Tuesday, 9 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 523-543

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (523)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

523. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding a single payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [43280/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has no record of receiving a 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area application from the person named and has no record of the appeal referred to either.

My Department has already been in contact with the person concerned in this regard. If and when an appeal is received, it will be given due consideration.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (524)

Martin Ferris

Question:

524. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when area aid will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [43284/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 17 April 2012.

In order to comply with EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As a result, it was not possible to include this case with the initial tranche of DAS payments on 26 September.

This inspection and related processes have now been completed. Accordingly, the application is being progressed with a view to payment under DAS as soon as possible. Payments under SPS are scheduled to commence in mid-October.

Pension Provisions

Questions (525)

Michael Creed

Question:

525. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 484 of the 13 March 2012, if he will indicate the contacts his Department has had on this matter with the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43287/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department wrote to the Department of Social Protection to ascertain the status of any pension payable to the person named and was informed on 19 April 2012 that the State Pension (Non-Contributory) of the person named was suspended on 12 January 2011. As this is after the end date of the payment of this Department’s Early Retirement Scheme pension, it did not affect payments under this scheme.

The onus is on Early Retirement Scheme participants to notify my Department of any change in their Department of Social Protection pension entitlement and my Department will examine any further information or material submitted to it by the person named.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (526)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

526. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43324/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has no record of receiving the original 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area application from the person named.

However, that person has recently submitted proof of postage in relation to the submission of the 2012 application and this has been accepted. Nonetheless, the person has not as yet submitted an application containing the requisite details of land being claimed in relation to the 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area schemes.

My Department has already contacted the person concerned in this regard and when the outstanding material has been received, the matter will be progressed.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (527)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

527. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a 2012 disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43329/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2012. Payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the Scheme's minimum stocking density requirements, which have been notified to all Scheme applicants. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (528)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

528. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43334/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 2 May 2012.

However, payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements, which have been notified to all Scheme applicants. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (529)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

529. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a decision will issue on a disadvantaged payment in respect of a person (details suppled) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43335/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 16 April 2012. Payment has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the scheme's minimum stocking density requirements, which have been notified to all Scheme applicants. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (530)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

530. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43336/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2012, processing of which has recently been completed. Payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Departmental Offices

Questions (531)

Michael Creed

Question:

531. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide detail regarding office rationalisation in Cork and Clonakilty as it relates to his Department and if specifically he will address therein the situation regarding offices owned or leased by his Department; the implications for staff involved; the impact on services delivered to the consumer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has two Regional Offices, in Clonakilty and in Cork city and a separate office from which the Marine functions are delivered in Clonakilty. In order to leverage cost savings whilst maintaining the highest level of services to our stakeholders, I have decided to merge my Department’s Clonakilty activities in the Clogheen complex. Administrative staff located at Darrara will, on their transfer to Clogheen, take up duties in the Marine Divisions of the Department and their former duties will be absorbed by the existing staff in the Cork city Regional Office.

These arrangements will enable the Department to maintain service levels across the county with the result of leaner staffing levels into the future. It is important to point out that these changes will not negatively impact upon local access and services for local customers and front-line services will be fully maintained and public access for all of the Departments stakeholders will be available at Park Road. The Department vets, inspectors and technical officers will remain in place at Clonakilty to service our clients across all of the schemes that are provided from our Regional Offices. In Cork city, current services will continue as before. The future use of the vacated building at Darrara is a matter for the Office of Public Works.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (532)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

532. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive their disadvantaged payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43338/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2012, processing of which has recently been completed. Payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Applications

Questions (533)

John O'Mahony

Question:

533. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision and payment on their disadvantage area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43442/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Currently, this applicant is one of a number, whose cases are impacted by a requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and who have applied for a derogation in this regard. The application had not been determined in sufficient time to enable payment with the first tranche on 26 September. Immediately a decision is reached, the person concerned will be notified in writing. Should the decision be negative, an independent appeals procedure is available.

Aquaculture Licences Applications

Questions (534)

Noel Harrington

Question:

534. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 653 on 19 July and 435 of 2 November 2011 and 323 of 21 June 2011, when an application for an aquaculture licence will be processed and a decision issued to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43449/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As indicated in my previous reply to the Deputy the application referred to is in respect of a site located within Ardgroom Harbour, Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).

All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Data analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU 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 is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.

My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of this aquaculture licence application having regard to the need to comply with all national and EU legislation.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (535)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

535. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43451/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Nitrates Regulations, farmers are required to maintain certain records for each calendar year and to keep these records for five years. As part of a Cross Compliance inspection carried out on 29 November 2010, the person submitted such records to the Department.

