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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 535-557

Departmental Schemes

Questions (535)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

535. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for developing new schemes to support small farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44667/12]

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Written answers

Recently I announced the re-opening of the Agri-Environmental Options Scheme, AEOS, to new entrants. I am providing €20 million for the AEOS scheme which will open shortly for applications. The scheme will build on the success of both the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and both AEOS 1 and 2 in delivering an annual income to farmers in return for farming to high environmental standards. A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum will apply to individual applicants under the re-opened scheme. As the average payments in the past have been lower than the maximum, I am confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme.

I received EU approval for the advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment. Commencement of the payments begins today and will represent the early payment of over €500 million to farmers. I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the other scheme payments to farmers and I remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. Payments worth some €167 million under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme have been made since 26th September last when payment began. This funding will provide a boost to the rural economy and will benefit all areas of the country. It is too early to estimate at this stage the level of total payments which will be made under this scheme in 2012 because there is an issue to do with qualification criteria which is working through the system. REPS payments are up to date. A total of €64 million has been paid out to-date and I envisage that by the end of 2012 a further €121 million will be spent. AEOS payments are well advanced and continue to issue as quickly as possible. To date €23 million has been paid and I expect that a further €34 million will be paid out before the end of 2012. My intention is to ensure that payments in respect of 2012 are made on the earliest possible date.

I am not in a position to give assurances with regard to any other schemes for next year because that is a budget debate and I cannot make early budget promises. However, I am very conscious of the importance of schemes for farmers' incomes and will try to protect them as best I can.

Suckler Welfare Scheme Eligibility

Questions (536)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

536. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the suckler welfare scheme; if the scheme will be cut or abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44668/12]

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Written answers

The Suckler Welfare Scheme is a five year Scheme and was introduced to improve welfare standards for beef animals born between 01 January 2008 and 31 December 2012 and to assist in the establishment of a breeding database from which Suckler farmers could identify the best breeding stock for their particular requirements. The Scheme is fully funded by the Exchequer and a recent Value for Money Audit has concluded that the Scheme has largely met its objectives. The continuation of this Scheme will be considered during the forthcoming budgetary process.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility

Questions (537)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

537. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a meaningful scheme like REP scheme 3 and 4 will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44669/12]

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Written answers

I am acutely aware of the importance of the agri environment schemes to the agriculture sector not only in environmental terms but also from the point of view of farm incomes. Recently, I announced that despite the challenging budgetary constraints in my Department, I have re-opened the Agri-environmental Options Scheme and am providing €20 million to admit new participants.

A maximum payment of €4,000 per annum for individual applicants will apply under the re-opened scheme which is a continuation of the situation under last year’s scheme. I am confident that up to 6,000 new participants can be accepted into the scheme with the level of funding that I am providing. Full details of the scheme are now available to applicants on my Department’s website.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (538)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

538. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of a single payment of more than €1m in 2011; the total single payment paid to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44672/12]

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Written answers

There are no farmers in receipt of single farm payments of more than €1m.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (539)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

539. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers at present in REP scheme 3 and REP scheme 4 respectively; the number due to finish their REP scheme participation in REP scheme 3 and REP scheme 4 respectively in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44673/12]

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Written answers

The last REPS 3 participants completed their five year contracts in December 2011.

The current number of REPS 4 participants is 30,300. They are due to complete their contracts as set out in the table below.

Year

Number Exiting REPS 4

2012

953

2013

12,309

2014

16,186

2015

852

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (540)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

540. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount paid out under the disadvantaged area scheme in 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; the estimate for 2012 for expenditure under the disadvantaged area scheme; the number of farmers that benefited from the scheme each year; the reasons for the changes in expenditure under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44674/12]

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Written answers

The expenditure details sought are as follows:

Year

Numbers paid

Amount paid

2010

100,636

€222.095 million

2011

100,944

€222.274 million

2012 (to date)

77,491

€170.425 million

The Deputy will be aware of the changes to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme which I have already announced and the background to these. With payments under the 2012 Scheme having only recently commenced, it is too early at this stage to comment meaningfully on the out-turn for the current year.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (541)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

541. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of a single payment of more than €500,000 in 2011; the total single payment paid to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44675/12]

View answer

Written answers

There are no farmers in receipt of single farm payments of more than €500,000.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (542)

Martin Ferris

Question:

542. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons that receive single farm payments of €60,000 and above, €70,000 and above, €80,000 and above and €90,000 and above. [44683/12]

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Written answers

The numbers of farmers in receipt of payments under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme in the categories requested were as follows:

Category

Number Paid

€ 60,000 and above

1,257

€70,000 and above

805

€80,000 and above

539

€90,000 and above

361

Milk Quota Application Numbers

Questions (543)

Michael Creed

Question:

543. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress being made regarding the phased abolition of milk quotas which will enable farmers to gear up production on a phased basis and enable them to meet the ambitious targets contained for milk production in the 2020 vision document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44727/12]

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Written answers

The 2008 CAP ‘Health Check’ review agreed to the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, and provided for a smooth transition by increasing quota for all Member States in the remaining years. Under those arrangements Ireland will have received an additional 9.3% in quota between 2007 and 2014. However for some countries, including Ireland, these quota increases are insufficient to accommodate increases in milk production which have been driven by supply and demand dynamics and the prospect of a quota free production environment after 2015.

I have been extremely active in seeking to secure a soft landing for all Member States in the lead-up to milk quota abolition in 2015, as envisaged in the 2008 CAP Health Check agreement. I have discussed the matter extensively with other EU Agriculture Ministers, including in bilateral meetings with my Danish, French, German, Estonian and Finnish counterparts. Furthermore, officials from my Department have raised this issue at EU level meetings, and at bi-lateral meetings with other Member States. The Commission is due to prepare the second interim report on the Health Check by the end of this year and in that context we have called for it to consider measures to ensure a smooth transition to quota abolition in all countries.

To date, however, the Commission has resisted attempts to reconsider this issue, as it has resisted attempts to revisit the outcome of the 2008 CAP Health Check in an overall sense. The Commission’s view is supported by a number of Member States, some of whom are firmly against any further adjustment to the Health Check agreement. It is also the case that only a minority of Member states is likely to be adversely affected by the current quota restrictions, and therefore persuading a qualified majority to agree to an adjustment of the current regime represents a significant challenge. There are currently no signs of a breakthrough in this regard.

At this point therefore, it would appear that since a majority of Member States do not support any further adjustment to the soft landing, farmers should plan for the continuation of the quota regime until March 2015.

Food Imports

Questions (544)

John Paul Phelan

Question:

544. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of litres of goats milk imported into the State in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44730/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is not in possession of the data in question as this level of detail is not available in the official trade statistics produced by the Central Statistics Office.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (545)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

545. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a fine in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44734/12]

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Written answers

The final instalment of €1,811.46 of an existing REPS 3 debt that arose in 2009 was netted against a Disadvantaged Area Payments which issued on 25 September 2012. As this Scheme is co-funded by the EU, debts must be recovered at the earliest possible opportunity. It is not now possible to repay this recouped amount to the person named. In addition the person named joined the Organic Farming Scheme in June 2008 and received payments for the first four years of the contract. The Organic Farming Scheme is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue.

Following an inspection in July 2011 by officials in my Department a discrepancy was discovered between the land claimed on the Single Farm Payment application and the Organic Farming Scheme. This resulted in an overpayment of €1,371.81 on his Organic Farming Scheme payment. This sum will now be recouped from the person named. A letter has issued to the person named on 8 October informing him of this fact and giving the person named a right of appeal to the Agricultural Appeals Office, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

Scéim na hAoníocaíochta

Questions (546)

Robert Dowds

Question:

546. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an féidir leis figiúirí a thabhairt a thugann miondealú ar na haoníocaíochtaí feirme a dhéantar le feirmeoirí in Éirinn, go háirithe an méid iomlán a íoctar le feirmeoirí faoi Scéim na nAoníocaíochta: agus an dtabharfaidh sé, i bhfoirm tábla, na méideanna éagsúla a íoctar le feirmeoirí, ó thaobh méid na feirme atá acu, de réir na rannóg seo a leanas (sonraí tugtha) [44736/12]

