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers and expressed my reservations about these negotiations, particularly regarding the impact a deal with MERCOSUR might have on the Irish and EU beef sector. I also conveyed my concerns directly to Commissioner Ciolos in a private meeting in advance of the March Agriculture Council. At the Council meeting in April, I highlighted the importance of the beef sector in Ireland where 80% of our production is exported, almost all of it to other EU countries.
Ireland has been to the forefront in raising this issue at European level. I have repeatedly requested that impact assessments on the EU/ Mercosur negotiations should be carried out and the results shared with member states before any offers are made in the negotiations. We expect to see the full results from the Commission impact analysis within the next few weeks. Initial results suggest that this will confirm our view of the very negative effects it could have on the beef sector and also on the EU agriculture sector generally. Once the full results are available I believe it is vital that they are fully and carefully examined in the Agriculture and Trade Councils.
At the Agriculture Council in April, France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Romania, Poland, Belgium, Slovenia and Portugalall intervened to support the call for transparency and discussion of impact assessments. I have specifically urged the Commission to exercise extreme caution in the negotiations and to take on board Irish proposals on sustainability and on measures to mitigate the effect of tariff quotas in the beef sector. My officials have had a series of meetings with senior Commission officials and have made several presentations and submitted a number of papers to the Commission explaining the implications of such an agreement for Irish agriculture, and the beef sector in particular.
At a bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Agriculture in Paris on 18 March, I raised my concerns about these negotiations and the effect on the beef sector. My concerns were shared by the French Minister and we agreed to a joint initiative to highlight the positive contribution of EU extensive beef production to the global fight against climate change. I also met separately with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn on 3 May to express my deep concerns about the negotiations and the possible implications arising from the impact assessments.
It is obviously desirable that any FTA negotiations should deliver an increase in trade opportunities and a new trading environment that is equitable and fair to all of the key sectors, economic operators and individual Member States. I was therefore particularly concerned at the preliminary findings of the impact assessments of the EU/Mercosur negotiations, which were presented to Member States at a Technical Group meeting in May. While this analysis shows an overall net gain to the EU, it also shows that substantial losses could arise in a number of key agriculture sectors and that these would seriously impact on many Member States. The impact assessments suggest that an equitable balance of advantage will be very difficult to achieve.
When my colleague, Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD met with her French counterpart in Paris on 11 May, they discussed the current negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Mercosur. In the joint communiqué that issued from that meeting it stated that France and Ireland believe it is vital to avoid concluding an agreement that will damage European agricultural interests, particularly for the beef and poultry sectors. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the priority of concluding the Doha Round.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton TD is as concerned as I, about the potential negative impact a Mercosur Free Trade Agreement might have on our economy, based on the draft impact assessments undertaken by the Commission. He requested that the EU/Mercosur negotiations be put on the agenda of that Council meeting, which took place on 13 May, 2011. At that meeting, he emphasised the Government's view that any final agreement with Mercosur needs not only to provide extensive new market access to exporters but also that it cannot undermine the viability of any particular sector, especially our agriculture sector. Furthermore he said that the impact assessments now being evaluated by the Commission must be subjected to scrutiny and review by both the Trade and Agriculture Councils and that these reviews should take place in advance of any exchange of offers taking place. France, Luxembourg, Poland, Belgium, Finland, Romania, Lithuania, Greece supported the concerns and expectations of Ireland on substance and procedure in relation to the Impact Assessments. Minister Bruton also emphasised these issues in a separate meeting he had with Commissioner DeGucht following the Council.
I am of the view that any agreement must not undermine the continued viability of a particular sector in individual member states. Because of the important potential long-term implications for the future of the EU agriculture and food sector, the EU has to take special account of its critical interests in this area and in particular the economic importance to the EU of the sector as well as its contribution to food security, sustainability and the delivery of the EU 2020 strategy.
45 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans regarding quota disregards in which part of the catch is returned to the sea to comply with EU requirements in relation to fish quotas; if he regards this practice as wasteful; if the matter is receiving attention at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12438/11]
55 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had to date at EU marine ministerial level regarding the need to have the discards situation resolved to the satisfaction of fishermen across the EU. [12441/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 55 together.
I am very concerned about the unacceptable practice of discarding fish at sea and I am fully committed to working both nationally and internationally to bring about an end to this practice.
Commissioner Damanaki has placed discarding of fish high on her agenda for the Common Fisheries Policy reform and at my meeting with her on the 14th of April made clear that I was committed to giving Ireland's support to assisting the Commissioner in identifying and implementing the appropriate measures to effectively address discards.
At home I have taken a number of opportunities to discuss this complex subject with the Irish fishing industry. I am happy to say that they are also grappling with ways to reduce and ultimately eliminate discards and are currently engaging in trials on selective gears in the Celtic Sea haddock and whiting fisheries, with a view to bringing proposals to me in the next few weeks. I intend to bring these proposals to my French counterpart as a possible joint approach to the EU Commission as France and Ireland are the main players in these fisheries. If we are successful in agreeing new measures with France and secure EU Commission support, I would be prepared to promote their introduction at national level in both jurisdictions pending their adoption at EU level.
Discarding has been receiving huge exposure across various international media, setting a negative picture of the global fishing industry. Decisive action is required in the short term, however, the problem is complex with many and at times disconnected factors impacting on it. This level of complexity requires an approach, which recognises the multi-faceted issues, the different dynamics of individual fisheries and areas and delivers real policies and change on a number of fronts.
Any resolution will require the buy in of our fishers and a significant behavioural shift will be required from them to successfully eliminate discards. Without this change in operational patterns there will be a real danger that whatever new legislation is introduced it will only succeed in pushing discarding further "underground" and this would worsen the current data situation and not deal with the problem.
Discards was a high priority in Ireland's formal submission on the CFP Review forwarded last year, which argued for a fishery specific approach involving remedial actions to reduce or eliminate discards involving changes to fishing gear and fishing practices. It focused on the development of a strong industry, science, gear technology partnership to best equip our fleets for their specific needs. It also promoted the development of a Code of Practice to incentivise best practice.
My preference is for a clear policy to eliminate discards, backed up by unambiguous and appropriate technical measures and supports which can demonstrably achieve the stated policy goal. To my mind, there has been little elaboration on the suite of measures and supports that will be necessary. This is undermining the discussion to date.
One of the possible measures being looked at is the concept of catch quota management which involves landing all catches of targeted stocks and recording the landings against quota. There are pilot schemes up and running in some Member States and I await the outcome of those, though it is already clear to me that any move in this direction would have to be over a reasonable timeframe, provide some adjustment in quota to take account of the increased landings and be on a voluntary basis in the first instance. This approach is technical and requires a significant capital investment in equipment and human resources which will have to be facilitated by financial support from the EU if it is to become a reality.
From an national perspective in addition to the industry led trials in the Celtic Sea already mentioned, Ireland is preparing a project proposal for the Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA) of the South and West coasts of Ireland, with a view to developing clear management objectives for the area, with a strong focus on the elimination of discards, in the key Hake, Monk and Megrim fisheries. I hope to submit this project proposals to Commissioner Damanaki before the summer. The objective is develop a regionalised plan agreed by ourselves France the UK and Spain setting out appropriate measures to meet stringent conservation objectives for the area. It could be a roadmap for other programmes to deal with the discard issue across Europe.
46 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will vote against the protocol related to the controversial EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement that will be tabled for the considerations of the Council on 27 April 2011 in Brussels. [8774/11]
The current Fisheries Partnership Agreement (FPA) between the European Community and Morocco came into force in February 2007. A Fisheries Protocol, setting out the detailed operating rules for the FPA, was also established at that time. The FPA, which includes the waters off Western Sahara, renews automatically every four years. The Protocol, however, expired on 27 February 2011.
The FPA with Morocco is considered one of the EU's most important bilateral fisheries agreements. Under the protocol, the EU provides a financial contribution to the Moroccan authorities each year in exchange for fishing opportunities for EU fishermen in Moroccan waters. As with all FPAs this contribution is intended both as payment for the fishing opportunities and to assist in the development of the capacity of local fisheries sector to exploit its own resources sustainably.
Eleven Member States, including Ireland, are allocated fishing opportunities under the agreement. Ireland receives a quota of 2,500 tonnes each year in the FPA's industrial pelagic category; however no Irish fishing vessels have operated in Morocco under this FPA since 2007.
Negotiations on the renewal of the Protocol, which were due to commence late in 2010 were delayed as Morocco was considered not to have provided sufficient data regarding the regional socio-economic impacts of the EU's annual financial contribution. Given the important fishing interests that the EU has in Morocco, and because Morocco belatedly provided some information, the European Commission asked the Council to be provided with a mandate to negotiate a one-year Protocol on very similar lines to the expiring one. The Commission's goal was to allow EU fishing operations in Moroccan waters to continue uninterrupted while detailed consideration was given to the merits of negotiating a new longer and potentially different Protocol.
Given the urgency of the situation and the importance of this agreement for European fishermen, Ireland supported the Commission's request to the Council to be provided with a mandate to negotiate a one-year Protocol.
Ireland's support for the Commission's mandate was given on the proviso that before the Council would ratify the new short term protocol, the Commission would share with Member States the information provided by the Moroccan authorities concerning the implementation of the current Protocol and its regional impact. This would allow Member States to make a full assessment of whether the current agreement was providing a benefit to the Saharawi people.
In late February, the EU Commission and Morocco initialled an agreement for a one year Fisheries Protocol. As part of this negotiation, transitional arrangements have been put in place for up to six months, which will allow EU fishing operations in Morocco to continue uninterrupted pending completion of the ratification procedures. The initialled Protocol must still be ratified by the EU and this only takes place when agreed by Council and consented to by the European Parliament. To date the Commission has not yet made a proposal for ratification but it is expected shortly. The new protocol has additional requirements for the provision by Morocco of details of the geographic distribution of benefits.
Ireland has been clear that our final decision would be influenced by whether it can be persuasively shown that there is appropriate benefit deriving to the Saharawi people through implementation of the FPA. Therefore, our position on the ratification of the one year protocol remains reserved, as the Commission's analysis of the information provided by the Moroccan side on the regional benefits has not been unequivocal. While citing that positive benefits were in evidence in the regional distribution of funds including to the Western Sahara, the level of those benefits remain uncertain.
Ireland has always been a firm supporter of the right to self-determination of the people of the Western Sahara, and the Government remains firmly committed to this principle.
Ireland is also of the view that the FPA with Morocco should be implemented if it can be shown to be to the benefit of all the people concerned (including the Saharawi, in relation to the waters off Western Sahara) and in full accordance with the principles of international law.
I am not convinced that this is the case at present and will consider very carefully Ireland's final position on ratification of the one year protocol when a formal proposal comes from the Commission.
47 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding his recent meeting in Brussels, including the conclusions of an EU advisory group on pigmeat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12592/11]
71 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding his recent meeting in Brussels with particular reference to the pigmeat industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12593/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 71 together.
As the Deputies will be aware the pigmeat sector has been experiencing a severe reduction in its margins brought about by the large increase in feed prices since the middle of 2010. Feed makes up some 70% of the cost of rearing a pig.
Since the middle of 2010 my Department has been urging the European Commission to take action in order to ensure that producers are assisted in obtaining a margin which would allow them to stay in business. At present producers are losing on average €15 on each pig they produce and this is not sustainable.
Earlier this year (February) the Commission introduced an "Aid to Private Storage" scheme which took 145,000 tonnes off the market. However this product is due to some back into the market over the next three months. We have also asked the Commission to consider the introduction of export refunds to assist with the export to third countries but world market conditions do not appear to allow these refunds to be put in place at present.
In addition, at the request of Belgium supported by Ireland, the Commission organised over the past months four meetings of an Enlarged Advisory Group on Pigmeat which included representatives of all the various sectors in the industry and environmentalists as well as all Member States.
The meetings of the Enlarged Advisory Group reviewed all aspects of the industry from the cost and availability of animal feed, the impact of GMOs, and the level and type of assistance that should be made available to the industry. In addition, issues such as competitiveness, marketing initiatives, environmental concerns, the structure and organisation of the pig sector, risk management, income stabilisation tools pressure from third countries, opportunities in developing Asian markets etc. were also considered.
The group agreed that there was no "magic solution" to competitiveness issues but it did identify areas to be addressed including innovation, structural adjustment and the operation of the supply chain. The pigmeat sector should be considered when drawing up new rural development programmes and risk management instruments should also be used. The green paper on promotion policy to be published in July should be of value to the pig sector. In this context the Commission said that the role of producer and inter-professional organisations will be considered. The Commission concluded by saying it was no longer sufficient to monitor prices in the sector and it will be considering how best to also monitor input costs and margins.
At the Council of Ministers meeting I said that the Commission's report and its recommendations are a useful basis for discussion. However, the pigmeat industry was under severe stress and prices are not sufficient to provide producers with an acceptable margin. I pointed out that we need to retain market management instruments such as aid to private storage and export refunds.
In response the Commission indicated that they will be coming up with a number of proposals within the process of CAP reform. The Commission added that the promotion of exports would be more valuable than export refunds in the future and it will come forward with a variety of proposals in due course.
48 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider developing urban agriculture schemes and public market enterprises on undeveloped National Asset Management Agency land and other unused State property with a view to providing employment in these areas and encouraging the consumption of local produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12606/11]
As Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, I have no function with regard to the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) or the usage of its assets. These come under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Finance.
The Acquisition of Land(Allotments) Act 1926, which is under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, enables local authorities to let allotments in urban areas to an individual for the specific purpose of cultivating vegetables mainly for consumption by that individual "or his family", if the authority is satisfied that a demand exists.
A number of projects to promote and encourage the consumption of local produce have been promoted by my Department. In 2009 my Department and Bord Bia launched a Good Practice Standard Award for Farmers' Markets and 39 markets have been awarded the Standard to date. A call for further applications issued in April. The Good Practice Standard is voluntary with all farmers' markets operating in the State eligible to apply. Farmers' Markets displaying this award undertake to stock at least 50% of local produce from the county or neighbouring counties, to accommodate seasonal and local garden/allotment produce as well as compliance with food safety/labelling rules and criteria on good governance. Farmers' Markets provide producers with a cost effective direct route to customers. They play an ever more important role in delivering income to producer, good value to the public and create employment.
My Department has also been instrumental in bringing together the Irish fruit and vegetable industry to facilitate and fund the Incredible Edibles Growing Challenge in primary schools. By the year end, 200,000 children will have participated in the project and this will have given them an appreciation of growing skills and an opportunity to focus on the need to increase the production of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Local food systems support the local and regional economy and can bring environmental benefits where sustainable production systems are followed. Local food is now seen as food that is not mass-produced, it is about small-scale production and hand-made produce. There is a growing consumer demand for healthy foods that are locally produced with research commissioned by Bord Bia in 2010 indicating that 79% of consumers buy local food to support the local economy. The Government, and I as Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food are committed to the development of the food sector and to working with industry to deliver on the ambitious growth targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report.
49 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding his recent meeting in Brussels with Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn with particular regard to research and development investment opportunities in agrifood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12604/11]
I met Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn on 3 May and discussed a number of current issues including research and development in the food area.
During the meeting I emphasised the importance of the agri-food sector for the economic well being of the country. Research and development will be critical in driving the industry. Food is and will always remain the single most important output from land use in Ireland. However, there is a realisation and acceptance throughout the industry, encapsulated in our own 2020 strategy document "Food Harvest 2020" that in order to achieve sustainable growth we must "think green and act smart". We currently have a number of groups working on the implementation of the recommendations contained in "Food Harvest 2020" including an Agri Research Expert Advisory (AREA) Group which is developing a Strategic Research Agenda to guide future national investment in agricultural production research for food production and wider bio-economy activities.
The EU 7th Framework Programme (FP7) is the largest public good research programme in the world. It is playing a very significant role in strengthening the scientific and technological base of European industry and in encouraging international competitiveness whilst also promoting research that supports EU policies. Irish agri-food researchers in Teagasc, the Higher Education establishments and indeed food companies, especially SME's, are well placed to pursue opportunities for FP7 funding owing to the capacity, capability and critical mass that has been built up over the years. This is as a result of significant national investment, via grant-in-aid, funding of Teagasc and competitive funding programmes operated by my Department such as FIRM (Food Institutional Research Measure) and Stimulus and similar programmes operated by the Marine Institute. Areas of major focus where Irish researchers have particular strengths include nutrition, functional foods and food for health.
Ireland's success rate in winning FP7 funding is steadily improving thanks partly to the encouragement, guidance and assistance provided to Irish researchers by the National Delegates and Contact Points that form part of the Irish FP Network co-ordinated by Enterprise Ireland.
50 Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider forming a delegation to travel to Europe to discuss the possibility of acquiring additional milk quota for Ireland to lessen the potential imposition and impact of a super-levy situation for 2011; if he will further consider this in view of Europe-wide under-production in the dairy industry and the potential for Ireland to increase its exports, which could only improve our hopes of honouring our debt commitments to Europe, thereby contributing to the ongoing stability of the Euro; and his plans for assisting or financing the provision of additional processing facilities in advance of the removal of milk quotas in 2015. [12443/11]
As I mentioned earlier in my response to a similar question, my officials and I have raised the quota issue with the Commission on a number of occasions in recent months. Indeed, I used the opportunity provided by my attendance at the Council of Agriculture Ministers in March to ask the Commission to consider whether a more flexible approach might be adopted for the limited number of Member States, including Ireland, likely to have a super levy problem in the run up to 2015. I also raised the matter in a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Ciolos prior to the Council meeting. I intend to continue to raise the issue with Member State colleagues and with the Commission. However, the Commission has resisted attempts to revisit this issue, and there is, in any event, no guarantee that a majority of Member States will support calls for a more flexible milk quota regime.
Against this background, I should emphasise that the primary responsibility for producing within quota, and for ensuring the avoidance of super levy, rests with individual milk producers. It is up to dairy farmers, who are familiar with the rules of the quota regime, to make the right decisions and to protect themselves from exposure to potentially very damaging fines. The rules are very clear, and were confirmed as recently as last December by the European Commission when it came to the conclusion that the soft landing was on track and that there was no need to revisit the quota elements of the 2008 Health Check agreement. The remaining annual quota increases are therefore the only available mechanism for increasing quota in the period leading up to quota abolition in 2015, and all dairy farmers must take this on board as they plan the development of their enterprises.
Irish dairy farmers must continue to operate on the assumption that no further changes will be made to the quota arrangements agreed in the context of the CAP Health Check.
Finally, the provision of additional processing facilities is a matter for the industry itself. My Department has in the past supported investment in this area through the Dairy Investment Fund. However, I do not envisage the establishment of any similar funding arrangement in the foreseeable future, having regard to the exigencies of the public finances.
51 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the role that agriculture and the agrifood sector can play in economic recovery here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12596/11]
85 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the way the agrifood sector can contribute to economic revival here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12597/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 85 together.
As mentioned in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 42 today [12599/11], I would regard the key contribution which the agri-food sector will make to Ireland's economic revival relates to its potential to generate export led growth, its embedded contribution to the economy and employment and its ability to garner foreign export earnings.
Together these provide the solid foundation for positioning this progressive indigenous industry as one of the central components of the country's export driven recovery.
In the light of this potential, the implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. I am personally focused on progressing the wide range of state actions needed to drive implementation of this strategic document, which was drawn up by key figures in the sector. It includes ambitious targets to be achieved by 2020 including:
Increase milk production by 50%.
Improve the value-added in the sector by €3 billion.
Achieve an exports target of €12 billion, a 42% increase
Increase the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion.
Actions have already been taken to progress implementation. A High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), involving the CEOs of the relevant state agencies, has been established specifically to
to ensure a fully joined up effort on the part of State bodies in the implementation of FH2020;
to encourage proactive engagement by the agri-food industry and private sector with the implementation process;
and to act as a "clearing house" for issues relating to the development of the sector.
I chair this Committee and I look forward to chairing its next meeting which is scheduled for 22 June next.
I will continue to work to make substantial progress towards the achievement of the agri-food industry targets, and, this summer, I will produce a progress report which will outline the actions taken on each of the 215 recommendations in Food Harvest 2020 and identify key features of the road ahead.
52 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the assistance he is providing to assist the pig industry through its current difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12574/11]
72 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the multiples or supermarkets that he invited to meet him in relation to difficulties in the pig sector; the multiples or supermarkets that attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12573/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 72 together.
The pig industry is a valuable component of the overall agri-food sector, and has a farm gate value in excess of €300 million. The sector supports approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services and these are dispersed around the country. Production, prices and exports grew significantly during 2010 and the impact of this growth was felt at all levels of the production cycle.
Having said that, I am aware of the difficulties currently being experienced by the sector. While returns have improved in recent months and are forecast to improve in the medium term, the biggest issue for producers at the moment remains feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed. Pig producers are especially affected by the increase in cereal prices since June 2009, given that cereals account for 70% of feed. This is reducing margins to below the long-term average, a situation which may have an impact on production decisions in both the short and medium term. Difficulties in maintaining credit facilities with suppliers and banks are exacerbating this situation.
The Teagasc Pig Advisory Service estimates that the cost of production averages some €1.47 per kg, with feed accounting for €1.16 of this. Non-feed costs account for, on average an additional €0.50 per kg. These non-feed costs are often herd specific and vary between producers. Larger scale producers are better positioned to avail of economies of scale. Pigmeat prices currently stand at €142.70 per 100 kg, an increase of over 10% year-on-year and are expected to continue to improve as 2011 progresses, while cereal output is expected to increase by mid-year.
Both of these developments should improve the position for pig producers. Teagasc Advisory Services are working with producers, feed suppliers and banks to advance a number of initiatives to help pig farmers through this difficult period. As you are aware pig prices are a function of the supply and demand dynamics in the market place and my Department has no role in how they are arrived at.
The ‘ Food Harvest 2020 Report’, which was published in July 2010, sets out the vision for the future of the food industry including the pig sector. Ambitious targets have been set in relation to sow productivity, the size of the national herd, together with a 50% growth in the value of output by 2020.
I recently met with many of the stakeholders including producer representatives, some processors and Tesco Ireland and discussed many of the issues currently affecting the sector. I invited stakeholders to consider any suggestions or proposals they may wish to make and to advance them through the Food Harvest 2020 Implementation Process.
53 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the current negotiations between the EU and the Mercosur countries; and the position regarding the most recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in Brussels on this matter. [12586/11]
56 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussions he has had at EU level regarding the threat that Mercosur poses to Ireland’s and Europe’s beef industry; the outcome of these discussions; if the EU Commission has agreed to produce a full impact assessment; and when there will be further discussions with the EU Agricultural Council and with the Commission on this matter. [12568/11]
64 Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his position in relation to the current Mercosur talks including when he expects a deal to be reached and the implications that this will have for farmers here. [12585/11]
77 Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the current negotiations between the EU and the Mercosur countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12583/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 56, 64 and 77 together.
