Written Answers Nos. 820-838
820. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the Civil Defence budget for Longford-Westmeath to increase training requirements and improve the quality of services and contingencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1645/13]
View answerMy Department funds Civil Defence operations at local authority level to a maximum of 70% of approved expenditure. The balance of 30% is funded by the local authority. Despite cuts in funding across many Departments and State Bodies I have succeeded in maintaining overall funding for Civil Defence in 2013 at the same level as in the previous two years. Consequently it has been possible to maintain the current levels of grant-aid paid by my Department to local authorities to support their Civil Defence activities.
I regard this investment in supporting Civil Defence activities nationally as excellent value for money and it is my intention to maintain that level of funding in so far as possible as resources permit.
The present system of allocation of grants to local authorities has been in place for many years. In seeking to ensure that the distribution of funding to and among local authorities is carried out in the most efficient and effective manner my Department has commenced a review of the grants allocation system.
821. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of regulatory impact assessments that have been carried out by his Department in the past twelve months; and the list of regulatory impact assessments carried out within his Department in the past twelve months. [57757/12]
View answerThere have been no Regulatory Impact Assessments carried out by my Department in the past twelve months. The Department of Defence is not a regulatory authority as commonly understood. The Defence Acts and Regulations made thereunder are for the most part, focused on the Defence Forces only and do not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate.
822. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of agencies, bodies, boards, quangos or other entities, which are financed from, answerable to or established by his Department that have been abolished, merged or re-organised since this Government took office; the savings that have been realised since the changes were made; the level of staff reduction that has been achieved; if he will provide details of further agency reductions that he intends to pursue in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57875/12]
View answerThe bodies under the aegis of my Department when the Government took office were the Civil Defence Board, the Board of Coiste an Asgard and the Army Pensions Board. The Civil Defence Board is the only body under the aegis of my Department which was identified in the Public Service Reform Plan as a body to be abolished. The Civil Defence Board was established in 2003 following the enactment of the Civil Defence Act 2002. Legislation was passed by the Oireachtas in December 2012 for the dissolution of the Board and the transfer of its functions back to the Department of Defence. This is anticipated to realise an annual saving of €60,000 in running costs.
Coiste an Asgard was the company set up to manage the National Sail Training Scheme. In September 2008, the company’s sail training vessel ‘Asgard II’ sank in the Bay of Biscay. In December 2009, the previous Government announced that the National Sail Training Scheme was to be discontinued and the funding for 2010 was cancelled. Up to and including 2009, the company had been receiving funding from the National Lottery of approximately €800,000 per annum.
The Company has been inactive since and there is no crew or staff left on the payroll. The winding-up process is well advanced and it is anticipated that the company will be in a position to close early in 2013.
There are no plans to merge or abolish the Army Pensions Board.
823. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the amount of funding allocated to the Reserve Defence Forces during each of the past ten years. [58038/12]
View answerSubhead A5, formerly Subhead D, of the Defence Vote is entirely devoted to the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). This subhead included the provision for RDF training, gratuities, allowances and grants paid into unit funds.
The annual provision and outturn for Subhead A5, as per the Revised Estimates, for the years 2002 to 2012 is set out in the tabular statement below:
|
SUBHEAD A5 |
Provision (€’000) |
Outturn (€’000) |
|
2002 |
11,139 |
10,499 |
|
2003 |
11,570 |
11,106 |
|
2004 |
12,129 |
11,234 |
|
2005 |
12,553 |
10,542 |
|
2006 |
13,001 |
9,728 |
|
2007 |
12,541 |
8,839 |
|
2008 |
10,459 |
9,138 |
|
2009 |
8,900 |
6,651 |
|
2010 |
4,700 |
4,014 |
|
2011 |
4,386 |
3,935 |
|
2012 |
4,386 |
3,679 |
As the RDF is a constituent part of the Defence Forces there are a range of other costs that are encompassed within other subheads of the Defence Vote. These include the cost of PDF staff assigned to work with the Reserve, property related costs and other costs. Details of these costs over the period 2006 - 2011 are available in the Value for Money Review of the Reserve Defence Force which was published in November 2012.
824. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence the 2012 targets set for his Department for implementation of the Jobs Action Plan; if he will report on the attainment or otherwise of these targets; the reason targets were not met; the steps he is taking within his Department to create new jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1279/13]
View answerThe JobBridge National Internship Scheme is a key part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative and has been set up with a view to giving job seekers the opportunity to take part in a quality internship with a host organisation. Since the launch of the National Internship Scheme the Defence Forces have identified 66 internship opportunities, and 4 have been identified on the civil side of the Department of Defence.
18 jobseekers have commenced their internships with the Defence Forces and 4 with the Department of Defence, two of whom have recently secured full time employment outside of the Department of Defence.
In addition, the Air Corps has in recent times facilitated the training of 15 redundant Air Craft Maintenance apprentices formerly employed by SR Technics who were being trained under a FÁS apprentice scheme, and the Air Corps subsequently provided 24 weeks work experience for 2 of these apprentices.
825. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were fully funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/13]
View answer826. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were partially funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2033/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 826 together.
The following non-statutory organisations are partially funded by my Department:
|
ORGANISATION |
2012 |
|
GRANTS TO VETERAN ASSOCIATIONS |
|
|
Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) |
€10,000 |
|
Organisation of National Ex-servicemen and women (ONE) |
€40,000 |
|
GRANTS TO REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATIONS |
|
|
Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) |
€68,568 |
|
Reserve Defence Force Representative Association (RDFRA) |
€52,694 |
|
MISCELLANEOUS |
|
|
Military History Society of Ireland |
€2,442 |
In addition to the funding outlined above, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) and RDFRA are provided with office accommodation without charge. Personnel are seconded to RACO and PDFORRA on a non-recoupment basis. Currently, there are 2 officers seconded to RACO and 3 enlisted personnel to PDFORRA.
My Department does not fully fund any non-statutory bodies.
827. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the keeping of fowl in a residential area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1435/13]
View answerThere is no obstacle in the legislation implemented by my Department to the keeping of poultry for domestic use in residential or other areas. My Department has no plans to introduce any such legislation. However, any environmental consequences arising from the keeping of poultry in residential areas are matters that come within the remit of the local authorities.
828. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the applications for funding that were made by Fingal County Council for coastal protection schemes when this brief was under his Department's remit. [1758/13]
View answerThe Coastal Protection & Management functions previously held by my Department were transferred to the Office of Public Works with effect from January 2009 along with any files relating to that area. Any enquiries in relation to applications made by Fingal County Council for funding in respect of Coastal Protection works, past or present, should be directed to that office.
829. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of regulatory impact assessments that have been carried out by his Department in the past twelve months; and the list of regulatory impact assessments carried out within his Department in the past twelve months. [57753/12]
View answerThe necessity to perform regulatory impact assessments did not arise in my Department in the past twelve months.
830. 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. [57779/12]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the current 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. Following an inspection in 2012 an area discrepancy was discovered between the REPS plan and the Single Farm Application for 2012 which has resulted in the need for further clarification. This issue is currently being investigated with the intention of an early resolution and payment in respect of 2012.
831. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the payment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57790/12]
View answerPayment under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued to the person named on 24 December 2012, directly to the nominated bank account.
832. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to increase Irish food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57799/12]
View answerFood Harvest 2020 (FH2020) is the overall blueprint for the development of the agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry sector for the next decade. As the Deputy will be aware, this report set value growth targets in primary production, exports and value-added products. These targets will be achieved through a combination of increased production levels as well as enhanced efficiency and competitiveness measures. I chair the Food Harvest Implementation Committee (HLIC) and through this HLIC, which involves the senior executives of the agri-food sector’s state agencies, my focus is to achieve increased productivity at farm level.
