Wednesday, 17 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 254-259

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (254)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

254. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their disadvantaged area scheme payment; when payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45251/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

While the person named applied for derogation under the 2012 disadvantaged areas scheme, the application was unsuccessful. The applicant was notified of this decision in writing on 10 October and advised of the right of appeal to the recently established independent DAS appeals committee.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Payments

Questions (255)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

255. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme to ensure funding available is fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45252/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The targeted agricultural modernisation schemes (TAMS) are kept under constant review within my Department in order to ensure that the available funding is fully utilised, where possible. For example, the TAMS sow housing welfare scheme was recently revised in order to provide more attractive grant options to pig farmers who still have to bring their facilities up to the standards required by the new EU animal welfare rules which come into force for that sector at the beginning of next year.

As farmers generally have two years to complete the investment works concerned, the level of expenditure lags significantly behind the amount actually committed under each scheme at any particular point in time.

Forestry Sector

Questions (256)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

256. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of any consultation he has had with Coillte Teoranta in relation to the possible sale of the forest crop, before the decision in principle to sell the crop; if he will outline details of the advice given to him by Coillte Teoranta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45260/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 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. Detailed work is currently being undertaken by Coillte management and NewERA officials to further this process.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (257)

Michael Lowry

Question:

257. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments will issue in respect of a transfer of entitlements application for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the reason for the delay in processing this case; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being caused as a result of this delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45263/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a transfer of entitlements application in respect of the 2012 single payment scheme on 24 February 2012.

During processing of this application, it was noted that the application was not signed by the transferor or the transferee. An official from my Department wrote to the person named and requested this form to be signed by both parties and also for these signatures to be witnessed.

This form was returned to the person named, and upon receipt of this signed and witnessed application form the transfer will be processed immediately.

Farm Safety

Questions (258)

Arthur Spring

Question:

258. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the policies being pursued to reduce the number of farm accidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45268/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), under the remit of my colleague Minister Richard Bruton, has primary responsibility for securing health and safety at work, particularly from an enforcement point of view. My Department is represented on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee which is a Sub-Committee of the Health and Safety Authority. The Committee advises the Board on the direction the HSA should take in relation to farm safety. My Department is very strongly committed to promoting Farm Safety in collaboration with the HSA and has taken a number of steps over the past year in tandem with some of the other State and industry organisations to both raise awareness of the problem and educate farmers and their families on the dangers of working in this industry.

The most recent measure taken by my Department was the inclusion of a Farm Safety message with the Single Payment application packs, which were distributed in March of this year to over 130,000 farmers. This was a joint initiative between my Department, the Health and Safety Authority and the Farm Safety Partnership Committee and led to each of those farmers receiving an individual reminder of the importance of farming safely, and the potentially fatal consequences of not doing so.

The HSA produced an excellent DVD earlier this year containing testimonials from 6 individual farmers who provide an emotional telling of their experiences on farm which led to either fatalities or serious injury. This DVD has been widely circulated is included in all training courses undertaken by my Department.

My colleague Minister of State McEntee made the opening address at the National Farm Safety Conference in June. The National Farm Safety Conference is one of the highlights of the Farm Safety calendar and my Department is fully committed to helping raise the profile of this Conference among farmers so that the farm safety message remains high on everyone’s agenda.

Other actions by my Department include:

- The provision to all farms of a Code of Practice aimed at reducing farm accidents.

- The inclusion of Health and Safety Guidelines in all Building Specifications drawn up by my Department.

- The inclusion of Farm Safety in all REPS Training Courses.

- A dedicated area on the DAFM website outlining the requirements on Farm Safety and practical advice on Safety on Farms.

- My Department has asked Teagasc to include a farm safety element in the Dairy Discussion Groups participating in the Dairy Efficiency Programme 2010-2012.

- Regular Press Statements drawing attention to Farm Safety agenda.

