Written Answers Nos. 481-497
481. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a forestry aid application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when a decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20262/13]
View answerAn up-to-date Tax Clearance Certificate is required from the applicant before the 2013 forestry premium can be paid. The Forest Service has written to the applicant outlining the requirement.
482. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a decision on a penalty on a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20265/13]
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. These checks have now been completed for 2012 and the 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €1,387.71 issued for payment on 10 December 2012. The remaining 25% Year 5 balancing payment amounting to €462.57 issued for payment on 18 December 2012. A penalty under Measure 3 for failure to protect and maintain watercourses was imposed on the 2010 payment of the person named. This penalty has been appealed to my Department and is currently under review. A decision will be communicated shortly to the person named.
483. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 538 of 23 April 2013, when single farm payment and area aid will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20267/13]
View answerAs indicated in reply to a previous Parliamentary Question from the Deputy on 23 April 2013 my Department is awaiting receipt of a Grant of Probate in this case. Once this outstanding document is provided my Department will be in a position to finalise the application.
484. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20325/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments totalling €833.34 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. During these checks in respect of the 2012 scheme year an overclaim was identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Species Rich Grassland action. Officials in my Department are currently finalising the application of the person named and I expect payment for 2012 to issue shortly.
485. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a suckler cow scheme has not been paid to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [20327/13]
View answerThe person named registered 17 animals for the 2010 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Payment has been made in respect of 11 animals and further information was sought in relation to the remaining animals. Insufficient information was received on which to review the case and the matter cannot be progressed until the required information has been received. The person named registered 15 animals for the 2011 Suckler Welfare Scheme and 19 animals for the 2012 Scheme. The Terms and Conditions of the Scheme require that applicants undertake to carry out and notify to my Department details of the requisite measures for the full 5 years of the Scheme. While data were received in respect of most of the animals born during 2012, the required weaning information was not received for animals born during 2011. Therefore, payment cannot be considered for any of the 2011 or 2012 born animals until the weaning information is received for the animals born in 2011. The relevant forms have been sent to the applicant and when these have been returned, the matter can be progressed.
486. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20349/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five 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 and the 2012 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €6,051.83 issued for payment on the 10th December 2012. The 25% Year 5 balancing payment amounting to €2,017.26 issued for payment on 18th December 2012.
487. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the future of the Irish Tote; if he has considered the sale of this business; if any person has approached him in relation to the acquisition of the business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20351/13]
View answerLicences to set up, maintain and operate totalisators are granted, under the Totalisator Act 1929, by my colleague, the Minister for Finance. Tote Ireland Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Horse Racing Ireland, currently operates a totalisator, under licence, at racecourses nationwide. Bord na gCon is licenced to operate a totalisator at greyhound tracks. The current licences, held by Tote Ireland and by Bord na gCon, each have a term of seven years and will expire in 2014. All profits made by Tote Ireland and Bord na gCon are re-invested in horse and greyhound racing industries. The Irish Tote is not an entity that can be bought or sold. Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon, as the only licensed Tote providers, are free to discuss with external bodies methods to improve their services but licences are not transferable. To date there have only ever been two Tote licences granted i.e. to Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon. My Department has received an enquiry regarding the licensing of the horseracing totalisator and the position as indicated above was outlined in response.
488. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an application for BTAP for 2012 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20354/13]
View answerPayment 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.
489. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for 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. [20357/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 7 December 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome shortly. 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.
490. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of 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. [20370/13]
View answerAn application under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 28 November 2012 and an acknowledgement letter has issued to the person named. The processing of all applications is nearing completion and I expect to be in a position to inform all applicants of the outcome shortly. 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.
491. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider an application for the TB hardship scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal in view of the fact that the person has no winter fodder remaining and will have to sell stock if their application cannot be considered. [20379/13]
View answerUnder the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdowners who are restricted under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme. The scheme is designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by eligible owner(s) whose holdings are restricted during the period from the 1 November to 30 April, subject to a number of eligibility conditions.