FH2020 contained over 100 recommendations specifically directed at improving farm level efficiency. These involve a range of issues including knowledge transfer, genomics, competitiveness, animal welfare and restructuring which are progressed on a continuous basis by the HLIC. The latest Food Harvest progress report ‘Milestones for Success 2012’ (page 3) gives an update on each of these recommendations as well as a good overview on progress achieved to date; see the following link http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/agri-foodindustry/foodharvest2020/Report2012Milestonesforsucces021112.pdf
Within that context, I would highlight two areas of specific relevance to your question. To meet the ambitious targets for the agriculture and food industry, Teagasc has developed nine road maps, covering dairy, suckler beef, pigs, sheep, tillage, forestry, horticulture, food and the environment. These set out the technical performance required at farm level to meet the FH2020 targets and also take account of environmental and land-use implications of changes. Having explored the research and advisory actions required, the necessary actions are included in annual Business Plans and communicated to farmers.
Improved knowledge transfer is key area for increasing productivity and my Department has allocated additional funding to encourage efficiency gains at farm level Following on from the very successful dairy efficiency programme, farmer discussion groups, funded by this Department, were extended to the beef, sheep and cereal sectors. Currently over 11,000 farmers are involved in these groups which are improving competitiveness and efficiency at farm level through adoption of best practice in grassland management, breeding and financial management.
These and other similar efficiency measures are the steps being taken to increase production levels and attain the targets set in Food Harvest 2020.
833. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57803/12]
View answerAn AEOS 3 application was received in the Johnstown Castle Office of my Department from the person named on 28 November 2012. The closing date for receipt of applications was Friday 7 December and approximately 10,000 applications have been submitted. All applications received are now being processed with a view to issuing approvals to successful applicants as soon as possible.
834. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has explored the possibility of applying to the EU Solidarity Fund as a means of addressing the fodder crisis looming as a result of excessive rainfall in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57825/12]
View answerThe European Union Solidarity Fund is aimed primarily at providing funding to Member States in the event of a natural disaster.
I am very conscious of the significant problems and pressures that the very heavy rainfall last year has caused for farmers. I also fully appreciate the value and importance of the scheme payments to farmers and I remain committed to ensuring that the maximum numbers are paid at the earliest possible date, mindful, of course, of the over-riding necessity to ensure compliance with the governing EU requirements. In this regard, a total of €1,205million in Single Farm Payments was made by the end of 2012, the completion of a cycle of payments that commenced on 1st October with an advance payment agreed as a means of mitigating against the worst effects of the weather crisis. In addition, some €200million was discharged in DAS payments as well as €253 million for both REPS and AEOS by year end.
Teagasc and the Agriculture Consultants Association have been very active in providing advice and assistance for farmers affected by the bad weather. A series of public meetings were held across the country to address fodder / financial and social aspects of the weather crisis.
835. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when approval will be granted on the applications submitted for ships for the live export of cattle; the number and type of animals to be transported; the reason for the delay in granting such approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57829/12]
View answerThe requirements for approval of dedicated vessels for the carriage of cattle by sea are contained in the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998.
A boat (which is currently in Istanbul) is scheduled for re-inspection in mid-January and, subject to a satisfactory report, approval will take place shortly thereafter. The number and type of cattle to be exported is a matter for commercial interests in the live export trade.
836. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the damage caused to animal and crops by industries namely the ESB and a multi national alumina industry named in the European Environmental Agency report, in November 2011 revealing the cost of air pollution from industrial facilites in Europe. [57849/12]
View answer837. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will investigate the cost involved to the agriculture sector in general following the European Environmental Agency findings against the ESB and a multi national alumina industry. [57850/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 836 and 837 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to written Parliamentary Question No. 296 on Tuesday 11th December 2012 (reference 55235/12). This is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Environment Community and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EEA study referenced in the questions did not assess whether the emissions of a given facility are consistent with its legal requirements. There has been no breach of IPPC licensing conditions by ESB or other power plants. Monitoring undertaken by the EPA has shown that total emissions from such plants are consistently below the levels prescribed to ensure adequate protection of human health and the environment.
838. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the applications made by Fingal County Council for funding in relation to coastal protection schemes when that brief was under his Department's remit. [57854/12]
View answerThe Coastal Protection & Management functions previously held by my Department were transferred to the Office of Public Works with effect from January 2009 along with any files relating to that area. Any enquiries in relation to applications made by Fingal County Council for funding in respect of Coastal Protection works, past or present, should be directed to that office
