Written Answers Nos. 488-510
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Written Answers Nos. 488-510
488. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will clarify a matter on Mali and Ireland’s military involvement on triple lock and US mandate; the date on which this happened; when approval by Dáil Éireann and the Government was given. [22398/13]
View answerOn 26 February 2013, the Government approved the deployment of approximately eight (8) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). Three (3) Officers and five (5) Non commissioned Officers were deployed to EUTM Mali on 23 March 2013, for a tour of duty of approximately five months. As the size of the Defence Forces contribution to EUTM Mali does not exceed twelve personnel, the approval of Dáil Éireann is not required.
The deployment of members of the Defence Forces in a training role is consistent with the provisions of Section 3(1) (b) and 3(1) (d) of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006, which provide that “A contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, be despatched for service outside the State for the purposes of…(b) conducting or participating in training”.. . (d) undertaking monitoring, observation or advisory duties”.
While no UN Security Resolution is required to underpin a deployment of Defence Forces Personnel for training purposes, the training of the Malian Defence and Security Forces is specifically provided for in relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2071 (2012) and 2085 (2012).
489. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the transport fleets for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22461/13]
View answerInvestment in new equipment for the Defence Forces, including the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, and the ongoing maintenance support of and training on equipment is provided for under various subheads in the Defence Votes.
The 2013 provision for military transportation is €11.95m; this covers a range of activities from the purchase of new vehicles, to inventory and spares management as well as specialised training. I am arranging to have details in relation to the vehicle fleet composition forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. As part of the force generation process, the Defence Forces provide their own transport capacity as part of the missions they are participating in.
490. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Defence If he will consider making the FCA building in Killorglin, County Kerry that is lying idle for a number of years available to a local community group (details supplied) for meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22329/13]
View answerThe property in question, which housed a Unit of the Reserve Defence Force up to 30th March 2013, continues to be used for training purposes by the military authorities. In the circumstances the property is not available for lease or sale at this time.
491. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the complete list of properties and land that his Department owns in an area (details supplied) in County Wicklow; when the properties and land came into possession of his Department; the properties and land his Department has disposed of in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22482/13]
View answerThe list of property and land in Wicklow which my Department owns is outlined below. Some of these properties were acquired on the independence of the State and others were acquired in the intervening period. My Department has not disposed of any property or land in the Wicklow area in the past ten years.
|
Department of Defence Property and Land in Wicklow |
|
Glen of Imaal Range (incl Range Warden’s Post, Seskin) |
|
Kilbride Camp |
|
Coolmooney Camp and Lands |
|
Kilpeddar Rifle Range, Bray |
|
Rockbrae House and Lands, Bray |
492. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel in whole-time equivalent terms in his Department and in bodies under the aegis of his Department in each of the following earnings brackets: less than €20,000, €20,001 to €30,000, €30,001 to €40,000, €40,001 to €50,000, €50,001 to €60,000, €60,001 to €70,000, €70,001 to €80,000, €80,001 to €90,000, €90,001 to €100,000, €100,000 to €125,000, €125,001 to €150,000, €150,001 to €175,000, €175,001 to €200,000, €200,001 to €250,000, €250,001 to €300,000, €300,001 to €350,000, €350,001 to €400,000, €400,001 to €450,000, €450,001 to €500,000, and more than €500,000. [22786/13]
View answerThe only body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The number of whole time equivalent staff employed in the Department and the Army Pensions Board at 30 April 2013 was 350.25. The table below outlines the number of whole time equivalent staff in the Department of Defence and its agency broken down in the salary brackets specified by the Deputy.
|
Salary Bracket |
Whole Time Equivalent Numbers |
|
Below €20,000 |
9.70 |
|
€20,001 - €30,000 |
44.93 |
|
€30,001 - €40,000 |
99.19 |
|
€40,001 - €50,000 |
94.03 |
|
€50,001 - €60,000 |
48.20 |
|
€60,001 - €70,000 |
5.80 |
|
€70,001 - €80,000 |
27.40 |
|
€80,001 - €90,000 |
9 |
|
€90,001 - €100,000 |
8 |
|
€100,001 - €125,000 |
1 |
|
€125,001 - €150,000 |
2 |
|
€150,001 - €175,000 |
Nil |
|
€175,001 - €200,000 |
1 |
There are no staff employed on salaries of over €200,000.
493. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the individual amount of overtime paid in the case of each political-ministerial appointee for the period 2007 to date in 2013 relative to his office and the office of the Minister of State; if such payments were made to the Secretary General and advisers, and if so, the amounts for the same period. [22872/13]
View answerI have not appointed any political advisors in my role as Minister for Defence. I have however engaged the services of a personal assistant who assists me in constituency matters. No overtime has been paid in respect of this post. Similarly, no political advisors have been appointed by Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D. in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Defence. Two civilian drivers were assigned to the Minister of State in May 2011, and the extra attendance costs associated with the drivers for the period 1 May 2011 to date is €19,178.12.
No overtime was paid since 2007 to the political advisors, personal secretaries and personal assistants appointed by my predecessors.
The post of Secretary General does not accrue additional remuneration for any extra attendance liability that arises.
494. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the projected decommissioning dates of each of the current fleet of vessels belonging to the Irish Naval Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22885/13]
View answerIt is intended to decommission the L.É. Emer in September 2013 and the L.É Aoife in September 2014. These dates correspond to the need for the Naval Service to be in a position to crew the two new replacement ships which are currently being built. The replacement ships are scheduled for delivery in early 2014 and 2015. There are no plans at present to decommission any of the remaining ships in the fleet.
495. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when agri-environment option scheme payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22147/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st December 2010 and full payment totalling €114.72 issued in respect of 2010.
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 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process which includes verification of capital investment through checks on receipts. These checks have now been finalised and payment for the 2011 scheme year will issue shortly.
496. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has not received their payment; when their payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22150/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st November 2010 and full payments totalling €237.98 and €3,565.56 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 of the person named was selected for a ground inspection which took place on 19th September 2012. During this inspection, areas of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme were noted in relation to the Planting of New Hedgerow and Water Trough Installation actions which resulted in a penalty being imposed. A letter issued to the person named informing him of this penalty and giving him the option to appeal the decision. As no record of an appeal has been received, my Department is now processing the application of the person named to apply the penalty and payment will shortly issue on this basis.
497. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments or organic REP scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [22154/13]
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. The application of the person named was also selected for an on farm inspection. In the course of this inspection, carried out in June 2012, penalties amounting to 22% were imposed for failure to abide by the Terms and Conditions of the REP Scheme in relation to Measure 2 “Grassland and Soil Management ”. This penalty was subsequently reduced to 6% following an appeal and the 2012 payment has issued based on this revised decision - 75% payment for the amount of €5,400.82 issued dated 9 May and the 25% balancing payment amounting to €2,556.68 issued dated 10 May.
The person named also received 75% of his 2012 organic payment which amounts to €3,368.35. The balancing 25% payment will issue shortly.
498. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive their agri-environment options scheme payments for 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22163/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2010 and full payment totalling €1,170.16 issued in respect of 2010.
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 2011 Scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. These checks have been successfully completed and payments in respect of 2011 have issues in the last few days. My Department will now proceed to process the payment in respect of 2012 with a view to payment as quickly as possible.
499. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme 4 payment; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in September 2009 and received payments for the first three 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 this administrative check an issue was discovered in relation to ownership of land and entitlement to draw down payments on such lands under REPS 4. A letter requesting clarification of this matter issued to the person named. A reply to this letter was recently received and an initial examination of the documentation received indicates that the response is incomplete. Officials will contact the person named again regarding the matter and as soon as a satisfactory reply is received the application will be further processed.
500. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a policy by Coillte, either nationally or at local Coillte level, of charging groups who wish to walk through State owned lands; when this was decided; the persons that support this initiative; the person that sets the fee and decides who should pay or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22202/13]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of the forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
Coillte has advised, in relation to your query, that it welcomes responsible users who practice Leave No Trace. Since the 1970s, an Open Forest Policy has been in place in relation to the State’s forests, now vested in Coillte, which allows permissive access on foot. This policy was continued by Coillte upon its establishment in 1989. Under this policy the general public are permitted and welcome to use forest lands for non-commercial, informal, recreational purposes subject to visitors taking due care for their safety, having consideration for other forest users and respecting the nature of Coillte's commercial operations. This policy is applicable to the individual user and small user groups.
Coillte has also advised that larger groups, generally in excess of 50 people and usually in the form of pre-organised events, are also welcome under permit available upon request from the local forest manager and that a nominal charge usually applies in such cases to cover licence administration and other costs. The requirement for a permit for such large organised groups allows for the checking of insurances, completion of a HIRA (hazard identification risk assessment), assessment of environmental impacts and other related issues such as parking requirements etc.
501. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending the deadline for completion of works under the sow welfare scheme beyond the 30 September 2013 in view of the difficulties facing farmers in meeting this deadline due to the ongoing inclement weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22214/13]
View answerThe deadline of end-September 2013 for completion of work under the TAMS Sow Welfare Scheme forms part of the EU conditions of approval for the Scheme. The original deadline for completion of work under the Scheme was 31 December 2012 and EU Commission approval was required for the extension of that date to end-September 2013.
As the new EU animal welfare rules for the sector have been in force since 1 January 2013, I have no plans to seek the EU Commission’s approval to further extend the deadline for completion of works under the Scheme.
502. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff from his Department in County Galway that have transferred to the Department of Social Protection in counties Mayo or Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22236/13]
View answerIn answer to the Deputy’s question, I can confirm that no staff from My Department’s office in County Galway transferred to the Department of Social Protection in Counties Mayo or Sligo since March 2011.
503. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not received their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22240/13]
View answerIn order to comply with EU requirements, the applicant was one of a number selected for inspection under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. During the course of this inspection discrepancies were identified in relation both eligibility and cross compliance requirements that have required further investigation. This process is ongoing and a decision will be communicated to the applicant as soon as possible.
The applicant will have the right to seek a review of the decision made on completion of this process and will also have the right to appeal the outcome of any such review, in due course, to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
504. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not received their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22241/13]
View answerIn order to comply with EU requirements, the applicant was one of a number selected for inspection under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%, which under the terms and conditions of the scheme, resulted in a reduced payment. The applicant was notified of this decision on 13th November 2012.
In addition, a Cross Compliance inspection identified breaches relating to bovine identification and registration requirements which resulted in a 15% penalty. The applicant was notified of this decision on 16 October 2012. The payment due to the applicant issued on 5 December 2012.
A request for a review of the decision in this case has been received and is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible, which can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months of the date of the review.
505. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not received their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22242/13]
View answerIn order to comply with EU requirements, the applicant was one of a number selected for inspection under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%, which under the terms and conditions of the scheme, resulted in a reduced payment. The applicant was notified of this decision on 17 October 2012. The balancing payments due to the applicant issued on 16 October and 3 December 2012.
A request for a review of the decision in this case has been received and is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible, which can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months of the date of the review.
506. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not received their REP scheme payment in full for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22258/13]
View answerIreland’s telecommunications market has been fully liberalised since 1999 in accordance with the requirements of binding EU Directives. The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and full payment totalling €1,333.32 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 which includes the requirement to return a valid Soil Sample Declaration. My Department has yet to receive a Soil Sample Declaration from the person named. Following the issue of an initial letter regarding this matter, reminder letters issued to the person named in November 2012 and April 2013. Payment for 2012 will issue at the earliest opportunity once this issue has been resolved and all validations have been successfully completed.
507. Deputy Dara Calleary 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 Mayo. [22259/13]
View answerMy Department has no record of an application having been received or participation in the Agri Environment Options Scheme having been approved for the person named on the basis of the details, including herd number, provided.
508. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22268/13]
View answerThe person named joined the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) in April 2009 and received payments for the first two years of the contract period.