The holding in question was restricted under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme on 21 February 2013, following the disclosure of 3 reactor animals in the herd. However, an essential condition for eligibility is that the holding of the applicant continues to be restricted following a full herd Reactor Re-test. In this instance, the Reactor Re-test is due to be carried out after the closing date of the scheme i.e. 30 April. The date for the Reactor retest is determined by the date of removal of the previous reactors from the herd and cannot be brought forward. While an application for the Hardship Grant was received in the local District Veterinary Office on the 12 March 2013, the herdowner has been advised by the DVO that he is not eligible for the scheme as his reactor retest will not have been completed before the closing date of the scheme.
While the person in question is not eligible for the ERAD Hardship Grant, I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that I announced last week a comprehensive package of measures aimed at addressing the fodder shortage crisis, including a €1m fund to contribute to the transport costs of importing fodder to the country, which will reduce the cost of purchasing fodder for farmers by approximately a third, in the days ahead. In addition, the co-ops have agreed to my request to substantially increase the volume of fodder being imported into the country over the short to medium term. The co-ops have also agreed to consider the introduction of interest free credit, within limits, to farmers for the purchase of fertiliser, limited to the month of May. The person in question should contact his local co-op to determine whether he can qualify for assistance under these arrangements.
I should also explain that emergency assistance is also available under the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s early warning system to ensure that there is no reason for any farmer to see their animals starve. I have also asked the advisory service to prioritise advice to farmers in the period ahead and to focus on the optimum use of fertiliser in generating feed for the national herd. In addition, outstanding scheme payments are being processed with urgency.
492. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the BTAP and STAP deadlines of 30 April 2013 or the end of May in view of the fact that the single farm payment deadline is also looming and proving difficult for planners to meet all deadlines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20380/13]
View answerIn order to facilitate processing and timely payment of both the 2013 Beef Technology Adoption Programme and the 2013 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme, it is necessary that there be a constant and consistent supply of necessary data and documentation to my Department from the Programme Facilitators. To this end, a schedule for submission of the returns in question was agreed and notified; this has largely been adhered to, thereby ensuring that the ongoing processing remaining on schedule. However, where individual Facilitators have particular difficulties meeting the target dates, some leeway is, of course, allowed.
493. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1068 of 16 April 2013, if he will address the question asked in relation to a person's letter (details supplied) written to his Department which stated a noted increase in movement of terriermen, men engaged in terrier activities, between here and the UK as part of their networking activities and carrying out of terrierwork together; his plans to address this issue; if he has since corresponded with the director of DiggingOut.org; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20394/13]
View answerWith regard to the movement of terriers between Ireland and the UK, trade in live animals is regulated under EU legislation and it is not open to me to prohibit this trade provided these regulations are complied with. If the individual concerned has actual evidence that individuals are engaged in activities that are illegal either here or in the UK, they should pass it on to the relevant authorities. However, where activities are carried out in accordance with the law in this jurisdiction is not a matter requiring action. There was correspondence with the UK based group DiggingOut.org following receipt of their letter and my Department has noted its views.
494. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2012 single farm payment will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/13]
View answerAn application under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 15 May 2012. During processing, an over-claim error was identified on one of the parcels declared. However, this issue has now been resolved and payment will issue to the nominated bank account as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current estimate of the number of children, under the age of 18 years, who are homeless in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19757/13]
View answerChildren who are referred to as homeless generally fall into three groups; (i) children who mainly reside with their families but due to an emergency, need care and accommodation immediately, (ii) children and young people who are defined as at risk of homelessness i.e. who may be staying with different friends and acquaintances, who do not have a suitable base and (iii) children and young people who are found to be 'sleeping rough'.
Emergency and Homeless Services are provided in the greater Dublin area through the Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) and outside the greater Dublin area through the Emergency Place of Safety Service (EPSS). The HSE has put in place a standardised national system whereby Gardaí can access an appropriate place of safety for children found to be at risk out of hours under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991.
