Written Answers Nos. 315 - 334
316. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision on invalidity pension will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41962/12]
View answerInvalidity pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the contribution conditions.
This department received a claim for invalidity pension for the person concerned. The medical evidence provided by the claimant in support of her claim was examined by a medical assessor who was of the opinion that the person concerned is not eligible for invalidity pension as she does not satisfy the medical criteria. The application for invalidity pension was, accordingly, disallowed by a deciding officer. The applicant was notified of this decision and the reason for it.
The person concerned subsequently submitted further medical evidence in support of her claim. This evidence has been forwarded to a different medical assessor for evaluation and a decision will issue to the person concerned once the review is completed.
317. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time to process carer's allowance applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42007/12]
View answerThe Department is committed to delivering the best possible service to its customers. Currently the average time taken to award a carer’s allowance application is 28 weeks.
I acknowledge that the time taken to process carer’s allowance claims at present is not satisfactory but I am satisfied that the Department is taking appropriate action to resolve the situation.
Carer’s allowance section has recently completed a major service delivery modernisation project to improve the efficiency with which it processes applications from clients for carer’s allowance. The project involved the development of IT functionality and associated business process re-organisation. Full deployment of the new system for Carer’s Allowance was completed in June 2012.
Following the completion of the modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement (BPI) project commenced for the carer’s allowance scheme. This project focused on optimising output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. The outcome of the review is the division of work into two streams. One concentrates on dealing with new claim intake and processes these without delay and the other on the backlog which is ring-fenced with a clear and targeted plan for its elimination. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday 3 September and will be closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level. The allocation of available resources to this task continues to be monitored.
318. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the financial cost of the major service delivery modernisation project recently undergone in her Department; her assessment on the impact this project has had in the reduction of waiting times for social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42008/12]
View answerThe Department has been undertaking service delivery modernisation projects for over a decade and would not be able to meet increased demand with reduced resources without investing in this programme of work across all its services.
In delivering services to its clients, the Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services which impact on the lives of almost every person in the State. Each week, over 1.4 million people receive a social welfare payment and, when qualified adults and children are included, over 2.2 million people benefit from weekly payments. Some 600,000 families receive child benefit payments in respect of over 1.1 million children each month. The day to day activities of the Department included (full year 2011):
- 2.2 million applications processed;
- 87.6 million scheme payments made;
- 982,000 control reviews;
- 6.8 million telephone calls answered;
- 34,000 social welfare appeals finalised;
- 153,000 PPS numbers allocated.
Most of the related schemes and services have been, or will be, addressed under the programme for Service Delivery Modernisation.
Each project under the modernisation programme is focused on business process improvements in the relevant business area with major changes to how staff work and interact with customers, and supported through new technology solutions on the department’s modern integrated technology platform. Each of these projects is rigorously assessed, governed and implemented based on specific business requirements and its contribution to the overall strategic objectives of the department.
Benefits have been achieved over time, not only in improved customer service but in administration of schemes through integrated systems; reduced system ‘downtime’ (1.21% in 2011 compared to 2.13% in 2009); agile response to required change including budget changes under the Social Welfare Act; enhanced work flow to maximise resources; integration with payment and reconciliation systems; ability to take on increased workload without commensurate increase in staff resources; more efficient and flexible communication products such as automated customer communications and use of text messaging; use of integrated scanning technologies to support end-to-end processing of claims; authenticated online services; support for major service initiatives such as moving customers from payable orders to electronic payment mechanisms; agile development environment to support introduction of new schemes such as the early child care supplement; robust infrastructure that supports on-going system improvements through a monthly release cycle; parallel project development; enhanced certification processing to support customer communications and control functions such as child benefit Irish residency certificates, and changes to continuing eligibility, residency and employment; improved overpayment and debt management; and ability to deliver new functionality such as statements of customer contributions and a new PRSI refunds application.
Examples of benefits achieved include:
- There has been a significant increase in claims activity in local offices since mid-2008. The number of claims processed in 2008 increased by 88% (216,000 additional claims) and a further 43% in 2009 (198,000 additional claims), with activity falling slightly through 2010 and 2011/12.