As I have stated previously, I am very concerned about the EU-Mercosur negotiations.
I raised this issue at both the March and April meetings of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers and expressed my reservations about these negotiations, particularly regarding the impact a deal with Mercosur might have on the Irish and EU beef sector. I also conveyed my concerns directly to Commissioner Ciolos in a private meeting in advance of the March Agriculture Council. At the Council meeting in April, I highlighted the importance of the beef sector in Ireland where 80% of our production is exported, almost all of it to other EU countries.
Ireland has been to the forefront in raising this issue at European level. I have repeatedly requested that impact assessments on the EU-Mercosur negotiations should be carried out and the results shared with member states before any offers are made in the negotiations. We expect to see the full results from the Commission impact analysis within the next few weeks. Initial results suggest that this will confirm our view of the very negative effects it could have on the beef sector and also on the EU agriculture sector generally. Once the full results are available I believe it is vital that they are fully and carefully examined in the Agriculture and Trade Councils.
At the Agriculture Council in April, France, Italy, Austria, Greece, Romania, Poland, Belgium, Slovenia and Portugal all intervened to support the call for transparency and discussion of impact assessments. I have specifically urged the Commission to exercise extreme caution in the negotiations and to take on board Irish proposals on sustainability and on measures to mitigate the effect of tariff quotas in the beef sector. My officials have had a series of meetings with senior Commission officials and have made several presentations and submitted a number of papers to the Commission explaining the implications of such an agreement for Irish agriculture, and the beef sector in particular.
At a bilateral meeting with the French Minister for Agriculture in Paris on 18 March, I raised my concerns about these negotiations and the effect on the beef sector. My concerns were shared by the French Minister and we agreed to a joint initiative to highlight the positive contribution of EU extensive beef production to the global fight against climate change. I also met separately with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn on 3 May to express my deep concerns about the negotiations and the possible implications arising from the impact assessments.
It is obviously desirable that any FTA negotiations should deliver an increase in trade opportunities and a new trading environment that is equitable and fair to all of the key sectors, economic operators and individual Member States. I was therefore particularly concerned at the preliminary findings of the impact assessments of the EU-Mercosur negotiations, which were presented to Member States at a Technical Group meeting in May. While this analysis shows an overall net gain to the EU, it also shows that substantial losses could arise in a number of key agriculture sectors and that these would seriously impact on many Member States. The impact assessments suggest that an equitable balance of advantage will be very difficult to achieve.
When my colleague, Minister of State for European Affairs, Deputy Lucinda Creighton met her French counterpart in Paris on 11 May, they discussed the current negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Mercosur. In the joint communiqué that issued from that meeting it stated that France and Ireland believe it is vital to avoid concluding an agreement that will damage European agricultural interests, particularly for the beef and poultry sectors. The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the priority of concluding the Doha Round.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation,Deputy. Richard Bruton is as concerned as I, about the potential negative impact a Mercosur Free Trade Agreement might have on our economy, based on the draft impact assessments undertaken by the Commission. He requested that the EU-Mercosur negotiations be put on the agenda of that Council meeting, which took place on 13 May, 2011. At that meeting, he emphasised the Government's view that any final agreement with Mercosur needs not only to provide extensive new market access to exporters but also that it cannot undermine the viability of any particular sector, especially our agriculture sector. Furthermore he said that the impact assessments now being evaluated by the Commission must be subjected to scrutiny and review by both the Trade and Agriculture Councils and that these reviews should take place in advance of any exchange of offers taking place. France, Luxembourg, Poland, Belgium, Finland, Romania, Lithuania, Greece supported the concerns and expectations of Ireland on substance and procedure in relation to the Impact Assessments. The Minister, Deputy Bruton also emphasised these issues in a separate meeting he had with Commissioner De Gucht following the Council.
I am of the view that any agreement must not undermine the continued viability of a particular sector in individual member states. Because of the important potential long-term implications for the future of the EU agriculture and food sector, the EU has to take special account of its critical interests in this area and in particular the economic importance to the EU of the sector as well as its contribution to food security, sustainability and the delivery of the EU 2020 strategy.
57 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to develop the aquaculture industry; and if he will remove some of the obstacles that have led to a serious backlog of aquaculture licences. [12442/11]
I am strongly committed to the further development of the Aquaculture Sector which I believe has great potential in terms of its contribution to the economy and to coastal and rural development.
My plans for the aquaculture industry are set out in Food Harvest 2020 — A vision for Irish Agri-food and fisheries, The Rising Tide — A Review of the Bottom Grown Mussel Sector in Ireland and in the Irish Seafood National Programme 2007-2013.
The Irish Seafood National Programme sets out a strategy for the development of the aquaculture sector. That strategy sets out the following elements:
Build a critical mass in the production of key species with higher added value potential;
Create additional income and employment in peripheral coastal regions by promoting the production of those species with the potential for added value;
Support innovation and other structural initiatives to improve the efficiency-competitiveness, safety, product quality-fish health and welfare and environmental impact of aquaculture;
Promote the diversification of the aquaculture industry by encouraging the commercial development of new species, and
Promote the introduction of new technology to open up offshore locations for aquaculture and to improve infrastructural support for the sector.
The Commercial Aquaculture Development Scheme is the largest element of the Aquaculture Industry Development Measure of the Irish Seafood National Programme. That scheme has a budget of €5 million in 2011. The scheme is designed to promote the commercial development of aquaculture on a basis which is financially, technically and environmentally sustainable. Its main focus is on the construction, extension, equipping, modernisation and expansion of aquaculture enterprises, development of handling facilities for quality improvement and efficiency and investment in measures of a collective nature designed to improve sustainability, in particular quality assurance and environmental impact, efficiency, safety and competitiveness in the aquaculture industry. Under the Programme grant aid will not be made available to marine salmon aquaculture sites until the sea-lice issue has been satisfactorily resolved.
One call for proposals under this scheme was conducted in 2010 and already another has been conducted in 2011. Investment proposals that have been successful in the 2011 call will be announced shortly.
In relation to the current backlog in the processing of aquaculture licences, the majority of areas for which the licences are sought are designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive (so-called Natura 2000 sites). In accordance with these EU Directives, as clarified by a judgment against Ireland of the European Court of Justice in 2007, my Department is constrained by law from issuing or renewing aquaculture licences for sites located within Natura 2000 areas, until such time as an ‘appropriate assessment' has been conducted in accordance with those Directives of the potential of the proposed aquaculture and fishery activities within that area to impact negatively on the conservation objectives for that Natura site. The licensing process must take full account of the outcome of that assessment in reaching a determination on any particular licence application.
My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute, BIM and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport is engaged in a comprehensive programme to conduct appropriate assessments for the approximately 90 bays affected. This is a complex and resource intensive work programme involving the surveying of benthic habitats and bird populations in each of the 90 sites concerned, preparation of conservation objectives by the NPWS for each site, development of fishery plans for each site by fishermen, assisted by BIM, and ultimately conduct of the appropriate assessment by the Marine Institute on behalf of my Department.
This process is ongoing and significant progress has been made. This comprehensive work programme will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The appropriate assessment of aquaculture applications will be dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.
My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all outstanding licence cases, having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.
The concentration of aquaculture sites in environmentally sensitive Natura 2000 areas is also proving a significant obstacle in terms of supporting the development of the industry through the Aquaculture Industry Development Measure of the Irish Seafood National Programme. In light of the ECJ judgment and in order to avoid the significant risk of fines being imposed on Ireland in connection with un-assessed aquaculture activity in Natura 2000 areas, it was necessary to include a restriction in the Programme excluding aquaculture sites in Natura 2000 areas from support under the Programme until the site concerned has been the subject of an appropriate assessment. As the programme of appropriate assessments is rolled out bay by bay over the course of this year, I expect that many more aquaculture sites will become eligible for support.
58 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the bilateral meetings he has had with other EU agricultural Ministers in relation to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12580/11]
Since I was appointed Minister on 9 March last, I have had bilateral meetings with my French, Spanish and Danish Ministerial colleagues. I have also had the opportunity to interact with my Ministerial colleagues from the 26 other Member States and the EU Commission at the three EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meetings held in Brussels and Luxemburg since I assumed office.
The meeting with my French counterpart, Bruno Le Maire, was devoted primarily to the reform of the CAP. We shared common ground on the strategic importance of agriculture both in Ireland and France. We agreed to work together to ensure that the reform of the CAP delivers an ambitious policy, adequately funded to reinforce and develop agriculture in the EU. We also agreed on a number of important markers in the CAP negotiations, namely
That the distribution of future direct income support within Member States should allow for the necessary flexibility of member states to take account of the agriculture and regional conditions which apply to that country and
That any future "greening" of the direct income support schemes should be simple to apply both for farmers and Member State administrations and should not entail additional costs for either.
The meeting with my French counterpart also dealt with the Mercosur negotiations and with the potential difficulties they could pose for the EU beef sector. The contribution which extensive EU beef production can make to the global fight against climate change was discussed and it was agreed that both countries would work together to highlight this.
While my meeting with my Spanish counterpart was devoted largely to fisheries matters, we did have the opportunity to exchange views on the broad parameters of the upcoming CAP negotiations.
Last week I met with the Danish Minister Henrik Høegh in Brussels and we discussed CAP and our forthcoming presidencies of the EU. Minister Høegh intends to make good progress with the CAP reform negotiations during the Danish presidency but it may be that negotiations will continue into Ireland's presidency in the first half of 2013.
I will have further opportunities to engage with my EU counterparts particularly at the forthcoming informal EU Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting to be held in Hungary next week, where the theme of the meeting is "How should the CAP contribute to a sustainable animal husbandry sector in Europe". It is also my intention to travel to the UK over the coming weeks and to meet my UK counterpart, Secretary of State Caroline Spellman and her team during that visit.
59 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proposals he has to consult with the stakeholders in the farming industry here in relation to the negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12589/11]
An initial consultation process was launched with stakeholders by my Department in July 2009 to obtain views on what EU agriculture policies would serve Ireland and the EU best in the years to come. The responses received are helping to inform our position in the very important negotiations on the future of the CAP after 2013.
In 2010, a Consultative Committee on the CAP after 2013 was set up by my Department comprising all the major farming and agriculture related representative organisations involved in Social Partnership as well as a number of academics. The Committee met in May and November 2010 and also participated in the Stakeholder event organised by my Department during the visit of Commissioner Ciolos last autumn.
Commissioner Ciolos also launched a public consultation process during 2010 providing an opportunity for all stakeholders and interested parties to give their views on the future of the CAP. In parallel with this process, the Commission requested specific submissions on Rural Development in the context of CAP post 2013. My Department wrote to interested stakeholders in this regard advising them how to participate in both of these consultation processes and encouraging them to do so to ensure that Ireland's voice is heard at every opportunity.
While it is still early days in the negotiations and the detailed legislative proposals will not be available until later this year, my officials and I will continue to consult with farming organisations and stakeholders as the negotiations progress.
60 Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the current projections for agri exports here in view of the fact the annual report of his Department showed them to have increased 11% from 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12577/11]
The increase of 11% in agri-food exports in 2010 evidenced the central role the sector can play in this country's economic regeneration and it is our aim that this growth be continued in the coming years. Indeed, the Food Harvest 2020 report sets an export target of €12 billion for the sector by 2020, a 42% increase on the average export figures in the years 2007-2009.
Bord Bia, in its Performance and Prospects 2010-2011, indicates that in 2011 "the prospects for Irish food and drink exports remain positive, helped by strong global demand for commodity products and a relatively tight supply situation in a number of key categories", adding, crucially, that "growth in global demand is set to underpin food markets well into the future". It is to be hoped that exchange rate movements remain favourable throughout the year, especially with regard to Sterling and the US Dollar, thereby allowing Ireland to reap the maximum return from strong global demand in 2011.
The data already available for 2011, though limited, provides welcome evidence that export growth in the sector will indeed continue this year. In fact, CSO figures for January 2011 show exports of Food, Beverages and Live Animals increasing 18% on the same month last year.
61 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he has taken to dissuade or remove any incentives for persons to burn gorse to ensure that we do not have a repeat of the difficult situation in recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12567/11]
The burning of vegetation, including gorse and scrub, growing on land not then cultivated is prohibited between 1 March and 31 August each year under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000. Arising from the large increase in the number of wildfires which occurred during 2010, the Land and Forest Fires Working Group was established last year. The Group highlighted, inter alia, the need to change the mindset regarding the use of fire in traditional agricultural practices.
Following on from that recommendation, my Department has embarked on an extensive publicity campaign since early 2011 to warn farmers and landowners of the dangers and the consequences of the uncontrolled and illegal burning of gorse and scrub. A particular focus of the campaign has been to highlight the penalties which apply under the Single Payment Scheme, as well as the legal consequences of illegal land burning through fines and imprisonment.
My Department will continue to prioritise publicising the dangers of this destructive illegal activity, in order to deter persons from risking both loss of life and property, through irresponsible land management practices. It is vitally important for rural dwellers to remain vigilant and be prepared to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious activities to the Garda.
62 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether the targets set out in the food harvest strategy can be achieved by 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12576/11]
73 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the targets agreed in Food Harvest 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12598/11]
74 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to progress the recommendations of Food Harvest 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62, 73 and 74 together.
The implementation of Food Harvest 2020 is a key commitment of the Programme for Government. I am personally focused on progressing the wide range of state actions needed to drive implementation of this strategic document which includes the following targets to be achieved by 2020:
Increase milk production by 50%.
Improve the value-added in the sector by €3 billion.
Achieve an exports target of €12 billion, a 42% increase
Increase the value of primary output of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion.
Actions have already been taken to progress implementation. A High Level Implementation Committee (HLIC), involving senior officials of my Department and the Department of Finance as well as the CEOs of the relevant state agencies, has been established specifically to
to ensure a fully joined up effort on the part of State bodies in the implementation of FH2020;
to encourage proactive engagement by the agri-food industry and private sector with the implementation process;
and to act as a "clearing house" for issues relating to the development of the sector.
I chair this Committee and I look forward to chairing its next meeting which is scheduled for 22 June next.
Other actions already taken include
A call for research proposals targeted on the priorities identified in Food Harvest 2020.
An Agri Research Expert Advisory (AREA) Group has been established to facilitate input from the agriculture industry into primary research programmes.
A Dairy Expansion Activation Group, comprised largely of private sector representatives, recently published a Dairy Sector Road Map, which sets out the actions required by the sector to achieve the target 50% increase in milk production by 2020.
A Beef 2020 Activation Group has been established to drive the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the FH 2020 Strategy. The Group first met in February and is at present engaging with the various stakeholders. Both the beef and dairy groups are to report back to the HLIC.
Bord Bia, Teagasc and the UK Carbon Trust are collaborating to verify and improve the sustainability aspect of Bord Bia's Beef Quality Assurance Scheme. Based on the work to date, from January 2011 environmental and economic assurance will be provided for premium markets, particularly in the EU.
The ‘Brand Ireland' concept is being developed initially through the work of Bord Bia.
I will continue to work to make substantial progress towards the achievement of the agri-food industry targets and this summer, I will produce a progress report which will outline the actions taken on each of the 215 recommendations in Food Harvest 2020.
63 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the visit of Queen Elizabeth II visit to the Irish National Stud and the English Market in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12591/11]
The fact that Queen Elizabeth chose to include the Irish National Stud in her very busy itinerary on this her first visit to this country brought the focus of the international media to the Irish horse breeding industry, an indigenous industry and one in which we excel on the world stage. I was delighted to be present myself to welcome Her Majesty to the Stud. Her Majesty's visit was an acknowledgement of the excellent standing of the Irish thoroughbred sector internationally and will further enhance the international reputation of this industry into the future.
I was also very pleased to welcome Queen Elizabeth to the English Market in Cork. Whilst this was important for the market itself on the day the broader media impact of the visit was a huge opportunity for the English Market, for Cork City, for our national pride in our food and for our international reputation as a source of high quality agri food produce. I cannot emphasise enough the impact that such a visit can have on our international reputation as a source of good food and the elevation of awareness for influencing consumers and customers around the world.
I envisage the market having a continued role as an ambassador for our food. The English Market traders, Cork City Council and Bord Bia will meet in early June to discuss continued collaborative effort to build the potential marketing legacy from the visit for the English Market, for Cork City and for our food.
66 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will replace the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with the administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions, as promised in the programme for Government. [12610/11]
The Programme for Government committed to replacing the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions.
I sought the advice of the Attorney General on the matter. The Attorney General has responded with a detailed advice on the issue which I am currently examining. The advice highlights the difficulties in relation to the Constitution and in relation to the laws of the European Community relevant to the question of implementing a system of administrative sanctions for fisheries.
There are many significant differences between the legal systems in Ireland and that of other EU Member States. Ireland's constitutional and legal position provides certain basic rights which must be respected within our system of justice. Furthermore, European Union legislation requires that penalties for fisheries offences must be "effective, proportionate and dissuasive”. That is, they must act as a deterrent and they must also ensure that there is no benefit gained by infringing the rules.
Given the nature of the penalties involved, there is a general requirement under the Constitution that alleged breaches of fisheries control regulations must be tried in a court of law. I am continuing to actively examine the issue in the context of the Attorney General's advice in relation to the Programme for Government commitment.
67 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the issue of food security and supply in the EU is being factored into current development policy. [12571/11]
The issue of food security and supply in the EU is at the forefront of the current EU agriculture policy. A Commission communication setting out broad policy options for the future CAP "The CAP towards 2020" was presented on 18 November 2010. Following discussion on this communication at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, a majority of Member States lent their support at the March Council to a series of conclusions drafted by the Hungarian Presidency.
The Commission communication was the first formal step in the negotiating process for the CAP after 2013. The formal legislative proposals are due to be tabled by the Commission later this year. In that respect, the Presidency conclusions provide a strong signal to the Commission of the views of Member States in this process. I believe the Presidency's text was an inclusive presentation of Member States' positions and provides good guidance for the legislative work of the Commission.
The Commission communication advocates a strong future CAP based on two complementary pillars with three strategic aims of preserving food production potential in the EU, sustainable management of natural resources and maintaining viable rural areas. The Presidency held three policy debates on the Communication and the issue of viable food production, the first main objective for the future CAP, was discussed at the December Council.
The international community is committed to reducing by half the number of malnourished people in the world by 2015, but the latest estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations show that the number of hungry people currently stands at 925 million. United Nations projections suggest that the world population will rise from the current 6.8 billion to 9.2 billion by 2050, with an associated 70% increase in demand for food. At the same time, more than ever, food production is facing competition for land and water resources from a variety of sources including the impacts of climate change, which pose further risks to food output. Increasing global demand for food and the level of food insecurity in parts of the world mean that Ireland as a leading world food producer has a responsibility to ensure that it contributes to meeting this demand and affords our agri-food sector new opportunities for growth. But these opportunities will only be fully realised if our farms become as competitive as possible and this will require considerable adaptation and structural change. It is important that we should actively support our farmers throughout this process. This should take practical expression in pillar 2 measures to support on-farm investment and to improve and adapt farm structures.
68 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the marine priorities outlined in Food Harvest 2020; the job creation measures that have been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12590/11]
Food Harvest 2020 identifies the many challenges and opportunities facing the seafood sector in Ireland if it is to achieve its enormous potential. I intend to focus very much on those issues that will assist the seafood sector in contributing to national economic recovery and boosting employment.
My main priorities include attracting more landings by foreign vessels to Irish fishing ports to enhance raw material supply to Irish seafood processors, adding value to seafood production through innovation, new product development and new lean and green processing technologies and thirdly fostering the expansion of the aquaculture sector.
The North East Atlantic zone adjacent to Ireland is one of the richest fishing grounds in the EU. The potential exists for Ireland to attract landings by non-Irish vessels and to process and add value to these additional fish catches. This would net significant additional seafood output and jobs in the processing sector. Initial discussions have taken place with representatives of the French industry and they have expressed strong interest. In July this year, BIM will co-ordinate a bilateral meeting between Irish seafood processors and large French fishing organisations, with the objective of encouraging the French to land their catches into Irish ports and enable more processing of fish to take place here. This initiative will provide a pilot project template to attract other foreign landings to Irish ports.
BIM's new Seafood Development Centre (SDC) has made considerable progress in driving seafood value-added activity since opening at the end of 2009. As some 85% of Irish seafood is sold in commodity form, the SDC seeks to maximise the potential of indigenous Irish seafood businesses by increasing development of innovative, consumer orientated seafood products through a market-led approach. The SDC adds value through the application of innovation in the processing and marketing of seafood, by improving the capabilities of seafood companies in areas such as new product development, new packaging and leading edge processing technologies. Where necessary, the SDC provides supported incubation spaces.
During 2010, over 180 seafood companies worked with the SDC. Some of these enterprises have developed a range of successful new seafood products. BIM has set a target of achieving an additional €100 million worth of new seafood products over the next five years. Through this growth, the SDC will enable the creation of higher quality, better paid and robust employment in the sector.
I recently launched a new BIM Seafood Value-adding Scheme, designed to motivate seafood companies to explore and develop new opportunities in seafood by fostering innovative product developments that match current and future market opportunities. It will provide grant aid of up to 40% for eligible companies, subject to a maximum payment per company, supporting an overall investment of €1 million by the end of 2011.
I have made available €1.5 million in 2011 to foster the expansion and modernisation of the seafood processing sector through BIM's Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. A call for proposals has just been completed and despite the present economic climate, the call was fully subscribed by ambitious and enterprising Irish companies. I take great encouragement from that.
The expansion of aquaculture activity in Ireland has faced significant obstacles in recent years because of the concentration of aquaculture sites and new applications in environmentally sensitive Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. Some 90 such marine sites have been designated for protection under the EU Habitats and Birds Directives and this protected status carries with it quite onerous obligations to carry out very in-depth environmental assessment of aquaculture and fishing activities before they can be licensed. It also places restrictions on my ability to make available financial supports for the expansion of output at these sites.
I have adopted a twofold strategy to addressing this obstacle. First and foremost, we must ensure that the protected sites where aquaculture is concentrated are assessed as necessary, as a matter of urgency, so that the present uncertainty is removed for ambitious aquaculture enterprises seeking to grow and modernise. A multi-agency work programme has been ongoing for two years now and I expect that we will see tangible progress in 2011. I will endeavour to ensure that this work is given top priority.
The second element of my aquaculture strategy is longer term and that is to look beyond the often environmentally sensitive inshore locations favoured to date by aquaculture enterprises. I have asked BIM and the Marine Institute to examine the potential for aquaculture activity in off short sites and I hope that this work will inform the feasibility of offshore aquaculture activity in Ireland
69 Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on the agreement reached at the March EU Agricultural Council on the broad approach to common agricultural policy reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12581/11]
A Commission communication setting out broad policy options for the future CAP "The CAP towards 2020" was presented on 18 November 2010. Following discussion on this communication at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, a majority of Member States lent their support at the March Council to a series of conclusions drafted by the Hungarian Presidency.
