Written Answers Nos. 202-210
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend the burning of the land until 31 March in view of the fact that this year was extremely wet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11788/13]
View answerThe deadline for burning vegetation is set in the Wildlife Act 1976 as amended by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 and any extension thereto is the responsibility of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
203. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received to join the new agri-environment options scheme; the funding available for this scheme; the number of applications which meet each of the seven priority categories established under the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/13]
View answerDespite the challenging budgetary constraints facing my Department, last year I secured an additional €20 million annually to fund the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and on foot of this I announced the re-opening of the scheme. I decided on a maximum payment of €4,000 per annum for individual applicants which, on the basis of previous experience in implementing the scheme, indicated that up to 6,000 new participants could be accepted into the scheme. Approximately 9,500 applications were received in my Department’s offices at Johnstown Castle by close of business on Friday December 7, the closing date for submission of applications.
The initial processing of the applications has been completed and acknowledgement letters have issued to all applicants. The detailed actions listed in each application are currently being recorded and the admission of applicants will be determined by the following priority selection criteria:
- applicants within a targeted area of the Boora region of Co. Offaly who select Wild Bird Cover Option B (Grey Partridge) will get first access;
- applicants with eligible Natura land will get access next;
- applicants with at least 0.5 hectares of Utilisable Agricultural Non-Natura Commonage land rank next;
- farm partnerships;
- previous participation in REPS;
- farm size (gavouring smaller holding) based on the utilisable agricultural area;
- and location of farms in less favoured areas.
This process is expected to take a number of weeks yet. It is not possible at this stage to indicate the numbers of applicants that will qualify under the different priority categories. My priority is to complete the selection process as quickly as possible and to notify all applicants of the outcome and of the commencement dates under the scheme in the case of successful applicants. Applicants should note that they should not undertake any actions listed in their application until approved for participation in the scheme as actions undertaken or expense incurred prior to formal approval will not be eligible for reimbursement.
204. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific health and safety concerns attached to the current parking scheme in Howth Harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11870/13]
View answer205. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the agencies or stakeholders who have raised health and safety concerns with his Department regarding parking at Howth Harbour, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
As I have said on a number of occasions, Howth Fishery Harbour Centre is first and foremost a working fishery harbour. Its business customers include business tenants, fishing vessel owners and crew, and full access is required for commercial traffic servicing the fishing side and its various ancillary enterprises. A wide range of other users use the harbour, including commuters using the DART service, yacht club members, walkers, tourists and other social users. This combination of uses of the Harbour brings its own inherent dangers and it is essential that the needs of all users are accommodated as far as possible in a safe and secure facility. Health and Safety concerns must be paramount in the management of the Harbour.
Traffic and parking management within the Harbour itself has been an issue for some time, particularly in the light of concerns raised about safety and emergency access for the Coastguard, the Lifeboat service, and an Gárda Síochána. There have been a number of occasions where the volume of cars in the Harbour and the resultant pressure on parking has led to a situation where emergency access has been seriously compromised. The Harbour authorities have received specific complaints from elements of the emergency services in that regard. Fortunately no serious incident has arisen yet. Enabling works and upgrading works have been taking place over a number of months in order to improve traffic management within the Harbour and a number of additional measures are being considered. All aspects of health and safety within the Harbour are of course kept under constant review
206. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the negotiations which he has had with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of the REFIT for energy crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11878/13]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the then Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources announced the proposed REFIT for Biomass Technologies (REFIT III) on 24 May 2010. State Aid approval was received from DG Comp in respect of the proposed tariffs on 18 October 2011.
My Department was consistently supportive of the efforts to introduce these REFIT tariffs. The tariffs apply to a broad range of Biomass Technologies, including Anaerobic Digestion Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and non-CHP, Biomass CHP and also Biomass Combustion. The tariffs will be adjusted by way of indexation annually by the annual increase, if any, in the consumer price index in Ireland commencing 1 January 2010. REFIT III has the potential to contribute to Ireland’s 2020 targets under the Renewable Energy Directive, particularly through the more highly efficient energy production process of CHP which makes use of the heat produced in energy generation instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
The Deputy may also be aware that funding these REFIT tariffs results in an additional charge to electricity consumers through the Public Service Obligation as provided for under the Electricity Regulation Act. The REFIT for Biomass Technologies was subject to the normal Government approval process and was approved by Government in December 2011. It subsequently came into effect in February 2012.
207. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 REP scheme 4 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 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. These checks have now been completed for 2012 in this case and the 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €6009.18 was issued for payment on 4 March 2013. The remaining 25% Year 5 balancing payment amounting to €2003.06 will issue shortly.
208. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment for 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11893/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 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 for 2012 issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura Commonage action. These issues have now been resolved and full payment totalling €2,844.00 issued in respect of the 2012 scheme year – 75% payment issued on 25 February 2013 and the balancing 25% payment issued on 26 February 2013.
209. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an agri-environment options scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11894/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and full payment totalling €1,333.31 issued in respect of 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. Payments in respect of the 2012 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. These checks have been successfully completed and I expect that 75% payment in respect of 2012 will issue shortly to the person named. The balancing 25% payment will issue shortly thereafter.
210. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 26 February 2013, if he is satisfied that his Department has the necessary legal basis to restrict activities in proposed natural heritage areas when these areas have not been statutorily designated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11926/13]
View answerDesignation of Natural Heritage Areas, NHA, is primarily within the remit of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. Proposed NHAs were published on a non-statutory basis in 1995 and there are no mandatory farming conditions imposed on pNHAs.