- In 2011 there was in excess of 500,000 claims processed in local offices nationally – this was double the level of activity in 2007.
- It should be noted that a similar number of claims (500,000) were also closed in local offices in 2011, giving a total ‘claim churn’ of over 1 million customers in 2011.
- Average processing times for jobseeker allowance and jobseeker benefit claims have stabilised at 5 weeks and 2 weeks respectively, lower than peak processing times in 2009.
- Some 95% of state pension contributory claims are paid by due date.
- Average processing times for family income supplement has remained at 17 weeks over the last two years.
- The department received 1.4 million claims for various non-weekly schemes such as child benefit (144,386 claims received, roughly half in respect of new births), household benefits, treatment benefits and supplementary welfare allowance. The average processing time for circa 80% of these claims is now 1 week and almost all of the remainder are processed within a month.
There are some schemes which are receiving particular attention. For example, processing times for carers allowance and invalidity pension which amounted to 3% of received claims in 2011 are not acceptable. Increased demand by individuals for these schemes has put pressure on the administration of the department to service this demand, resulting in a requirement to increase productivity. To this end major service delivery modernisation projects have taken place in these business areas over the last 2 years to improve the efficiency of their administration. These projects involve the deployment of information technology solutions and associated business processes. The new system will introduce significant processing efficiencies and a quicker and more responsive service to the customers by optimising performance and providing improved customer service. However, change of this magnitude needs time to build and bed in and it is expected to be a number of months before the backlogs are reduced to an acceptable level.
The department’s modernisation programme is a fundamental part of government’s public service reform agenda and in this regard the department is currently undergoing another period of major transformation moving from a passive transaction focused model of income support to a proactive model which is customer centric and progressive. The integration of the community welfare service, and employment and community services of Fás was made possible through the investments in modern technology over the preceding years. Change on this scale also requires substantive changes for staff and these initiatives are being delivered under the auspices of the Public Service Agreement (PSA) and with significant input from staff who are required to make major changes to how they work.
Expenditure on all the Department’s SDM related projects in the period since commencement, some eleven years ago, amounts to just over €82m at the end of 2011. It is expected that expenditure on the service delivery modernisation programme in 2012 will amount to some €4.8m. Further information in relation to the Department’s modernisation programme, including costs, are provided in the department’s annual report which can be found on the website www.welfare.ie.
I am satisfied that the investments made in the modernisation of systems and processes represent good value for money and have positioned the department to best meet the needs of customers.
319. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection of the 1628 appeals on medical grounds submitted for carer's allowance in 2011, the number awaiting a decision on 1 January 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42009/12]
View answerA total of 2,359 appeals in relation to carers allowance/benefit were received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office in 2011, which were added to the 2,218 on hands on the 1st January of that year. A total of 3,369 were finalised during the year leaving a total of 1,208 awaiting a decision on 1st January 2012. I am advised that the reasons for an appeal, including medical, are not recorded at the time of registration of an appeal and the above figures relate to all carers’ appeals.
The processing time for carers’ appeals includes time spent in the Department for comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal put forward by the appellant, and any further investigation, examination or assessment by the Department’s Inspectors and Medical Assessors that is deemed necessary.
320. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection of the 17259 applications received for carer's allowance in 2011, the number of these awaiting a decision on 1 January 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42010/12]
View answerThe number of pending carer’s allowance applications awaiting decision as of 31st December 2011 was 7,765.
321. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if guardians payment will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow [42051/12]
View answerThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21st September 2012 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
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.
322. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will use the upcoming Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting to try to make progress to abolish the habitual residence condition for carers returning from abroad to care for a family member. [42078/12]
View answerThe Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) helps protect Ireland's social welfare system, while at the same time ensuring that those whose cases are appropriate to the system have access to it when they need it.