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Written answers

Mar seo a leanas líon na bhfeirmeoirí a fuair íocaíochtaí faoin Scéim Aoníocaíochta 2011 sna catagóirí iarrtha:

Líon heicteár

Líon a hÍocadh

Suim a hÍocadh

0-3

2,684

€1,946,763

3-5

3,811

€4,454,082

5-10

12,964

€26,414,270

10-20

29,129

€115,552,267

20-30

22,673

€155,277,415

30-40

17,119

€171,464,795

40-50

11,789

€158,280,429

50-60

7,521

€127,568,334

60-70

4,872

€101,173,064

70-80

3,097

€74,761,512

80-90

2,170

€58,393,292

90-100

1,459

€45,997,056

100-110

1,082

€37,298,424

110-120

738

€26,570,760

120-130

554

€22,370,671

130-140

403

€16,442,258

140-150

310

€13,180,352

150-160

240

€10,927,135

160-170

168

€7,388,676

170-180

147

€6,937,574

180-190

129

€6,776,146

190-200

94

€4,533,885

200-250

300

€17,182,729

250-300

169

€11,365,777

300-350

79

€5,245,818

350-400

44

€2,778,018

400-450

15

€1,308,618

450-500

15

€1,466,991

500-600

13

€690,702

600-700

7

€795,743

700-800

5

€861,903

800-900

1

€270,973

900-1000

4

€620,757

1000-1100

0

€0

1100-1300

1

€78,654

1300-1500

0

€0

>1500

0

€0

Scéim na hAoníocaíochta

Questions (547)

Robert Dowds

Question:

547. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an féidir leis figiúirí a thabhairt, i bhfoirm tábla, a thugann miondealú ar líon na bhfeirmeoirí a fhaigheann aoníocaíocht feirme de mhéideanna éagsúla i ngach ceann de na rannóga seo a leanas (sonraí tugtha) [44737/12]

View answer

Written answers

Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos na híocaíochtaí leis na catagóirí feirmeoirí a sonraíodh.

Catagóir

Líon a hÍocadh

Suim a hÍocadh

0 - €10,000

83,254

351,996,492.44

€10,000 - €20,000

24,840

349,232,207.48

€20,000 - 30000

8,426

203,714,451.17

€30000 -€40,000

3,343

114,396,644.22

€40,000 - €50,000

1,482

65,827,772.56

€50000- €60,000

792

43,183,070.70

€60,000 - €70,000

452

29,115,846.81

€70,000- €80,000

266

19,857,552.94

€80000 - €90000

178

15,050,999.59

€90000 - €100,000

118

11,160,704.48

€100,000 - €110,000

70

7,352,898.19

€110000 - €120000

47

5,426,322.63

€120,000 - €130000

33

4,130,865.00

€130000 - €140000

26

3,473,566.18

€140,000 - €150,000

13

1,863,540.56

€150,000 - €160,000

16

2,467,320.68

€160,000 - €200,000

24

4,194,870.55

€200000 - €250,000

6

1,403,315.22

€250,000 - €300,000

4

1,040,260.42

€300,000 - €350,000

2

629,517.23

€350,000 - €400,000

1

381,600.38

€400,000 -€450,000

0

-

€450,000 - €500000

1

476,025.72

Payments above €500,000

0

-

Scéim na hAoníocaíochta

Questions (548)

Robert Dowds

Question:

548. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Robert Dowds den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an féidir leis ainmneacha na bhfeirmeoirí nó na gcuideachtaí talmhaíochta a fhaigheann níos mó ná €100,000 ón aoníocaíocht feirme a sholáthar agus an méid airgid ón aoníocaíocht feirme a fhaigheann gach ceann acu [44738/12]

View answer

Written answers

De réir rialuithe Chúirt Bhreithiúnais an Aontais Eorpaigh i gcásanna C92/09 agus C03/09, ní féidir mionsonraí a iarrtar faoi íocaíochtaí aonair a thabhairt faoi láthair. Is féidir liom a chur in iúl, áfach, gur 243 an líon iomlán feirmeoirí sa chatagóir atá i gceist.

