Written Answers Nos. 215-224
215. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Defence the number of new State bodies that have been established under the aegis of his Department since February 2011; the number of such bodies subject to a sunset clause; the number of new public bodies currently being planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18337/13]
View answerMy Department has not established any new State bodies since February 2011 nor are there plans in place to establish any new public bodies at this time.
216. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment options scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18040/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €312.58 in respect of 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, 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 which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. During this checking process a number of issues were identified regarding the documentation submitted as part of the Capital Investment Claim of the person named. As a result of these issues the person named was deemed to have knowingly made a false or misleading statement resulting in the AEOS contract being terminated. The person named was notified of this and informed in writing that all money paid under the scheme should be reimbursed to the Department. Following an appeal by the person named this decision was upheld by my Department and a letter has issued to the person named informing him of this and giving him the option to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
217. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the compensation available to farmers that have been badly affected by the gorse fires in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18008/13]
View answerMy Department is not in a position to provide assistance to farmers who suffered losses during the recent gorse fires. Damage to property is a matter for individual land owners. It is the case that some farmers have insured their property e.g. forestry plantations against fire and I would encourage others to pursue this approach.
218. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his plans to provide support for farmers currently experiencing difficulties providing fodder for livestock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/13]
View answer224. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the proposals, if any, he has to assist farmers who are experiencing ongoing difficulties due to the poor weather conditions and severe fodder shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18122/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 224 together.
I am acutely aware of the difficulties being experienced by some farmers as a result of recent unseasonable weather. Difficult conditions experienced on farms last summer have been compounded by an extended winter.
It is also the case that farmers have increased the usage of concentrates to fill the fodder “gap”. Whilst addressing the fodder issue, this has, in some cases, resulted in problems with cash flow and access to working capital on farms.
Access to credit is crucial at this time and flexibility from both banks and merchants is vital. I have been speaking to banks to highlight the challenges facing farmers as a result of the weather, and insisting they take a flexible approach to dealing with short term credit issues. I will also be meeting with the Banking Federation and other banks next week. I have also been in contact with Co-Ops and grain and feed merchants to urge them to be flexible during this difficult time.
This is an occasion when solidarity is needed among the farming community. I would ask those that have fodder to be proactive in making it available to neighbouring farmers who are encountering severe problems. I am aware that the farm bodies are working locally to assess whether there are farmers who have surplus fodder in stock and I commend them for these efforts.
I am receiving daily updates from Teagasc on the situation and I have asked that for this crucial period, top priority is given to supporting farmers in need of assistance.
In relation to the measures which can be taken to alleviate the problems on farms, I would urge farmers to contact their local Teagasc advisor. Where winter fodder is limited, Teagasc is providing specific advice and assistance on how to cope with the consequences of the weather conditions experienced this Spring. Staff at all Teagasc offices are available to provide advice to farmers over the phone and the fodder situation is a constant topic of focus at Discussions group meetings and other farm walks and events. Agriculture advisers are equipped and ready to outline the options open to farmers facing difficulties and to make a plan that best suits their situation.
Teagasc has also made extensive use of national and local media to provide farmers with advice and has co-ordinated with farm organisations, marts, local authorities, co-ops and other suppliers to provide targeted advice to all who need it. Advice for farmers on coping with fodder shortages has also been published, including guidelines to dairy and drystock farmers with little or no grass on feeding this spring.
I have also announced an extension to 15 May, 2013 for closing off of Traditional Hay Meadow in Agri – Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) allowing a deferral of one month to the closing off date. This will help to maximise grass utilisation in this critical recovery period as the weather improves and grass growth resumes.
I fully appreciate and acknowledge that farmers are currently under financial pressure, however the outlook for our livestock sectors remains positive and that prices are relatively strong.
There is no doubt that the availability of forage on farms is an on-going challenge. The improvement in soil temperatures over the last week is very welcome and should see a return to more normal growth rates for grass and crops alike, and this, together with relatively positive market conditions should see a significant improvement in the situation on farms over the coming weeks. That said, the challenges facing farmers at this particular time should not be underestimated and all available advice from public and private sources should be availed of on how best to manage individual situations being experienced.
219. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged area grant application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when payment will issue. [18039/13]
View answerUnder the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the holdings of eligible applicants were required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. As the applicant has not as yet demonstrated that the holding satisfies the scheme minimum stocking density requirements, as of now, no payment is due in respect of the 2012 Scheme.
220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason payment under the single farm scheme or the disadvantaged area based scheme has not issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; if the horses owned by this person were included in the stocking density assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18081/13]
View answerUnder the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the holdings of eligible applicants were required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of six consecutive months, in addition to maintaining an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. While initially the holding concerned could not be confirmed as having satisfied these requirements, following contact with the applicant, my Department understands that passports relating to donkeys on the holding will be submitted. On receipt, the matter can be progressed.
Full payment under the Single Payment Scheme issued on 10 January 2013.
221. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2012 nó faoin íocaíocht aonair feirme le duine (sonraí tugtha), cén fáth go bhfuil moill leis an íocaíocht seo agus an ndeánfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [18082/13]
View answerRinneadh íocaíocht i ndáil le Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste 2012 sa chás seo an 26/9/2012. Rinneadh an réamh-íocaíocht i ndáil le Scéim na hAoníocaíochta an 16/10/2012, agus íocadh an fuílleach an 3/12/2012.
Fuair scrúdú Tras-Chomhlíonta ina dhiaidh sin, áfach, sáruithe maidir le níotráití, eallaigh agus caoirigh a aithint agus a chlárú, agus riachtanais maidir le sláinteachas bia agus leas ainmhithe. Mar thoradh air sin, tá pionós 5% cláraithe in aghaidh íocaíochtaí 2012 an iarrthóra. Táthar i mbun an méid sin a chur in iúl don iarrthóir, chomh maith leis an gceart atá aige/aici athbhreithniú a iarraidh agus an ceart achomharc a dhéanamh ar athbhreithniú den sórt sin, in am trátha, chuig an Oifig Achomharc Talmhaíochta neamhspleách.
222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the range of grant aid available to the forestry sector, including pre and post harvest activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18089/13]
View answerThe role of my Department in relation to forestry is to assist in the development of forestry to a scale and in a manner which maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis, and is compatible with the protection of the environment. The main means by which it fulfils this role is the provision of Afforestation Grant and Premium Schemes, which are operated by the Forest Service of my Department.
Grants are provided to cover the costs incurred in the establishment of a plantation. It is important to note that there is currently no grant assistance available for the replanting of forests following the commercial felling of trees. Forest road grants, provided by my Department to enable first thinning of plantations, and the broadleaf thinning grant, are important measures in supporting the delivery of forest-based biomass for energy use. In each case there is a pre-approval requirement and each application must be prepared and certified by a professional forestry contractor who is registered for that purpose with my Department.
223. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive their agri-environment options scheme 2 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18097/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €470.35 in respect of 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, 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 which includes verification of capital investments through checks on receipts. These checks have been successfully completed and I expect payment to issue shortly.
Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 218.