The determination of a person’s habitual residence is made in accordance with Section 246 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. All applicants for carer’s allowance, regardless of nationality, must satisfy this condition. In determining whether or not a person is habitually resident here a deciding officer is required to consider all the circumstances of the particular case including;
the length and continuity of residence in the State or in any other particular country;
the length and purpose of any absence from the State;
the nature and pattern of the person’s employment;
the person’s main centre of interest, and
the future intentions of the person concerned as they appear from all the circumstances.
These five specified factors have been derived from European Court of Justice case law.
HRC legislation is therefore set out in national legislation, not European legislation although our legislation must respect European law. In particular, EU legislation prohibits discrimination between nationals of EU Member States in the context of freedom of movement of workers and their access to social security or social assistance entitlements. Therefore, national legislation cannot provide advantages to non-resident Irish nationals on temporary visits here without extending the provisions to all EU nationals under the same conditions.
The Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council is meeting on the 4th October. Any proposals for legislative change coming before the Council would have already been subject to a process of negotiation and examination at various Council committees etc. There is no scope for raising HRC in this context.
323. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list all the current positions, where the appointment was made by her Department held by retired senior civil servants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42671/12]
View answerI understand the Deputy’s question relates to appointments made to the Boards of State Agencies.
The statutory agencies that operate under the aegis of my Department with boards are the Pensions Board and the Citizens Information Board. The Chairperson of the Citizen Information Board is a retired civil servant.
324. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if changes in turf cutting in the designated areas of County Galway will be made next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41826/12]
View answer338. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the legal position of his Department regarding cutting domestic turf on National Heritage Areas; if these sites are entirely under the jurisdiction of his Department; the role the EU has in relation to the NHAs in the context of said activity and where relocation to an National Heritage Areas from an Special Area of Conservation bog which is closed would be permitted. [42074/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 338 together.
In May 2010, the then Government decided that turf-cutting should come to an end on all raised bog Natural Heritage Areas (NHAs) at the end of 2013. Subsequently, the Programme for Government undertook to review the situation with regard to NHAs and the future of turf-cutting on such sites will be considered as part of that review.
It is intended that the review will be completed prior to the commencement of the 2014 turf-cutting season. The outcomes of the review and the proposed approach to the future of turf-cutting within these sites will be discussed as part of the Government’s ongoing dialogue with the European Commission regarding compliance with EU law in this area. For example, while NHAs are designated under national law, they are recognised as areas of environmental sensitivity for the purposes of peat extraction within the terms of the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.
The outcome of the review of NHAs may also be relevant in relation to the possibility of relocating turf-cutters from raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).
In relation to SAC raised bogs, my Department is in the process of developing a National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan and has recently published a document outlining the proposed approach to the development of the plan on my Department’s website at www.npws.ie.
There will be no changes to policy in relation to cutting on SAC raised bogs pending the conclusion of the SAC Management Plan, including necessary involvement of the European Commission.
I also intend to elaborate an overarching policy on peatlands in a proposed National Peatlands Strategy, which my Department will be preparing in consultation with the Peatlands Council.
325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will reassure Jarveys in Killarney, County Kerry who have concerns regarding the new penalty points system, that they will be treated reasonably and fairly by National Parks and Wildlife Service officials, in view of the fact that they are anxious to comply and not incur penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41315/12]
View answerAt the beginning of September, all Killarney National Park jaunting car operators were contacted about the annual permit renewal process and were also advised about a new points-based system to ensure compliance with permit conditions. The system is clear and simple and has been introduced to ensure awareness of, and compliance with, correct procedures when operating jaunting cars, thereby providing a more enjoyable, pleasant and safe experience for visitors to Killarney National Park.
Ongoing monitoring of the new system by Park management will take place to ensure it operates in an equitable manner.
326. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht when payment of bog compensation will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41356/12]
View answerThe individuals referred to in the Deputy’s Question sold their interest in land in a raised bog special area of conservation under the voluntary bog purchase scheme, administered by my Department. An incentive bonus of €5,400, available under the scheme, was also paid to the applicants at the time of purchase on the condition that they were selling all plots of bog land in their possession and registered or unregistered turbary rights within a designated area.