The Commission communication was the first formal step in the negotiating process for the CAP after 2013. The formal legislative proposals are due to be tabled by the Commission later this year. In that respect, the Presidency conclusions provide a strong signal to the Commission of the views of Member States in this process. I believe the Presidency's text was an inclusive presentation of Member States' positions and provides good guidance for the legislative work of the Commission.
It is very early days in these negotiations. We still have to see the detailed legislative proposals and there will be difficult negotiations ahead firstly to secure adequate funding from the overall multiannual financial framework and then to secure the CAP policies that are best suited to Irish needs. I will spare no effort to secure a successful outcome of these negotiations for Ireland.
70 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has the confirmed quota position for the 2010-2011 milk quota year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/11]
Estimated butterfat-adjusted deliveries for the 2010/2011 milk quota year, as published by my Department in mid-April, were 0.43% under quota. These are estimated figures, and a definitive outcome will not be available until August. However, it is hoped that this will confirm that the country has, fortunately, avoided a super levy.
All milk producers should consider this a timely reminder that quotas remain in place and that decisions on the day-to-day management of their dairy enterprises should be informed by a constant realisation of the need to avoid a potentially very damaging super levy. I intend to continue my efforts to raise the issue of the soft landing with Member State colleagues and with the Commission. The latter has resisted attempts to revisit this matter, and there is, in any event, no guarantee that a majority of Member States will support calls for a more flexible milk quota regime. Therefore Irish dairy farmers must continue to operate on the assumption that no further changes will be made to the quota arrangements agreed in the context of the CAP Health Check.
75 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is considering a new branding for Irish food; if so, the timeframe to which he is working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12439/11]
Promoting the marketing of Irish food, seafood, drink and horticulture is the responsibility of Bord Bia. In its market research, development and promotion activities Bord Bia works closely with producers, industry and existing and potential customers throughout the world to communicate the quality, sustainable production systems operating in Ireland and to identify and promote market opportunities.
Food Harvest 2020, which sets out a vision and plan for the agri-food and fisheries sector for the next ten years recommends the establishment of a "Brand Ireland". That recommendation reflected the advice in Pathways for Growth, a high level assessment by Harvard Business School, who were engaged by Bord Bia in 2010 to assess export opportunities for the Irish food and drink industry and to provide a new perspective on pathways for growth. The concept is to develop an umbrella brand or enhanced reputation for the Irish food industry which is credible and distinctive and which embraces all aspects of Irish food and drink.
Food Harvest 2020 details the key steps necessary to progress the development of this approach. These include detailed scientific and market research into consumer trends, a strategy to emphasise the green and natural reputation of Irish food and drink, a credible scientific basis for product claims and the creation of the highest standards of food safety and traceability implemented in all participating products. As complexity in delivering on such an umbrella concept is high, a timeframe of at least three-to-five years will be required.
In all of this, it must be remembered that EU Treaty and Single Market rules prohibit the use of public funds to promote food purely on the basis of origin.
Bord Bia has taken a lead role in the development of the Brand Ireland concept and have conducted research on a number of successful brand models. One example of this is the PAS2050 standard (Publicly Assured Systems) for the sustainability credentials of its Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Schemes which was achieved by working closely with Carbon Trust and Teagasc. This is a very positive step towards realising the Brand Ireland concept.
76 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide an up-to-date position on discussions on the Common Agricultural Policy. [12570/11]
A Commission communication setting out broad policy options for the future CAP "The CAP towards 2020" was presented on 18 November 2010. Following discussion on this communication at the Council of EU Agriculture Ministers, a majority of Member States lent their support at the March Council to a series of conclusions drafted by the Hungarian Presidency.
The Commission communication was the first formal step in the negotiating process for the CAP after 2013. The formal legislative proposals are due to be tabled by the Commission later this year. In that respect, the Presidency conclusions provide a strong signal to the Commission of the views of Member States in this process. I believe the Presidency's text was an inclusive presentation of Member States' positions and provides good guidance for the legislative work of the Commission.
Aside from seeking a well-resourced CAP, my main priorities in the upcoming negotiations on the CAP are:
To retain Ireland's current share of funding both for direct payments and for rural development in any redistribution of CAP funds between Member States;
To obtain maximum flexibility in the payment model or method for distribution of single payment funds to farmers within Member States; and
To retain investment and afforestation measures in the list of options for Member States in the Rural Development regulation.
It is very early days in these negotiations. We still have to see the detailed legislative proposals and there will be difficult negotiations ahead, firstly to secure adequate funding from the overall multiannual financial framework and then to secure the CAP policies that are best suited to Irish needs. I will spare no effort to ensure a successful conclusion for Ireland in these negotiations.
78 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the current strength of the national beef herd; the degree to which numbers have fluctuated in each of the past ten years to date; his plans, if any, to increase the numbers on an annual basis with particular reference to the potential national economic benefit and employment creation potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12614/11]
It is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to the numerical strength of the suckler cow herd and this information is presented in tabular format below. It will be observed that the number of suckler cows has remained relatively stable over the last decade albeit with a gradual decline in overall herd size.
The Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme has undoubtedly helped to improve animal husbandry and management practices as well as stabilise beef cow numbers in the aftermath of decoupling. These supports contribute in no small way to underpinning the output quality and overall viability of the sector at farm level.
With regard to economic benefit, the Food Harvest 2020 report states that a viable suckler cow beef herd is fundamental for the development of the beef industry and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) has indicated that the profitability of the existing suckler cow herd could be increased by €200 million by 2020. This would be achieved through a combination of better quality cows and breeding, achieving slaughter carcass weights at a younger age and better carcass quality. In addition, genetic advances offer the potential to deliver greater profitability at farm level through enhanced productivity and disease resistance.
It must be acknowledged that the Government has already committed significant funding to the sector. Direct payments to producers provided by my Department amounted to €110m since the introduction of the Suckler Cow Scheme. Already in 2011, approximately €17m has been paid through the scheme in respect of animals born in 2010, and depending on the number of successful applicants, this figure has the potential to reach €30m by the end of the year.
Furthermore, there are a number of other policy initiatives that serve to provide a sound framework for the future development of the sector. These include the advisory and research output of Teagasc, Bord Bia's Quality Assurance Scheme and its promotional work in expending beef sales at home and abroad together with Beef Improvement Programmes and the Beef and Sheepmeat Capital Investment Fund for the processing industry. All these investments underscore the critical importance of the sector to sustainable economic recovery.
|
Year |
No. of Cows |
|
2000 |
1,155.2 |
|
2001 |
1,159.7 |
|
2002 |
1,150.8 |
|
2003 |
1,144.2 |
|
2004 |
1,150.8 |
|
2005 |
1,150.0 |
|
2006 |
1,128.8 |
|
2007 |
1,117.4 |
|
2008 |
1,115.1 |
|
2009 |
1,069.5* |
Source: CSO Livestock data.
*Latest available data.
79 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussion he has had with Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn during their recent meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12600/11]
I recently visited Brussels to attend the European Seafood Expo and while there took the opportunity to meet with the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. I regard the Commissioner as an important ally for Ireland in both the Commission and in Europe and would like to develop a strong working relationship with her into the future.
Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn's directorate is responsible for the €142 billion budget of the new Common Strategic Framework 2014-2020 (CSF) Programme, which will combine the funding of a number of current competitive research programmes into a single strategic research vehicle. The CSF is of great importance to Ireland, particularly were it to support competitive research and innovation.
From an Irish perspective I consider it vital that the expertise, previous championing and contribution to the development of research based policy formulation in Europe materialises itself into being successful in the tendering processes in new research programmes. I outlined some of the work of the Marine Institute on the EU front in recent times and the opportunities that it and other Irish research bodies can realise using the expertise and experience built up. It is vitally important in the current difficult economic climate that innovative ideas can be turned into products and services that create growth and jobs.
I also used the occasion to brief Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn on the major policy challenges we are facing in agriculture and fisheries, particularly the reform of both the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The Commissioner has taken a keen interest in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and was already aware of the difficult negotiations that lie ahead for Ireland. I consider the Reform of the CFP to be absolutely crucial to the future of the Irish fishing industry and I am committed to delivering a reform package that works for Irish Fishermen while ensuring that fish stocks are rebuilt and managed in a sustainable manner. The very survival of coastal communities is directly dependent on a healthy fishing industry and the new CFP must deliver long term economic activity and employment for these communities.
We discussed at length the key areas of concern to Ireland in this reform and I asked the Commissioner to use her influence where possible to assist me in defending Ireland's interests.
I raised my deep concerns and serious reservations with the Commissioner about the implications of an EU-Mercosur agreement on Irish agriculture and in particular the Irish beef sector. I have already provided detailed information to the House today regarding my concerns relative to these negotiations. In brief, my meeting with Commissioner Geoghegan Quinn is one in a series of meetings, which I, and my officials have had to highlight Ireland's concerns in about these negotiations. I have already raised this matter at both the March and April meetings of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers. I have also raised this issue in private meetings with both Commissioner Ciolos and the French Minister for Agriculture Bruno Le Maire.
In my discussions with Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn, in addition to emphasising the very significant economic impact which such an agreement would have on employment within the agri food sector and on Ireland's economic recovery, I also highlighted the implications for sustainable production of beef within the EU. In particular, I stated that it makes no sense at all for Ireland to have to reduce its cattle herd to make way for imports from regions with a less efficient carbon foot print.
At the meeting with the Commissioner, we also discussed research and development in the food area. I emphasised the importance of the agri-food sector for the economic well being of the country and the fact that research and development will be critical in driving the industry. Food is and will always remain the single most important output from land use in Ireland. However, there is a realisation and acceptance throughout the industry, encapsulated in our own 2020 strategy document "Food Harvest 2020" that in order to achieve sustainable growth we must "think green and act smart".
80 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to develop local fisheries and local agriculture projects such as catchment management projects, community gardens and allotments that can provide employment and encourage the consumption of local produce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12605/11]
In relation to the development of local fisheries, the Irish seafood sector employs approximately 11,000 people, mostly in peripheral coastal communities. Irish seafood enterprises are indigenous businesses with significant scope for expansion and have an important role to play on the road to national economic recovery. Food harvest 2020 estimates employment in the industry has the potential to expand to 14,000 by 2020, mostly through increases in employment in the seafood processing and aquaculture sectors.
For 2011, I have made €1.5 million available to foster the expansion and modernisation of the seafood processing sector through BIM's Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. A call for proposals has just been completed and despite the present economic climate, the call was fully subscribed by ambitious and enterprising Irish companies. I take great encouragement from that.
BIM is working with fishermen and processors around the coast to promote product innovation, differentiation of product, competitiveness, business acumen and management, environmental awareness and compliance. I recently launched a new BIM support scheme to encourage the Irish seafood sector away from low value commodity exports to value added high quality food products that provide much more employment and greater economic return on investment. The Seafood Value Adding Scheme will support Irish seafood companies in the area of new product development.
My Department, in conjunction with Teagasc, has to date assisted in the formation of 18 farm forest producer groups. These Groups enable farm forest owners to co-operate collectively in the management of their forests and the marketing of the timber produced in order to achieve economies of scale and thereby improve the viability of small forest holdings by contributing to the development of wood energy supply chains to local wood energy facilities at various locations around the country.
Issues surrounding community gardens and allotments are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government which makes arrangements for the local authorities to run allotments etc. My Department is responsible for commercial horticulture and commercial farming activities not for hobby or gardening pastimes.
81 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which traceability, husbandry, processing, distribution and production regulations applicable here to beef, lamb, pig meat, poultry and other food and food products are applied to imported foods or ingredients; the extent to which action has been taken to verify and authenticate labelling and product description; the extent, if any, to which breaches in the regulations were detected; if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of such regulations and that imported products are compliant to the same extent as native production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12615/11]
It is a requirement that animal products for human consumption imported from third countries meet standards at least equivalent to those required for production in, and trade between, Member States. The FVO carries out assessment of third countries wishing to export animal products to EU and submits for Commission approval those where the responsible authorities can provide appropriate guarantees as regards compliance or equivalence with Community feed and food law and animal health rules. Third countries and their establishments that are approved to export are audited and inspected by the FVO with regard to these guarantees and reports of the findings of inspections are published on its website http://ec.europa.eu/food/fvo/ir_search_en.cfm.
Consignments of products of animal origin for human consumption are required to come from third countries or areas of third countries that have been approved and listed for export to the EU http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/biosafety/establishments/third_country/index_en.htm. Following pre-notification of import by the importer, they are required to undergo animal and public health controls at an EU approved Border Inspection Post (BIP). Import control involves documentary, identity and physical checks and includes checks on origin and labeling in accordance with EU requirements.
Consignments failing to comply with veterinary control checks may be detained at Border Inspection Post for further examination and where non compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed at the importers cost. Controls on products of animal origin imported directly into the EU through Ireland are carried out at approved BIPs at Dublin Port and Shannon Airport. Information on controls that have been applied during years 2009 and 2010, including rejections, is set out in the tables below.
|
Year 2009 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Consignment Type |
Total No. of consignments inspected |
No. of Rejections |
|
Meat and Meat Products |
849 |
3 |
|
Milk and Milk Products |
61 |
7 |
|
Egg and Egg Products |
0 |
0 |
|
Fish and Fishery Products |
224 |
3 |
|
Other (Honey etc) |
57 |
3 |
|
Consignment Type |
Total No. of consignments inspected |
No. of Rejections |
|
Meat and Meat Products |
713 |
4 |
|
Milk and Milk Products |
97 |
12 |
|
Egg and Egg Products |
2 |
0 |
|
Fish and Fishery Products |
278 |
8 |
|
Other (Honey etc) |
60 |
1 |
In addition imports of food of animal origin are included in the Residues Monitoring Programme and details of the results are also published http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/press/press releases/2010/July/title,45090,en.html.
Non-Animal Food Products
My Department is the competent authority for monitoring and control of pesticide residue in food. A monitoring programme and procedures are agreed annually with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and cover domestic and imported produce. My Department publishes its reports on Pesticide Residues in Food http://www.pcs.agriculture.gov.ie/ppp.htm annually.
New EU harmonised controls on the importation of certain foods of plant origin came into effect on 25 January, 2010. They provide a list of certain food commodities from specified countries outside the EU that must be subject to increased levels of control at designated points of entry (DPE) into the EU. From that date, importers of certain commodities from specified third countries are required to pre-notify import and submit relevant consignments for checks and possible sampling. Consignments sampled are held and not released unless a satisfactory result has been obtained. Samples analysed in 2010, as a consequence of these increased levels of control, were found to meet legal standards for pesticide residues.
The list of produce and countries is based on risk assessments by the Commission using information gathered from the EU pesticide residue monitoring control programme, from national monitoring programmes, consumption data and notifications under the EU's rapid alert system, as well as from audits of controls carried out in exporting countries by the FVO. Decisions to add or remove countries of origin or products or modulate the frequency of sampling applied to imported consignments are undertaken by SCFCAH on a proposal from the Commission.
My Department also enforces marketing standards for fresh fruit and vegetables requiring that fruit and vegetables may only be marketed if they are sound, fair and of a marketable quality and if the country of origin is indicated. Our inspections would confirm that, in general, imported products are as compliant as domestic products in relation to marketing standards.
82 Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to visit China to further assist the opening up of food markets in the world’s fastest growing major economy. [12444/11]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Chinese Vice-Minister for Agriculture, Mr Niu Dun, and a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture will visit Ireland this week. The visit is viewed as an important opportunity to facilitate greater understanding and confidence between our two countries in the integrity of our food safety and veterinary control systems, and so facilitate trade. The fact that the Vice-Minister has taken time from his busy schedule to visit Ireland is a significant statement in itself of the interest which China has in the advancements Ireland has made in agriculture and the expertise which we possess in the agri-food and seafood sectors.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland already exports significant volumes of dairy products to China, in particular infant formula, and is also exporting pigmeat and seafood product to China. We have a clear trade objective of obtaining market access for beef into the Chinese market. The focus of the visit is therefore concentrated on our food safety, traceability systems and veterinary controls. It will include a visit to the Seafood Development facility in Clonakilty, a Beef plant, a Dairy plant and the Backweston laboratory facilities. I would hope that the visit will result in a deepening of our relationships with officials within the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture which I feel can only lead to an enhancement of our trading relationships. I would hope at some stage in the future to visit China.
83 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his priorities in relation to the reform of the common fisheries policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12588/11]
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 of which was in 2002 and the next is formally scheduled for 2012.
The European Commission published a Green Paper on the latest reform of the CFP in April 2009 in order to launch a consultation with Member States and stakeholders and to initiate a broad public debate on the future CFP reform. An extensive nationwide public consultation process was conducted under the Chairmanship of Dr Noel Cawley. These consultations with all stakeholders contributed to Ireland’s Response to the Commissions Green Paper, which was submitted to the Commission early in 2010.
I have examined this submission and have met and discussed the priorities for the Reform with fishing industry representatives. It is my intention to continue the consultation process with industry representatives and other stakeholders over the coming months with a view to maintaining a strong, coherent and unified Irish position. The reforms I am seeking reflect a pragmatic approach involving changes that collectively take account of economic, social, environmental and sustainability factors.
The new CFP will be the overarching framework for fisheries in Europe with many key features of interest to Ireland, key among them are:-
Retention of the Hague Preferences;
New focus on addressing discarding of fish at sea with a complete ban being introduced for stocks in a depleted state;
The retention of a management system based on national quotas supported by increased flexibility and a rejection of the mandatory privatisation of fish quotas or the introduction of international trading of fish quotas;
In particular, I will be pursuing initiatives that will 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. I support a system which maintains strong economic links between national quotas and the traditional fishing communities which these quotas were allocated to assist.
I have no doubt that if mandatory ITQs are put in place, our quotas for both whitefish and pelagic will be purchased by large European fishing conglomerates, with no socio or economic links to our ports, and landed elsewhere, with the resultant loss of jobs and economic activity around our coast. This will be a key area for Ireland in the ongoing discussions on the CFP.
A major priority for Ireland in the Reform is the retention of the Hague Preferences, agreed by Heads of State in 1976 by way of the Hague Resolution, under which Ireland receives additional shares of quotas for the whitefish stocks around our coast. There was been strong pressure from certain Member States that these should be abolished in the Reform. I want to make it clear that any interference that results in Ireland losing the current benefits of the Hague Preferences within the reformed CFP will be totally unacceptable to me. The Hague Preferences were the payment made for Ireland granting access to our waters to other Member States and a recognition of the high costs involved for the State in the control of these rich fishing grounds and they must be maintained in the new CFP.
Commissioner Damanaki herself has placed discarding of fish high on her agenda for the CFP reform. Personally I consider that this wasteful practice can not be justified and am determined that appropriate measures will be identified and introduced, in consultation with industry, as part of a reformed CFP. As part of what will be my ongoing strategy to push Ireland's priorities on the reform of the CFP and garner support for our stance, I met my Spanish Ministerial colleague Ms Rosa Aguilar on the 21st of March 2011 and I also met Commissioner Damanaki on the 14th April. On the 3rd of May I took the opportunity to brief Irish Commissioner Ms Máire Geoghegan Quinn on the CFP review and I can assure the deputy that I will continue my efforts to seek alliances with similar minded Member States and promote Ireland's case in the run-up to the introduction of the new CFP scheduled for the end of 2012.
84 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the up-to-date position in relation to payments under the dairy efficiency scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12572/11]
Article 68(1) of Council Regulation (EC) 73/2009 makes provision for the use of unused Single Payment Scheme funds to address specific disadvantages affecting farmers; in recognition of dairying being an economically vulnerable type of farming, it was decided that €18 million of these unused funds would be used to support a three-year Dairy Efficiency Programme. The Programme encourages efficiency gains on dairy farms through an expansion in the level of participation in discussion groups. A total of up to €6 million per annum was made available to eligible participants for each of the three years of the Programme, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Payments in respect of the first year of the Programme commenced recently and, to date, have issued to 5,556 participants and are worth a total of €5,462,925. Further payments will issue as individual remaining cases are confirmed eligible. The rate of €975.00 per head is subject to modulation deductions, as the funding for the Programme is from the unused Single Payment funds.
