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Tuesday, 20 Nov 2012

Written Answers Nos. 541-561

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (541)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

541. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are funds within his Department to make single farm payments; if he will confirm that he has had hundreds of calls to the disadvantaged payments section of his Department regarding the delay in payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51380/12]

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Written answers

The two most significant Schemes operated by my Department, in terms of overall expenditure and the support offered to farmers, are the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which between them, will account for €1.45 billion in payments in 2012.

Mindful of the ongoing difficulties facing farmers, not least the prolonged period of very bad weather which severely restricted farming activity for a substantial part of the year, earlier this year I successfully sought the agreement of the EU Commissioner to making a 50% advance payment of the Single Payment, as and from 16 October – I am pleased to say that, to date, over €600 million has been paid to over 118,000 farmers, these payments being made fully six weeks that otherwise proved for in the governing EU Regulations. The balancing payments will issue in the first week of December.

Insofar as the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme is concerned, despite having to implement changes to the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme, in order to achieve budgetary savings, there was no resultant delay in the commencement of payments, which began issuing, on target, on 26 September. I can report that, to date, payments worth some €191 million have already issued to 85,972 beneficiaries.

I should add that, in the expectation of many farmers wishing to enquire as to the status of their applications and specifically as to when payments would issue, I established a dedicated call centre, from within existing staff resources, to deal with such enquiries. I can confirm that over the past eight weeks a large volume of calls were processed through the call centre. This approach allowed the maximum number of telephone enquiries to be dealt with, while simultaneously allowing payment processing to continue unabated. I can confirm that it is my intention that every effort continues to be made to maximise payments under both Schemes before year-end.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (542)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

542. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for disadvantaged area 2012 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51388/12]

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Written answers

Processing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (543)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

543. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for REP scheme and organic will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51393/12]

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Written answers

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first 4 years of their contract. The person named also submitted an application to join the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) in May 2012.

Both REPS 4 and the Organic Farming Scheme are measures under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and are subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. The process is under way for both 2012 REPS 4 and 2012 OFS applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly. In the event that any issues arise on the applications of the person named, officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Questions (544)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

544. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers that had successful appeals on their application for derogation on medical grounds will qualify for next years disadvantaged area scheme if there circumstances remain the same. [51398/12]

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Written answers

I can confirm that the Deputy is correct in his understanding. Those who have successfully sought derogation from the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme of at least 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare, will be eligible under the 2013 Scheme, subject otherwise to the Terms and Conditions of that Scheme.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (545)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

545. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area payment and their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51399/12]

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Written answers

As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been completed, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.

However, as the person named does not hold any Single Payment entitlements, no payment is due under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (546)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

546. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for single farm and forestry will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51416/12]

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Written answers

The person named has submitted Single Payment applications since 2010 including a parcel of land, which was planted in Forestry in 2010. In order to receive payment on afforested land under the Single Payment Scheme, the land under forestry must meet the requirements of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 and all of the criteria set out in the Single Payment Terms and Conditions in relation to eligibility. One of these conditions is that the land meets all the requirements of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes, FEPS or the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme.

When the application for payment under the FEPS Scheme was received, it was noted that the folio documents submitted in support of the application included turbary rights in favour of the Land Commission. My Department has been in touch with the person named seeking an indemnity from him, which should indemnify my Department from any future claims regarding these rights. As soon as this document is received, the processing of the application from the person named can be finalised.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (547)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

547. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51435/12]

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Written answers

Following the submission of additional equine passports, the application of the person named has now been fully processed; payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals

Questions (548)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

548. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [51442/12]

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Written answers

The person named is one of a number, their derogation applications having been unsuccessful, who have now appealed my Department’s decision to the independently chaired, DAS Appeals Committee. Immediately that Committee has adjudicated on the appeal, the person named will be advised of the Committee’s decision, in writing.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Questions (549)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

549. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51473/12]

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Written answers

The person named, who is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, applied under the derogation arrangements which relate to the 2011 stocking density. This application has been successful.

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 for 2012. 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.

Single Payment Scheme Eligibility

Questions (550)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

550. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that it was impossible to spray rushes this year, and it was also impossible to cut them because the ground was too wet, if farmers are being told the ground is ineligible if there are rushes on it; if farmers in County Kerry have been notified that their ground is being deem ineligible because of the presence of rushes; if so, the number of farmers that have been told; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51476/12]

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Written answers

To be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme, an applicant must ensure that all agricultural land claimed is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition (‘GAEC’).

Farmers can keep grassland in GAEC by conducting an agricultural activity on it such as grazing, harvesting forage crops, or by topping. Grasslands continue to be eligible where it is evident that the stocking rate on the land is sufficient and, for example, keeps rushes under control and avoids their proliferation. In such situations, the reality is there may not be a necessity to cut rushes. However, where a farmer cuts rushes as part of management practice, with the exception of certain designated lands, there are no restrictions on when this is done, enabling the task to be carried out at any time throughout the year once conditions are suitable.