There is no single action or organisation that can solve this difficult problem that impacts so horrendously, on so many lives, each year. Since taking office, I have continuously strived to increase awareness of safety issues among farmers which I believe is the key to changing the way we all think about farm safety on Irish farms. We must all work together with the single goal of preventing farm accidents and therefore saving lives and minimising serious injuries.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (259)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

259. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details in tabular form for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012 the total amount of expenditure on consultancy by his Department, any body under his aegis or State agency for which he has responsibility; the names of the consultancy companies awarded contracts; the nature of the work concerned; the fees paid to each consultant; if the matter was advertised for competitive tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45290/12]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department uses private contractors, consultants and agencies to provide certain services when such proves to be more cost effective and Department staff are not available. This can include services such as specialised laboratory services, computer services, legal advice or independent auditing services.

Requests for consultancy services are placed within the context of public services procurement requirements.

The use of consultancies by the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for the bodies.

The information requested can be found in the table.

CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY COMPANY	NATURE OF WORK	EXPENDITURE IN 2008 €
Farrell, Grant, Sparks	To facilitate a review of the structures, organisation and staffing arrangements of the Department.	36,300
Fitzpatrick Associates, Economic Consultants	Independent Ex-Post Evaluation of the Rural Development Plan 2000-2006	74,084
Horizon Consulting	Expenditure Reviews	4,235
Ray Burke Consulting	Expenditure Reviews	8,845
Brendan Riordan	Agri-Food Estimate	3,000
Iwrite Consulting	Value For Money Review	2,420
ESPION	Quarterly independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures as required for EU accreditation purposes and Biannual independent security review of the Department's IT infrastructure.	13,915
ESPION	Independent Web Application testing	1,815
Morehampton	Review the Strategy for Information Management & Technology 2008-2011	950
Mazars	Provision of IT audit expertise to the Internal Audit Unit	84,851
Deloitte	Certifying Body, providing independent certification of the Department’s EAGF/EAFRD annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria, as required under EU Council Regulation 1290/05.	519,168
Dr Noel Cawley	Chairman of Seafood Strategy Implementation Group	83,970
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development Project Fees	553,560
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	85,000
Donnchadh Mc Carthy B.L	Advice Consultation and Representation	4,779.50
Jacobs UK, Consulting Engineers,	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	390,940
Malachy Walsh & Partners	An Daingean New berthing Pontoon	33,284
Achilles Procurement Services Ltd	Advice in relation to a the preparation of a request for tender in relation to the HRMS Data Clean-Up Project	847
John Malone	Report on Factors affecting Afforestation in Ireland in recent years	23,364
John Malone	Chairing of Sheep Strategy Implementation Group and preparation of a report. Work carried out in 2006 and 2007.	22,924
Aquatic Services Unit, UCC	Monitor Water Quality in Freshwater Pearl Mussel areas	47,894
Mott MacDonald	Consulting Engineers for Rossaveel Hbr Development	66,000
Ryan Hanley	Consulting Engineers for Rossaveel Store	17,927
Aquafact	Appropriate Assessment ( Dunloughan Pier, Marine SAC)	5,747
KOS	Appropriate Assessment ( Dunloughan Pier, Land SAC)	2,679
RPS Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Killybegs Harbour Development	99,781
Haskoning Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Greencastle Harbour Development	443,274
MERC Consultants, Marine Environmental Resource Conservation Consultants Ltd.	Engineering Services in relation to Howth Harbour Dredging	20,921
OVE ARUP Consulting Engineers,15 Oliver Plunkett St., Cork	Engineering report & conditional inspection of the West Wharf in Dunmore East FHC	5,541.37
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Dunmore East Sedimentation Study & Dredging Feasibility Report	18,634.00
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Detailed Design for Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Development.	17,056.16
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Design & tendering for the Dunmore East FHC – Repairs to East Pier Phase II, Upgrading Slipway & Access to West Wharf	68,970.00
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Safety Railing Walkway. Planning Permission.	5,690.94
Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre.University College Cork	Wave & Harbour Development Study	20,622.00

CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY COMPANY	NATURE OF WORK	EXPENDITURE IN 2009 €
Accenture	To facilitate a review of the local office structure, including staffing levels, of the Department.	24,957
Petrus Consulting-VFM & Policy Review	Expenditure Reviews	2,430
Iwrite Consulting	Expenditure Reviews	2,296
Ray Burke Consulting	Expenditure Reviews	2,734
ESPION	Quarterly independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures as required for EU accreditation purposes and Biannual independent security review of the Department's IT infrastructure.	11,350
ESPION	Independent Web Application testing	10,523
Mazars	Provision of IT audit expertise to the Internal Audit Unit	72,258
Tierney & Associates	External Quality Assessment of Internal Audit Unit	8,136
Deloitte	Certifying Body, providing independent certification of the Department’s EAGF/EAFRD annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria, as required under EU Council Regulation 1290/05.	556,653
SGS (UK) Ltd	SGS are an EU approved Supervisory Agency who where tasked with verifying the destruction of contaminated pigmeat in various countries.	116,165
Dr Noel Cawley	Chairman of Seafood Strategy Implementation Group & Chairman of Technical Support Group - CFP	41,926
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development Project Fees	679,775
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	185,044
Jacobs UK, Consulting Engineers,	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	338,902
Aquatic Services Unit, UCC	Monitor Water Quality in Freshwater Pearl Mussel areas	55,288
Donnchadh Mc Carthy B.L	Advice Consultations and Negotiations	12,150
Ted Harding B.L.	Advice Consultations and Represention	12,393
Marjorie Farell S.C	Advices, Consultations and Represention	4,083.75
Donnchadh Mc Carthy B.L	Advices, Consultations and Represention	3,025
Mott MacDonald	Consulting Engineers for Rossaveel Hbr Development	227,000
RPS Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Killybegs Harbour Development	52,527
Haskoning Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Greencastle Harbour Development	95,368
MERC Consultants, Marine Environmental Resource Conservation Consultants Ltd.	Engineering Servi ces in relation to Howth Harbour Dredging	26,924
Precision Electric (Irl) Ltd	Engineering Services in relation to Howth Harbour Electrical Infrastructure Survey	47,227
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Design & tendering for the Dunmore East FHC – Repairs to East Pier Phase II, Upgrading Slipway & Access to West Wharf	57,105.00
RPS Consulting Engineers Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Dunmore East FHC– Sedimentation / Dredging Studies	8,019.00

CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY COMPANY	NATURE OF WORK	EXPENDITURE IN 2010 €
Indecon International Economic Consultants	Independent mid-term evaluation of the Rural Development Programme 2007 - 2013	110,903
Jim Beecher	Expenditure Reviews	1,800.00
Sean Brady	Harvest 2020 Chairperson	13,800.00
ESPION	Quarterly independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures as required for EU accreditation purposes and Biannual independent security review of the Department's IT infrastructure.	15,942
Mazars	Provision of IT audit expertise to the Internal Audit Unit	58,168
Deloitte	Certifying Body, providing independent certification of the Department’s EAGF/EAFRD annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria, as required under EU Council Regulation 1290/05.	438,689
Matheson Ormsby Prentice	Matheson Ormsby Prentice were retained to provide an Assessment of Demurrage and Related claims under the Overseas Associated costs element of the Pigmeat Recall Scheme.	7,865
AON McDonagh Boland	AON were retained to review the insurance policies of Pigmeat Processors who had submitted claims under the Pigmeat Recall scheme.	4,425
Dr Noel Cawley	Chairman of Technical Support Group - CFP Review	8,384
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development Project Fees	307,587
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	290,319
Jacobs UK, Consulting Engineers,	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	139,210
Ciaran Fahy, Consulting Engineer,	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Contract conciliation fees	12,958
Punch Consulting Engineers	An Daingean – Marina Piles Remedial Works	42,424
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd,	Environmental Investigation and Remediation Works at Syncrolift Boatyards atHowth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere and Killybegs FHC's	18,168
Dr. Michael Carey	Technical Report	13,930
Danish Forestry Extension	Wood Energy advisory service and production of publications on wood energy	47,037
Eoin O’Driscoll	Collation, analysis and communication of natural wood harvest and trade data	38,831
Gordon Knaggs & Associates	Wood Product specification and advisory service	12,120
Henry Phillips	Professional advice and analysis in relation to national forest policy review	22,420
Noel Whelan B.L.	Advices	11,434.50
Noel Whelan B.L.	Consultation and Representation	21,713.27

CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY COMPANY	NATURE OF WORK	EXPENDITURE IN 2011 €
Accenture	1) An analysis of an internal review of procurement, 2) an examination of the opportunities and capacity for further shared services between the Department and its non-commercial state agencies, and 3) a review of the Department’s role in regulating meat plants.	work done on a pro-bono basis.
KPMG	An examination of the administration of the Single Payment Scheme.	work done on a pro-bono basis.
Deloitte	To examine the recommendations in the Report of the Review Group on State Assets and Liabilities as applicable to this Department, to value the assets referred to and to make a series of recommendations.	work done on a pro-bono basis
Dave Ring	Expenditure Reviews	1,800
Brendan Riordan	Training on estimation of net flow of funds for agri-food sector	3,000
Brendan Riordan	Training on estimation of net flow of funds for agri-food sector	3,000
ESPION	Quarterly independent assessments of the Department’s IT security measures as required for EU accreditation purposes and Biannual independent security review of the Department's IT infrastructure.	13,446
ESPION	Independent Web Application testing	3,518
Mazars	Provision of IT audit expertise to the Internal Audit Unit	56,634
Deloitte	Certifying Body, providing independent certification of the Department’s EAGF/EAFRD annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria, as required under EU Council Regulation 1290/05.	509,830
AON McDonagh Boland	AON were retained to review the insurance policies of Italian companies who had submitted claims for contaminated pigmeat which was destroyed in a fire in a coldstore.	8,021
Fitzpatrick and Associates	Fisheries Technical Assistance	39,325
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development Project Fees	67,697
Mott MacDonald Consulting Engineers	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Site Works supervision	122,483
Ciaran Fahy, Consulting Engineer,	Castletownbere Harbour Development – Contract conciliation fees	25,489
RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd	Environmental Investigation and Remediation Works at Syncrolift Boatyards atHowth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere and Killybegs FHC's	103,711
Malachy Walsh & Partners	Castletownbere Navigation Beacons	29,013
CEI Collins Engineers	Castletownbere underwater Inspection of Syncrolift and Dinish Bridge	10,824
Mott MacDonald	Consulting Engineers for Rossaveel Hbr Development	74,851
RPS Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Howth and Killybegs Harbour Pier Inspections	41,624
RPS Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Syncrolift environmental consultancy	85,506
White Young Green Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Electrical Upgrading at Howth Harbour	72,408
Corrosion Prevention Ltd	Engineering Design services in relation to cathodic protection at Greencastle Harbour Development	8,288
RPS Consulting Engineers	Dunmore East FHC, Dredging Feasibility Report	12,626
RPS Consulting Engineers	Design & tendering for the Dunmore East FHC – Repairs to East Pier Phase II, Upgrading Slipway & Access to West Wharf	11,998
Malone O’Regan	Dunmore East FHC New Pontoon - Design Tender & Admin. Construction	16,819
Deltares	North Harbour, Cape Clear, Bull’s Nose Design: – Wave / Hydraulic Modelling	47,856
Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre	North Harbour, Cape Clear - Bull’s Nose Design, Calculation of Wave Transmission past a proposed new Storm Gate	16,970
Malone O’Regan,	North Harbour, Cape Clear - Bull’s Nose Design, Design & tender documents	4,114
Drima Marketing Ltd	Collation, analysis and communication of national wood harvest and trade data on behalf of DAFM, and transmission of data to Eurostat, FAO, the international Energy Agency and other bodies	30,905
Dr. Michael Carey	Technical Report	3,389
Danish Forestry Extension	Wood Energy advisory service and production of publications on wood energy	19,912
Gordon Knaggs & Associates	Wood Product specification and advisory service	4,572
Henry Phillips	Professional advice and analysis in relation to national forest policy review	9,196
PURSER Tarleton Russell Ltd	Maintenance of GROWFOR SOFTWARE, hosting of workshops & associated queries.	5,249.38
DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald	Property Valuations	2,341
Frank V Murphy & Co Ltd	Property Valuations	5,082
Society of Chartered Surveyors	Property Valuations	325
Elliott & Fitzgerald	Property Valuations	1,210
Devere White & Smyth	Property Valuations	2,118
W K Nowlan & Associates	Property Valuations	2,118
Lisney	Property Valuations	11,495
Briggs Environmental Services	Oil Spill Contingency Plans	4,424
UCD	Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme/Food Dudes as per Commission Regulation 288/2009	4,500
Michael Dowling	Chair of Beef 2020 Activations Group	10,000
Maurice E Veale & Co Solicitors	Advice and Consultation	7897.50
Stiofan Nutty Consultant	Report on the Development of Ireland’s Organic Industry and the potential establishment of an Organic Trade Board	29,040
Milliards Solicitors	Legal advice, consultations, correspondence and court attendance	2,722.50
Mott MacDonald	Consulting Engineers for Rossaveel Hbr Development	129,789
Haskoning Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Greencastle Harbour Development	10,043
Haskoning Consulting Engineers	Engineering Services in relation to Greencastle Harbour Development	95,368
Malone O’Regan (T/A Remco) St. Catherine’s House, Catherine Street, Waterford	North Harbour, Cape Clear - Bull’s Nose Design, Design & tender documents	20,570.00
Deltares, Princetonlaan 6, Utrecht, The Netherlands	North Harbour, Cape Clear – Bull’s Nose Design Evaluation of a design of a storm gate including a gap	12,100.00
Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre, University College Cork	North Harbour, Cape Clear - Bull’s Nose Design, Calculation of Wave Transmission past a proposed new Storm Gate	1,210.00
RPS Consulting Engineers, Elmwood House, 74 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6RZ	Design & tendering for the Dunmore East FHC – Repairs to East Pier Phase II, Upgrading Slipway & Access to West Wharf	1,415.70