86 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the estimated number of additional Irish speakers located in Gaeltacht areas, by location, between the 1996 and 2006 census; the numbers of additional persons who are Irish speakers, by location, outside the Gaeltacht areas; the reason for the growth or decline in numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12957/11]
The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the following table taken from the results of the 1996 and 2006 censuses. Changes in the number of persons with an ability to speak the Irish language may be due to changes in the underlying populations as well as factors influencing Irish language attainment.
|
Census 1996 |
Census 2006> |
||||||
|
Total |
Within the Gaeltacht Area |
Outside the Gaeltacht Area |
Total |
Within the Gaeltacht Area |
Outside the Gaeltacht Area |
||
|
Leinster |
Total |
1,845,399 |
1,346 |
1,844,053 |
2,194,351 |
1,603 |
2,192,748 |
|
Irish speakers |
689,703 |
773 |
688,930 |
823,555 |
976 |
822,579 |
|
|
Carlow |
Total |
40,010 |
— |
40,010 |
48,067 |
— |
48,067 |
|
Irish speakers |
16,115 |
— |
16,115 |
18,547 |
— |
18,547 |
|
|
Dublin |
Total |
1,015,290 |
— |
1,015,290 |
1,139,427 |
— |
1,139,427 |
|
Irish speakers |
364,068 |
— |
364,068 |
410,669 |
— |
410,669 |
|
|
of which Dublin Co. Borough/City |
Total |
464,470 |
— |
464,470 |
490,133 |
— |
490,133 |
|
Irish speakers |
148,865 |
— |
148,865 |
158,762 |
— |
158,762 |
|
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
Total |
182,660 |
— |
182,660 |
187,173 |
— |
187,173 |
|
Irish speakers |
73,409 |
— |
73,409 |
79,251 |
— |
79,251 |
|
|
Fingal |
Total |
159,574 |
— |
159,574 |
227,012 |
— |
227,012 |
|
Irish speakers |
64,415 |
— |
64,415 |
86,800 |
— |
86,800 |
|
|
South Dublin |
Total |
208,586 |
— |
208,586 |
235,109 |
— |
235,109 |
|
Irish speakers |
77,379 |
— |
77,379 |
85,856 |
— |
85,856 |
|
|
Kildare |
Total |
128,788 |
— |
128,788 |
176,747 |
— |
176,747 |
|
Irish speakers |
54,313 |
— |
54,313 |
73,373 |
— |
73,373 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
Total |
72,325 |
— |
72,325 |
83,786 |
— |
83,786 |
|
Irish speakers |
30,472 |
— |
30,472 |
35,669 |
— |
35,669 |
|
|
Laoighis |
Total |
50,723 |
— |
50,723 |
63,758 |
— |
63,758 |
|
Irish speakers |
21,879 |
— |
21,879 |
26,311 |
— |
26,311 |
|
|
Longford |
Total |
28,981 |
— |
28,981 |
32,881 |
— |
32,881 |
|
Irish speakers |
12,012 |
— |
12,012 |
13,158 |
— |
13,158 |
|
|
Louth |
Total |
88,340 |
— |
88,340 |
105,988 |
— |
105,988 |
|
Irish speakers |
30,944 |
— |
30,944 |
37,933 |
— |
37,933 |
|
|
Meath |
Total |
105,256 |
1,346 |
103,910 |
154,252 |
1,603 |
152,649 |
|
Irish speakers |
41,480 |
773 |
40,707 |
60,685 |
976 |
59,709 |
|
|
Offaly |
Total |
56,639 |
— |
56,639 |
67,615 |
— |
67,615 |
|
Irish speakers |
22,454 |
— |
22,454 |
25,691 |
— |
25,691 |
|
|
Westmeath |
Total |
60,646 |
— |
60,646 |
75,750 |
— |
75,750 |
|
Irish speakers |
25,423 |
— |
25,423 |
30,636 |
— |
30,636 |
|
|
Wexford |
Total |
100,131 |
— |
100,131 |
125,722 |
— |
125,722 |
|
Irish speakers |
35,904 |
— |
35,904 |
46,149 |
— |
46,149 |
|
|
Wicklow |
Total |
98,270 |
— |
98,270 |
120,358 |
— |
120,358 |
|
Irish speakers |
34,639 |
— |
34,639 |
44,734 |
— |
44,734 |
|
|
Munster |
Total |
992,745 |
12,602 |
980,143 |
1,124,568 |
13,675 |
1,110,893 |
|
Irish speakers |
451,129 |
9,999 |
441,130 |
510,005 |
10,272 |
499,733 |
|
|
Clare |
Total |
90,111 |
— |
90,111 |
106,043 |
— |
106,043 |
|
Irish speakers |
43,685 |
— |
43,685 |
50,287 |
— |
50,287 |
|
|
Cork |
Total |
403,674 |
3,451 |
400,223 |
461,046 |
3,660 |
457,386 |
|
Irish speakers |
179,949 |
2,756 |
177,193 |
209,950 |
2,860 |
207,090 |
|
|
of which Cork Co. Borough/City |
Total |
122,665 |
— |
122,665 |
116,001 |
— |
116,001 |
|
Irish speakers |
52,236 |
— |
52,236 |
48,082 |
— |
48,082 |
|
|
Cork County |
Total |
281,009 |
3,451 |
277,558 |
345,045 |
3,660 |
341,385 |
|
Irish speakers |
127,713 |
2,756 |
124,957 |
161,868 |
2,860 |
159,008 |
|
|
Kerry County |
Total |
121,405 |
7,857 |
113,548 |
134,584 |
8,446 |
126,138 |
|
Irish speakers |
57,204 |
6,132 |
51,072 |
61,685 |
6,170 |
55,515 |
|
|
Limerick |
Total |
158,523 |
— |
158,523 |
176,689 |
— |
176,689 |
|
Irish speakers |
73,568 |
— |
73,568 |
80,031 |
— |
80,031 |
|
|
of which Limerick Co. Borough/City |
Total |
49,933 |
— |
49,933 |
50,609 |
— |
50,609 |
|
Irish speakers |
20,642 |
— |
20,642 |
19,711 |
— |
19,711 |
|
|
Limerick County |
Total |
108,590 |
— |
108,590 |
126,080 |
— |
126,080 |
|
Irish speakers |
52,926 |
— |
52,926 |
60,320 |
— |
60,320 |
|
|
North Tipperary |
Total |
55,741 |
— |
55,741 |
63,215 |
— |
63,215 |
|
Irish speakers |
27,085 |
— |
27,085 |
29,750 |
— |
29,750 |
|
|
South Tipperary |
Total |
72,436 |
— |
72,436 |
79,712 |
— |
79,712 |
|
Irish speakers |
30,253 |
— |
30,253 |
33,769 |
— |
33,769 |
|
|
Waterford |
Total |
90,855 |
1,294 |
89,561 |
103,279 |
1,569 |
101,710 |
|
Irish speakers |
39,385 |
1,111 |
38,274 |
44,533 |
1,242 |
43,291 |
|
|
of which Waterford Co. Borough/City |
Total |
40,734 |
— |
40,734 |
43,835 |
— |
43,835 |
|
Irish speakers |
15,977 |
— |
15,977 |
17,031 |
— |
17,031 |
|
|
Waterford County |
Total |
50,121 |
1,294 |
48,827 |
59,444 |
1,569 |
57,875 |
|
Irish speakers |
23,408 |
1,111 |
22,297 |
27,502 |
1,242 |
26,260 |
|
|
Connacht |
Total |
417,004 |
45,524 |
371,480 |
483,360 |
53,707 |
429,653 |
|
Irish speakers |
201,195 |
32,475 |
168,720 |
224,953 |
36,108 |
188,845 |
|
|
Galway |
Total |
181,559 |
34,400 |
147,159 |
221,800 |
43,184 |
178,616 |
|
Irish speakers |
93,745 |
24,994 |
68,751 |
108,124 |
29,255 |
78,869 |
|
|
of which Galway Co. Borough/City |
Total |
54,988 |
9,275 |
45,713 |
69,786 |
13,737 |
56,049 |
|
Irish speakers |
27,350 |
5,079 |
22,271 |
31,153 |
6,878 |
24,275 |
|
|
Galway County |
Total |
126,571 |
25,125 |
101,446 |
152,014 |
29,447 |
122,567 |
|
Irish speakers |
66,395 |
19,915 |
46,480 |
76,971 |
22,377 |
54,594 |
|
|
Leitrim |
Total |
24,201 |
— |
24,201 |
27,766 |
— |
27,766 |
|
Irish speakers |
10,459 |
— |
10,459 |
11,758 |
— |
11,758 |
|
|
Mayo County |
Total |
107,383 |
11,124 |
96,259 |
118,833 |
10,523 |
108,310 |
|
Irish speakers |
51,016 |
7,481 |
43,535 |
55,010 |
6,853 |
48,157 |
|
|
Roscommon |
Total |
50,124 |
— |
50,124 |
56,400 |
— |
56,400 |
|
Irish speakers |
22,695 |
— |
22,695 |
24,934 |
— |
24,934 |
|
|
Sligo |
Total |
53,737 |
— |
53,737 |
58,561 |
— |
58,561 |
|
Irish speakers |
23,280 |
— |
23,280 |
25,127 |
— |
25,127 |
|
|
Ulster (part of) |
Total |
224,500 |
23,243 |
201,257 |
255,367 |
22,877 |
232,490 |
|
Irish speakers |
88,178 |
17,788 |
70,390 |
98,277 |
16,909 |
81,368 |
|
|
Cavan |
Total |
50,775 |
— |
50,775 |
61,144 |
— |
61,144 |
|
Irish speakers |
19,037 |
— |
19,037 |
22,636 |
— |
22,636 |
|
|
Donegal |
Total |
124,534 |
23,243 |
101,291 |
140,559 |
22,877 |
117,682 |
|
Irish speakers |
49,551 |
17,788 |
31,763 |
54,813 |
16,909 |
37,904 |
|
|
Monaghan |
Total |
49,191 |
— |
49,191 |
53,664 |
— |
53,664 |
|
Irish speakers |
19,590 |
— |
19,590 |
20,828 |
— |
20,828 |
|
|
All Gaeltacht Areas |
Total |
971,267 |
82,715 |
888,552 |
1,174,517 |
91,862 |
1,082,655 |
|
Irish speakers |
444,117 |
61,035 |
383,082 |
529,687 |
64,265 |
465,422 |
|
|
State |
Total |
3,479,648 |
82,715 |
3,396,933 |
4,057,646 |
91,862 |
3,965,784 |
|
Irish speakers |
1,430,205 |
61,035 |
1,369,170 |
1,656,790 |
64,265 |
1,592,525 |
As defined by the Gaeltacht Areas Orders, 1956-1982.
87 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that information in relation to emergency and standard passport turnaround times on the Passport Office website is incorrect; and the distress this has caused citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12940/11]
The Passport Service is not aware of any incorrect information in relation to emergency or standard passport turnaround times on its website at this time. Should the Deputy be aware of any such misleading information, I would request that he notify my office so that it can be rectified immediately. Due to a surge in demand, the turnaround time for passport express applications received through the Passport Express system is currently running between 11 and 13 working days. It normally takes 10 working days. The Passport Express service is available for passport applications lodged in Ireland only. The Passport Service regrets the delay and any difficulties caused in this regard. Notice of the current extended turnaround time and its likely duration has been published on the Passport Service website www.passport.ie since 18 April 2011. The Passport Office has also informed An Post so that customers can be advised of the situation at the point of application.
88 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will delay Ireland’s ratification of Serbia’s stabilisation and association agreement until after the arrest and handing over of indicted war criminals (details supplied) to the Hague War Crimes Tribunal; failing delaying the ratification, if he has a date in mind for bringing the Bill before Dáil Éireann; and if he will facilitate with a formal invitation to Mr. Brammertz, chief prosecutor of Hague Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia to address Members of Dáil Éireann. [12935/11]
I am considering the question of Ireland's ratification of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement and will discuss the matter with my Government colleagues in the normal manner before proceeding. As the Deputy may be aware, ratification of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement by Ireland requires the approval of the Dáil. As regards an invitation to Mr. Brammertz to address members of the Dáil, such an invitation would be a matter for the House.
89 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied). [13023/11]
A passport application for the person named was received by the Passport Service in July 2007. The citizenship of a child born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 depends on the citizenship or period of legal residence in Ireland of his or her parents at the time of the child's birth and is determined by reference to the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004. In August 2007 the Passport Service wrote to the applicant's parents seeking evidence of legal residence in the State to establish entitlement to Irish citizenship. The Passport Service has no record of correspondence from the applicant's family since this date. We would welcome any details that the Deputy could provide in this case.
90 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance the total number of filling stations here in 2001, 2006 and 2011 separately; and the number of these that were supermarket filling stations. [12908/11]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that all mineral oil traders who produce, sell, deliver or deal in, or on, any premises, mineral oil (i.e. liquefied petroleum gas and substitute fuel) for use as a propellant/for combustion in the engine of a motor vehicle are required to take out a Mineral Oil Trader's Licence — Section 101, Finance Act 1999 refers. The number of Mineral Oil Trader Licences issued in Ireland are as follows:
Year 2001 — 536 Licences issued
Year 2006 — 1,285 Licences issued
Year 2011 — 2,140 Licences issued
The requirement to take out a Mineral Oil Trader's Licence is not confined just to filling stations. Consequently, the number of filling stations in Ireland for the years in question cannot be identified from the Revenue Commissioners data nor can the number of supermarket filling stations.
91 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the way private sector employees in the teaching profession can be considered public sector employees for the purposes of a tax on salary when they are not employed by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12909/11]
It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the pay cut introduced by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. The reductions apply irrespective of whether a particular post is funded in whole or in part through non-Exchequer funds or income. It is important to understand that while there is a variety of staff across the education sector who are employed by public service bodies as determined under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, who are either wholly or partly funded from non-Exchequer sources, there are also staff undertaking the same or very similar duties whose posts are fully Exchequer funded. All of these staff have now been made subject to the terms of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009.
Differentiation between workers paid exclusively through privately raised funds in recognised fee-paying schools and those funded in whole or in part through Exchequer funds would create difficulties as there is a variety of staff across the education sector who are employed by public service bodies but who are either wholly or partly funded from non-Exchequer sources. Within this cadre, there are also staff undertaking the same or similar duties to staff who are fully Exchequer funded. It would be inequitable and inappropriate to exempt the staff paid exclusively through privately raised funds from the pay reductions while other staff continued to be subject to the legislation.
92 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Finance the number of civil servants including semi-State employees and nationalised banks that receive bonuses as part of their pay agreement for the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010; if these bonuses are related to performance; his plans to review the use of bonuses as incentives for production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12919/11]
The Committee for Performance Awards was established in November 2001 to oversee the operation of schemes for performance awards for certain grades within the civil service, the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The first awards under the scheme of performance-related awards were made in 2003 in respect of 2002. Subsequent awards were made annually thereafter up to 2008 in respect of performance in 2007. On 5 February 2009 the Minister for Finance announced in the Dáil the discontinuation of the scheme for Assistant Secretaries, Deputy Secretary and related grades. No awards have been made under the scheme in respect of performance in 2008 to date. The Committee was stood down in January 2010.
In 2007 a total of 205 individuals received awards under this scheme in respect of 2006, while 221 received awards in 2008 in respect of 2007. While the introduction of performance related schemes in the commercial and non-commercial State sponsored bodies sector require the approval of the Minister for Finance, once such approval has been given, the operation of such schemes is a matter for the relevant Boards and parent Departments. In this context, comprehensive data on annual performance related payments in the commercial and non-commercial State sponsored bodies sector is not held in my Department but may be sought from the parent Departments concerned. All such schemes are predicated on the achievement of stretched targets — i.e. payments under such schemes are not to be seen as an automatic addition to basic pay.
It is to be noted that in the context of Non Commercial State Sponsored Bodies, Secretaries General of Government Departments were advised in 2009 that in current circumstances, but while appreciating that contractual issues may be involved, it would be appropriate that consideration of any bonus payments should be suspended. Secretaries General were asked to convey this position to the bodies under the aegis of their Departments. A similar letter issued earlier this year in respect of performance payments in Commercial State Companies. Details of any performance awards made to CEOs of Commercial State Companies will be outlined in the relevant Annual Reports.
While not encompassing the Commercial State Companies, it is to be noted that the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector (Report No 44: September 2009) stated that the Review Group remained committed to the concept of performance schemes for the higher management grades in the public service but, in recognition of the very serious state of the public finances, recommended that such payments be suspended until 2012 when they should be reviewed again.
As far as credit institutions are concerned, I do not have the information requested by the Deputy in the form he requested. I will write to the Deputy shortly on this. However, the Deputy may wish to note in relation to the matter of remuneration at the covered institutions (including Anglo Irish Bank) that the NTMA have recently, on behalf of my Department, requested the CEOs of each of the covered institutions to review remuneration policy and practices in their institutions. The institutions have also been asked to consider measures that could be undertaken to align staff expectations with regard to benefits/remuneration to the changed economic environment and the financial circumstances of the banks.
93 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application for deed of waiver in respect of an organisation (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12950/11]
I am advised that the matter is currently under consideration in the Chief State Solicitor's Office and that there are outstanding title issues to be resolved.
94 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the following proposal (details supplied) to assist those in negative equity. [13008/11]
In the Programme for Government we committed to helping homeowners in distress to weather the recession and outlined a number of proposals aimed at protecting homeowners and their families. These proposals and the Deputy's submission will be examined in tandem with the normal process of reviewing and considering taxation measures and reliefs in the context of ongoing budgetary and economic policy.
95 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding employee share holders. [13046/11]
I have reviewed the issues raised, by the Deputy, on behalf of an employee shareholder of Irish Life and Permanent (ILP) who raised concerns regarding his shareholding consequent on the forthcoming recapitalisation of the institution which has been mandated by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). In relation to the concerns raised about the capital requirement for the institution, I would point out that such requirements for all of the four institutions, announced on 31st March 2011, were determined by the CBI and its advisors having regard to the situation of the institutions concerned. This process took place completely independent from me as Minister and my Department. I would point out that ILP was not treated any differently to any of the other institutions in this process. The outcomes were a function of each bank's particular circumstances and characteristics, not different targets or processes. Furthermore, it should be well understood by observers at this stage that given the serious financial circumstances in which the banks and the State now finds themselves, the latest round of stress tests had to be seen by all as extremely credible and robust and I believe the results that were released have been seen and accepted as such by the markets.
Regarding the concerns raised as to how shareholders may be treated in the forthcoming recapitalisation of the institution, I would point out that, as previously announced, ILP must raise its €4bn requirement by end July, subject to appropriate adjustment for expected asset sales. ILP currently intends to offer its non-banking businesses for sale by end October.
96 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will review a person’s (details supplied) solutions to our banking and debt crisis. [13051/11]
Officials from my Department met recently with the person who outlined his proposals to them. These proposals are currently being examined in the Department.
97 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used by him in the appointment of contractors for school building programmes. [12897/11]
98 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills the criteria used to screen potential contractors and companies before they are invited to tender for school building programmes. [12898/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together. All major school building projects involve the pre-qualification of suitably qualified contractors prior to issuing an invitation to tender. This is a standard requirement under national construction project procurement procedures.
The criteria for suitability assessment, which are taken from the Department of Finance Capital Management Works Framework, include company turnover, insurances, capacity to obtain a bond, personnel for the project, previous experience, and Health and Safety competence. The standard questionnaires used by the Department are available on my Departments web-site. Tenders are evaluated on the basis of the lowest price. No other criteria apply.
When tenders have been evaluated, the design team must submit a tender report to my Department which includes a cost analysis of the recommended tender. Before a contract is put in place, the recommended bidder must also satisfy the standard requirements of securing a Bond, providing evidence of suitable insurances, tax clearance, compliance with legal obligations in regard to sick pay and pensions, producing a detailed programme of work and resources, including cash-flow, and confirmation that a Project Supervisor Construction Stage has been appointed and a project specific health and safety plan has been prepared.
99 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Education and Skills when will a special needs assistant be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow in view of the fact that they have been out of school for 18 months. [12899/11]
Firstly, 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 a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
My Department's policy is to promote the principle of inclusive education as envisaged in Section 2 of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, Act 2004. My Department, either directly or through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), provides for a range of supports in schools to enable them cater for students with special educational needs which includes additional teachers, Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and specialist equipment. The precise model of provision made will depend on the pupil's assessed disability.
The SNA scheme provides additional supports to schools to enable them to support pupils with significant care needs. SNAs are allocated to schools by the NCSE through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs). The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
I have therefore referred this query to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy. I wish to advise the Deputy also that the NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of SNA support to eligible schools.
The NCSE has asked schools to submit all applications for SNA support to them by 18th March, 2011 and intends to inform schools of their annual SNA allocation as soon as possible, in advance of the coming school year.
100 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Education and Skills if more post-leaving certificate places will be made available in a school (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of the fact that the school's facilities makes it capable of catering for many more students; and if teacher allowance will be provided. [12915/11]
As part of the Jobs Initiative, an additional 1,000 approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places will be made available for the 2011/2012 academic year. On 11 May, my Department wrote to providers inviting applications for the allocation of the additional places.
The school referred to by the Deputy is under the management of County Offaly Vocational Education Committee (VEC). As such, it is for that VEC to submit an application, rather than the school itself. An application has been received from County Offaly VEC and is currently under consideration by my Department. The closing date for receipt of applications was the 24th of May and allocations will be notified to providers shortly thereafter.
In allocating places, my Department will have regard to current and previous demand from individual providers, current and previous uptake (enrolment trends), current allocations to individual providers and the overall number of places available. All applications will be dealt with equitably and on their own merits.
101 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that the professional development service for teachers support service is best placed to provide in service to teachers; if he is further satisfied that there is a reasonable spread of primary and post-primary PDST staff throughout the six education regions in the country; if he will review the imbalance of primary and post-primary teachers in PDST nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12923/11]
The PDST is a team of seconded teachers, which offers professional development support to primary and post-primary teachers on a wide range of topics. The PDST was established in September 2010, following a reconfiguration of the support services in existence prior to that date. 2011 is the first full year of the operation of the PDST, and the service will be centrally involved in implementing measures to improve literacy and numeracy from the 2011/2012 school year.
The PDST team was established following a competitive process where serving secondees in the 2009/2010 school year were invited to apply for a position in the new service. The successful candidates were chosen on merit, and are able to operate on a generic and cross-sectoral basis. I have no plans to review the results of this competitive process. The distribution of staff across the 6 Education Centre regions is weighted according to the number of schools in these regions. This distribution is subject to review as needs evolve and on consideration of any advice from PDST management in relation to emerging pressures.
102 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills when an outstanding debt of €151,000 owed to a company (details supplied) in respect of works completed at a school will be paid. [12973/11]
As part of the expansion of the Permanent Accommodation Scheme 2007, a grant was allocated to the school in question to enable the management authority provide 3 additional mainstream classrooms. As this is a devolved scheme it is a matter for the school authority to manage the project.
I understand that some difficulties arose between the school authority, the design team and the contractor during the construction period. However as this is a devolved project and is now the subject of legal proceedings it is a matter for the school authority and it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.
103 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide funding to a school (details supplied) for works to render the school compliant with the current fire safety regulations which is governed by the Fire Services Act 1981 in view of the fact access improvements funded by jobs initiative will not be granted planning permission in absence of this work being completed. [12974/11]
An application under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme for Fire Safety Upgrade works has been received from the school referred to by the Deputy.
The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme is solely for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for special needs pupils. The school in question has already received a substantial grant under the Capital Jobs Initiative to provide facilities for special needs pupils.
The additional works requested by the school in question are outside the terms of the Emergency Works Scheme and cannot be considered for emergency funding. The school has been informed of this decision. However, the school may apply for funding under future Summer Works Schemes to have the additional works carried out.
104 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the changes to the higher education grants scheme in budget 2011, which will see some students' grants dropping by as much as €4,000 annually, if he will reverse the distance students must live from their place of study to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of the higher education grants scheme. [12983/11]
I understand that the changes to the student grant schemes introduced under Budget 2011 by the previous Fianna Fáil — Green Party government were designed to manage additional cost pressures arising from a significant increase in the number of students qualifying for grants, a proportionate increase in the number of students qualifying for higher rates of grants and payment of the Student Service Charge on behalf of grant-holders.
I regret that given current economic circumstances I am not in a position to reverse any of the 2011 budgetary changes to the student grant schemes including that relating to the qualifying distance criteria for the non-adjacent rate of grant.
I understand the concerns of students with regard to the 2011 measures and I will take account of these in considering any future changes as part of the budgetary process for 2012 and beyond, having regard to the position of the public finances.
105 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [12989/11]
Section 31.22 of the ten year Framework Social Partnership Agreement 2006 — 2015 "Towards 2016" provided that all payments to teachers would be made electronically by the end of 2006 at the latest.
In November 2006 teachers paid on payrolls operated by my Department and paid by means of payable order were requested to submit bank account details to enable payment directly to their bank account.
Payment of the pay increases under the "Towards 2016" agreement were subject to sign off by the Education Sector Performance Verification Group (ESPVG) appointed to oversee the implementation of the actions and could be withheld if the actions agreed were not progressed. The first three increases under the agreement were paid to all teachers between 1 December 2006 and 1st March 2008 as individual teachers continued to move to electronic payments.
The ESPVG was unable to sign off on the final increase on the 1st September 2008 as all teachers had not moved to EFT payments. The ESPVG recommended that the 1st September 2008 pay increase not be paid to teachers who had not made arrangements for electronic payments.
