Dara Calleary
Question:551. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of all Department payments paid to a herd number (details supplied) in County Donegal between 2002 and 2012. [56753/12]
View answerAgriculture Schemes Payments
Questions (551)
Written answers
My Department has made no payments to the person named by the Deputy.
Agriculture Schemes Appeals
Questions (552)
Dara Calleary
Question:552. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person in (details supplied) in County Mayo may expect to have their area based payments application processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56795/12]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Agriculture Schemes Payments
Questions (553)
James Bannon
Question:553. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding agricultural entitlements for 2011 and 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56806/12]
View answerWritten answers
Solicitors acting on behalf of the person named contacted the Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department on the 17th October 2012 to enquire about the 2012 single payment due to the estate of his late wife. My Department responded on the 19th October 2012 requesting bank account details and the usual testamentary documents. The solicitors acting on behalf of the person named informed my officials on the 3rd December 2012 that a Grant of Representation is not being extracted. Given the circumstances of the person named and the amount of the payment due to the estate my officials approved the release of payment which will now be made to the nominated bank account.
Single Payment Scheme Eligibility
Questions (554)
Brian Walsh
Question:554. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm that compliant with good agricultural environment condition is a farming activity for the purposes of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56845/12]
View answerWritten answers
In order to be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme and other area based schemes, an applicant must ensure that all agricultural land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). EU regulations governing the area based schemes set minimum standards for GAEC which must be complied with by means of the undertaking of appropriate agricultural practices. Theses standards set requirements relating to the protection of soil from erosion; maintenance of soil organic matter levels; maintenance of soil structure; minimum level of maintenance and avoidance of deterioration of habitats and the protection and management of water. Farmers can keep grassland in GAEC by conducting an agricultural activity on it, such as grazing, harvesting forage crops, or by topping. As a general principle, grasslands continue to be eligible where it is evident that the stocking rate on the land is sufficient.
Draught Horse Passports
Questions (555)
Tom Fleming
Question:555. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will issue an original horse passport as a matter of urgency to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56846/12]
View answerWritten answers
Under the relevant EU and national legislation on the identification of equines (Commission Regulation No. 504 of 2008 of 6 June 2008 on the identification of equidae and S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 as amended), the keeper of an equine can apply to the approved passport issuing organisation to replace a lost passport. This legislation provides that, where the original passport is lost and the equine’s identity can be established by reference to the micro-chip, the passport issuing body may issue a duplicate passport. However, where the original passport is lost and the equine’s identity cannot be established, the passport issuing organisation may only issue a replacement passport. In both cases, the equine must be classified in Part II of Section IX of the replacement document as “not intended for human consumption”.
I should explain that EU food safety legislation (Regulation (EC) No 854/2004) requires that only animals identified properly and with the appropriate food chain information may be placed on the market for human consumption. An equine for slaughter for human consumption must therefore be accompanied to the slaughterhouse by its passport compliant with current veterinary requirements. The use of certain animal remedies excludes equines from slaughter for human consumption. In such circumstances, the veterinary surgeon records the use of such animal remedies in the section provided on the passport.
With regard to the person concerned, he registered a foal in 2009 with a passport issuing organisation but never received the passport in the post. In accordance with national and EU legislation referred to above, the duplicate passport issued in 2012 was stamped as ‘not fit for human consumption’. Accordingly, my Department cannot issue the original passport or issue a duplicate passport to Mr. Flynn without the indication that the horse is ‘not fit for human consumption’.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (556)
Dara Calleary
Question:556. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an area aid application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56881/12]
View answerWritten answers
As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (557)
John O'Mahony
Question:557. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56908/12]
View answerWritten answers
As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (558)
Tom Fleming
Question:558. Deputy Tom Fleming 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. [56917/12]
View answerWritten answers
As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (559)
Tom Fleming
Question:559. Deputy Tom Fleming 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. [56941/12]
View answerWritten answers
Payment 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.
Fur Farming
Questions (560)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:560. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the fact that a ban on fur farming is going through the Dutch Parliament, the Netherlands being the third biggest for mink fur farming in the world, and Germany phasing out fur farming by 2016, if he will consider the phasing out of fur farming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56967/12]
View answerWritten answers
Late last year, I established a Review Group in my Department to review all aspects of fur farming taking into account existing legislative provisions for the licensing of mink farming. The Group, in compiling its report, considered submissions received from a variety of organisations and individuals opposed to fur-farming and also from businesses and individuals, many of whom are involved with fur farming and who consider it a legitimate business activity. The Group also met with a number of parties and individuals who made submissions to the Review.
