Written Answers Nos. 202-210
202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment for REP scheme 4 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53164/12]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and has received payments for the first four years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 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. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
203. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53196/12]
View answerThe person named is one of a number, their derogation application having been unsuccessful, who were offered the option to appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. While, to date, the person named has not availed of this option, it remains open.
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 16 October 2012, if he will provide an update in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53199/12]
View answerThe person named had submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act for the names of the people who have claimed ‘Area Aid payments’ on the land referred to. This request was refused on the basis that third party information in relation to Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area scheme applications cannot be released under the Freedom of Information Act. The person was advised by letter of this on 20th September 2012 and also of the appeal procedure. My Department has also recently been in contact with the person to further outline the position.
205. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the review of the commonage framework plans; the way the review will be conducted; the way the review will impact on persons in the Cooley peninsula, County Louth and hill farmers across the State; if he plans to issue letters to persons in relation to the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53278/12]
View answerThe Commonage Framework Plans, first published in 2002, have been reviewed to take account of the current vegetative condition of commonages nationally. This review which will replace the Commonage Framework Plans has been carried out by the National Parks and Wildlife Service in co-operation with my Department. The review was carried out on a commonage LPIS parcel basis and sets a minimum and maximum number of ewe equivalents (EE) required to graze the commonage parcel to ensure that it is maintained in Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC). I am currently considering an implementation plan to take account of the changed stocking levels. My Department is trying to reconcile the reality of commonages with the EU requirements of GAEC. I will work with the farmers, farm organisations and others to design a practical solution.
206. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of Government special advisers employed in his Department; the total cost of employing these advisers and the cost of employing these advisers [53305/12]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s question, I have detailed in the following table all Special Advisers employed in my Department.
|
Name |
Title |
Current Salary |
Salary on appointment |
|
Ross MacMathuna (from 16/01/2012 to date) |
Special Advisor to Minister Coveney |
€110,000 |
€110,000 |
|
Aine Kilroy (from 18/4/2011 – to date) |
Special Advisor to Minister Coveney |
€80,051 |
€80,051 |
207. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is in the process of selling forestry land (details supplied) in County Donegal; the reason for any such sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53345/12]
View answerMy Department is not in the process of selling the forestry lands indicated by the Deputy. The bulk of the State’s forestry estate was vested in Coillte, in accordance with the Forestry Act 1988, upon the company’s establishment in 1989. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the sale and acquisition of land which take place regularly, are the responsibility of the company.
208. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an earlier start date for tree and hedge planting with regards to agri environment option scheme 2 is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53374/12]
View answerThe Terms and Conditions of the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 2, which refers to the 2011 scheme year, states that aid will not be given for works commenced or materials purchased prior to an applicant receiving written confirmation of admission to the Scheme. The Specification for the Scheme requires that hedgerow and tree planting take place in the first dormant season after receiving approval in writing of an applicant’s acceptance into the Scheme. The principle of prior approval, and the deadlines and requirements in relation to the 2011 scheme, cannot be changed.
209. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53376/12]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2009 and has received payments for the first year of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the 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. This process is nearing completion for 2012 REPS 4 applications and I expect that payments will commence shortly.
210. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry application in respect of a person (details supplied); when the person may expect payment of amounts outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53379/12]
View answerThis applicant is required to submit a Tax Clearance Certificate that will be valid at the date of payment of the second instalment of the forestry grant. Such a certificate was requested from the applicant in a letter dated 15th October 2012. No reply has been received to date. A reminder was sent to the applicant on the 26th November 2012. As this grant has been mandated to the applicant’s forester, a valid Tax Clearance Certificate is also required from the forester. As the forester’s certificate has recently expired, a request for a new current one was sent on the 26th November 2012. No further payments can issue under this forestry contract until both Tax Clearance Certificates are received.