The increase was not applied to the teacher's salary referenced by the Deputy in September 2008. Six letters issued between November 2006 and August 2008 advising that the increases could not be paid under the agreement if the teacher did not move to the electronic method of salary payment. Two further letters issued between September 2008 and January 2009 outlining that the Department was prepared to backdate the increased payment to the 1st September 2008 if the teacher signed up to EFT. The teacher in question did not agree to payment by EFT and was not awarded the increase.
The teacher took a case to a Rights Commissioner in relation to the withholding of the final pay increase and the claim was rejected. A subsequent appeal to the Employment Appeals Tribunal upheld the Rights Commissioner's recommendations. The teacher has since retired. Pension is calculated on a teacher's pensionable service and on his reckonable pensionable pay at retirement. As outlined this teacher's pay immediately prior to retirement did not include the final increase under the "Towards 2016" agreement. Consequently his annual pension remains lower than it would be had he agreed to the terms of the agreement negotiated for the education sector.
106 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans in relation to the numbers of special needs assistants working in the Irish education system; if the overall numbers of special needs assistants will be maintained or whether a cap on the numbers will be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13026/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Programme for Government clearly states that education will be a priority for this Government and that we will endeavour to protect and enhance the educational experience of children, young people and students. To that end, we will endeavour to protect frontline services in education.
The Deputy will be aware that it is necessary to ensure that educational services are delivered within the resources available due to the current fiscal position. I intend to prioritise and support special educational services. However, I cannot re-visit the previous Government's decision to place a cap on the number of posts available under the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts. This is a significant number of posts and unlike other areas of the public sector vacancies are being filled up to this number. It also represents continual increases in the number of SNAs over recent years.
It is considered that with equitable and careful management and distribution of these resources there should be sufficient posts to provide access to SNA support for all children who require such care support to attend school, in accordance with Departmental criteria.
The NCSE has issued a circular to all schools advising of the allocation process for the 2011/2012 school year. A key feature of the amended scheme will be to provide for an annual allocation of Special Needs Assistant support to eligible schools. The NCSE asked schools to submit all applications for SNA support to them by 18th March, 2011 and intend to inform schools of their annual SNA allocation as soon as possible, in advance of the coming school year.
107 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation his views on the alleged practice of car insurance companies giving glass replacement contracts to a small number of companies; if such an arrangement is regarded as a cartel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12857/11]
I understand the arrangement referred to by the Deputy is one whereby insurance companies actively recommend certain approved repairers to their policyholders with the approved repairers selected on the basis that they meet various qualitative standards and, in return, are guaranteed a minimum flow of work. Service Level Agreements are generally entered into by the insurance company and the approved repairer. Policyholders, however, are free to select a repairer of their choice.
The Competition Authority, which is the independent statutory body responsible for enforcing competition law in the State, has previously advised my Department that such arrangements do not appear to breach competition law but, in fact, appear to result in a more cost effective service being provided to the general public.
More recently, the Authority has conducted market enquiries with insurance companies on the matter and it appears to remain the policy of insurance companies to allow policyholders to choose a repairer other than the approved repairer.
It is, of course, open to any aggrieved party alleging anti-competitive practices, including abuse of a dominant position, to take a private action under Section 14 of the Competition Act 2002.
108 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in view of the high costs of accountant and auditors fees for small companies with a yearly turnover of under €10,000, his plans to exempt same from audited accounts. [13043/11]
The exemption from the requirement for certain private limited companies to have accounts audited was first introduced in the Companies (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1999, based on meeting specific criteria and companies falling within the scope of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1986. The Companies (Auditing and Accounting) Act 2003 and the Investment Funds, Companies Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2006 made amendments to the thresholds applying to the exemption from audit requirement. Companies who meet the relevant criteria are currently exempt from having their accounts audited where all of the following thresholds apply: turnover not exceeding €7.3m.; balance sheet total not exceeding €3.65m.; and average number of employees in the year not exceeding 50.
Companies organised as non-profit organisations, such as charities, residential management companies, sports clubs, trade associations and community or special interest groups are generally incorporated as companies limited by guarantee.
In 2009, the Company Law Review Group (CLRG) considered the case for extending the audit exemption to companies limited by guarantee. As outlined in its 2009 Annual Report, the Group recommended that: (i) Subject to consultation with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Charities Regulator, the audit exemption regime contained in Part III of the 1999 (No. 2) Act should be extended to such class or classes of companies limited by guarantee which are charitable organisations (within the meaning of the Charities Act 2009) so as to bring them into alignment with charitable organisations that are not companies, provided that 10% of the members with voting rights should be able to require an audit; and (ii) the audit exemption regime be extended to all companies limited by guarantee which are not charitable organisations, subject to a veto right, (i.e. that any one member who has the right to vote at general meetings of the company may veto the proposal to avail of the exemption), and further subject to the requirement that audit exemption in respect of the following year shall be an item on the agenda of the annual general meeting.
The recommendations of the CLRG in this matter will be considered in the context of the Companies Consolidation and Reform Bill, which is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Council.
109 Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the steps he will take to assist a group of workers at a factory (details supplied) who are being denied the right to join a trade union. [12916/11]
I understand that the dispute in question relates to the issue of recognition of a trade union by an employer for collective bargaining purposes, rather than the right of the workers to join a trade union. It appears, moreover, that the matter in dispute relates to the recognition by an employer of a trade union seeking to represent workers located on one of two sites operated by the employer, in circumstances where the employer already recognizes another trade union for the purpose of collective bargaining on the other site.
While Article 40 of the Irish Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to form associations and unions, the question of recognising a body of workers (trade union or staff association) for the purposes of negotiating pay and other conditions of employment is a matter solely for the employer under Irish law.
I am aware that the dispute in question was referred by a particular union to the Labour Court, which recommended that the company recognise the applicant trade union for collective bargaining and industrial relations purposes in respect of its members at one of the two sites. The Court further recommended that, should any inter union issues arise with any other trade union in respect of negotiating rights in the overall employment, which covers more than one site, the special internal procedures of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions should be utilised to resolve such issues. While the trade union that had referred the complaint agreed to be bound by the Labour Court recommendation, there is no obligation on the employer to accept the Court's recommendation.
Ireland's system of industrial relations is, essentially, voluntary in nature and responsibility for the resolution of industrial disputes is a matter for the parties involved. The system of industrial relations in Ireland is designed to help and support parties in their efforts to resolve their differences, rather than imposing a solution on the parties to an industrial dispute. Responsibility for the settlement of this dispute rests, ultimately, with the parties themselves. The obligation lies with the parties to seek to resolve their differences and to carry their efforts through to completion.
110 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation the State agencies that provide financial advice to small and medium enterprises along the lines of MABS; the State supports available to SME’s that are experiencing difficulties at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12939/11]
As Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation one of my main priorities is to ensure that State support for enterprise activity, entrepreneurship stimulation and job creation is delivered, is properly targeted and is effective and coherent. I want to ensure that it is cost effective and that the resources available to the State are used to maximise business activity and sustainability across all sectors in order to drive economic recovery.
My Department provides funding to a number of State Agencies, including the County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Enterprise Ireland, through whom assistance is delivered directly to business. The role of the CEBs is to develop indigenous potential and stimulate economic activity at a local level primarily through the provision of financial and technical support for the development of small and micro-enterprises. The Boards form a nationwide support network for small business and are considered to be a first point of contact for persons wishing to set up in business.
Subject to certain eligibility criteria new and developing micro-enterprises may qualify for financial support from the CEBs in the form of priming, expansion/development and feasibility/innovation grants. In addition, the CEBs deliver non-financial supports such as one-to-one mentoring and a range of business advice and training programmes to improve management capability development within micro-enterprises designed to help new and existing enterprises to operate effectively and efficiently so as to last and grow, which may be available as appropriate to the needs of the promoter's business.
In order to more fully explore the range of options that may be available, individuals and business owners are advised to contact their local CEB to discuss their particular needs with the relevant staff of the Board. Contact details for individual CEBs can be found by accessing the following website: www.enterpriseboards.ie.
Enterprise Ireland's remit is to work with Irish-owned companies including SMEs that wish to expand and grow on international markets. Enterprise Ireland (EI) is therefore focused on every aspect of the exporting and trade development process for these companies and provides a range of business supports including funding in an integrated and coherent manner to help companies develop the business capabilities required to successfully export.
Optimising the environment within which all companies can access finance is a key government policy. For EI's part, the agency has been focused on building relationships with the main Banks to highlight the needs of the Irish-owned exporting base. This has included two-way staff secondments which ensure greater understanding and on-going development of sectoral expertise within corporate and business banking to support emerging sectors. Over the last couple of years and especially a the height of the recession, EI was active in organising workshops across the country for clients on cash management and also discussed hundreds of individual cases on behalf of individual exporters (with those exporting firms participation) directly with banks where appropriate. SMEs also have access to the services of the Credit Review Office. The Credit Review Office was set up to assist businesses having difficulty getting credit and to monitor bank lending to the SME sector. The Office provides an independent review process for SME's (including sole traders and farmers) who have had requests for credit refused or reduced, or existing credit facilities withdrawn by the NAMA banks — effectively AIB and BOI who provide approximately 60% of all lending to the SME sector.
In addition to the targeted state supports provided to SMES, the Government is also assisting through other indirect measures across the economy. The recently announced Government Jobs Initiative will assist SMEs through a range of measures designed to assist in employment generation and provide opportunities for those who have lost their jobs, thus continuing to restore confidence and further generate sustainability in the economy.
111 Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who is on a FÁS community employment scheme may have the placement extended for 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12954/11]
As Minister for Social Protection I do not have a role in the administration of individual cases in regard to the operation of the Community Employment programme (CE). The administration of individual cases under CE is a day-to-day matter for FÁS as part of its responsibility under the Labour Services Act, 1987, as amended by Part 3 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2010.
Extensions of a CE placement have to be requested a minimum of eight weeks before the participant's proposed finish date by the CE Project Supervisor. Once an extension application is received by the local FÁS office, the FÁS Development Officer decides whether the extra year's placement is the most suitable and cost effective measure to assist the client in gaining employment. Clients who are deemed job-ready by the Supervisor are not extended in order to free up the place for another client. If a request for an extension is not received the person must leave the scheme and re-qualify under the published eligibility rules for any further participation on the CE scheme.
112 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person applying for a contributory old age pension is obliged to have all outstanding tax liabilities paid prior to receiving the pension. [13021/11]
113 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person applying for non-contributory pension is only obliged to clear outstanding PRSI contributions before being given the pension. [13022/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
The qualifying conditions for State pension (contributory), as set out in Section 109 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, require an applicant to
have entered insurable employment before attaining the age of 56 years.
have at least 260 paid contribution weeks, from employment or self-employment, since entry into insurance.
satisfy the yearly average condition.
In addition, under Section 110 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended by Section 9 of the Social Welfare and Pensions (No. 2) Act 2009, where a person applying for State pension (contributory) has been a self-employed (Class S) PRSI contributor, the contribution conditions are not regarded as having been satisfied unless all self-employment contributions payable by him/her have been paid. The Revenue Commissioners are the primary collection agents of the Department in relation to PRSI. Income tax and PRSI payable by a self-employed contributor are treated as one aggregate sum in accordance with the provisions of Section 23(4) of the 2005 Social Welfare Consolidation Act. For that reason, it is not possible to separate payments to Revenue between tax and PRSI liabilities.
Where an individual has partly discharged their aggregate liabilities to Revenue, this amount is apportioned equally between tax and PRSI without any provision for front-loading payments towards PRSI (only) liabilities. Neither will the Department agree to accept PRSI payments separately, when Revenue collection efforts are ongoing. Revenue may decide to cease collection efforts in relation to outstanding tax liabilities in accordance with its own statutory powers and administrative procedures. In such a case the Department will agree to accept payment of any outstanding PRSI liabilities at that point. There are no provisions under which an outstanding PRSI liability may be cancelled.
There is no link between the award of State pension (non-contributory) and any outstanding PRSI liabilities a claimant may have. If a claimant satisfies the conditions for receipt of State pension (non-contributory), including the means test, then the pension can be awarded.
114 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on an application for rent allowance will issue in respect of a person (details supplied). [13024/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it has refused an application for rent supplement from the person concerned on the grounds that the amount of rent payable was in excess of the prescribed rent limit of €94 per week for a single person. The decision has been appealed to the HSE's designated Appeals Officer and a decision on entitlement will be made in due course. The HSE has further advised that, as an exceptional measure due to the customer's medical condition, it is willing to award a rent supplement in this case provided the person concerned secures alternative accommodation for under €110 per week. The person concerned has been advised of this position.
115 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason an appeal for jobseeker’s allowance has not been dealt with in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway. [12896/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case. There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department has made a further 9 additional appointments to the office in recent weeks.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made. The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
116 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for an exceptional needs payment from the community welfare officer in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12917/11]
Under the SWA scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment. The HSE has advised that a decision to refuse the application for assistance has been made. The person concerned will be notified of this decision in the coming days and advised of her right of appeal.
117 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is confident that the work carried out by staff on temporary contracts in the central rent office at a location (details supplied) can be done efficiently when those contracts expire, particularly in view of the backlog within the social protection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12936/11]
Late last year agreement was reached between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and unions representing the Community Welfare Officers that the staff of the Community Welfare Service (CWS) would transfer to the Department of Social Protection with effect from 1 January 2011 on a secondment basis initially. The period of secondment is to last for 9 months until the end of September 2011. During this period these staff will remain employees of the HSE but are subject to the general direction and control of the Minster for Social Protection.
From 1 October 2011 it is intended that the staff of the CWS will be transferred fully to the Department as civil servants and will be accountable to the Minister in the same way as other civil servants. I have been advised that a number of staff in the CWS were employed in a temporary capacity by the HSE in 2010 for a period of six months, including some of the staff in the rents unit in question. These contracts were subsequently extended to June 2011 from when they are to be gradually withdrawn.
In the context of the transfer of functions from the HSE to the Department a number of Transition Managers were appointed from within the Community Welfare Service, to work with the Department of Social Protection to oversee the transfer of the service to the Department. The relevant transition managers are currently in the process of examining the service implications arising from the loss of these temporary staff.
118 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reasons for allowing social welfare claims, by category, on appeal; if the number of appeals can be reduced by addressing some or all of these reasons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12958/11]
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that they do not hold statistics on reasons for allowing appeals. However, that office works with the Department on an ongoing basis to ensure that initial decision making in the Department is improved. This is achieved through meetings with various areas of the Department, including, in particular the Decisions Advisory Office which exercises a supervisory role in relation to the statutory submission of appeal documentation by Deciding Officers. These meetings allow for elaboration of appeal decisions and for feedback to the Department in relation to issues, legislative and/or administrative practices that may have been the subject of contention at appeal.
The Decisions Advisory Office is responsible for ensuring decisions made on social welfare claims are consistent and of good quality. To this end, guidelines are issued by the Department in relation to the legislation concerned to ensure consistency of decision making by deciding officers throughout the Department. In addition, training is provided to deciding officers on their statutory obligations and the application of the principles of natural justice and fair procedures.
While 42.7% of appeals had a successful outcome for the appellant in 2010, of the 12,029 favourable decisions on appeal cases, almost two thirds of these decisions (7,282) were in fact revised decisions made by statutorily appointed deciding officers of my Department, who reviewed the claim following the initial disallowance. These revised decisions arose as a result, in many cases, of new facts or fresh evidence produced by the claimant after the original decision on his/her claim. In such cases an Appeals Officer decision was not necessary. In addition, it should be noted that of the 17,499 appeals decided by Appeals Officers, a total of 12,752 (73%) upheld the original decision of the Deciding Officer. In line with the Department's policy to promote the provision of information, the guidelines referred to above are also available to members of the public on the Department's website www.welfare.ie or on request from any social welfare local office.
119 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowance payment will be reviewed with a view to awarding a higher rate of payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [12982/11]
The Health Service Executive has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of a basic supplementary welfare allowance payment at the appropriate rate based on his particular circumstances. The assessment that was carried out by the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) was based on audited accounts that were provided by the person concerned. The HSE has further advised that the person concerned has been in contact with the CWO and undertook to provide additional information that will allow the CWO to revisit the assessment. To date this information has not been provided.
120 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to an issue arising regarding persons with stamp 4 for five years or less being deemed ineligible for claiming rent allowance as they have become precluded from joining local authority social housing lists; if she has been in contact with the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Justice and Equality on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12998/11]
From July 2009, a new condition for rent supplement was introduced which required that in order to qualify, a person must have been residing in private rented accommodation or accommodation for homeless persons or an institution (or any combination of these) for a period of 183 days within the preceding 12 months of the date of claim for rent supplement. A person may also qualify for rent supplement where an assessment of housing need has been carried out within the 12 months preceding the date of claim and the person is deemed by the relevant local authority to be eligible for and in need of social housing support.
In all other cases, a person who wishes to apply for rent supplement is referred, in the first instance, for an assessment of eligibility for social housing support by the local housing authority in the area where claim to rent supplement is made (and the person intends to reside). When a person has been assessed as being eligible for and in need of social housing support, the person then becomes eligible for consideration for rent supplement.
This condition was introduced following consultation with the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government and ensures that the provision of housing support in respect of new household formations is overseen by local authorities. Responsibility for the rules and guidelines used to determine whether a person is assessed as being eligible for social housing support is a matter for the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.
However, I understand from my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government that as part of his Department's ongoing liaison with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, that his Department has undertaken to review the guidance to local authorities to ensure that it reflects and interprets correctly the position of non-EEA nationals granted immigration Stamp 4 by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.
121 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review a matter regarding rent allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13018/11]
The HSE advised that the person concerned received rent supplement at a higher rate than that to which she was entitled thus incurring an overpayment. This transpired as she had extra household income from her participation on a Community Employment scheme and her rent supplement entitlement was not reduced accordingly. The person concerned appealed the decision to raise an overpayment against her to the HSE Appeals Office but the decision was upheld by the HSE Appeals Office. The person concerned should contact the community welfare officer at her local health centre in order to make arrangements to repay the overpayment.
122 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she proposes to use age of the unemployed as a factor in the analysis in the new profiling system for the unemployed, which aims to identify early those with a high probability of becoming long-term unemployed at the time they first become unemployed. [13027/11]
The profiling model has been developed by the ERSI and is set out in its 2009 report "National Profiling of the Unemployed in Ireland". Following on from this my Department has, in conjunction with the ESRI, developed the necessary technological functionality to provide for the capture of profile data from jobseekers and the calculation of each person's probability of exit from the Live Register within 12 months. This functionality will also provide the facility to segment and select customers, based on their probability of exit from the Live Register, for referral to appropriate supports.
The model uses a range of characteristics, including age, with weightings applied to them. Other characteristics include education level, literacy or numeracy difficulties, number of children, and history of unemployment. The accuracy, or predictive capacity of the model developed, is high by international standards and is particularly accurate in predicting likely duration on the Live Register. It is planned to implement enhanced activation arrangements which will be grounded in a profiling system using the statistical model developed. Profiling will facilitate early targeted interventions for those who need them most, resulting in better outcomes and potential programme savings. The model is currently being tested in the live environment in preparation for a planned roll-out of profiling functionality across local offices nationally.
123 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been awarded a reduced rent supplement; the options open to this person and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13028/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that the person concerned is in receipt of her full entitlement to rent supplement based on her household income.
124 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a claim for jobseeker’s allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin was disallowed. [13029/11]
The person's claim for jobseeker's allowance was disallowed on the basis that her means were in excess of her entitlement. The means assessed against her are derived from parental income. The person would have been notified of this decision and of her right of appeal.
125 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if supplementary welfare allowance will be paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [13036/11]
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) may be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case. Eligible people would normally be in receipt of a social welfare or HSE payment. The HSE has advised that the person concerned was refused assistance in this instance as the need was not established. The person concerned has been notified of this decision and advised of her right of appeal.
126 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 17 May 2011, when a decision is likely in the appeal against the decision to refuse to grant rent support; if she acknowledges the existence of the shared responsibility for their child with consequent accommodation requirements; if she accepts the receipt of all documentation submitted by the applicant several months ago and that considerable rent arrears have accrued; if she accepts the need for an urgent decision in the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13047/11]
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has advised that it has received the documentation required to make a decision in relation to the rent supplement entitlement of the person concerned. The HSE has further advised that its designated Appeals Officer will make a decision on entitlement shortly.
127 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the illegal downloading of music; if he has any plans to bring forward legislation to counteract this growing problem for artists and the music industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13014/11]
The issue of illegal downloading of music or other material is a copyright protection issue and as such comes within the policy area of the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation. Any proposals for legislation to protect against infringement of copyright by any means is a matter for that Department.
128 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on an issue (details supplied) regarding wind farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13016/11]
The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has statutory responsibility for grid connection offers and for oversight of EirGrid's grid connection process including the Gate process for renewable energy. I have no function in the matter.
EirGrid, the Transmission System Operator, has published a GRID25 development plan which outlines in detail the upgrades and grid reinforcement required in each region in Ireland between now and 2025 to cater for future regional electricity growth and to accommodate new generation, particularly new renewable generation onto the system.
In the South-West region which includes Kerry and Cork, EirGrid identified the need to significantly reinforce the transmission system in the region by upgrading around 130km of the existing and new transmission system. This strengthening of the system will facilitate the movement of new electricity generation to the South East and other higher electricity demand regions. The plan is available to the public on the EirGrid website.
There is currently over 1,475MW megawatts (MWs) of wind capacity connected in Ireland. The contribution from renewable energy connected to the electricity grid, mainly wind, is increasing very steadily from year to year. Renewable generation contributed over 13% of all electricity consumed in 2010 compared to just 4.4% in 2003.
To ensure the renewable electricity connection process operates efficiently and to keep the industry informed of developments, the Commission for Energy Regulation has established a Gate 3 connection Liaison Group involving all stakeholders, including EirGrid and the renewable industry associations. The objective is to ensure the connection offer process is completed quickly, transparently and effectively.
129 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the final report of the Mahon tribunal will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13013/11]
I am advised by the Tribunal of Inquiry into Certain Planning Matters and Payments that it expects to complete its final report within the coming months, at which time the report will then be submitted to the Oireachtas for its consideration and publication.
130 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the facility to declare non-use of vehicles for taxation purposes is used; and the amount of revenue lost from the practice. [12865/11]
131 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if vehicle owners are making declarations of non-use of vehicles after the time of supposed non-use has elapsed and in some cases when they in fact used the vehicle during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12866/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.
The most recent verified figures available to me indicate that the value of off-the-road declarations made during the 15 months from May 2009 to July 2010 inclusive was over €94 million. An off-the-road declaration in relation to any month can only be accepted after that month has expired.
I am concerned at the high level of off-the-road declarations being made and I am aware that current procedures governing the making of such declarations may be open to potential abuse. I have asked my Department, in the context of a general revision of motor tax law, to take steps to address the procedures in this regard.