I have given careful consideration to the series of recommendations contained in the report and I accept the recommendation not to ban fur farming. However, I realise that it is essential that operators adopt best practice and embrace developments with respect to improved methods and systems for the farming of mink. I am therefore putting in place enhanced veterinary and agricultural inspections, including unannounced inspections. I am also providing for the adoption of Codes of Practice by fur farmers to help them adapt the highest standards of animal husbandry and provide practical assistance for breeding and rearing of animals.
I acknowledge that some find fur farming unacceptable but to simply outlaw a legitimate farming activity practised in many member states, no matter how small the number involved, could involve substantial financial compensation for existing operators for the loss of their livelihood. Funds are not at my disposal for this purpose and prohibiting fur farming would simply transfer this economically viable industry to other fur producing countries with less stringent regulatory systems.
Departmental Investigations
Questions (561)
John McGuinness
Question:561. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a complaint made by a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if a report of the incident has been compiled by his Department; if disciplinary action has been taken against the person complained of by his Department; if his Department has issued an apology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56988/12]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has completed an internal investigation into this complaint under the Customer Service Action Plan. Relevant parties were interviewed in person as part of the process. A copy of the report has issued to the parties concerned. After careful consideration of the evidence, the findings of the investigation did not uphold the complaint. Any party dissatisfied with the findings of this investigation may appeal the matter to the Ombudsman.
Scéim um Limistéir faoi Mhíbhuntáiste
Questions (562)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:562. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén fáth nár íocadh airgead faoin Scéim um Limistéir faoi Mhíbhuntáiste ná faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair, do 2012. [57032/12]
View answerWritten answers
Fuarthas iarratas faoin Acht um Íoc 2012 Singil / Scéimeanna Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste ón duine ainmnithe ar an 10ú Bealtaine 2012. D'fhonn ceanglais an AE a chomhlíonadh, bhí an t-iarratasóir ar dhuine de líon áirithe a roghnaíodh le haghaidh cigireachta. Mar thoradh ar an iniúchadh fuarthas torthaí de ródhearbhú sa réimse idir 0% agus 3%. Mar thoradh air sin beidh íocaíocht laghdaithe i gceist faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta. Déanfar íocaíocht faoi Scéim na hAoníocaíochta agus na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste a eisiúint go luath ar an gcuntas bainc ainmnithe. Cuireadh in iúl don iarratasóir i litir dar dáta 14 Nollaig maidir le toradh an phróisis iniúchta agus na cúiseanna a bhain leis.
Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments
Questions (563)
Jim Daly
Question:563. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme payment for 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57051/12]
View answerWritten answers
The person named commenced REPS 4 in March 2009 and received payments for the first three 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. In the course of the administrative check an area discrepancy was discovered between the Single Payment Scheme application for 2012 and the REPS Agri-environmental Plan which has resulted in the necessity for further clarification. This issue is currently being investigated with the intention of an early resolution and payment in respect of 2012.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (564)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:564. 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 disadvantaged area payment for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57087/12]
View answerWritten answers
Payment 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.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (565)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:565. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area based payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57090/12]
View answerWritten answers
As processing of the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue to the nominated bank account.
Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments
Questions (566)
Dan Neville
Question:566. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [57093/12]
View answerWritten answers
In view of the developments in the matter referred to, my Department is now enabled to proceed. Accordingly, payments under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and 2012 Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 17 December 2012, directly to the nominated bank account.
Foreign Adoptions
Questions (567)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:567. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update in relation to the development of a new bilateral agreement with Russia on adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56308/12]
View answerWritten answers
As Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010.
It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed a draft bilateral agreement presented to it during previous discussions with its Russian counterparts and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. I have asked the Adoption Authority to have further exploratory talks with the Russian authorities focusing on areas of concern in order that the Authority may progress its assessment of the situation and provide a definitive recommendation to me on the feasibility of formally opening discussion with the Russian Federation under Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Adoption Authority, through the Irish Embassy in Moscow, have sought to meet the Russian authorities in this regard. The Russian authorities have indicated that they are not in a position to facilitate such a meeting until the first quarter of 2013. The Adoption Authority is following-up to secure an appropriate date.
Youth Services Provision
Questions (568)
Robert Troy
Question:568. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the recent Indecon report on youth work; if it informed any of her policy choices with regard to budget 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56977/12]
View answerWritten answers
I welcome the recent publication of the Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work carried out by Indecon on behalf of the National Youth Council of Ireland. The report illustrates the breadth, depth and value of the youth work sector in Ireland and provides an assessment of the value and contribution of youth work to the economy, to young people themselves and to the social fabric of Irish society. I have brought the report to the attention of the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform, Social Protection and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
Funding of €53.173m has been provided to my Department for the provision of youth services in 2013 through the different schemes which include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, Youth Information Centres, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, the Local Drugs Force Task Scheme and certain other programmes including Gaisce- the President’s Award. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve 1,400 paid staff and some 40,000 volunteers in 477 youth projects around the country.