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. It is a requirement of REPS 4 that an applicant must submit a Single Payment Scheme application. During the administrative check on the 2011 scheme year, it was discovered that the person named failed to submit a 2011 Single Payment Scheme application and, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the scheme, is ineligible for REPS 4 in 2011. This issue is currently the subject of an appeal to the Single Payments Scheme Division in the Department and I expect that a decision will issue shortly to the person named.
In the meantime, the REPS 4 payment in respect of 2012 is being finalised and payment will issue shortly to the person named.
509. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural and Fisheries Cooperation between his Department and the Ministry of Agriculture of the People's Republic of China done at Beijing on 16 April 2012, Treaty Series No. 5 of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22275/13]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) on Agriculture and Fisheries cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, which I signed on 16 April, 2012, provides a framework for the strengthening of the bilateral relationship between Ireland and China in the area of agriculture and fisheries, by developing and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and friendly relations and by enhancing economic, scientific, technological and trade cooperation in the agricultural and fisheries sectors. It also provides for the sharing of expertise and the exchange of officials, designed to provide assurances to the Chinese authorities of the integrity of our food production systems, our high veterinary and food safety procedures and of our technologically advanced agri and seafood sectors, thereby enhancing trade and facilitating increasing exports.
This MOU builds on an original MOU agreed in September 2006 and on the Action Plan on Mutual Cooperation between both Ministries which I signed on 28 May, 2011, and which provided for Chinese officials to undertake work placements in the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) and in the Marine Institute in addition to undertaking educational courses in agrifood related areas.
Since the signing of the renewed MOU in April, 2012, there has been a significant increase in the number of political and trade related visits from China to Ireland. My Department hosted seven inward delegations from China in 2012, including three Vice Ministerial visits, one inspection visit and visits by senior Chinese officials including a joint study visit by EU and Chinese officials as part of their cooperation agreement. Two further Chinese Vice Minister’s will visit Ireland in May and June.
There have been two work placements in the Marine Institute in 2012 and 2013, during which important joint research based work was undertaken, while Teagasc is currently hosting a Chinese official, also undertaking research work. A Chinese official successfully completed an Irish web based veterinary certificate course in 2012 in addition to undertaking a work placement in the Department. A further work placement was also facilitated in my Department related to the dairy sector. On an annual basis, my Department also facilitated 4 study visits by Chinese officials.
Of particular significance is that in the period 2010-2012, Irish exports to China of food beverages, seafood and other agri related products have increased from €167m to €323m, an increase of 93%.
I am therefore very pleased that the MOU signed during my trade mission to China in April 2012 has been a sound basis for developing a mutually beneficial relationship between China and Ireland in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
510. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the details of the centralised equine database; when he expects it to become fully operational; the length of time he believes it will take to for all animals to be registered; the cost implications of the database; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22281/13]
View answerThe infrastructure for the central equine database is now in place. The central database can be used to supplement the checks carried out by Department staff in the two premises that slaughter equine animals currently. Aside from the usual Veterinary checks, the passport of an animal presented for slaughter is examined to ensure that it has not been tampered with, that the markings recorded on the passport match the animal and that the animal is eligible for entry to the human food chain.
The central equine database is being developed on the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system which contains data on cattle, sheep and pigs. AIM is a generic animal identification and movement system and it was possible to adapt the existing facilities to create the equine database and to implement the checks at slaughter plants. The database is being established within the current budgetary allocation for the development and maintenance of the AIM system in addition to some very limited once-off staff costs and the cost of the installation of communication lines and computer hardware equipment at the two slaughterhouses.
The Department requested the Passport Issuing Organisations (PIOs) to submit an electronic file containing the details of all equine animals registered from 1 January 1980 up to May 2013 for loading onto the central equine database on 4th and 5th May 2013. Arrangements have been put in place to provide for the on-going notification by the PIOs of new equine animal registrations to the database on a nightly basis. There are some technical issues still to be resolved with the data received and a significant amount of additional data is expected over the next few days. Contacts are continuing with the PIOs in order to obtain all the equine animal registration data in the appropriate format at the earliest possible date.