132 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the criteria that will be used to prioritise water and sewerage schemes in County Carlow in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12900/11]
The Water Services Investment Programme 2010-2012 includes details of the contracts to commence in County Carlow, and nationally, over the period 2010 to 2012, as well as schemes to advance through planning in this period. A copy of the Programme is available in the Oireachtas library.
The specific environmental and economic pressures that have informed priorities and project selection in the Programme are: water conservation proposals which meet environmental and economic goals; environmental objectives including works required to respond to judgments of the European Court of Justice; environment and Public Health Objectives arising, for example, from environmental regulation in respect of drinking water standards, wastewater treatment standards, wastewater discharge authorisations, bathing water standards, Pollution Reduction Programme for Shellfish Waters, fresh water pearl mussel plans, etc; and compliance with the Water Framework Directive requirements and projects which support economic development and employment creation.
My Department is currently undertaking an annual review of the Programme. There are two components to this review: a review of progress of all schemes and contracts currently in the Programme, and following that a consideration of the need for any reprioritisation of contracts and schemes, including addressing issues which have emerged since the Programme was published and which require an urgent response. The current scale of the published Programme was set in the context of likely available financial resources over the medium term. In light of this, and given the short time which has passed since the extensive review undertaken in the development of the Programme, there is only scope for, and should only be a need for, minor adjustments to the Programme at this stage.
133 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if, in view of the number of homes affected by pyrite, he will co-ordinate a response involving HomeBond and the insurance industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12947/11]
The current pyrite problems were first brought to the attention of my Department in mid-2007 and it acted quickly in taking appropriate action to address them. Following an intervention from my Department, the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) published a new amended Standard Recommendation on the use of aggregates as infill for civil engineering and road construction work. The new Standard Recommendation came into effect on 7 December 2007 and it addresses the quality standards of new homes and buildings insofar as problems relating to pyrite are concerned.
The Building Regulations set out the legal requirements for the construction of new buildings, including houses, and the related technical guidance documents provide guidance on how to comply with those regulations. The relevant Technical Guidance Document of the Building Regulations dealing with Site Preparation was amended to incorporate the revised NSAI Standard Recommendation.
In addition, I am aware that HomeBond, a private company which provides a ten-year structural guarantee for new houses, has included the amended NSAI Standard Recommendation in their published 6th edition of the house building manual. I attach a high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings and I have asked my Department to prioritise the formulation of policy proposals that will enhance compliance with, and enforcement of, the building regulations generally. I will be meeting a representative group in the next few weeks to establish what can be done to help home owners deal with outstanding issues in the context of recent court decisions and departmental responsibilities.
134 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if any regeneration project has encountered problems with pyrite; if so, the locations of same; if the problem has been rectified; the cost of same and the budget from which it was taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12948/11]
My Department is aware of one regeneration project, Ballymun regeneration, where higher than acceptable levels of pyrite have been discovered at three locations. These include the Ballymun Central Youth Facility, a new 124-unit apartment complex at Sillogue 4 and completed and tenanted units at Poppintree 5.
Following the discovery of elevated levels of pyrite in the hardcore fill for the Youth Facility building, remedial works costing an estimated €1.25 million were carried out by the contractor. These works were satisfactorily completed in accordance with the terms of the contract and at no extra cost to the Exchequer.
In the case of the apartment complex at Sillogue 4, extensive remediation works are deemed necessary to address the pyrite problems at this new development. The regeneration company, with the support of my Department, has been engaging with the contractor to identify the optimum solution to the problem. As this is a live contract, it is envisaged that the remedial works will be carried out under the terms of the contract and at no additional cost to the Exchequer.
My Department was recently notified of a potential pyrite problem at a completed and tenanted development at Poppintree 5. The regeneration company, together with Dublin City Council, is currently conducting more detailed surveys with a view to establishing the full extent of the problem and the nature and scale of the remedial works which will be required to deal with it. As soon as all the facts have been established, the regeneration company will put measures in place to ensure that residents are fully informed of the extent of the problems and the solutions to be put in place to address these.
135 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the type of assistance and the level of funding, if any, the Local Government Management Services Board provides each year to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, the Association of County and City Councils, the Local Authority Members Association and the County and City Managers Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12959/11]
The Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB) provides administrative, secretariat and research services to the County and City Managers' Association in the context of joint working of local authorities through the Office for Local Authority Management. No such assistance is provided to the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, the Association of County and City Councils and the Local Authority Members Association.
No funding is provided by the LGMSB to any of the Association of Municipal Authorities of Ireland, the Association of County and City Councils, the Local Authority Members Association and the County and City Managers' Association.
136 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of written submissions, if any, he received from the County and City Managers Association in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the dates on which the submissions were received; the main matters covered in the submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12960/11]
The County and City Managers' Association engages with my Department on a regular basis and has made a range of submissions in recent years in that context. However, neither I nor my predecessor received any written submissions personally from the Association in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
137 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on the implementation of the non-principal private residence or second home levy wherein two such properties side by side as one, a single letting paying one levy and the other in multiple units such as bed-sits allegedly liable for the multiples of the levy; and the action he proposes to take in that context. [12988/11]
The Government decided in 2009 to broaden the revenue base of local authorities by introducing a charge on all non-principal private residences. The charge is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and any other residential property that is not the owner's sole or main residence.
The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, which sets out the detail of the charge, defines residential property as including flats, apartments and bed-sits. The €200 charge is payable on each unit of accommodation used, or suitable for use as a separate dwelling, whether or not any amenity or facility in the building or premises may be shared. The owner of a house split into a number of bed-sits is thus liable for the charge on each unit in that house.
The view was taken when the Bill was being debated in the Oireachtas that this was the fairest approach. While there are no plans to amend the charge on non-principal private residences in this respect at present, the views of the Deputy will be taken into account in any future assessment of the charge.
138 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the condition of electro-sensitivity; if he has any plans to introduce legislation to stop telephone companies receiving exemptions when applying for planning for masts; if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who suffers severely from this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12991/11]
In general, planning permission must be obtained for the erection of an antenna support structure or mast. Under Article 6 and Schedule 2 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, certain classes of development carried out by a statutory undertaker authorised to provide a telecommunications service are, subject to specified conditions, exempted development for the purposes of the Planning Acts. These include—
the attachment of additional antennae to an existing antenna support structure;
the erection of an antenna support structure in place of an existing antenna support structure, and
the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, such as lamp posts, flag poles, CCTV poles, electricity pylons and certain public or commercial buildings (other than educational facilities, childcare facilities or hospitals).
The above exemptions are conditional, inter alia, on the field strength of the non-ionising radiation emissions from the site not exceeding the limits specified by the Commission for Communications Regulation. In addition, in the case of the exemption for the attachment of antennae to certain existing structures, there is a requirement on the statutory undertaker to notify the planning authority, in writing, of the proposed location of any such structure at least four weeks before the attachment of the antennae.
My Department published Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures in 1996, which are intended to inform planning authorities, An Bord Pleanála, the licensed providers of mobile telecommunications services and the public on how such developments are dealt with in the planning system, including, inter alia, the locational hierarchy in respect of the siting of radio masts in both larger urban centres and in smaller towns or villages and how free-standing masts and antennae should be designed and adapted for the specific location. Under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, planning authorities are required to have regard to such Ministerial Guidelines (which are available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie), in the performance of their functions. I have no plans at present to amend the relevant Regulations or Guidelines.
The issue of potential health effects of mobile phone masts was comprehensively covered by the Expert Group Report, published by Government in March 2007, entitled Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields, which is available for download on the Department's website. The Expert Group Report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by mobile phone base stations. It answers many of the health risk questions raised by the public in relation to the potential effects of electromagnetic fields. The Report and its recommendations were accepted by the Government and form the basis for current policy in this area.
The majority scientific opinion is that to date no adverse short or long-term effects have been demonstrated from exposure to electromagnetic fields at levels below the limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). However, a minority group of scientists believes otherwise and extensive international research continues to be co-ordinated through bodies such as the World Health Organisation.
Based on the conclusions of the Expert Group Report, there is no scientific basis or evidence of adverse health effects in children or adults as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields. This applies irrespective of the location of the phone mast.
139 Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he will ratify the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities acknowledging also that we were among the first countries to sign the convention. [12937/11]
Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign, subject to ratification, the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities when it opened for signature on 30 March 2007.
It is the Government's intention to ratify the Convention as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met. Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the treaty in question, including by amending domestic law as necessary.
The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy in many respects comprehends many of the provisions of the Convention. In addition, the Inter-Departmental Committee on the UNCRPD monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable the State to ratify the Convention. The Committee has developed a programme on which work is progressing to address the matters that need to be aligned with the UNCRPD.
One of the key requirements in this regard is the enactment of mental capacity legislation. The Government's Legislation Programme announced on 5 April 2011 indicates that the Mental Capacity Bill is expected to be published in late 2011. The Bill will replace the Wards of Court system with a modern statutory framework governing decision-making on behalf of adults who lack capacity. The passage of this Bill will add substantially to the overall progress on implementation of the requirements towards ratification of the Convention.
140 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ratify the second optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12972/11]
The optional protocol referred to by the Deputy concerns the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 criminalised the sale of persons, including children, for any purpose. Also, I understand from the Department of Health and Children that the Adoption Act 2010 meets the requirements of the optional protocol. Legislative proposals to enhance the protection of children against sexual abuse and exploitation, including exploitation through prostitution and child pornography, are at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. These measures will facilitate full compliance with the criminal law provisions of a number of international legal instruments, including outstanding requirements in the optional protocol. I expect to bring these legislative proposals to Government in the coming months.
141 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered combining a rent control system with a compulsory rental order system (details supplied). [13010/11]
149 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered the introduction of a rent control system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13009/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 149 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government indicates that legislation will be introduced to end upward only rent reviews for existing leases. I am engaged in on-going consultations with the Attorney General in order to determine how this matter can best be dealt with. That consultation process will, of course, take account of all relevant proposals which are pertinent to this matter, and will also have regard to the views and positions of stakeholders and interested parties. However, there are no proposals in contemplation for the introduction of a rent control system at this time.
142 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will expedite a naturalisation application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [12856/11]
A valid application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in December 2008. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
In that context, as I outlined in response to Parliamentary Question Number 69 of 7th April last, I can inform the Deputy that I have initiated steps within my Department to provide for speedier processing of applications to bring about a substantial reduction in the processing timescale. The new arrangements will be publicly announced once my Department is in a position to implement them.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
I should remind the Deputy that queries in relation to the status of individual Immigration cases may be made direct to INIS by Email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. The service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek this information through the more administratively expensive Parliamentary Questions process.
143 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding work visas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/11]
The Deputy will be aware that, in general, a non-EEA national wishing to work in Ireland is required to comply with the employment permit conditions as stipulated by the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation. Non-EEA nationals who wish to change their status should write to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, outlining the reasons to support their case. Applications will be assessed on an individual basis. Given the particular and unique circumstances of the category of persons to which the Deputy refers, any such applications will be dealt with on a sympathetic basis.
144 Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to increase the age limit from 35 for Garda recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12976/11]
Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by Statutory Regulations, namely the Garda Síochána (Admission & Appointments) Regulations 1988/2005. The recruitment age was considered as recently as 2004 when, on the recommendation of the Garda Commissioner, the maximum recruitment age was increased from 26 to 35 years.
This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria:
(1) The cost of training;
(2) The need for recruits to serve for a sufficient period of time as full members of the service to recoup this cost;
(3) The operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on members in the course of their duty.
The upper age limit is being kept under review and consideration is being given to changing it, in limited circumstances, in any way which would be beneficial to An Garda Síochána.
145 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 17 May 2011, if the date of birth (details supplied) will be considered in relation to the Garda vetting. [12997/11]
I refer further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 17 May 2011.
I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Central Vetting Unit has no record of a vetting application in respect of the person to whom the Deputy refers. In the circumstances, I can only suggest that the person seeks clarification from the organisation submitting the application.
146 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of licensed premises in the Dublin region that have either been cautioned or fined for serving alcohol for consumption off premises after 10 p.m. in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13001/11]
147 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of licensed premises in the Dublin region that have been either cautioned or fined for allowing customers to remain on premises after the 30-minute drinking-up time has expired for each of the past three years to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 147 together.
Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.
I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.
148 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate a complaint against the conduct of a member of An Garda Síochána in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 [13007/11]
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is the statutory body charged with the independent oversight of policing in this jurisdiction. It is open to the person in question to make a complaint to the Commission.
A complaint may also be made to any member of the Garda Síochána at any Garda Station, to any member of the Garda Síochána at or above the rank of Chief Superintendent at a place other than a Garda Station, or to the Garda Commissioner, and it will be referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
A complaint may be made directly to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission by calling in person to the Dublin office during the stated hours of public business; in writing; by phone Lo-call 1890 600800; by fax; or by using www.gardaombudsman.ie.
150 Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the funding is in place for a Garda station (details supplied); if funding is in place, when the work on the new station will commence; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13025/11]
The programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is based on agreed priorities established by An Garda Síochána. This programme is progressed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that in the coming weeks the OPW will be undertaking a planning process in respect of a refurbishment project for the station referred to by the Deputy. I also understand the intention is that tendering for the project will take place later this year.
Garda capital building works, including the project referred to by the Deputy, are financed from the Vote of the Office of Public Works.
151 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the Irish Red Cross. [12944/11]
The Programme for Government provides for the initiation of a detailed legal review of the basis, structures and governance of the Red Cross in Ireland to improve its functioning in the light of changing circumstances.
I have now initiated the process to implement the commitment in the Programme and I have commenced an exchange with the Society with regard to governance matters.
I do not believe it appropriate to say anything further at this stage.
152 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the declining number of full time hill sheep farmers, his view on this sector and the policy he will put in place to make sure this sector remains vibrant and strong in marginal regions. [12964/11]
I am committed to supporting the sheep sector, the survival of which is crucial for producers in both lowland and hill areas.
This industry, which makes a valuable contribution to the overall agri food sector, has experienced renewed confidence in recent times. Its future will depend on its ability to meet the needs of the market and in order to do this there must be a three-pronged focus on competitiveness, innovation and the demands of the consumer.
Our Programme for Government supports the overall Food Harvest 2020 Strategy, which provides a vision for Irish Agri-Food and Fisheries for the next 10 years. The strategy targets 20% growth in output value for the sheep sector by 2020 and sets out specific recommendations for the industry. Over the coming years, demand for sheepmeat on the European market is expected to outstrip production levels, which could provide opportunities for exporting countries such as Ireland, and the potential for better returns, provided the market and product diversification we have seen in recent years continues. The producer too should benefit from improved price prospects, as long as there is an increased focus on production efficiency and product quality.
The recommendations of Food Harvest 2020 for the sheep industry focus both on farm competitiveness and the processing sector. On the farm side the emphasis is on the use of on-farm labour efficiencies and new technologies, breed improvement and the production of a quality product. On the processing side, the report highlights efficiencies, innovation and improved product range.
Initiatives taken to support the sheep sector in recent years include:
The establishment of ‘Sheep Ireland' 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 is overseeing this process, with the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) providing the technical and professional service required.
The establishment of the Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme in 2007. This Scheme is operated by Bord Bia and now has over 8,300 participants.
As part of its efforts to promote lamb on the home and export market, Bord Bia, together with its UK and French counterparts, is part of a generic promotion campaign on the valuable French market.
Teagasc has developed a comprehensive plan to restructure its sheep support services, including a Better Farm Programme for sheep, which aims to establish focal points for the on-farm implementation, development and evaluation of technology that is relevant to the sheep sector. This approach provides an opportunity to engage with sheep farmers on the use of the latest management practices and to identify research and development needs.
The sector has also benefitted from a number of key supports, most notably:
€7 million from the 2009 Single Farm Payment National Reserve under the Uplands Sheep Payment Scheme, which was specifically targeted at hill farmers;
€54 million for the three year grassland sheep scheme which commenced last year; and
€8 million for the sheep fencing/mobile handling equipment scheme.
In addition, Bord Bia will also spend up to €1 million this year on the promotion of sheep and lamb at home and abroad and Teagasc has allocated almost €1.5 million for sheep research for 2011.
It is my intention to pursue the implementation of the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 Report to ensure the development of the agri food sector.
153 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any arrangements have been made to compensate farmers whose land has been damaged by the recent gorse fires. [13033/11]
No arrangements are being made by my Department to compensate farmers for land damaged during the recent spate of wildfires which occurred at the beginning of May 2011. Damage to property is a matter for individual farmers and I would encourage landowners, who have not already done so, to insure themselves against such risks.
154 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the implementation of Burke and McIvor's considerations on business plans for development of fishery harbour centres including Killybegs, County Donegal. [13034/11]
Following a public tender inviting expressions of interest for the preparation of Business Plans for the Fishery Harbour Centres Raymond Burke Consulting and McIver Consulting were selected to carry out research and prepare a Business Plan for The Development of the six Fishery Harbour Centres.
The report, "Business Plans for the Development of the Fishery Harbour Centres", was launched on 7th March 2009 by Mr. Tony Killeen T.D., the then Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The business plans for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveel, An Daingean (Dingle) and Killybegs were drafted following consultation with and extensive list of interested parties (see Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of Business Plans for the Development of the Fishery Harbour Centres for details). The business plans provide a five year blueprint and set priorities for the development of the Harbours as centres of excellence for the fishing industry while also highlighting the potential for other commercial and marine leisure uses to the benefit of the broader economy.
I can confirm that despite the current economic situation my Department has been actively engaged in the implementation of the recommendations of the five year business plan and will continue to implement the recommendations as appropriate within available funding and resources.
155 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12858/11]
The person named has been approved into the AEOS scheme with a start date of 1 November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Agri-Environment Options Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. I expect that payments to participants in the scheme in respect of the first year will commence in August and that payments in respect of year two will commence in October.
156 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if land under fruit and vegetables is included in the single payment scheme; if the crisis management functions proposed by the EU for producer organisations such as withdrawal management, insurance assistance and so on have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12860/11]
I can confirm for the Deputy that land under fruit and vegetables is included under the Single Farm Payment Scheme.
While Member States have the option to provide for those market management measures mentioned such as withdrawal management, they have not been implemented here as there has been no demand for them.
157 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the allocation of milk quota for new entrants in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [12861/11]
Details of the 2011 Scheme for the Allocation of Milk Quota to New Entrants were announced in February last, with a closing date of 8th April. An application from the named person was received in my Department before the closing date.
The objective of the scheme is to make milk quota available to those suitably qualified new and recent entrants to dairying who best demonstrate a real and long-term commitment to dairying. Applications that satisfied the eligibility criteria as set out in the detailed rules of the scheme have been submitted to an independent panel for assessment.
I intend to announce the results of the scheme around the end of May and all applicants will be notified of the outcome at that time.
158 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 19 April 2011, the findings of the review on penalties imposed on a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12862/11]
A review has now been completed in this case and a letter explaining the decision of the reviewing officer to uphold the original outcome of the inspection was sent to the person named on the 18th of May 2011.
The letter also details the right of the person named to appeal the decision to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
159 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the management strategy for the decision to open the mussel seed fishery; if he will make annual reviews of this management strategy; if he will consult with stakeholders in these reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12910/11]
A comprehensive review of the bottom grown mussel sector on the island of Ireland was initiated in 2006 by my predecessor and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Northern Ireland. The outcome of that process "The Rising Tide — A Review of the Bottom Grown (BG) Mussel Sector on the Island of Ireland" was published in 2008. Both Ministers accepted the recommendations of the Report as the way forward for the industry. The Report makes many recommendations, but perhaps one of the most fundamental was the establishment of a Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum, to involve industry representatives closely in the management of the sector.
This Forum is comprised of elected representatives of the industry from both jurisdictions, together with the various regulatory and development bodies concerned, i.e. my Department, DARD, the Loughs Agency, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. BIM chairs the Forum. The Forum meets several times a year. The Forum discusses various aspects of the operation and management of the fishery and makes recommendations to me and the Northern Ireland Minister. The fishery is managed jointly by the two Ministers on a consensus basis. The operation of the Forum ensures that the management strategy for the fishery is reviewed on an ongoing basis with the full involvement of the industry.
The Forum met on 8 March 2011 and arising from its discussions, arrangements for the 2011 fishery were recommended to me and the Northern Ireland Minister. This included a recommendation to open the fishery from 8 May 2011. Following discussion with DARD, we decided to open the fishery instead from 9 May, to better facilitate the monitoring and enforcement authorities. A further meeting of the Forum is scheduled for June and this meeting will review the operation of the fishery since its 9 May opening and may make any recommendations to me and the Northern Ireland Minister that the Forum considers appropriate.
160 Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will provide the following detail in relation to a company (details supplied): if there was a tendering process prior to its appointment to its role in the monitoring of the use of farm saved seed and the collection of royalties for same; the reason a private limited company is named in an official statutory instrument when the State has no shareholding in that company and if there is a new tendering process due for the contract to carry out the monitoring of the use of farm saved seed and the collection for royalties for same. [12911/11]
The plant breeders in Ireland nominated the named organisation to collect the relevant royalties for them. My Department did not incur any expense in appointing the organisation. Hence a tendering process was not necessary when appointing the named organisation as the competent body for monitoring the use of farm saved seed and the collection of royalties for same. SI 273 of 2007 was introduced by my Department to define the nature of information to be maintained and the role of the named organisation in the collection of such data. It is not proposed to put in place any steps to relieve the named organisation from its position as the designated competent body.
161 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the location and number of Irish beef exports markets; the extent to which locations and volume have altered; the purpose in each of the past five years to date in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12925/11]
Ireland exports some 90% of its beef production and around 98% of beef exports go to other EU Member States. The EU is only 96% self-sufficient in beef production and consumer demand for beef is expected to further exceed EU production in the coming years. Beef exports were valued at €1.51 billion in 2010 but overall export volumes to particular destinations in a particular period will vary in response to demand/supply dynamics in specific markets which in turn is influenced by such factors as product innovation, changing consumption patterns, competitor behaviour and currency fluctuations. Exchange rate movements, for example, are especially significant for the development of trade with our largest single market — the UK.
|
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011** |
|
|
Total |
520 |
523 |
483 |
460 |
507 |
472 |
|
of which to: |
||||||
|
UK |
267 |
278 |
261 |
244 |
260 |
232 |
|
Cont. EU |
217 |
239 |
217 |
213 |
239 |
232 |
|
France |
55 |
56 |
51 |
52 |
55 |
53 |
|
Italy |
47 |
48 |
45 |
45 |
50 |
49 |
|
Holland |
41 |
47 |
42 |
40 |
46 |
44 |
|
Scandinavia |
35 |
42 |
44 |
38 |
44 |
41 |
|
Spain |
16 |
18 |
13 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
|
Portugal |
10 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
|
Other* |
13 |
16 |
12 |
14 |
24 |
28 |
|
Int. mkts |
38 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
8 |
|
Russia |
30 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
6.5 |
7 |
|
Other |
8 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
Source: CSO.