Fish Quotas

Questions (549)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

549. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown in tabular form of quota allocated to each vessel in the north west herring fishery in September 2012 and a comparative table for September 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44745/12]

View answer

Written answers

Ireland has 91% of the southern stock (ICES Area VIa South and VIIb,c) and a 15% share of the stock off Scotland (ICES Area VIa North). The scientific advice for the southern stock over recent years has been that the landings should be reduced and as a result there have been cuts to the TAC year on year since 2006 A rebuilding plan for the stock has been prepared by the Irish industry in consultation with the Marine Institute and submitted by the Regional Advisory Council for Pelagic stocks to the EU Commission. The Commission has referred the plan to the EU Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for advice which is expected shortly. There is an EU Management Plan in place since 2008 for the northern stock off the coast of Scotland and the TAC is set each year in accordance with the terms of that plan.

Over the past few years there has been increased interest in participation in these fisheries. This has raised concern about the sustainability of the stock in the context of that level of participation and in relation to the economic viability of individual quota allocations with that increased level of participation.

In 2011, I asked the fishing industry and other interested parties to make proposals on the future management arrangements for all Irish herring fisheries. The objective of the review was to deliver a policy which would ensure an economically and biologically sustainable fishery. I received over 20 sets of proposals and comments in relation to herring stocks management. It was very clear from these documents that there was no agreement within the industry as to how the future herring fishing opportunities should be managed. I asked my Department to examine the proposals received and to prepare for me a number of options, which as far as practically possible, took the views of stakeholders into account while delivering proper and effective management.

On 22 December 2011, I published a draft policy document on the matter and I consulted and met industry regarding the draft policy, again there was no consensus. On 8 June 2012 I issued a policy, having considered all views and having regard to the sustainability of the fisheries which I believe provides for the proper and effective management and conservation and rational exploitation of the herring stocks. The policy is based on giving access to each of the fisheries to those with recent track record in that particular fishery. The track record involves vessels having landed a minimum of 5 tonnes of herring in 2009 or 2010 or in 3 of the 5 years during the period 2006 to 2010. In addition, there are some very limited specified circumstances where an earlier track record may be taken into account.

The decision made was based on a clear, detailed and objective assessment of the fisheries in recent years. This policy is intended to ensure the long term sustainability of the herring fisheries by limiting participation in the main fisheries to those vessels which have participated in the fishery, in the 5 years prior to the commencement of the review, even at a low level. The number of vessels which were allocated quota is as follows: 2009 – 65 vessels, 2010 - 63 vessels, 2011 – 92 vessels and 2012 – 56 vessels. The revised arrangements have been applied in the North West herring Fishery which commenced on 1/10/2012.

Ireland’s quotas for each stock for 2011 and 2012 are as follows:

Table 1 Quota adjustments

2011

ICES Area VIa South and VIIb,c

ICES Area VIa North:

Quota

4,065

3,396

Carry over

851

309

Transferred

385

-385

Swap

-

75

Total (8696)

5,301

3,395

Quota Adjustments

2012

ICES Area VIa South and VIIb,c

ICES Area VIa North:

Quota

3,861

3,459

Carry over

530

319

Transferred

386

-386

Swap

-

24

Total (8,193)

4,777

3,416

The table below is the data which the Deputy has requested.

Table 2. North West Herring Quota allocations per vessel. (Tonnes).

