Written Answers Nos. 415 - 432
415. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outcome of an appeal under the disadvantaged areas scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/13]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases are impacted by the requirement of a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011 and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. However, my Department has now been in direct contact with the applicant in relation to the additional sheep referred to and has requested submission of the applicant’s Flock Register. Once this has been received, the case can be progressed.
416. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an agri-environment option scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13688/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 28 November 2012. 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 all applications will be ranked and selected according to the predetermined selection criteria. This process is expected to take a number of weeks and letters will issue to all applicants informing them of the outcome of the selection process in due course. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
417. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will produce a cost benefit analysis on the sale of Coillte's harvesting rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13715/13]
View answerFurther to the Government’s decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, the National Treasury Management Agency, via its NewERA Unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction. Substantial work has been undertaken to date on the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights.
As part of the process, a number of detailed financial, technical and other specialist reports were prepared for Coillte, by external specialist consultancy bodies, in full consultation with the Board of Coillte and its executive management. As Coillte is a commercial company trading in a competitive environment, matters relating to the performance of its various businesses and its portfolio are commercially sensitive, and it is therefore not appropriate, at this point in time, to make public the analysis conducted to date. The outcome of the overall analysis will be considered by the Government upon its conclusion; no decision has been taken as yet.
418. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a rural environment protection scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13708/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in December 2007 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 the administrative check an area discrepancy was discovered between the Single Farm Payment Scheme application for 2012 and the REPS Agri-Environmental Plan 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.
419. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy on the re-distribution of single farm payment proposals from the European Commission for period 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13726/13]
View answerThe Commission has proposed moving to a flat-rate payments system. This would, in the case of several Member States (including Ireland), result in significant transfers between farmers. I believe there is a need for redistribution but I am concerned that moving to a flat rate as proposed would be harmful for the Irish agricultural sector and the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. Other Member States, such as the newer Member States are seeking alternative solutions, while others still are happy with the flat rate system. The February Council of EU Agriculture Ministers meeting broadly endorsed a package of measures that I tabled aimed at achieving a compromise on this very difficult issue. The package included the option to take a more flexible approach to distribution, the so-called ‘approximation’ model favoured by Ireland. This would result in a less radical level of redistribution between farmers, moving gradually towards but not all the way to, a flat rate.
As part of a set of proposals giving flexibility to Member States, I have proposed that Member States should be allowed to introduce a minimum payment per hectare if they wish, but some others have suggested that this should be mandatory. Under the Commission proposal, €280m would be transferred between farmers. Under the Irish proposal, a minimum of €74m would be transferred, with flexibility to transfer more if we wished to do so. There will be those who gain and those who lose with either approach but I am working to ensure that those on historically lower payments are adequately supported and those on the very highest payments contribute the most towards redistribution. The key will be to reach a fair compromise, which levels the playing field without putting productive farmers out of business. As is the case with any negotiation, the final position will be somewhere in between my approach and that of the Commission. I am fighting to ensure that the best possible outcome for all farmers is reached, in a balanced and fair way.
420. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and percentage of the total single farm payment entitlements that have been traded as commodities during the period 2007-2013 without being linked to land ownership; and the legal position on such entitlements from the period 2014 onwards. [13727/13]
View answerThe total number of entitlements transferred by sale without land during the 2007 to 2012 scheme years is 132,525. This represents 3.08% of the total number of entitlements held by all farmers. This figure includes entitlements that have been transferred by sale more than once in this same period. Under the Commission proposal, for those member states like Ireland currently applying the historic model, existing payment entitlements will expire and new entitlements will be allocated to qualifying farmers in the first year of the new regime.
421. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme payment for 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13742/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in January 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 €3,034.99 issued for payment on 15 March 2013. The remaining 25% Year 4 balancing payment will issue shortly.
422. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has been withdrawn from the suckler welfare scheme; the steps open to them to get back onto the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13762/13]
View answerThe person named registered 10 animals for the 2011 Suckler Welfare Scheme. The Terms and Conditions of the Scheme require that applicants undertake to carry out and notify to my Department the requisite measures for the full 5 year duration of this Scheme. In August 2011, applicants were informed of the requirement to notify the details of such measures within one year from the date of birth of the animal. In this particular instance, all 11 animals were born between March and April 2011 and data in relation to the weaning of these animals has not been received to date. Therefore, the applicant is no longer considered to be participating in the Scheme and a letter issued to this effect. If the applicant wishes the decision to be reviewed an application should be submitted in writing to the Review Officer, Suckler Welfare Scheme, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Government Offices, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, setting out the circumstances of his case and provide any supporting information and evidence.
423. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive their agri-environment option scheme 1 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13829/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €833.32 and €4,999.99 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. The application was also selected for a Cross Compliance inspection which resulted in a penalty of 1% being imposed. Officials in my Department are finalising the application of the person named on this basis with the intention of issuing payment for the 2012 scheme year as soon as possible.
424. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans, if any, to close his Department's public office in Roscommon town; the cost of any relocation and refurbishment of alternative office accommodation at the alternative location; the current number of inquiries dealt with by the office on an annual basis; the location the alternative public office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13830/13]
View answerMy Department has no proposals to close its office in Roscommon or any other of its Regional Offices throughout the country. However, in the light of a recent review of Regional Office operations, I am strongly of the view that significant efficiencies and cost savings can be made by centralising in one or possibly two locations the administrative support available to the veterinary, technical and professional staff in those Offices. I am also strongly of the view that these efficiencies can be achieved without any diminution in the level of services normally available to farmers.
This process has commenced with the transfer of administrative functions for the Clonakilty office to Cork city and the transfer of administrative functions for the Limerick DVO office to Naas. Arrangements are also in train to transfer the administrative functions out of the Tipperary regional office. In each case, the veterinary, professional and technical services available to farmers from these offices have remained in situ. The centralisation of administrative functions in other regional offices including Roscommon will be considered in light of the availability of opportunities to redeploy the staff concerned to support other critical public services.
425. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when full payment of the single farm payment for 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13834/13]
View answerThe advance of the Single Farm Payment due to the person named was issued on 16 October 2012 to the nominated bank account. The full outstanding balancing payment issued on 3 December 2012.
426. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding salmon farming; when a final decision will be made regarding the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/13]
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. An application by Marine Harvest (Ireland) for an aquaculture and Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish at a site in Bantry Bay has also been received by my Department. These applications and their accompanying Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are currently being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act as amended.
The legislation provides for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation. The public consultation stage of the process in respect of both applications is now complete and submissions received are under active consideration by my Department. All matters associated with the applications including the impact, if any, on wild salmon stocks, will be given very careful consideration by my Department. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on these applications which are under active consideration as part of a statutory process.
428. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive the agri-environment option scheme payment and the BTAP payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13899/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 December 2010 and full payments totalling €219.20 and €2,630.48 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. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of 2012 and full payment totalling €2,630.48 has issued to the person named – 75% payment issued on 28 November 2012 and the balancing 25% payment issued on 13 December 2012. Payment in respect of satisfactory participation by the person named in the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account.
429. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13922/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 27 November 2012. 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 all applications will be ranked and selected according to the predetermined selection criteria. This process is expected to take a number of weeks and letters will issue to all applicants informing them of the outcome of the selection process in due course. In the event that any queries arise on the application of the person named during this process officials in my Department will be in direct contact with the person named.
430. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 area aid payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13904/13]
View answerFinal processing of this application has recently been completed and payment issued to the nominated bank account on 14 March, 2013.
431. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the consideration being given to forest replanting at sites when harvesting rights may be sold as proposed by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13941/13]
View answerFurther to the Government’s decision that a concession for the harvesting rights to Coillte’s forests be considered for sale, the National Treasury Management Agency, via its NewERA Unit, has been actively engaged with Coillte, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department to examine the financial and other implications of a potential transaction. Substantial work has been undertaken to date on the identification of the forestry assets involved, the determination of their value and the consideration of a number of issues associated with the proposed sale of the harvesting rights. I wish to stress that it is a concession for the harvesting rights which is being considered for sale. In order to preserve the forest estate, my Department’s long-standing policy is that replanting should take place following harvesting apart from exceptional circumstances. The replanting obligation is one of the issues that have been identified in relation to the possible harvesting rights concession. While the consideration process is at an advanced stage, no decision has been taken, as yet.
432. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme 4 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13908/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in January 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 4 payment amounting to €6,868.09 issued for payment on 13 March 2013. The remaining 25% Year 4 balancing payment will issue shortly.