*Includes new Member States from 2004.
**2011 data is derived from Bord Bia estimates.
The data in tabular format illustrate the success of progressive initiatives to position Irish beef in higher-value EU markets over the past number of years. Across Europe Irish beef is stocked in 3 or more of the top 10 retailers in each major market and in over 70 retailers in total. In this regard, the marketing and promotional activities of Bord Bia play a key role in responding to evolving market conditions. Its strategy to reposition and differentiate Irish beef is aimed at growing premium brand offerings thereby enhancing returns for the producer.
This approach is endorsed by the Food Harvest 2020 report which targets a growth of 20% in the output value of the sector by 2020. One means of achieving that goal is through product differentiation on the basis of predominantly grass-based production which has the potential to confer a real competitive advantage on Irish beef. As part of the smart, green approach advocated in the report and supported by some €28m in Grant in Aid provided by my Department, Bord Bia is working with the industry and its customers to secure a leadership role for Irish beef in addressing sustainability as a growing consumer issue. These initiatives complement the collective efforts of my Department and other state agencies to support the sector and assist the industry to contribute to the maximum possible extent to our export-led economic recovery.
162 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the current state of development of the fishing industry with particular reference to the total catch and processing capacity; the degree to which the latter is matched to the former; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12926/11]
Ireland's seafood sector, particularly exports, performed well during 2010. Total trade was valued at €707 million, with exports valued at €374 million and domestic sales at €333 million. Exports were up 13% in value on 2009 and up 29% by volume. Ireland's processing sector is made up of 140 processors, processing over 270,000 tonnes of seafood annually. The seasonal nature of the catch and the quota restrictions of important species require that there is significant over capacity to process these seafoods in a short time. For instance, most of the pelagic catch is processed between September and March.
I have made available €1.5 million in 2011 to foster the expansion and modernisation of the seafood processing sector through BIM's Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. A call for proposals has just been completed and despite the present economic climate, the call was fully subscribed by ambitious and enterprising Irish companies. I take great encouragement from that.
BIM is working with fishermen and processors around the coast to promote product innovation, differentiation of product, competitiveness, business acumen and management, environmental awareness and compliance. I recently launched a new BIM support scheme to encourage the Irish seafood sector away from low value commodity exports to value added high quality food products that provide much more employment and greater economic return on investment. The Seafood Value Adding Scheme will support Irish seafood companies in the area of new product development.
163 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which labelling and traceability in respect of the poultry sector is enforced and enforceable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12927/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for food labelling is with the Department of Health and Children (DoHC). My Department works closely with the DoHC and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) which has responsibility for enforcement of the relevant provisions of the legislation. Ireland has favoured the extension of mandatory origin or provenance labelling to meats other than beef, including poultry, and including where such meats are ingredients in processed products and has lobbied for this with the European Commission for many years.
A draft European Commission Regulation, Food Information for the Consumer which, inter alia, relates to mandatory country of origin/place of provenance labelling is currently at Second Reading Stage in the European Parliament with discussions ongoing between the Parliament, Council and the Commission. This Regulation makes provision for the extension of the mandatory origin/provenance labelling requirements to other meats including poultry meat. It is expected that this process will culminate by the end of 2011 with a requirement that poultry meat should be labelled with country of origin.
164 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the dumping of surplus catch and species is completely discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12928/11]
I am very concerned about the unacceptable practice of discarding fish at sea and I am fully committed to working both nationally and internationally to bring about an end to this practice. Commissioner Damanaki has placed discarding of fish high on her agenda for the Common Fisheries Policy reform and at my meeting with her on the 14th of April made clear that I was committed to giving Ireland's support to assisting the Commissioner in identifying and implementing the appropriate measures to effectively address discards.
At home I have taken a number of opportunities to discuss this complex subject with the Irish fishing industry. I am happy to say that it is also grappling with ways to reduce and ultimately eliminate discards and is currently engaging in trials on selective gears in the Celtic Sea haddock and whiting fisheries, with a view to bringing proposals to me in the next few weeks. I intend to bring these proposals to my French counterpart as a possible joint approach to the EU Commission as France and Ireland are the main players in these fisheries. If we are successful in agreeing new measures with France and secure EU Commission support, I would be prepared to promote their introduction at national level in both jurisdictions pending their adoption at EU level.
Discarding has been receiving huge exposure across various international media, setting a negative picture of the global fishing industry. Decisive action is required in the short term, however, the problem is complex with many and at times disconnected factors impacting on it. This level of complexity requires an approach which recognises the multi-faceted issues, the different dynamics of individual fisheries and areas and delivers real policies and change on a number of fronts. Any resolution will require the buy in of our fishers and a significant behavioural shift will be required from them to successfully eliminate discards. Without this change in operational patterns there will be a real danger that whatever new legislation is introduced will only succeed in pushing discarding further "underground" and this would worsen the current data situation and not deal with the problem.
Discards were a high priority in Ireland's formal submission on the CFP Review forwarded last year, which argued for a fishery specific approach involving remedial actions to reduce or eliminate discards involving changes to fishing gear and fishing practices. It focused on the development of a strong industry, science, gear technology partnership to best equip our fleets for their specific needs. It also promoted the development of a Code of Practice to incentivise best practice. My preference is for a clear policy to eliminate discards, backed up by unambiguous and appropriate technical measures and supports which can demonstrably achieve the stated policy goal. To my mind, there has been little elaboration on the suite of measures and supports that will be necessary. This is undermining the discussion to date.
One of the possible measures being looked at is the concept of catch quota management which involves landing all catches of targeted stocks and recording the landings against quota. There are pilot schemes up and running in some Member States and I await the outcome of those, though it is already clear to me that any move in this direction would have to be over a reasonable timeframe, provide some adjustment in quota to take account of the increased landings and be on a voluntary basis in the first instance. This approach is technical and requires a significant capital investment in equipment and human resources which will have to be facilitated by financial support from the EU if it is to become a reality.
From a national perspective in addition to the industry led trials in the Celtic Sea already mentioned, Ireland is preparing a project proposal for the Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA) of the South and West coasts of Ireland, with a view to developing clear management objectives for the area, with a strong focus on the elimination of discards, in the key Hake, Monk and Megrim fisheries. I hope to submit project proposals to Commissioner Damanaki before the summer. The objective is develop a regionalised plan agreed by ourselves, France, the UK and Spain setting out appropriate measures to meet stringent conservation objectives for the area. It could be a roadmap for other programmes to deal with the discard issue across Europe.
165 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which the total fish catch caught in Irish waters is landed and processed here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12929/11]
The bulk of quota species caught by Irish fishing vessels are landed into Irish fishing ports. In addition, non-Irish vessels fishing their quota in Irish waters land a small and variable proportion of their catch to Irish fishing ports. Approximately 220,000 tonnes of fish were landed into Irish ports in 2009.
The potential exists to attract more foreign landings into Ireland and develop Ireland as a European seafood-processing hub. Food Harvest 2020 recognised this as an opportunity for the Irish processing industry. Such a strategy can offer foreign boats catching off the west coast of Ireland increased efficiencies for landing, grading and processing their catch and better distribution of different species to the relevant consumer markets. Increased landings offer Irish processing companies the raw material to expand, increase processing efficiencies and increase employment. During the month of July 2011, BIM will pilot a new initiative to match large French catching organisations to dynamic Irish processors. The goal is to increase the amount of white fish and prawns landed and processed in Ireland.
166 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which the State laboratories at Backweston, Celbridge, County Kildare are fully operational and incorporating all original services and requirements; if any specimens or samples are currently sent out of the country and for which purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12930/11]
The vast majority of the buildings of my Department's Laboratories, at Backweston are completely operational and functioning as intended. Amelioration works on some areas of the laboratories are in progress prior to their coming on stream. These are expected to be completed during 2012-2013.
A number of samples are sent abroad annually for tests which are not carried out at my Department's laboratories e.g. typing of bacteria, tests for exotic viruses, confirmatory testing, toxin or residue analysis etc. or where the in-house resources are inadequate to carry out testing. This may vary annually depending on circumstances. It is envisaged that the need for such referrals will diminish in the future, as my Department Laboratories continue to introduce new analytical methods and technologies with the objective of meeting a higher proportion of our needs and thus minimising our dependency on external laboratories.
There are ongoing discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance in relation to the recruitment of staff, of which a number will be assigned to laboratory duties. When sanction is received, these staff will be recruited and will contribute to reducing our dependency on external laboratories. The need to have certain tests done in external laboratories is a function also of resources available to my Department. This, coupled with increased demands from new EU legislation is kept under constant review.
167 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which Irish lamb export markets have developed in each of the past five years to date in 2011; his proposals to expand into new markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12931/11]
The quantities of sheepmeat exported over the past five years are shown in the table. Figures are not yet available for 2011. As can be seen from the table, most of our sheepmeat exports are directed to a relatively small stable group of Western European countries with the quantities varying from year to year due to market forces. Export volumes to the EU are a reflection of production trends and market demands in those countries. Recently, interest has been shown by sheepmeat exporters in diversifying into more third country markets and my Department, in conjunction with Bord Bia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been making efforts to secure market access to facilitate such trade.
|
Destination |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
UK |
15.9 |
17.7 |
14.5 |
12.2 |
10.9 |
|
France |
31.3 |
27.9 |
22.9 |
23.0 |
19.1 |
|
Belgium |
1.6 |
2.7 |
1.5 |
1.2 |
1.3 |
|
Sweden |
2.7 |
2.2 |
2.4 |
1.4 |
1.8 |
|
Germany |
2.0 |
2.1 |
1.7 |
1.9 |
1.9 |
|
Italy |
1.3 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
2.3 |
1.3 |
|
Portugal |
1.2 |
0.9 |
1.6 |
2.0 |
0.7 |
|
Denmark |
0.7 |
0.7 |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
|
Netherlands |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
0.4 |
|
Other Countries |
0.8 |
0.2 |
0.4 |
1.3 |
1.4 |
|
Totals |
58 |
56.2 |
47.9 |
46.4 |
39.3 |
Source: CSO.
168 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the degree to which he proposes to develop the pigmeat industry with particular reference to supply and demand cycles and the need to ensure a reasonable income for producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12932/11]
The pig industry is a valuable component of the overall agri-food sector, and has a farm gate value in excess of €300 million. The sector supports approximately 7,000 jobs including production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services and these are dispersed around the country. Production, prices and exports grew significantly during 2010 and the impact of this growth was felt at all levels of the production cycle.
Having said that, I am aware of the cyclical nature of the sector and the difficulties currently being experienced. While returns have improved in recent months and are forecast to improve in the medium term, the biggest issue for producers at the moment remains feed costs, most notably cereals and compound feed. Pig producers are especially affected by an increase in the order of 35% in cereal prices since June 2010, given that cereals account for 70% of feed. This has reduced margins to below the long-term average, a situation which may have an impact on production decisions in both the short and medium term. Difficulties in maintaining credit facilities with suppliers and banks are exacerbating this situation.
The normal pig production pattern has long been characterised by its cyclical nature. As units become larger on average and contract production becomes more commonplace, some of this cyclicality is likely to diminish but it will still remain an integral feature of the industry. At EU level an Enlarged Advisory Group on Pigmeat which met on four occasions during the spring of this year discussed a number of initiatives to address current difficulties in the sector. These included innovation, structural adjustment and greater integration, together with the use of animal based proteins, GMOs and the role of market management tools such as Aid to Private Storage. The Commission operated one such scheme during the early part of the year which resulted in 1,422 tonnes being contracted into storage in Ireland.
At last week's Farm Council the Commission indicated that they would be coming up with a number of proposals within the process of CAP reform. They also invited Member States to come forward with ideas and solutions. I recently met a range of stakeholders in the sector and discussed many of the issues currently affecting the industry. I also invited stakeholders to consider any suggestions or proposals they may wish to make and to advance them through the Food Harvest 2020 Implementation Process.
169 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of persons currently employed in the food industry at producer, processing, distribution and retail levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12933/11]
According to the CSO's most recent Quarterly National Household Survey (Quarter 4, 2010), 134,700 people are employed in the agri-food sector. This figure can be broken down as follows:
|
No. Employed |
|
|
Agriculture |
78,300 |
|
Food |
38,800 |
|
Beverages |
5,400 |
|
Wood processing |
5,600 |
|
Forestry |
3,300 |
|
Fishing |
3,300 |
|
Total agri-food |
134,700 |
The distribution and retailing sectors are not the responsibility of my Department, though according to the same QNHS the overall numbers employed in both are 95,800 and 267,400 respectively and some percentage of both is likely to be linked to the agri-food industry.
170 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he has taken and or proposes to take to maximise the potential of job creation at all levels at producer, distribution, processing and retail sectors within the industry for which he is responsible with a view to maximising the job creation potential and economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12934/11]
The Food Harvest 2020 strategy, represents the strategic blueprint for the development of the agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sector for the next decade. The sector currently employs almost 135,000 people, with a significant weighting of activity in rural and coastal communities, often in areas where few other employment opportunities currently exist. Indications based on the growth targets in Food Harvest 2020 are that a net gain of 7,000 jobs in the food industry by 2020 is possible.
In addition, prospects of increased employment in micro companies employing fewer than five employees, which are not generally captured in statistics, are also good. In 2011 a record 183 small companies have been awarded Bord Bia marketing grants totalling €1 million geared at increasing sales by 5%. A number of these companies envisage expanding full and part-time employment in 2011-2012.
171 Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 14 April 2011, if the review referred to in the parliamentary question has taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12955/11]
The aforementioned Parliamentary Question (Ref No: 8030/11) was treated as a request for a review to be carried out on the decision of my Department to penalise the person named following the discovery of cross compliance breaches during inspection on his farm in 2006. As part of the review process, the reviewing officer had written to the person named giving him the opportunity to state his case in the matter. He had until the 20th of May 2011 to avail of this facility but, to date, no reply to this letter has been received. As such the review will be completed using the information currently on file. The person named will be informed of the outcome shortly.
172 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will allocate further funding for the grassland scheme in view of the fact that there are participants in this scheme who have not been paid due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12971/11]
The Grassland Sheep Scheme is one of three schemes introduced by my Department using funding made available following the CAP Health Check; a total of €18 million per annum is ear-marked for the Scheme out of the total pool available of €25 million, with the balance divided between the Dairy Efficiency Programme (€6 million) and the Burren Farming for Conservation Programme (€1 million). These Schemes are each projected to have a three-year life span — 2010, 2011 and 2012.
There was a hiatus in making payments for a time, following identification of a funding issue, as the initial payment rates were found to be slightly higher than should have been the case. Given the financial ceiling applicable, it was necessary to review the payment base. The situation has now been resolved and the payments due to re-commence issuing later this week are at slightly lower correct rates than the earlier payments. Those who were in receipt of these earlier payments have been slightly over-paid. However, the intention is that the sums in question will be adjusted and taken from the payments due under the 2011 Scheme.
173 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to reappoint the independent complaints officer for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority that has been lost due to the public service employment embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12985/11]
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority is an independent statutory authority. The appointment of a Complaints Officer under Section 49 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 is a matter for the Authority in which I have no role. I will forward the request to the SFPA for its consideration and for a direct reply to the Deputy.
174 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding the loss of a teacher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/11]
176 Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proposals he has to restore the required teaching staff at a college (details supplied) in County Cork, to enable the school to provide essential adequate courses for young fishermen across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 176 together.
BIM is an independent statutory body and has advised my Department that the demands of delivering the 14 week intensive course leading to the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency require the availability of two Master Mariners plus other instructors with maritime qualifications satisfying the requirements of the Marine Survey Office of the Department of Transport. In August, 2008 the employment contract of one Master Mariner Instructor in the Regional Fisheries Centre, Castletownbere concluded. As a result the Skipper Full Certificate of Competency course could not be offered in Castletownbere. Aspiring candidates were redirected to BIM's National Fisheries College, Greencastle, Co. Donegal. Following the retirement of a Master Mariner in Greencastle in December 2010, BIM had to cancel Skipper Full Certificate.
My Department and BIM have commenced discussions on addressing the personnel needs of delivering the Skipper Full Certificate course in the context of BIM's Employment Control Framework targets. BIM advise that in the interim it intends to seek instructors on a service supply basis on the Government's eTenders site as a matter of urgency.
175 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding a licence for a boat in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13019/11]
The functions of sea-fishing boat licensing were transferred from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003. The Licensing Authority operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives and deals with all applications for sea-fishing boat licences. The head of the Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats who is a senior official in the Department.
Section 3(5) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 prohibits me from exercising "any power or control in relation to any particular case or group of cases with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned".
I have however made enquiries of the Registrar General who advises me that the Licensing Authority was contacted in early 2008 on behalf of the person concerned in relation to an application for a Sea Fishing Boat Licence for his boat MFV The Flower under the Special Scheme for Vessels in the Irish Fleet at 31/12/1984. From the information provided, it appears that the application would have been submitted in the early 1990s although no more specific date has been given.
This special scheme was introduced in 1994, following approval from the European Commission, in order to regularise the position of a substantial number of mainly small vessels engaged in multipurpose (i.e. Polyvalent General) commercial fishing. These vessels had been in the fleet but, for various reasons, had not been formally licensed or registered. Applications under this scheme had to be received not later than 17th February 1995.
The scheme closed on 10 March 2006 because of an obligation imposed by the European Commission on Ireland to complete the licensing and registration of eligible vessels under the schemes at the earliest possible date as part of a process of finalising the fishing fleet capacity limits of all Member States. A number of applications had still not completed the licensing and registration process by that point and were excluded from the scheme.
The Registrar General informs me that despite several extensive trawls of documentation in relation to the scheme, no such application has been located. No correspondence with the person concerned has been located, he is not on any listing on file or on the database of applications received.
At the request of the applicant's solicitors, searches have been carried out under several possible versions of his surname, with no success. A copy of a vessel survey report carried out in 1999 has been submitted. However, there is no record of this document in any of the records now in the custody of the Licensing Authority.
The position now is that the licensing and registration of the vessel was not completed before the closing date of the scheme in March 2006, and the award of capacity under the scheme cannot now be considered.
It is of course open to the person concerned to apply to the Licensing Authority to licence and register the vessel under current licensing procedures.
177 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the extent to which adequate slaughtering facilities in respect of the beef, lamb, pig and poultry sectors exist throughout the country in each region; if the existing facilities are sufficient in the context of supply and demand; if consideration has been given or will be given to the extension on such facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13049/11]
The slaughter, cutting, processing and storage facilities in the meat sector in Ireland are in the ownership of competing companies in the private sector. It is not the function of my Department or Government to decide where the balance in slaughtering facilities between the different regions of the country should lie.
However the Beef and Sheepmeat Capital Investment Fund, which is funded by my Department is aimed at improving primary processing efficiency and effectiveness in the relevant export sectors. Some 15 capital investment projects were awarded Government assistance of over €69M under this fund. The grant aid is expected to contribute to an actual investment in projects in the region of €168M and investments are expected to increase net sales and exports by €400M and ensure an expansion in employment. This is a multi-annual investment package and grant assistance will be paid over a number of years. Each application was assessed and evaluated according to strict commercial and technical criteria by an expert committee comprising members for Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, my Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, private industry and an academic expert.
While the scheme is financed by my Department, the actual operation of the scheme is undertaken by Enterprise Ireland.
178 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the extra job creation potential at a company (details supplied) in County Kildare in the event of approval for extra slaughtering facilities; if his further attention has been drawn to previous requests in this regard; if he will consider expansion proposals with a view to increasing output and employment with consequent economic benefit to the community and the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13050/11]
Officials of my Department met recently with representatives of the company in question to discuss plans for the future. No detailed proposals have been received as yet in relation to extra slaughtering capacity or expansion of other facilities. Any such proposals should be progressed in consultation with the official veterinarian at the slaughter plant.
My Department will be happy to consider any application in this regard provided it meets the requirements for food business operators operating slaughtering establishments under the European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 432 of 2009).
179 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of checks in respect of food labelling that have taken place on a daily, weekly or monthly basis in each of the past three years to date in 2011; the degree to which any breaches in procedures have been detected; the level of action, if any, taken thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12924/11]
Responsibility for the enforcement of food safety and food labelling legislation rests with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) and its official agents, which include the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF), Local Authorities (LAs) and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA).
The HSE in 2008, carried out a total number of 18,068 food labelling inspections which identified 2,866 non-compliances. In 2009, a total number of 54,177 food labelling inspections identified 8,425 non-compliances. In 2010, a total number of 52,571 food labelling inspections identified 7,079 non-compliances. It should be noted that an inspection may check compliance with one or more labelling regulations. Many of these non-compliances would be for minor food labelling infringements and Environmental Health Officers follow-up on all of these non-compliances with the food business operators to ensure future compliance. In the other official agencies, food labels are checked at production level as part of routine food controls. The numbers of inspections specifically on food labels is not separately recorded.
DAFF Egg and Poultry Inspectors verify compliance with labelling and the marketing standards for eggs and poultry from primary production through to retail. In 2008 DAFF undertook 1,409 inspections in poultry producer establishments to verify compliance with these standards for poultry, of which 28 non-compliances were identified. In 2009 DAFF undertook 1,432 inspections in these establishments and identified 20 non-compliances. In 2010 DAFF undertook 1,359 inspections in these establishments and identified 7 non-compliances. FSAI has also carried out, in co-ordination with the official agencies, labelling surveys on specific aspects of the nutrition and health claims legislation, allergen labelling, fish and fish products and gas-flushed chicken fillets.
Following on from the inspections the official agencies undertake appropriate enforcement action with the food businesses. They also verify that compliance is achieved. As already indicated above in most cases breaches of labelling legislation do not pose a serious risk to public health and compliance with the legislation is done through the provision of advice to the food business and appropriate changes to the food label.
In May 2009 a successful prosecution was taken by the FSAI against a food business in Galway for breaches including the Labelling of Fishery and Aquaculture Products Regulations 2003. One 2009 HSE prosecution cited offences under the 2006 Country of Origin of Beef Regulations and a further prosecution cited the Beef Labelling Regulations 2000. In 2010 four HSE prosecutions cited offences under labelling legislation including the general labelling, country of origin of beef, fish labelling and beef labelling regulations.
180 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons approved for funding and receiving funding under the fair deal scheme of nursing home support by the end of December 2010. [12868/11]
181 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons approved for funding and receiving funding under the fair deal scheme of nursing home support at the end of January 2011. [12869/11]
182 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons approved for funding and receiving funding under the fair deal scheme of nursing home support at the end of February 2011. [12870/11]
183 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons approved for funding and receiving funding under the fair deal scheme of nursing home support at the end of March 2011. [12871/11]
184 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons approved for funding and receiving funding under the fair deal scheme of nursing home support at the end of April 2011. [12872/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 to 184, inclusive, together.
