Written Answers Nos. 169-173
169. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if the chairman of the Irish Red Cross has appointed two new directors to the new board of directors of the Irish Red Cross in accordance with the new rules of the society; if he will name these directors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42144/12]
View answerAppointments to the Board of Directors of the Irish Red Cross Society are made in accordance with the rules of the Society. My Department has no role in relation to such appointments.
170. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if he will make available the lands and buildings at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath for the benefit of State and Semi State and for community groups; if he is prepared to discuss the acquisition of same by such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42250/12]
View answerAs with previous rounds of consolidation under the Defence Forces modernisation programme, barracks once vacated are being disposed of with the proceeds being used to fund the upgrading of Defence Forces equipment and infrastructure. Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures my Department has written to each Government Department and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties including Columb Barracks to benefit the local community as a whole but with particular emphasis on job creation measures.
As a result I can confirm that agreement has been reached with Mayo County Council for the purchase of Mitchell Barracks Castlebar and with the County Cavan VEC for the purchase of Cavan Barracks.
Whilst some discussion has also taken place in relation to Mullingar Barracks no substantial progress has been made towards achieving a sale to date. I would of course be happy to discuss with any interested group proposals they may have for the purchase and development of the site for the benefit of the local community. However any proposal involving the long term retention of Mullingar Barracks by my Department, administering multiple leases and fulfilling the many responsibilities of a landlord, would put a significant administrative and financial burden on my Department. Given the current resources available and the need to provide investment funding for the development of the Defence Forces I do not feel that the multiple leasing of Columb Barracks is feasible and does not meet the purpose of the property disposal programme as outlined in the White Paper.
171. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Defence the amount expended to date by his Department in providing security at Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath; if the necessary security is still being provided at this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42252/12]
View answerSecurity measures have been in place at Columb Barracks since its closure. For obvious reasons it is not my Department’s policy to go into the specific detail in relation to those and any ongoing measures but I can say that the effectiveness of the security measures are being continuously monitored. Approximately €140,000 has been paid to date for security at the barracks the bulk of which is in respect of additional fencing.
172. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a decision on income supplement grant review will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42094/12]
View answerAs previously indicated in my reply of 10 July 2012 it has been decided not to make any payments to the person concerned under the TB Eradication Scheme in respect of testing conducted in his herd after 4 October 2010 due to reported interference with the test. That decision has now been reviewed on appeal through the regional assistant principal officer and the person concerned has been informed of the outcome in recent days.
173. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will outline the current minimum stocking density requirements under the disadvantaged areas scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42082/12]
View answerEligible applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme must meet (a) a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per hectare in respect of 2011 (equivalent to 2 ewes per hectare) and (b) 0.15 livestock units per hectare in 2012.
In relation to the 2011 requirement, specific provision has been made for those farmers, who had a stocking density less than 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, where that lower stocking density was as a result of adherence to lower stocking by agri-environmental measure, such as a commonage framework de-stocking plans, rural environmental protection schemes (REPS) or agri-environment options scheme (AEOS) or National Parks and Wildlife Service farm plan scheme or, in the case of active farmers, marginal land. All applicants whose stocking density was below 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 were written to and given the opportunity to apply for a derogation on the grounds that his or her participation in one of the above measures resulted in the lower stocking density. A number of these applications have already been determined, while others are being processed as expeditiously as possible.
In relation to the 2012 requirement, in addition to maintaining 0.15 livestock units per forage acre for a minimum retention period of six consecutive months, applicants must also maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the 12 months of the scheme year. Copies of the full 2012 terms and conditions were posted to each scheme participant last May and are also posted on my Department’s website, www.agriculture.gov.ie.