Vessel Name

2011

2012

Vessel 1

192

218

Vessel 2

57

65

Vessel 3

73

-

Vessel 4

274

311

Vessel 5

57

84

Vessel 6

274

311

Vessel 7

73

84

Vessel 8

48

54

Vessel 9

57

-

Vessel 10

192

218

Vessel 11

73

84

Vessel 12

48

54

Vessel 13

48

-

Vessel 14

123

140

Vessel 15

73

84

Vessel 16

48

-

Vessel 17

57

-

Vessel 18

48

-

Vessel 19

73

84

Vessel 20

123

140

Vessel 21

57

-

Vessel 22

48

-

Vessel 23

48

54

Vessel 24

57

84

Vessel 25

73

84

Vessel 26

48

-

Vessel 27

48

-

Vessel 28

48

-

Vessel 29

73

84

Vessel 30

192

218

Vessel 31

192

218

Vessel 32

73

84

Vessel 33

-

84

Vessel 34

-

311

Vessel 35

57

-

Vessel 36

48

-

Vessel 37

48

-

Vessel 38

48

-

Vessel 39

57

-

Vessel 40

123

140

Vessel 41

73

84

Vessel 42

48

-

Vessel 43

57

65

Vessel 44

48

-

Vessel 45

73

84

Vessel 46

73

84

Vessel 47

274

-

Vessel 48

48

-

Vessel 49

57

65

Vessel 50

48

-

Vessel 51

73

84

Vessel 52

48

-

Vessel 53

48

-

Vessel 54

48

-

Vessel 55

57

-

Vessel 56

123

140

Vessel 57

48

-

Vessel 58

192

218

Vessel 59

57

65

Vessel 60

48

-

Vessel 61

57

-

Vessel 62

73

84

Vessel 63

73

84

Vessel 64

192

218

Vessel 65

192

218

Vessel 66

57

65

Vessel 67

274

311

Vessel 68

48

54

Vessel 69

73

84

Vessel 70

48

-

Vessel 71

73

84

Vessel 72

48

54

Vessel 73

48

-

Vessel 74

48

-

Vessel 75

73

84

Vessel 76

123

140

Vessel 77

274

311

Vessel 78

73

84

Vessel 79

48

54

Vessel 80

48

-

Vessel 81

48

-

Vessel 82

48

-

Vessel 83

48

-

Vessel 84

-

84

Vessel 85

274

311

Vessel 86

192

218

Vessel 87

73

-

Vessel 88

48

-

Vessel 89

48

54

Vessel 90

192

218

Vessel 91

48

-

Vessel 92

274

311

Vessel 93

274

311

Vessel 94

123

140

Vessel 95

73

-

Total Allocated

8596

7757

Number Vessels

92

56

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Questions (550)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

550. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give any consideration to introducing another band in the disadvantaged area payment in view of the fact that some areas in the west and north west are particularly disadvantaged and farmers face severe difficulties in making their farming activities provide an adequate income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44746/12]

View answer

Written answers

Faced with the need to make budgetary savings for the current financial year and, mindful of the difficulties faced by those most dependent on the support which the Scheme provides, I chose to make technical adjustments to the Scheme terms and conditions, designed to better focus the aid on those contributing most to achieving the aims of the Scheme i.e. those actively farming in the more disadvantaged parts of the country.

The Deputy will be aware that there is an ongoing, EU wide Review of the Scheme also under way, the intention being to introduce an aid scheme based on bio-physical criteria (based on impact of heat, cold, drought, excess moisture, slope and poor quality soils), rather than the current socio-economic criteria. My Department is participating fully in these negotiations; the intention being that whatever new regime replaces the existing Scheme will accurately reflect the physical constraints faced by Irish farmers in certain parts of the country. The Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is a EU/Exchequer co-funded scheme, which forms part of 2007 to 2013 Rural Development Programme and, as such, any changes to the rules governing the Scheme require Commission approval.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (551)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

551. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44751/12]

View answer

Written answers

Processing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (552)

Finian McGrath

Question:

552. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce sanctions to the single farm payments of farmers who continue to cut turf on Ireland’s 53 raised bog Special Areas of Conservation [44766/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has received a number of reports from the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht relating to alleged breaches of the Habitiat’s Directive. My Department is currently examining the issues arising in relation to potential cross-compliance obligations under EU legislation and in this regard has been in follow-up correspondence with the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Harbours and Piers Maintenance

Questions (553)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

553. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any proposals to carry out dredging and minor repairs works in the Cuan Helvic Pier, which is located in An Rinn, Dungarvan, County Waterford, due to the fact that approximately 80 to 100 fishermen use this pier regularly and have difficulties mooring their boats there due to the condition of the pier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44835/12]

View answer

Written answers

Helvick Pier is in the ownership of Waterford County Council and responsibility for its repair and upkeep rests with that Local Authority in the first instance. Under the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme my Department has, in previous years, provided funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned harbours, piers and slipways subject to the availability of exchequer funding.