Where land is deemed ineligible, this, in the main, is a result of the inclusion of ineligible areas/features and is not being used for an agricultural purpose. In cases where land, with rushes, is rejected, it will be seen that this is due to the broader issue of insufficient agricultural activity being undertaken on it to keep it in GAEC. My Department therefore does not maintain records specifically on the presence of rushes since the issue has to be seen in the broader context.

In terms of the conduct of inspections, my Department makes appropriate allowances for the effect of prevailing weather conditions in individual cases.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (551)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

551. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the disadvantaged area scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51481/12]

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Written answers

As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue directly to the nominated bank account.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (552)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

552. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when farm payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway who had an inspection in August and who has received no farm payments to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51482/12]

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Written answers

An application under the Single Payment Scheme /Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on the 10th May 2012.

In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The inspection and related processes have been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (553)

Dara Calleary

Question:

553. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri environment option scheme payment for 2011 and 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo. [51488/12]

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Written answers

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 1st May 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and condition of the scheme were noted in relation to the Species Rich Grassland option which will result in a penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named outlining the nature of the penalty and the appeal options. To date, no appeal has been received by officials in my Department. Accordingly the application will be processed for payment on the basis of the inspection findings as soon as possible.

Forestry Sector

Questions (554)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

554. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a scientific expert group concluded last week that Chalara fraxinia spreads either from spores on the leaves travelling on the wind, occurring during summer time or through infected stock; his plans to cease the cutting of hedgerows to prevent the spreading of the pathogen and reduce the risk of spreading it to Northern Ireland, England and Europe [51570/12]

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Written answers

I can assure the Deputy that my Department is fully aware of the latest scientific information available on Chalara fraxinea. Prevention of the spread of Chalara is my primary concern and early detection plays a key role in achieving this objective. While my Department has been surveying for Chalara since 2008 these surveys are set to intensify as officials Department commence an extensive examination of forests focusing on sites planted with imported ash. Specific training for the winter symptoms of ash dieback has been provided to District Forestry Inspectors and horticultural staff. Department Inspectors are also surveying for the disease in garden centres, nurseries and landscape plantings.

Our website provides details of the disease and contact phone numbers and an email address for anyone who believes they may have ash with the disease. My Department and Teagasc have prepared a poster on the disease and we will be circulating these to every Teagasc, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Coillte and NPWS office in the country as well as other relevant private sector offices. The aim will be to inform people of the symptoms of the disease and so as promote early detection.

In terms of preventing further infections originating from outside of Ireland, I introduced legislation on the 26th October 2012, to prohibit the importation into Ireland of plant material from ash dieback infected areas. The measures make it an offence to import ash plants and seed from any country known to have the disease. As the island of Ireland has harmonised plant health status under the EU Plant Health Directive, these legal measures were introduced in conjunction with similar measures taken by the Northern Ireland. Great Britain also brought in similar measures.

While plants are a higher risk pathway, scientific advice is that the movement of ash timber is also a possible pathway of infection. Legislation on the movement of ash wood was introduced, again in conjunction with Northern Ireland, on the 6th November 2012 and will limit the movement of ash wood into the island of Ireland as a precautionary measure.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Questions (555)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

555. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to extend the deadline for applications to the agri environment options scheme to the end of the year due to the uncertainty surrounding the commonage plans and the need for farmers to have ample time to get plans prepared to join the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51572/12]

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Written answers

The Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS 111) which I re-opened recently will operate largely on the same basis as in previous years and the same measures and rates of payment will be available. In certain cases, applicants must submit a Sustainable Management Plan prepared by a planner in accordance with the scheme specifications, details of which are on the Department’s website and are available to applicants and planners.

The closing date for applications of 30 November was fixed with a view to allowing applicants adequate time to prepare and submit applications under the scheme and, following the processing of those applications, to allow for the entry of new participants as soon as possible.

I have no plans at present to extend the 30th November 2012 deadline for the receipt of AEOS 111 applications. My objective remains to inform successful applicants of their commencement date in the scheme at the earliest possible date. Any extension to the deadline for the submission of applications could result in a delay in the issuing of approvals and a later commencement date.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (556)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

556. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to concern among farmers farming in non-designated areas who intend to apply for agri environment option scheme 3 that they will not be accepted into the scheme if sufficient applications are received from farmers in environmentally designated areas and that they will therefore be out of pocket for the cost of preparing the plan to join AEOS with no return and that this is inhibiting farmers from applying for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51573/12]

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Written answers

I have decided that the re-opened Agri-environment Options Scheme (AEOS) will operate largely on the same basis as in previous years and that the same measures and rates of payment will be available. Details of the scheme are available on the Department’s website. I expect that the funding which I have provided will facilitate the approval of some 6,000 farmers into the scheme.