During a subsequent evaluation of these records, it was found that there was a deficiency in storage capacity of some 600m³. This is in contravention of the Nitrates regulations and a 20% penalty was recorded.

The person was informed of this decision on 20 August 2012 and of his right to seek a review. He was also informed of his right to appeal, in due course, the outcome of such review to the Independent Agriculture Appeals office. To date no request for a review has been received.

If the person wishes to have this decision reviewed, he can do so by submitting, in writing, any new evidence including any supporting documentation.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (536)

Martin Ferris

Question:

536. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown of the total funds paid to Irish recipients under the SFP in 2011, broken down for those receiving more than €99,999.99; those receiving between €50,000 and €99,999.99; those receiving between €5,000 and €49,999.99 and those receiving sums less than that. [43466/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The amounts paid to farmers under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme in the categories requested were as follows:

Category	Paid	Total Amount Paid
Received more than €99,999.99	243	€32,840,103.00
Received between €50,000 and €99,999.99	1,804	€118,368,175.00
Received between €5,000 and €49,999.99	69,543	€959,768,088.00
Received less than €5,000	52,193	€125,399,479.00
Total	123,783	€1,236,375,845.00

Coillte Teoranta Harvesting Rights Sale

Questions (537, 538, 539, 540, 541, 542)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

537. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the analysis that has taken place of the possible impact to the timber industry in the long term arising out of the proposal to sell Coillte forest crop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43472/12]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if an analysis has been carried out on the future viability of Coillte Teoranta in the event of the forest crop being sold; the result of this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43473/12]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

539. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if an analysis has been carried out in the number of positions that will be lost in Coillte in the event of the forest crop being sold; the result of this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43474/12]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

540. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if the proceeds of any sale of the forest crop owned by Coillte will be used to clear the deficit of €122m in the Coillte pension fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43475/12]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

541. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if the responsibility to replant the forest will remain with Coillte in the event of the forest crop being sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43476/12]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

542. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if it is intended to clear the debts of Coillte in part or in total in the event of the forest crop being sold; the amount of the debt reduction envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43477/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 to 542, inclusive, together.

The Government initially decided, in the context of the State asset disposal programme, that consideration would be given to the sale of certain assets of Coillte, excluding land. The Government has further decided, in relation to Coillte, that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests will be put forward for possible sale. Coillte Board and management have been actively engaged in recent months with NewERA, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of developing the potential of Coillte’s forest assets.

The process is at a preliminary stage and, aside from the valuation of the forestry assets, a number of issues have been identified in relation to the possible harvesting rights concession. These include, inter alia, the possible impact to the timber industry, environmental and social impacts, consequential implications for the company and its human resources, the future extent and nature of Coillte Group’s liabilities, and the replanting obligation. These issues each require detailed consideration. I wish to assure the Deputy that these issues and others form part of the ongoing analysis. As some of the issues identified, and the possible ways in which they may be addressed, have the potential of impacting on investor interest, my preference is to await the outcome of that analysis.

As regards the use of the proceeds from any sale of timber harvesting rights, I wish to remind the Deputy that the use to which the proceeds of such asset sales may be put is a matter that is provided for under the EU/IMF Programme. As agreed with the troika, half of the proceeds will be available to the Government to fund employment enhancing projects of a commercial nature, with the other half, while destined eventually to pay-down debt, also being available in the first instance to constitution a fund to underpin additional lending into Ireland.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (543)

Peter Mathews

Question:

543. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if after school care is available to persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43126/12]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department implements the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to charge reduced childcare rates to families where one or both parents are in receipt of a social welfare payment or are in low income employment.

For the purpose of the CCS programme, low income is determined by reference to a range of means-tested allowances and payments including receipt of a social welfare payment, Family Income Supplement (FIS) and qualification for a medical or GP visit card. Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as rent and mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. Parents who are in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance are eligible for subvention under the CCS programme.

Parents who consider they are eligible for support under the CCS programme and are seeking childcare support in the current school year should enrol with a participating community childcare service. The service provider will advise of the procedures to be followed to establish entitlement and the level of support available under the programme.

My Department also implements the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which was introduced in September 2010. The eligibility criteria under which trainees and students qualify for the programme is determined by FÁS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs). The CETS programme provides €145 towards the weekly cost of full time childcare places to participating childcare services for trainees and students who are deemed qualified by FÁS or the VEC. Students on part-time courses are funded on a pro rata basis.

Local City/County Childcare Committees can advise further in relation to these programmes.