Written Answers Nos. 101 - 121
101. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54878/12]
View answerAs processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application of the person named has now been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account.
102. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the outstanding agri-environment options scheme payment due to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54934/12]
View answerMy Department has no record of having received an Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) application from the person named for AEOS I or AEOS II. Accordingly, the question of an outstanding AEOS payment does not arise. The person named was a participant in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) with a contract end date of 31 August 2011, so it would not have been possible to make a valid application under either AEOS 1 or AEOS 2.
103. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54936/12]
View answerThe application under the Afforestation Scheme for the above contract number was refused because of concerns that the development would cause sedimentation and pose a risk to the local drinking water supply. This decision was the subject of an appeal but the appeal was unsuccessful for the reasons set out in the original decision and in the absence of any measures to mitigate the impact on the water supply. An added factor is that the lands in question are within an area designated for the protection of the hen harrier where no applications for afforestation are being approved pending completion of ongoing discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
104. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will be paid a 2012 disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54939/12]
View answerThe person named has recently been advised of the success of a derogation application under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Following further validation, their application has been confirmed as satisfying the requirements of the 2012 Scheme and, therefore, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account.
105. 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 an appeal on disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54940/12]
View answerWhile the person named was successful under the derogation process, the holding concerned does not satisfy the minimum stocking density requirement insofar as horses are being taken into account. Where horses are being considered for stocking density purposes, the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Scheme require that an applicant’s holding must meet the definition of an equine breeding enterprise requirement. For these purposes, the person must be an equine breeder and have bred a foal, in 2011, from a mare registered on the applicant’s holding, in either 2009, 2010 or 2011, which was registered in a Stud Book approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with pedigree recorded (sire and dam). While the applicant submitted evidence of a foal born in 2011, the Department has been unable to establish that this foal was registered, as required, in a recognised Stud Book. Should such evidence be provided, the case will immediately be further processed.
106. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a grant application (details supplied). [54941/12]
View answerIt is understood that this enquiry concerns the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Payment under this 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.
107. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a single farm payment and disadvantaged payment. [54942/12]
View answerAs processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application of the person named has now been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account.
108. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry grant in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [54951/12]
View answerOne of the requirements of the afforestation schemes administered by my Department is that the applicant must own, lease or be in joint management of the lands planted and provide documentary evidence of such title before payments can be released. In the case of the person named he has applied to the Property Registration Authority for registration of his title to this land under Section 49 of the Registration of Title Act, 1964. Once this title has been determined, his application for payment under my Departments FEPS scheme will be considered further.
109. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 941 of 25 January 2006 if a scheme for the allotment of turbary rights proceeded; if so, the reason the owner of bog (details supplied) was not contacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54955/12]
View answerA Scheme was prepared for the bog in question but was not operated. Due to the fact that a number of technical issues arose the matter is still under consideration. The person named is not the owner of the bog. The position is that the fee simple of the bog is owned by a number of individuals and the turbary rights are in the name of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine as successor to the former Irish Land Commission.
110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prohibit hydraulic dredging for shellfish in the Portrane area, County Dublin, in view of the concerns that the impact of this activity so close to the shore is a factor in recent coastal erosion. [54980/12]
View answerI believe that the Deputy is most likely referring to hydraulic dredging for razor clams, which occurs in shallow waters off the east coast from Howth to Dundalk. This fishery has been in place since the early 1980s and occurs on muddy seabeds where dense beds of razor clams exist. I am informed that this fishery is unlikely to contribute to the serious coastal erosion in the Portrane area, which was identified in this House as long ago as 1950. The fishery occurs sporadically in very local areas of seabed only and no sediments are taken from the area.
111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54981/12]
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 its decision, in writing.
112. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide funding in 2013 for remedial works to piers and harbours in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54983/12]
View answerMy Department administers the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme on an annual basis. The Programme provides funding for the development of fishery harbours, aquaculture landing places and marine leisure and tourism facilities. I intend to seek applications, in priority order, from coastal Local Authorities for qualifying projects to be considered under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Development Programme. Any application submitted by Kerry County Council for funding under the 2013 Programme will be assessed based on the available exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications for a derogation under the disadvantaged areas scheme that have been examined to date; the number in which the derogation was granted and the number refused; the number of those who were refused a derogation that appealed this decision; the number subsequently granted a derogation and the number refused; if these applicants can now appeal to the permanent appeals mechanism within his Department and raise the issue with the Ombudsman with all the above information broken down between the different categories of disadvantaged payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54991/12]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled at present and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
114. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the agri environment option scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55016/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 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 a query arose in relation to the claimed Natura area on a parcel. This problem is presently being addressed and I expect payment will issue shortly.
115. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount that has been paid under the disadvantaged area scheme for each of the the years 2007 to 2011 to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the stocking densities for each of those years and the stocking density requirement for the 2012 application. [55017/12]
View answerPayment of €3,400.86 under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the bank account of the person named on 29 November 2012. A stocking density of 0.09 livestock units per forage hectare was accepted, given the restrictions applicable to the holding. Details regarding the years 2007 to 2011, inclusive, are as follows:
|
Year |
Maximum area paid on |
Stocking Density |
Payment |
|
2011 |
34 hectares |
0.09 (REPS restricted) |
€3,400.86 |
|
2010 |
34 hectares |
0.09 (REPS restricted) |
€3,400.86 |
|
2009 |
34 hectares |
0.10 (REPS restricted) |
€3,400.86 |
|
2008 |
45 hectares |
0.11 (REPS restricted) |
€4,456.75 |
|
2007 |
45 hectares |
0.11 (REPS restricted) |
€4,456.75 |
|
€19,116.08 |
116. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the environmental impact statement for the proposed salmon farm in Galway Bay was carried out by Bord Iascaigh Mhara the agency proposing the scheme and not by independent qualified consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55023/12]
View answerBord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being considered fully in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the1933 Foreshore Act as amended. As consideration of the application and EIS is ongoing by my Department in accordance with the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the EIS pending a determination of the application.
117. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will instruct Bord Iascaigh Mhara to provide the additional background material to the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed salmon farm in Galway Bay, as requested by a club (details supplied); the reason this material was not provided when requested several times previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55024/12]
View answerBord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being considered fully in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the1933 Foreshore Act as amended. The legislation provides for a period of statutory and general public consultation designed to afford stakeholders and the general public the opportunity to comment on the application. My Department’s consideration of the application is in accordance with the statutory process and it would not be appropriate for my Department to instruct BIM as the Deputy has requested.
118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rates that will apply for foster payments in 2013 [55013/12]
View answerDecisions in relation to foster care rates for 2013 have not yet been taken. My Office is currently liaising with the Department of Finance regarding the rates of the Foster Care Allowance to apply.
119. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Family Resource Centre National Forum will be represented at board level in the new Child and Family Support Agency. [54948/12]
View answer120. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that the budget for the Family Resource Centre programme will be ring fenced and protected in her Department's budget and under the new Child and Family Support Agency. [54949/12]
View answer121. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs If she will ensure that the ethos, culture and role of the Family Resource Centre network in the delivery of community-based universal services and early intervention services will be fully maintained when the Family Resource Centres move to the new Child and Family Support Agency. [54950/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 to 121, inclusive, together.
The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established in early 2013. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have responsibility for a range of services. This includes the full range of child welfare and protection services currently operated by the HSE including family support and alternative care services. It has also been decided that due to its particular relevance domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services will also be included within the Agency's responsibilities. The Government has further decided that the new Agency will assume responsibility for the functions of both the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. These two organisations currently operate under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
It is my intention that the work of the new agency will include a particular focus on the provision of services that could help prevent problems arising for a family, that would identify problems and provide supports at an early stage and that would assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised interventions beyond their own resources. Therefore, in addition to child welfare and protection services there will be an emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support and therapeutic care interventions. I can assure the Deputy that the focus of the new Agency will build on the excellent work undertaken by the Family Support Agency over the last decade. The additional issues raised by the Deputy are being given consideration as part of the preparation of the legislation necessary to give effect to the establishment of the new agency.
