Written Answers Nos. 504-524
504. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54028/12]
View answerPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. My Department has been in direct contact with the person named, on foot of which further documentation is due to be submitted. Immediately on receipt of this, the application will be further processed and, should it be then confirmed that the holding of the person named has satisfied the minimum stocking density requirements, payment will issue as soon as possible thereafter.
505. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54029/12]
View answerPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued as, at this stage, the holding concerned 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.
506. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if BIM has reported back to him on foot of his request for information on the allegation that the agency was competing unfairly with the private sector in relation to training in the area of marine and water hazards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54038/12]
View answerIn response to the Deputy’s earlier related Question of 22nd February, 2012, I requested the Chair of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) to provide me with a report on the Bord’s training activities. I have since received a comprehensive report on the training courses provided by BIM and associated matters. This report indicates that BIM does not provide training courses for activities that might be deemed outside its remit. The report further clarifies that training course costs are consistent with market charges, with the exception of the mandatory Basic Safety Training Course, a course which the Bord notes has contributed to the significant reduction in the number of fishermen lost at sea or seriously injured. This course, I am advised, is provided free of charge in the United Kingdom. Overall I accept the contents of the report which concludes that, regarding the provision of training courses, BIM makes appropriate use of State funding.
507. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive the remainder of their 2010 disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54040/12]
View answerI can confirm that payments issued to the person named on 3 December.
508. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal in relation to a derogation under the disadvantaged areas scheme will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54070/12]
View answerThe appeal of the person named was recently forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; immediately that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of their decision, in writing.
509. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment in respect of the disadvantaged area scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54072/12]
View answerIssues arose relating to the nine commonage land parcels declared by the person named under the 2012 Schemes. My Department has been in direct contact with the person named on a number of occasions requesting further relevant information and, while the person named has provided some of the information sought, the balance remains outstanding. Immediately the outstanding documentation is furnished the matter will be further processed, with a view to payment issuing shortly thereafter.
510. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the application of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for 2012 single payment scheme will be re-examined in view of the weather circumstances in 2012 making this land inaccessible for mechanical spraying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54099/12]
View answerThe person named is an applicant under the 2012 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes. In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection. Following the completion of the inspection and related processes, an over-claim was confirmed and accordingly a reduced advance payment issued on 15 November. A letter also issued on 13th November outlining how the over-claim arose and explaining the appeals procedure in place. An appeal has been received and is being processed. The balancing payment due under the Single Payment Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account on 3rd December.
511. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a íocfar deontas faoi scéim na limistéar faoi mhíbhuntáiste, disadvantage area scheme, 2012 d’fheilmeoir (sonraí tugtha) agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54103/12]
View answerÓ tharla iarratas an duine ainmnithe a bheith próiseáilte le déanaí, eiseofar íocaíocht go luath chuig cuntas bainc ainmnithe an té sin.
512. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline projects on which his Department cooperates with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in the North. [54147/12]
View answerBoth my officials and I are directly involved in ongoing and frequent North South engagement on a range of issues. This work is undertaken in the context of advancing co-operation through the structures of the North South Ministerial Council, most recently at the agriculture sectoral meeting of the Council on 31 October 2012. Both Departments continue to enjoy excellent co-operation in a number of areas including:
- the development of an All-Island Animal Health Strategy for control of animal movements and the prevention, containment and eradication of epizootic diseases in Ireland;
- the development of an All-Island Plant Health and Research Strategy including co-operation between both jurisdictions in relation to plant protection products and
- liaison on a range of international issues including trade and the reform of the Common Agriculture Policy.
We also co-operate in other areas of common interest as specific matters arise, the most recent being issues relating to farm safety, cooperation in programmes to control and eradicate production diseases through Animal Health Ireland and its Northern counterpart, joint research projects, cross border laboratory collaboration and the outbreak of the Chalara Fraxinea disease commonly known as ash dieback.
513. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri environment option scheme payment for 2011 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [54167/12]
View answerThe 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. During these checks issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland and Natura Owned actions. My Department is currently examining these issues and once satisfactorily resolved, payment will issue at the earliest opportunity.
514. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 agri environment option scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54210/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €476.63 and €2,844.00 issued in respect of 2010 and 2011 respectively. 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. During these checks issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura Commonage action. My Department is currently examining these issues and once satisfactorily resolved, payment will issue at the earliest opportunity.
515. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal against the non payment of disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo and if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54233/12]
View answerThe appeal of the person named was recently forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; immediately that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of their decision, in writing.
516. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area scheme application will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [54234/12]
View answerFollowing the success of the derogation application of the person named, their application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has now been processed and confirmed eligible for payment, which will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account.
517. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their appeal for disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54277/12]
View answerThe appeal of the person named was recently forwarded to the DAS Appeals Committee for consideration; immediately that Committee has adjudicated on this appeal, the person concerned will be notified of their decision, in writing.
518. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a farmer (details supplied) in Cuonty Galway will be paid their 2012 disadvantage area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54284/12]
View answerPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 26 September 2012.
519. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment, rural environment protection scheme and area aid payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54306/12]
View answerPayments under the Schemes mentioned have not yet issued to the person named as an issue concerning an area of previously unmapped commonage, which was declared by the person named for the first time in 2012, remains to be resolved. The matter is quite complex, particularly given that there are other claimants on the commonage. However, steps have been taken to allow, to the extent possible, payments to issue to the person named as soon as possible, notwithstanding that this particular aspect remains outstanding.
With specific regard to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme as, at this stage, the holding of the person named has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements, payment cannot issue. However, 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.
520. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54309/12]
View answerThe 50% advance payment under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 3 October and the 50% balancing payment on 3 December, directly to the nominated bank account.
521. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm if Dunmore East Harbour, County Waterford, is to be included on the list of fishing harbours which are to be shortly allocated funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54312/12]
View answerThe Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme which my Department administers on an annual basis provides funding for capital works at the six Fishery Harbour Centres including Dunmore East. Projects, including the provision of an improved slipway at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre, will be considered for inclusion under the 2013 programme on the basis of available exchequer funding and other competing priorities.
522. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to dredge the harbour at Dunmore East (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54313/12]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. The harbour makes a valuable contribution to the fishing industry and provides a dedicated and essential service to our fishing fleet. Both local and visiting fishing vessels, including vessels of significant dimensions, are currently availing of the harbour facilities at Dunmore East primarily for landing herring.
My Department continues to support the harbour’s development with funding provided for maintenance, development and upgrading works. The need for dredging works at the harbour has been recognised by my Department and funding was allocated under the 2012 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme to examine and report on the options with regard to dredging and disposing of the dredge material which includes contaminated sediment. Projects for inclusion under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme at Dunmore East will be considered on the basis of available exchequer funding and other competing priorities.
523. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers that have received their payments in each county and the number of farmers awaiting to receive their payment in each county under the single farm payment in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54324/12]
View answer524. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers whave received their payments in each county and the number of farmers awaiting to receive their payment in each county under the disadvantaged areas scheme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54325/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 523 and 524 together.
The information sought is being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