The priorities for selecting applications for AEOS 3 are set out in the Scheme Terms and Conditions. Privately Owned Natura land where applicants have a minimum of 0.5 hectares of utilisable agricultural area of either Special Protection Areas or Special Areas of Conservation are ranked first in order of priority. In the event that the number of applicants in this category exceeds the funding available priority will be given to those with the largest utilisable agricultural Natura area. Priority is then given to Commonage Natura land where applicants have a minimum of 0.5 hectares of utilisable agricultural commonage area. Similarly, in the event that the number of applicants in this category exceeds the funding available priority will be given to those with the largest utilisable agricultural commonage Natura area.

It is mandatory for all these farmers to engage the services of a planner in the preparation of their applications. However farmers with no or less than 0.5 hectares of designated or commonage land do not have to engage the services of a planner and are free to complete and submit the application form without incurring the cost of a planner.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (557)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

557. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the outstanding disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51578/12]

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Written answers

As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue directly to the nominated bank account.

Domestic Violence Incidence

Questions (558)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

558. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason abused men who deal with an organisation (details supplied) are forced to deal with women when the women's refuge does not even let men near their building; her views on whether men with trust issues with women should have to endure this; her further views on whether the stigma attached to reporting is bad enough without this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50960/12]

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Written answers

My Department has brought this matter to the attention of the HSE, which has an established relationship with the organisation in question, and asked that it provide the Deputy with the information requested as soon as possible.

Early Child Care Education Issues

Questions (559)

Robert Troy

Question:

559. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rationale for introducing a minimum limit of eight children participating in the early childhood care and education scheme in order for a school to provide this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51121/12]

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Written answers

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Approximately 65,700 children are availing of the ECCE programme in the current school year and €175.8 million has been provided to cover the cost of the programme.

Since the introduction of the programme, services have been expected to have a minimum enrolment of at least 8 eligible children to participate in the programme. This number is considered the minimum appropriate number for the fostering of pro-social behaviour and cognitive development. It is important that the pre-school classroom should provide stimulating, motivating activities that promote student involvement, where individual choices are encouraged and where there is an opportunity for children to engage with a diverse range of friends.

However, to allow for the flexible implementation of the programme a number of exceptions to this minimum requirement may be considered. For example, a service which is an appropriate setting for the pre-school year and has an enrolment of at least 8 children of whom at least 3 qualify for the programme and the remainder will qualify in the following year, can apply for entry to the programme. Smaller services which have an enrolment of not fewer than 5 children in their pre-school year can also apply for entry. In addition, in order to ensure that no child is denied the opportunity of availing of the free pre-school year, certain rural services not meeting the minimum requirement may participate where parents in the area would have no other convenient option.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (560)

Robert Troy

Question:

560. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is her intention to introduce an age ceiling of 15 years for existing disabled children receiving subvention for all day childcare services; if so, the reason for same, in view of the fact that children are ineligible to apply for the disability allowance until 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51122/12]

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Written answers

The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme is implemented by my Department and provides support to community childcare services to enable them to provide childcare at reduced rates to low income families and to families where one or both parents is in receipt of a social welfare payment.

The CCS programme provides support to all qualifying parents including those parents whose children have special needs. The upper age limit for all children availing of the subvention support under this programme is 15 years and this upper age threshold has been in existence since the CCS programme was introduced in 2010.

Issues relating to disability allowance or other income supports for children with disabilities is a matter for the Department of Social Protection.

Legislative Programme

Questions (561)

Robert Troy

Question:

561. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the necessary legislation will be published for the establishment of the child and family support agency; if it is still her intention that this agency will be functioning from 1 January 2013 and will it be necessary for the appropriate legislation to be enacted before the agency can be set up. [51228/12]

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Written answers

The Government has approved the Heads of the Child and Family Support Agency Bill and has also agreed to the priority drafting of this Bill. The necessary legislative and organisational preparations are being prioritised so that the Agency can be established early in 2013. Drafting of the Child and Family Support Agency Bill is under way, in line with the policy decisions of Government. This legislation will be published and debated by the Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity. A precise target date will be set when consideration of the legislation is advanced.

While the legislative process is under way all necessary organisational preparations are continuing in parallel so that there is no delay in the establishment of the Agency as soon as this has been authorised by the Oireachtas. These processes are been overseen by a interdepartmental/cross agency group chaired by the Secretary General and involving representatives of the Departments of Health and Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE and the incoming management team of the new Agency.

I am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child protection and welfare services, and confident that the establishment of the Agency will bring a dedicated focus to child protection, family support and other key children’s services for the first time in the history of the State. The new Agency and the wider transformation of children's services represents the largest, and most ambitious, areas of public sector of reform embarked upon by this Government.

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