My Department is working on the determination of the funding allocations for youth services in 2013 and is seeking to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, the funding available supports effective front line youth service delivery, particularly for the most vulnerable young people. Youth organisations and projects will be advised of their 2013 allocations as soon as possible. There will no reduction in funding in 2013 for the 1600 local volunteer-led youth clubs and groups which offer quality youth activities for some 100,000 young people throughout the country. The impact of the social capital which is built in local communities through such activities is a core element of the Indecon Economic Assessment of the Value of Youth Work.
My Department is developing proposals to streamline the existing five separate funding lines in 2013 so that youth projects will receive one funding stream allowing more flexibility in setting priorities, managing savings and reconfiguring service provision. A formal Value for Money review of youth programmes is also being initiated by my Department for completion in 2013. The Indecon report is timely in this regard and the findings will be further considered as part of the review process. I look forward to continued collaboration with the youth sector in implementing the necessary reforms in a way that ensures the realisation of our shared objectives for the provision of efficient and effective quality youth services for young people.
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (569)
Simon Harris
Question:569. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the formations of the EU Councils of Ministers on which she sits; the number of meetings of that Council held from 9 March 2011 to date in 2012; the number of those meetings she attended; the number attended by a Minister of State; the number attended by an Irish official; and if she will provide the names of those who attended in tabular form. [56542/12]
View answerWritten answers
In my role as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am a member of the EU Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council of Ministers. Since my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in March 2011, there have been four EU Youth Councils i.e. 19 May 2011, 28 November 2011, 11 May 2012 and most recently 27 November 2012. With regard to my attendance at these meetings, I was represented at the meetings on 19 May 2011 and 28 November 2011 by an official of my Department and by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU - their details are set out in the following table. I participated in proceedings of the latter two meetings. As part of my responsibilities during the Irish Presidency from January to June 2013, I am looking forward to chairing the proceedings of the Council of Youth Ministers which will be held in mid-May 2013.
|
Date of Youth Council |
Attendance |
|
19 May 2011 |
Ambassador Tom Hanney, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU; Mr. Jim O’Donovan, Assistant Principal, Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
|
28 November 2011 |
Ambassador Tom Hanney, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU; Ms. Mary Mc Loughlin, Principal Officer, Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
|
11 May 2012 |
Minister Frances Fitzgerald, TD; Ambassador Tom Hanney, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU; Ms Catherine Hazlett, Principal Officer, Department of Children and Youth Affairs. |
|
27 November 2012 |
Minister Frances Fitzgerald, TD; Ambassador Tom Hanney, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU; Ms Catherine Hazlett, Principal Officer, Department of Children and Youth Affairs. |
Family Support Services
Questions (570)
Brendan Griffin
Question:570. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the future of a resource centre (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56676/12]
View answerWritten answers
The Family Support Agency provides support for families under the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. The aim is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Key services provided by FRCs include:
- Information, advice and support for groups and families at local level.
- Childcare facilities for those attending courses provided by the FRC.
- After-school clubs.
- Education courses and training opportunities.
- Assistance to community groups (such as training and the shared use of facilities).
Family Resource Centres have an important role to play in harnessing local community efforts in support of improved outcomes for children and young people which is a key objective of my Department.
As part of the national effort to address Ireland’s fiscal deficit, the Family Support Agency, like many other State bodies, has been asked to make savings across all the programmes which it administers. The Agency is required to achieve savings of 5% per annum over 2012 – 2014 on the costs of the Family Resource Centre Programme. The Family Resource Centres the Deputy is referring each received over €116k in funding in 2012 from the Family Support Agency.
The Family Support Agency wrote to the family resources centres advising them of the reduction in funding and the need to plan for change. The Agency is aware of the challenges that the reduction in funding raises for the family resource centres throughout the country. The Agency has not stipulated how centres should apply the revised level of funding. The family resource centres have been asked to focus, in particular, on identifying the scope for greater efficiency and for reduction in the administration and overhead costs associated with the day-to-day running of the centres, with the objective of supporting as far as possible, the services that the centres provide to families and groups at local level.
Family Support Services
Questions (571)
Dara Calleary
Question:571. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider granting formal representation to the Family Resource Centre network on the board of the proposed Child and Family Support Agency in view of the excellent work they do and services they provide across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56737/12]
View answerWritten answers
The composition of the Board of the Child and Family Support Agency is currently under consideration. While the composition of the Board will reflect the component organisations which are being amalgamated into the Child and Family Support Agency. The criteria for Board membership will be focused on ensuring that Board members have the requisite mix of experience and competencies needed to steer such a large organisation providing a diverse range of personal services.