My Department did receive an application for works at Helvick Pier from Waterford County Council under this year’s Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. However, the application for Helvick Pier did not meet with the qualifying criteria and accordingly was not included in the projects approved under the 2012 programme. Any application submitted by Waterford County Council for funding under the Fishery Harbours and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme in future years will be considered in the context of available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.

Departmental Banking

Questions (554)

Michael McGrath

Question:

554. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form if possible, a list of the bank accounts used by his Department and separately any agencies within the remit of his Department; the purpose of each bank account and the financial institution the bank account is with; the total amount of any interest charged or bank fees incurred by his Department and separately by each agency in 2011 and anticipated figure for 2012; the percentage of payments issued by his Department and each agency which are issued electronically and if the Department agency has any special arrangement in place on the issue of bank charges and fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44842/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department uses six bank accounts which support the main payment and receipting functions of the Department and a further eleven bank accounts which are maintained mainly to support the day to day operation of the Department's regional laboratories (RVLs) and farms. Details of the accounts are set out in the following table:

Financial Institution

Purpose of Bank Account

AIB

Electronic payments to clients & suppliers

AIB

Intervention related electronic payments to clients & suppliers

AIB

Electronic payments to foreign currency clients & suppliers

Bank of Ireland

Electronic payment of salaries and wages

Bank of Ireland

To facilitate receipt of income from customers

Bank of Ireland

To facilitate receipt of income in respect of inspection fees

AIB

Operational expenses & receipts - Cork RVL

Ulster Bank

Operational expenses & receipts - Limerick RVL

Bank of Ireland

Operational expenses & receipts - Sligo RVL

Ulster Bank

Operational expenses & receipts - Kilkenny RVL

National Irish Bank

Operational expenses & receipts - Athlone RVL

Bank of Ireland

Operational expenses & receipts – Backweston RVL

Bank of Ireland

Operational expenses & receipts - Agriculture House

Bank of Ireland

Operational expenses & receipts - Cork Dairy Science Lab

AIB

Operational expenses & receipts – Raphoe Farm

AIB

Operational expenses & receipts - Longtown Farm

AIB

Operational expenses & receipts - Backweston Farm

The net cost of fees charged on the bank accounts was €3,800 in 2011 and a similar amount is anticipated for 2012. Where free banking is not available, the Department has negotiated that interest is earned on credit balances. Some 99% of all payments made by my Department are now paid electronically. The use and cost of bank accounts by the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves.

Ash Dieback Threat

Questions (555)

Paschal Donohoe

Question:

555. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the threat posed by Chalara fraxinea disease to ash trees; if he has considered banning of imports of live ash saplings from Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44921/12]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has confirmed a finding of the Chalara fraxinea disease at a site in County Leitrim and as a result is carrying out a number of measures. Department officials are working with the owner of the site involved to destroy the material and remove the risk of the disease spreading. Ash plants used from the same imported consignment related to the outbreak are also being destroyed. In addition, my Department is introducing emergency measures under the Plant Health Directive. These new measures being introduced by the Department under Statutory Instrument will require that any ash plants imported into the country would come from an area known to be free of the disease.

My colleague at the Department, Minister of State Shane McEntee TD, has met with representatives from the forest nursery sector, Coillte and the hurley manufacturers to brief them on the disease and to update them on the measures being taken by the Department. The forest nursery trade agreed to comply with Minister McEntee’s request to impose a voluntary moratorium on imported stock from Europe with immediate effect. The hurley manufacturers also agreed to call on its members to ensure that ash wood for hurley making is either imported from countries free of the disease or that any hurley ash being imported from Continental Europe would be in plank form and with the bark sawn off.

Minister McEntee will continue to meet with the representatives during the week.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (556)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

556. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 disadvantaged area payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44925/12]

View answer

Written answers

As processing of the application of the person named has recently been completed, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Tribunals of Inquiry Reports

Questions (557)

James Bannon

Question:

557. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any proceedings have been initiated against the State arising out of the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45588/12]

View answer

Written answers

No proceedings have been initiated against my Department arising out of the Findings of the Moriarty Tribunal.

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