The total number of people whose applications have been determined is set out below. The number of people who have been supported under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme from end-December 2010 to end April 2011 is as follows:
|
December 2010 |
January 2011 |
February 2011 |
March 2011 |
April 2011 |
|
|
Number of applications determined by end-Month (cumulative figure since the commencement of the scheme) |
13,849 |
14,341 |
14,986 |
16,279 |
Not available yet |
|
Number of people in receipt of funding by Month |
9,959 |
10,229 |
10,527 |
10,895 |
11,461 |
185 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding provided for the fair deal scheme during the month of January 2011. [12873/11]
186 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding provided for the fair deal scheme during the month of February 2011. [12874/11]
187 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding provided for the fair deal scheme during the month of March 2011. [12875/11]
188 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding provided for the fair deal scheme during the month of April 2011. [12876/11]
193 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children, during April 2011, the levels of funding being provided to persons under the fair deal scheme. [12881/11]
198 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding set aside for the fair deal scheme for 2011. [12886/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 185 to 188, inclusive, 193 and 198 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme has an annual expenditure limit of €1.011 billion in 2011. It does not have a monthly limit. Data in respect of the level of funding being provided to persons under the scheme in April 2011 is not available at present.
189 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the date he initiated a review of the fair deal scheme. [12877/11]
190 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the exact date whereby the provision of funding to applicants under the fair deal scheme was frozen. [12878/11]
191 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of meetings he has held with the Health Service Executive on the fair deal scheme since he came to office; the dates of these meetings; the persons who participated in each meeting on a case by case basis and the topics discussed during these meetings. [12879/11]
192 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the date on which it was decided that no new packages under the fair deal scheme would be approved. [12880/11]
206 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the date on which the Health Service Executive informed hospitals about the suspension of approval of new applicants for funding. [12894/11]
207 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the date on which he was informed that the Health Service Executive would be informing hospitals about the suspension of approval of new applicants for funding. [12895/11]
211 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children the emergency financial measures he can make to ensure patients can access the fair care scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12938/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 192, inclusive, 206, 207 and 211 together.
As the Deputies are aware, the Minister for Health and Children has recently been made aware of a serious shortfall in the budget for this year. The HSE has advised that approximately €100m from the Long Term Residential Care subhead is being spent on other services. I should point out that we understand these other services, which include therapies and medications, are being provided to people in nursing homes. However, in order to manage the budget and the scheme effectively, these should not be included in the long-term residential care subhead. The Minister is currently seeking to ensure that only agreed costs are met from the Long Term Residential Care subhead.
The decision to suspend approvals under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme was made by the HSE on Friday, 13th May 2011 and a letter issued to each Regional Director of Operations for further distribution to all hospitals in their areas. A copy of this letter was sent to the Department of Health and Children on Tuesday, 17th May. The Minister for Health and Children was advised that day and a meeting with the HSE took place that evening.
The meeting on the 17th May was the first meeting the Minister held with the HSE regarding the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The Department has met with the HSE on a regular and frequent basis since the scheme commenced. Officials from the Department met with HSE officials on the 10th May and subsequently on the 18th May to discuss the funding for the scheme, the cost components which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and the assumptions which underpinned the costings of the scheme in 2010.
The Minister is seriously concerned that a funding problem should have arisen so early in the year. He is seeking to ensure that only agreed costs are met from the long-term residential care subhead. The main priority at this stage is to establish what steps might be taken to allow more people to benefit from the scheme.
In the meantime, applications for financial support under the scheme will continue to be accepted and processed. However decisions to grant approval will be subject to the availability of funding.
A full examination of the funding situation is underway, conducted jointly by the Department of Health and Children and the HSE. The commitment in the Programme for Government to review the Fair Deal will also proceed.
Question No. 193 answered with Question No. 185.
194 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have ceased receiving funding under the fair deal scheme during the months January, February, March and April 2011. [12882/11]
195 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the level of funding the Health Service Executive has secured from patients who were on the fair deal scheme and who have died in care during the months January, February, March and April 2011. [12883/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.
The number of people in approved private nursing homes who ceased to receive payment under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme in the first quarter of 2011 was 1,283. Data for April is not available at present. Data in respect of public nursing homes is not available.
Individuals who avail of ‘Ancillary State Support' (the Nursing Home Loan), choose to defer part of the payment of their contribution towards their cost of long stay residential care, (generally all or part of the 5% charged against assessable assets), until after their death. Where applicants avail of this loan, the HSE then secures a ‘charging order' on the property of such applicants.
"Charging Orders" refer to the charge that the applicant or their representative has consented to having placed on their property on the approval of the Ancillary State Support which the applicant has sought. The charging order is registered with the Property Registration Authority. To date, 1,238 applicants have had charging orders placed on their property. The purpose of the Charging Order is to secure the loan, similar to a bank issuing a mortgage and placing a charge on the relevant property. When a loan advanced by the HSE has been repaid to the Revenue Commissioners, the HSE is notified and the Charging Order is discharged by the HSE through the Property Registration Authority.
Of the 1,238 charging orders put in place by the HSE, 176 applicants have since either passed away or sold their property and, if there are no grounds for further deferral, this deems the loan repayable under the legislation. Therefore, the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for collection of due loan amounts, are notified accordingly for recoupment purposes. The total value amount of the 176 loans is €1.3m.
The amounts due from persons who died from January to March 2011 are not available. However, as accountable persons have up to 12 months following the date of death of the applicant to pay, these loans are not due for repayment yet.
The total amount recouped to date is €338,000. This €338,000 value amount represents 57 of the 176 loans due for repayment and which to date has been repaid to Revenue. It is important to note that the level of money repaid to the Revenue Commissioners has no bearing on the level of funding available for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. These repayments go back to the Central Fund, not to the subhead for long-term residential care.
196 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the standard time it took to process an application for funding under the fair deal scheme during January, February, March and April 2011. [12884/11]
197 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications for funding under the fair deal scheme currently awaiting funding decisions. [12885/11]
205 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons who have been declined funding under the fair deal scheme during March, April and May 2011 on a month-by-month basis. [12893/11]
227 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications that have been received so far this year for the fair deal scheme; the number of these that are still going through the application process; if there are estimates for the number that will apply for the scheme in the second half of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13030/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196, 197, 205 and 227 together.
There were 2,994 applications for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme received in the first quarter of 2011. Data for April is not available at present.
The National Service Plan 2011 sets a target of four weeks for processing all complete applications for the scheme. To date, this target is being achieved.
The number of people declined funding during March, April and May 2011 is not available given the time constraints on providing a response. However, of the applications received in 2010, only in the region of 140 were refused, cancelled, withdrawn or declined by the applicant. Where applications have been refused it is on the basis that either a) the applicant was deemed not to require long-term residential care or b) the applicant's contribution to care exceeded the cost of care.
Based on activity to date in 2011, the HSE estimates that approximately 350 net additional persons per month may enter long-term residential care.
199 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated full-year cost the rise in private nursing home prices would add to the fair deal scheme during 2011. [12887/11]
The HSE has calculated that price increases in private nursing homes will cost an additional €20 million in 2011.
200 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of arrears payments made to persons under the fair deal scheme during the first quarter of 2011. [12888/11]
201 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated cost of arrears payments made to persons under the fair deal scheme since the first quarter of 2011. [12889/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 provides for individuals who were in long-term nursing home care in an approved nursing home when the scheme commenced to have their State support backdated to 27 October 2009. The HSE paid €14m in arrears payments in the first quarter of 2011. Data in respect of April is not yet available.
202 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons receiving the top level of funding available under the fair deal scheme as of April 2011. [12890/11]
203 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons receiving discounted funding under the fair deal scheme as of April 2011. [12891/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 202 and 203 together.
There is no minimum or maximum level of funding available under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Under the scheme, each person's contribution is calculated based on a national standardised financial assessment. Individuals contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 5% of the value of any assets per annum towards their cost of care, subject to the following important safeguards:
1. Nobody will pay more than the actual cost of care.
2. Applicants will keep a personal allowance of 20% of their income or 20% of the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
3. If there is a spouse/partner remaining at home, he/she will be left with 50% of the couple's income or the maximum rate of the State Pension (non-Contributory), whichever is the greater.
4. The first €36,000 of the applicant's assets, or €72,000 in the case of a couple, will not be counted at all in the financial assessment.
5. Where a person's assets include land and property, the 5% contribution based on such assets may be deferred and can be collected from their estate. This is an optional element of the scheme called the "Ancillary State support" or the Nursing Home Loan.
6. A person's principal residence will only be included in the financial assessment for the first 3 years of their time in care. This is known as the 15% or ‘three year' cap. It means that individuals will pay a 5% contribution based on their principal residence for a maximum of three years regardless of the time they spend in nursing home care.
7. The ‘three year' cap also extends to farms and business in certain circumstances.
8. If there is a partner or certain dependants living in the principal residence, the repayment of contributions may be further deferred for their lifetime.
204 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients in acute hospitals who are awaiting the provision of funding under the fair deal scheme. [12892/11]
On 16 May 2011 there were 629 people classified as delayed discharges in acute hospitals. Of these, 477 people were at some stage in the application process for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. The breakdown of these 477 people is as follows:
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Pre-Application
100 people were in the process of applying for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme,
2 people who have been identified as requiring long-term residential care are declining to submit an application for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. These people are being charged the average cost of care in public nursing homes in accordance with section 34(3) of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme Post-Application
255 people had applied for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme and were awaiting a determination of their application,
86 people were awaiting a bed due to particular care requirements,
26 people were awaiting a bed within a reasonable proximity to their home and family,
7 people were awaiting a bed for ‘other compelling reasons', e.g. applicant not ordinarily resident in the State, family disputes delaying application etc.
1 person's application has been determined, but they are declining to move to a nursing home. This person is being charged the average cost of care in public nursing homes in accordance with section 34(3) of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
The HSE is continuing to accept and process applications for financial support under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. However, decisions to grant approval will be subject to the availability of funding.
208 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health and Children the regulations in place for children with diabetes in the Carlow-Kilkenny area who have type 1 diabetes and wish to go on a insulin pump. [12901/11]
209 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health and Children if further consideration will be given to a proposal by Diabetes Action in relation to the need to reorganise diabetes paediatric services in the Cavan-Monaghan-Louth-Meath areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12905/11]
224 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many children and adolescents must travel from across the country to receive care for type 1 diabetes in Dublin-based hospitals because local paediatric diabetes teams are under-resourced (details supplied). [13011/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 209 and 224 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. Therefore I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply the necessary information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
210 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline the specialist mental health services that exist to cater for older persons and persons with intellectual disabilities; his plans to increase and develop the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12918/11]
This Government is committed to the development of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change. In this regard the Government will reform our model of healthcare delivery so that more care is delivered in the community; access to modern mental health services in the community will therefore be significantly improved. It is proposed to ringfence €35 million annually from within the health budget to develop community mental health teams and services to ensure early access to more appropriate services for both adults and children.
There are currently 41 consultant psychiatrists with a special interest in psychiatry of later life. At this time four areas await the provision of a specialist old age team — Roscommon, Kerry, Kildare and parts of Co. Cork.
Executive Clinical Directors are working to reconfigure existing resources to create the full spectrum of Specialist Mental Health Teams. Guided by the recommendations of A Vision for Change the priority is to ensure access to specialist mental health for older persons and to expand the team membership to include all recommended disciplines: Psychiatry, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy and Nursing.
In relation to the mental health needs of individuals with a disability, the HSE continues to disaggregate mental health and learning disability services with specialist service providers creating more appropriate care programmes for individuals with learning disability. For individuals with dual diagnosis who require acute psychiatric care the HSE has developed a strategy in collaboration with voluntary and independent providers and this work is continuing.
212 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is expected to wait up to three or four years for an outpatient appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12941/11]
While the management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned, the Special Delivery Unit soon to be set up, will have a major role in addressing this issue. I have, therefore in the interim, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for reply.
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.
213 Deputy Liam Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children if water fluoridation is a risk to public health; if there is a need to review our existing policy on water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12942/11]
216 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health and Children the cost nationally of fluoridation of water supplies that is funded through the Health Service Executive; his view that there is a benefit in the practice and if it provides value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12984/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 216 together.
The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, which was established in 2004, monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects on health and related matters. The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and continues to be safe and effective in protecting the oral health of all age groups. In 2010 the HSE spent approximately €4.78 million on fluoridation, of which approximately €1.36 million was spent on hydrofluorosilicic acid, the chemical used for fluoridating water, €2.28 million on operational costs and €1.14 million on capital costs. I have no plans to discontinue the policy of fluoridation, which continues to make an effective contribution to oral health in Ireland.
214 Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children when the actual medical card will issue to a person (details suppled) in County Kildare. [12943/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
215 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health and Children the difficulties that the Health Service Executive has in resolving the issue of parental consent. [12953/11]
The issue of consent for the treatment of children is not governed by specific legislation. What is required in a given situation falls to be determined on the basis of the facts of an individual case. In medical emergencies, for example, urgent treatment may be provided to a child in the absence of express consents where it is necessary to save the life of the child. The age of the child is also relevant with this issue being provided for in the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 for children over 16 years.
My Department is advised by the HSE that the issue of consent has been the subject of specific consideration with a view to developing guidance on how the complexities of the matter may be addressed. The HSE sought and obtained legal advice on these matters and this is currently under consideration within the Executive.
217 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to put in place measures to help those suffering from electrosensitivity; if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who suffers severely from the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12990/11]
In March 2007, the Government published an Expert Group Report titled "Health Effects of Electromagnetic Fields". This report examined a wide range of issues in relation to the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields, including those produced by mobile phone base stations. It answers many of the health risk questions raised by the public in relation to the potential effects of electromagnetic fields. The Report and its recommendations were accepted by the Government and form the basis for current policy in this area. It is available on the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government's website (www.environ.ie/en/publications).
The current advice to those living in close proximity to mobile phone base stations, based on the conclusions of the Expert Group Report, is that there is no scientific basis or evidence of adverse health effects in children or adults as a result of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
The condition referred to in the Deputy's question is known as Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). The conclusions of the Word Health Organisation (WHO) are that EHS is characterised by a variety of non-specific symptoms that differ from individual to individual. EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to electromagnetic field exposures. EHS is not a medical diagnosis nor is it clear that it represents a single medical problem.
With regard to the individual case whose details have been included with this Parliamentary Question, I would advise that the person attends her GP and is offered a comprehensive medical review. Although there is no specific treatment for EHS, treatment of this patient's individual symptoms should improve quality of life scores.
218 Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will issue on an application for the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare. [12993/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
219 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if there are any Health Service Executive employees working outside Ireland; if so, the location of same; the reason they are working outside Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13000/11]
I have been informed by the HSE, that other than employees engaged in occasional official travel to other countries on behalf of the HSE — to review services, attend conferences or for training purposes — there are no HSE employees working outside Ireland on behalf of the HSE. The official travel referenced above includes such projects as a recent recruitment campaign for Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors conducted in India and Pakistan between 30th April and 13th May 2011.
220 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health and Children if the review of spending in the National Ambulance Office, 2009, has been completed; when the long-awaited audit findings will be published and available for public attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13003/11]
The HSE Internal Audit Directorate conducted an audit of the procurement of a new ambulance fleet for National Ambulance Service, commencing in 2009. This review has been completed and will be presented to the new Audit Committee, once established. The question of publication will be addressed following submission of the report to the committee.
221 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health and Children if the expenditure of €260 million on travel and subsistence from 2007 to June 2010, which has been a value-for-money target within the Health Service Executive over the past number of years, will be reduced; if so, the amount of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13004/11]
Given the current fiscal position, I am strongly of the view that enhancing efficiency and value for money without impacting on service levels must be a key priority. This is a message that my Department has consistently communicated to the HSE and other health agencies. HSE expenditure on travel and subsistence for the period 2007 to 2010 was €327.6 million. The breakdown of this figure is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
HSE Expenditure on Travel & Subsistence(€m) |
|
2007 |
102.2 |
|
2008 |
94.8 |
|
2009 |
67.9 |
|
2010 |
62.7 |
Expenditure on travel and subsistence has been substantially reducing year on year since 2007, with savings of nearly €40 million between 2007 and 2010, approximately 40% of 2007 costs. These reductions have been achieved through minimising non-client facing travel costs and applying nationally assigned reductions in travel and subsistence rates.
Expenditure in 2010 on travel and subsistence was €62.7 million and remains a focus in 2011 for continued efficiency wherever possible, whilst simultaneously attempting to minimise the impact on client facing services, which account for up to 95% of all travel and subsistence costs.
222 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the senior management team in the Health Service Executive requires a credit card facility when there is an expenses mechanism in place to reimburse staff for vouched expenses; the reason there is significant expenditure on these credit cards in relation to meals, coffee shops and hotels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13005/11]
223 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health and Children his views whether the Health Service Executive has enough estate, catering and coffee facilities within its own resources to eradicate the need for the senior management team to have external meetings in hotels, coffee shops and restaurants, which would improve their output and time management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13006/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 223 together.
Credit cards are used to meet expenses incurred by or on behalf of that senior official in respect of the carrying out of his/her duties. Credit cards are used to settle vouched expenses incurred on official HSE business which, in the absence of a credit card arrangement, would otherwise be reclaimed by the HSE official by way of vouched expenses in accordance with public sector travel and subsistence regulations. The credit card constitutes an efficient payment method for this type of expenditure. Currently, nine senior Health Service Executive officials are approved credit card holders.
In a small number of circumstances, for operational reasons, it is necessary to hold meetings with third parties at a venue convenient to them, which on occasion are in locations other than HSE sites. Not all HSE facilities have on-site catering provision.
In the interests of transparency around its financial control measures, the Executive publishes records of credit card usage within the organisation.
Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 208.
225 Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has considered the following proposal (details supplied) to help expedite backlogs on waiting lists for those seeking medical diagnosis. [13012/11]
As Minister for Health I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. The Government is committed to establishing a Special Delivery Unit (SDU) to improve access to the emergency and elective care system. The SDU is a Government priority and is one of the commitments from the Programme for Government 2011-2016 to be achieved within the first 100 days. Extensive work is currently being undertaken in designing the Unit, which will be modelled, in part, on the successful special delivery unit in Northern Ireland which substantially reduced waiting lists over two to three years.
226 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) will receive a medical card. [13020/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
228 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if he will expedite the matter. [13037/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
229 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an operation which was cancelled will be rescheduled as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13038/11]
While the management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned, the Special Delivery Unit soon to be set up, will have a major role in addressing this issue. I have, therefore in the interim, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for reply.
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.
230 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in scheduling an operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [13039/11]
While the management of waiting lists generally is a matter for the HSE and the individual hospitals concerned, the Special Delivery Unit soon to be set up, will have a major role in addressing this issue. I have, therefore in the interim, referred the Deputy's question to the Executive for reply.
The scheduling of patients for hospital treatment is a matter for the consultant concerned in each case and is determined on the basis of clinical need. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant involved.
231 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) will be expedited and approved as a matter of urgency. [13040/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
232 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a family (details supplied) was penalised and clamped at Blanchardstown Hospital Dublin 15 while visiting a family member who is a patient. [13045/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
233 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make arrangements to enable all vehicle owners to pay their motor tax online. [12864/11]
The national vehicle fleet comprises over 2.4 million vehicles and the online motor tax service can currently be availed of by a very significant 85% of owners. Arrangements being made by my Department, which are now at an advanced stage, will enable commercial vehicles (some 327,000 units) to avail of the online motor tax service in instances where they are covered by a current roadworthiness certificate. This new service, which will result in over 98% of vehicle owners being able to tax online, will be introduced in the coming weeks.
The procedures which are associated with taxing the remaining 2% of the vehicle fleet are complex and do not easily lend themselves to online applications. However my Department will continue to examine and evaluate the possibility of assimilating these categories also into the online service.
234 Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if pyrite was used in the road foundations; if so, the locations of same; if remedial action has been taken; if so, the action taken; the cost and the budget from which it was taken; if there are estimates for work yet to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12949/11]
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme . The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting this I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
235 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulatory measures governing the usage of rickshaws as public service vehicles and the enforcement of said regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12902/11]
My Department has no proposals at present to regulate the use of rickshaws by the general public.
236 Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he envisages the loss of jobs at Dundalk port, County Louth, in view of the transfer of the company to Dublin Port Company under the Harbours Act 1996; the steps he will take to protect the jobs of those employed by Dundalk port under the new arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12977/11]
The primary purpose of the transfer of Dundalk Port Company to Dublin Port Company is to ensure an orderly management of the company's affairs. The current recession has been difficult for the company. Turnover and traffic are down considerably.
Dundalk Port Company has a small number of full-time employees and these individuals will transfer to Dublin Port Company. Earlier this year Dundalk Port Company already made a number of employees redundant in order to reduce its costs. Decisions on whether further redundancies may be required will be a matter for Dublin Port Company and will depend on the level of trade at the port.
237 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the problems the EU Cabotage Directive is causing Irish haulage businesses, working in the UK in particular; if some agreement can be made between Ireland and the UK regarding the enforcement of the rule in both countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12992/11]
Changes to the cabotage entitlements of all hauliers in the EU were introduced on 14 May 2010, as part of a package of measures adopted in December 2009. Previously, cabotage was permitted on a "temporary basis", but the meaning of "temporary" was never legally defined, leading to different interpretations across Member States.
EU legislation now clarifies that every operator is entitled to carry out three cabotage operations in a foreign Member State, within a seven-day period after they finish an inward loaded journey. This new rule applies to all hauliers in the EU. My Department informed all Irish international haulage operators about the new rules, at the end of 2009 and again in April 2010.
The change in cabotage does not affect in any way an Irish operator's entitlement to carry goods between Member States — international journeys of vehicles carrying goods remain fully liberalised, and represent the vast bulk of haulage work carried out abroad by Irish hauliers.
Because the new cabotage rules affect Irish hauliers operating to the UK in particular my Department has been in contact already with their UK counterparts to establish a common understanding of how the rule change will affect hauliers working in both Ireland and the UK.
The overall objective is to produce written guidelines for Irish hauliers so that they will know exactly what arrangements fall within the new rules and which do not when working in the UK in particular. This will enable operators to plan their operations for maximum economic efficiency. As soon as the guidelines are settled with the UK my Department will inform every licensed Irish haulier.
238 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to dangerous situations and locations on local roads if it is in the interest of public safety to provide rumble strips; if he will consider changing the law with regard to the provision of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13015/11]
The provision of any traffic calming measures is a matter for each local authority. Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994 empowers road authorities, in the interest of the safety and convenience of road users, to provide such traffic calming measures as they consider desirable in respect of public roads in their charge. These measures would include traffic signs, road markings, ramps, rumble strips and measures to prevent, restrict or control access to a public road or roads by mechanically propelled vehicles. In the case of national roads the consent of the National Roads Authority is required.