CONSULTANT/CONSULTANCY COMPANY	NATURE OF WORK	2012 EXPENDITURE UP TO 30 SEPT 2012 €
University College Dublin (UCD)	Evaluation of the EU School Fruit Scheme /Food Dudes as per Commission Regulation 288/2009	6,388
Deloitte	Certifying body providing independent certification of the Department’s EAGF/EAFRD annual accounts and compliance with EU accreditation criteria, as required under EU Council Regulation 1290/05	26,701
Mazars	Provision of IT Audit expertise to the Internal Audit Unit	34,243
Espion	Vulnerability assessment, penetration assessment, application security assessment, periodic penetration testing & server/application testing	28,219.29
Lorcain O Cinneide	BIM Review	3,000
Dave Ring	Expenditure Reviews	1,200
Indecon	Review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry.	59,224
Drima Marketing Ltd	Collation, analysis and communication of national wood harvest and trade data on behalf of DAFM, and transmission of data to Eurostat, FAO, the international Energy Agency and other bodies	13,776
Danish Forestry Extension	Wood Energy advisory service and production of publications on wood energy	904
Gordon Knaggs & Associates	Wood Product specification and advisory service	1,968
Henry Phillips	Professional advice and analysis in relation to national forest policy review	369
CST Group, Sligo	Howth FHC Structural Survey of protected building and road safety audit	4,327
Malone O’ Regan	Dunmore East FHC New Pontoon- Design Tender & Admin Construction	1,772.00
Deltares	North Harbour, Cape Clear, Bull’s Nose Design-Wave/Hydraulie Modelling Study of the Harbour	31,365