The individuals have recently applied for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. My Department will be in contact with the applicants in relation to this application once it has been assessed.
327. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 928 of 18 September 2012, when payment of bog compensation will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41363/12]
View answerAs outlined in my reply to Question No 928 of 18 September last, an application for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme has been received by my Department from the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I understand that a payment of €1,500 in respect of the first year has been made recently to this applicant. My Department has commenced making payments in respect of the second year to those who had been cutting in raised bog special areas of conservation nominated for designation between 1997 and 1999, such as the individual referred to in the Deputy’s Question. I am advised that a payment in this regard will be made to this individual as soon as possible.
328. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will publish details of all allowances paid to staff in his Department; the business case made by his Department in respect of these allowances to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; the cost of each individual allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41407/12]
View answerA list of the allowances and current rates of allowances payable to certain categories of staff in my Department is set out below. Allowances are subject to tax with the exception of the eating on site allowance, footwear allowance and the subsistence allowance. For completeness, I should add that a small number of staff in my Department are in receipt of an allowance for the performance of higher duties. The rates payable in these instances relates to the staff member’s grade and point on the payscale.
In relation to the Deputy's query regarding the publication of business cases made by his Department in respect of allowances, I can advise that all of the business cases submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of that Department’s review of allowances have been published on their website and can be accessed at www.per.gov.ie.
As set out in the ‘Outcome of the Review of Public Service Allowances’, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the delegates allowance will, in common with other Departments, no longer be paid to staff of my Department. In addition, some of the other allowances listed below will not be paid to new beneficiaries, while others will be subject to modified payment terms. Details in relation to these can also be accessed on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at www.per.gov.ie.
|
Allowance |
Rate |
Payable |
|
Office Accommodation allowance |
€19.96 Rate A €12.77 Rate B |
Weekly |
|
Housing allowance |
€117.26 (post ‘95 entrants) €111.37 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Fortnightly |
|
Senior Rangers allowance |
€84.34 |
Fortnightly |
|
Delegates allowance |
Variable |
As required |
|
Sunday Premium |
Related to salary |
As required |
|
Public Holiday |
Related to salary |
As required |
|
On Call allowance |
€19 per week, additional €48.75 per callout |
As required |
|
Security allowance |
€18.08 |
Weekly |
|
Personal to holder (Supervisor Guide Glenveagh) |
€2,174.64 |
Annually |
|
Tool allowance |
€844 |
Annually |
|
Meal allowance |
€2.11 |
Daily |
|
Uniform allowance |
€199.50 |
Annually |
|
Weekend (Saturday) allowance |
€10.50 (attendance > 4 hours) €5.25 (attendance < 4 hours) |
As required |
|
Head Guide allowance |
€58.91 |
Weekly |
|
Senior Foreman allowance |
€15.32 |
Weekly |
|
Personal to holder allowance (General Operative) |
€46.97 |
Weekly |
|
Eating on site allowance |
€1.71 |
Daily |
|
Subsistence allowance |
€2.39 |
As required |
|
Children’s allowance |
€113 |
Annually |
|
Private Secretary to Minister/Minister of State |
€20,685 (post ‘95 entrants) €19,653 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Annually |
|
Driving allowance |
€2,587 |
Annually |
|
Franking allowance (Full) |
€1,701 |
Annually |
|
Franking allowance (Half) |
€895 (post ‘95 entrants) €850 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Annually |
|
Keyholder |
€1, 861 (post ‘95 entrants) €1,769 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Annually |
|
Switchboard allowance |
€1,701 |
Annually |
|
Supervisor (Service Officer) |
€2,705 |
Annually |
|
Footwear allowance |
€65 |
Annually |
|
Paperkeeper |
€3,353 (post ‘95 entrants) €3,187 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Annually |
|
Private Secretary to head of Department |
€10,951 |
Annually |
|
Special Duty – Maoirseoir Tithe |
€1,855 |
Annually |
|
Former Revenue Commissioners staff: |
- |
- |
|
Allowance Personal To Holder Inspector of Taxes |
Range of €890 - €6,128 |
Annually |
|
Allowance Personal To Holder CO |
Range of €792 - €5,887 (post ‘95 entrants) Range of €755 - €5,593 (pre ’95 entrants) |
Annually |
|
Allowance Personal To Holder Higher Tax Officer |
Range €825 - €5,048 |
Annually |
329. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing refusal by Waterways Ireland to engage in with the barge dwellers at the Marina in Lowtown, Naas, County Kildare, with regards to the future development of the area where they currently reside. [41713/12]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my response to Dáil Question Number 350 of 27 March 2012 on this matter. As indicated in that reply, the issue referred to relates to operational day-to-day matters for Waterways Ireland and is one for which I have no direct responsibility.