The CIS provides an out-of-hours emergency social work service to young people aged under 18 years who are in crisis. The service operates across the greater Dublin area (Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow). Referrals are made by service providers outside of normal working hours i.e. Gardaí, hospital and ambulance service personnel.
Outside the greater Dublin area, the HSE operates an Emergency Place of Safety (EPSS) whereby Gardaí can access an emergency placement for children found to be at risk under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 out of hours. This service involves the out of hours placement of a child in a family setting until the next working day when the local social work service assumes responsibility for the case. As part of this service Gardaí have access to advice and information from a commissioned social work resource which is provided on a contract basis.
Where children under 18 are found to be out of home, a HSE social worker meets with the young person to establish why the young person left home, the potential for them returning home and to establish their physical, social and psychological well being, including any need for medical treatment or treatment for addictions. If the assessment establishes that the young person needs to be taken into care in order to have their needs met, they will be taken into care and placed in a residential or foster care placement.
Under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991, where it appears to the HSE that a child in its area is homeless, the HSE shall enquire into the child's circumstances. Where the HSE is satisfied that the child does not need to be taken into care, their needs are met by the provision of other supports and suitable accommodation under Section 5. Under the HSE policy on the use of Section 5, the child receives an accommodation, a key worker and a placement plan.
I am advised by the HSE that there was one child in Dublin being supported under Section 5 at the end of December 2012.
496. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will commit to the continuation of adequate funding for the youth work sector in counties Longford and Westmeath; if she will ensure that no further cuts are made in the area of disadvantaged youth work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19772/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
My Department also provides funding for a Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level (€1.035m in 2013). The funding under this scheme has not been cut in 2012 or 2013. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Vocational Education Committees. The allocation for this scheme will be notified to the VECs, including Co. Longford and Co. Westmeath VECs over the coming weeks and applications for funding will be subsequently invited by the VECs from local groups in their areas.
The savings required under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m which equated to almost a 10% reduction on 2012 funding available for the provision of youth services. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
My Department has commenced a comprehensive Value for Money and Policy Review of youth funding and this report is expected later this year. It is anticipated that this report will inform the provision of funding for youth programmes/services going into the future.
In addition, my Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
497. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of youth cafés that will be provided as a result of the €1 million in capital funding being made available by her Department for this purpose; the location of these cafés; the criteria that will be used in selecting these locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19790/13]
View answerFunding of up to €1 million is available in 2013 from my Department for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the startup of new Youth Cafés. One of the core functions of a youth café is that it offers support to young people, ranging from practical support to advice through their participation in activities that are of interest to them and that are varied and on offer at times that suit their normal activities. The criteria for the Scheme places a clear focus on both long term sustainability and service planning. Pobal is assisting my Department in managing the Youth Café Programme 2013.
The closing date for applications was Friday, 12 April. The initial appraisal process will take place up to the end of May. Phase 2 of the application process for those applicants who are successful in Phase 1 will take place from July to October. Any decisions about projects to be funded will be made at the end of October.
The essential criteria are set out in the Application Guidelines for the Youth Cafés Capital Programme 2013. Applications must demonstrate that:
- the proposed youth café would provide a safe and quality space for young people; based on the guidance set out in the “Youth Cafés in Ireland: A Best Practice Guide”.
- the space has a clear purpose and will be used to the maximum as a youth café.
It is desirable that the age focus of the Youth Café should predominantly be targeted at and involve young people primarily between the age of 12-25. Priority will be given to applications from applicants that demonstrate that they can leverage funding from other sources in relation to finance, staffing and or site provision and to applications from areas which demonstrate they have the greatest need on account of deprivation, access to services, youth population and existing provision.
Applications may only be made by community and voluntary organisations with a minimum of three years experience of working with young people and the delivery of youth services. Details of the scheme and the guidelines for applicants are set out on my Department’s website.