However, I am advised by Waterways Ireland that it has continued to endeavour to regularise the ownership and lease arrangements at the area known as Lowtown Marina and is in the process of recovering the property. Waterways Ireland also advises that it held a meeting with the barge dwellers and has issued a further letter to them explaining developments at Lowtown Marina.
I understand that Waterways Ireland has continued to communicate by letter to all permit holders, including barge dwellers, giving an update on developments with regard to mooring locations and extended mooring permits and with a number of individual barge dwellers directly by email, letter, phone and onsite meetings. In addition, press releases have been issued to local media.
I am also advised that it is Waterways Ireland's intention to enter into further communication with the barge dwellers.
330. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the nature of changes proposed by Waterways Ireland to the Canals Act, 1986 (Bye-Laws), 1988. [41714/12]
View answerWaterways Ireland recently proposed a small number of new bye-laws in the context of the Canals Act 1986 (Bye-Laws) 1988 to reflect changes in the use of the canals since the 1988 bye-laws were introduced. The proposed changes include the introduction of new bye-laws for the management of house boats and the modernisation of the charging regime, and will enhance Waterways Ireland's ability to manage boats using the canals. These proposals have been submitted to me for consideration, as required under the British-Irish Agreement Act. When these are approved, Waterways Ireland will commence a public consultation on the proposed changes and I will ask the body to forward a copy of the consultation document to the Deputy at that time.
331. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the publication of the National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan, Proposed Approach if he will make available the EU's reasoned opinion and his reply to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41874/12]
View answerFollowing discussion with the Peatlands Council and with the European Commission, my Department has recently published the proposed approach to the National Raised Bog Management Plan, as recommended by Justice Quirke following the Peatlands Forum and as requested in a unanimously passed Motion of Dáil Éireann in March. The document, which is available on my Department’s website at www.npws.ie , outlines how Ireland will meet its obligations under the Habitats Directive to protect and restore its raised bog SACs, while addressing the needs of turf-cutters who are reliant on these sites for their fuel. It represents, in my opinion, the only lawful approach to maximize the flexibility afforded by the Habitats Directive for those few bogs where there are genuinely no alternatives for relocation to undesignated bogs. I would encourage all turf-cutting groups to engage with me and other affected parties in progressing the preparation of the plan, as outlined in the proposed approach, as quickly as possible.
In terms of making publicly available the Commission's reasoned opinion or the State's response to it in regard to turf extraction, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice of the State or of the European Commission to release documents of this nature relating to ongoing infringement action. The Court of Justice of the European Union has considered this issue on a number of occasions and has recognised that such disclosure would undermine the purpose of infringement investigations and procedures, and would breach the confidentiality which the Commission and Member States are entitled to in the context of such investigations and procedures.
332. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of alternative bogs that have been sourced for the relocation of turf cutters; the locations and number of turf cutters that can be accommodated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41941/12]
View answerArrangements for the relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs have been made as regards a group from Clara Bog in County Offaly and a group from Carrownagappul Bog and Curraghlehanagh Bog special areas of conservation in County Galway. These arrangements involve the groups moving to nearby bogs, with the group from Clara Bog having commenced turf cutting at the relocation site in Killeranny, County Offaly, in June last. Progress has also been made with a view to the relocation of qualifying turf cutters from Ballynafagh Bog special area of conservation in County Kildare in a similar manner.
24 qualifying turf cutters have been accommodated at the relocation site in Killeranny. It is envisaged that more will be accommodated at the site for the 2013 cutting season.
60 applicants for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme from Carrownagappul Bog special area of conservation, 18 applicants from Curraghlehanagh Bog special area of conservation, and 28 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog special area of conservation have expressed an interest in relocation to non-designated bogs.
Work is ongoing with regard to investigating and assessing potential relocation sites for turf cutters affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. In this regard, the latest figures indicate that, of some 2,400 applications received in my Department to date for compensation under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, some 700 applicants have expressed an interest in relocation.
333. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for compensation or relocation of turf cutters yet to be processed; the number of applications decided upon which are awaiting the issue of a letter of refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41942/12]
View answerThe Government has put in place a compensation scheme for those affected by the cessation of turf cutting on raised bog special areas of conservation. This cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme now comprises a payment of €1,500 per year, index linked, for15 years or, where feasible, relocation of turf cutters to non-designated bogs where they can continue to cut turf. Those wishing to relocate can avail of the financial payment or the delivery of 15 tonnes of cut turf per annum while relocation sites are identified and prepared. The costs of acquiring and preparing relocation sites will be met by the State. An additional once-off payment of €500 for qualifying turf cutters will be provided where legal agreements are signed with me, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme continue to be received by my Department. 2,401 applications have been received to date and 2,325 applicants have been sent acknowledgement letters. 1,461 payments and 58 deliveries of turf have been made, with an additional 146 deliveries approved by my Department.
Payments have been made and turf deliveries approved on the basis that applicants have indicated in their application forms that they fulfil all the qualifying criteria of the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme. My Department has been checking, and will be continuing to check, that all of the qualifying criteria of the scheme have been met in each case.
I am advised that at this stage one applicant has been informed that he does not fulfil the qualifying criteria. He has also been informed that he may request a Departmental review of the decision and, if the decision is upheld, he will be able to appeal the decision to the Peatlands Council. While it may be anticipated that there will be further instances where applicants do not qualify, current priority is being given to processing payments to those who clearly appear to meet the qualifying criteria on the basis of the information provided in their application forms.
334. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for a complex (details supplied) in County Galway in terms of restocking and compensation measures in 2013. [41987/12]
View answerMy Department, in association with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has recently undertaken a review of all commonage framework plans. The review will provide the basis for the sustainable grazing of commonages, to avoid both overgrazing and under-grazing. It is envisaged that farmers will be allocated a minimum and maximum stocking level for each commonage townland by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Farmers will be able to farm freely once these stocking levels are observed and the land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition.
The carrying capacity of all commonages will be expressed at Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) level and will prescribe the sustainable carrying capacity in ewe equivalents per hectare. This will reflect any known recovery delivered since the original commonage plans were prepared.
Specifically in relation to Co Galway, 25 farmers in the complex referred to by the Deputy are participants in the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) farm plan scheme, which is managed by my Department. Compensation for each destocked ewe (below the polluter pays level of 5 ewes/ha over the whole farm) is €39.75. Off-wintered ewes receive €50 per annum. In addition, my Department covered the cost of preparing the NPWS farm plan. Due to budgetary constraints, my Department's NPWS farm plan scheme was closed to new applicants in April 2010.
In the complex in question, my Department is also making top-up payments to REPS and AEOS farmers for these additional restrictions. These farmers were required to amend their existing plans to reflect additional grazing requirements. For the five years of the scheme, REPS/AEOS farmers are paid €2,000 by my Department for each year in which they have fully met the destocking and off-wintering provisions of their plans (which will run until the end of 2013). Application forms for the Year 4 top-up payments will be distributed to farmers in the coming weeks.
In September 2011, I announced an additional compensation measure for out-of-contract REPS farmers in the complex referred to by the Deputy whose plans were completed after the closing date for applications to AEOS 2. These payments of up to €4,000 per farmer ran until the 15th May 2012. It is anticipated that out-of-contract farmers in this area will be accepted into the AEOS 3 Scheme announced last week by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
