Written Answers Nos. 416-433
418. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide the full year effect of all expenditure reductions for his Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014, as was provided for in the expenditure report 2013. [44750/13]
View answerThe full year effect of the expenditure reductions for Vote 24 - Justice and Equality as outlined in Expenditure Report 2013 was €12 million. Further reductions were outlined in Expenditure Report 2014 and the full year effect for the Justice and Equality Vote will be in the region of €19.6 million. A proportion of these reductions are already reflected in the Revised Estimates for 2013.
419. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to parliamentary Question No. 388 of 15 October 2013, if the figure of €241 million provided in the answer includes the €5.7 million given in parliamentary Question No. 259 of 15 October 2013, as the cost of funding the Garda national drugs unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44757/13]
View answerI understand that the financial details supplied by my colleague the Minister for Health in Question No 388 on 15 October 2013 took account of information provided by the Garda authorities. However, if the Deputy wishes to obtain specific information in relation to the sum of €241 million I would suggest that he should consult with the Minister for Health who was, of course, responsible for its compilation.
420. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence the names of those consulted relative to the change of pension payments from the 20th of each month to the 30th; if he has dealt with any hardship cases arising from this change; and if the phase-in period will be extended beyond six months. [44476/13]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to my reply to the House on 15 October 2013 to Question No. 294 which gives the background to this move. I should mention that when I approved the proposal to resume paying Defence Forces pensions at the end of the month, I asked my officials to arrange to have this done on a phased basis to take account of the fact that people may have organised their financial affairs around the 20th of the month. The move was then notified in advance to officials of the three main representative associations concerned in February 2013 in order to get their feedback. This was done as part of the regular, ongoing interaction between my Department officials and the associations; specifically, the Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE), the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and the Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO). I understand that they in turn informed their respective memberships. The associations did raise some concerns with my officials, including the timeframe for implementation of the move and the impact on banking and bill-paying transaction dates. Insofar as the Department could, those concerns were taken on board. No hardship cases have been brought to my Department’s attention in relation to the move and there are no plans to extend phasing of the move beyond the six months already notified to pensioners.
421. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide the full year effect of all expenditure reductions for his Department as set out in the expenditure report 2014 as was provided for in the expenditure report 2013. [44743/13]
View answerAs part of the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) process, my Department engaged in a systematic examination of all elements of Defence expenditure. Following engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the ceilings for expenditure within the Defence Sector were set out for the 2012-2014 period. These ceilings were based on a rigorous assessment of pay, non-pay and pension elements of the Defence Sector Votes (Defence and Army Pensions).
The Current expenditure provision for the Defence Sector in 2014 is €890m. This represents a reduction of €2m on the 2013 CRE provision, after adjustments, and follows on from significant reductions achieved over previous years. These reductions were achieved through a series of measures, which included a stabilisation of the strength of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) at 9,500, a re-organisation of the Defence Forces into a two Brigade structure and a rationalisation and consolidation of my Department’s property portfolio. I have been assured by the Chief of Staff that despite reductions in funding, the Defence Forces continue to have the capability to deliver on all roles assigned by Government.
422. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive their disadvantaged areas payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44094/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 21 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
423. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantage areas and single farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44095/13]
View answerPayment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued to the person named as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
Payment in respect of the Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October 2013, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
424. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the product known as pulp within the forestry industry will be made available at a commercial rate to the saw millers of the country and no longer be exclusively directed to the Coillte board plants; his views on whether there would be a better return to the State if this product was transacted on an open and transparent basis, whereby all processors of our forestry, including Coillte, would have to bid for same rather than the current situation whereby Coillte directs pulp to its board plants without any cost to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44174/13]
View answerI understand that pulp wood is of a size that is not suited for conversion in sawmills and that the main uses of pulp wood in Ireland are in panel-board manufacture and as wood fuel.
Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the use and/or marketing of pulp wood from its forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that Coillte decides on a commercial basis the levels of pulp wood from its own forests which it sells on the open market and what proportion is used in its two board mills. I also understand that the company also sells a proportion of its pulp wood on the open market on a competitive basis. Coillte sells its larger, sawlog sized material, through auctions which are held on a fortnightly basis and where sawmills bid for roundwood lots. Sales of privately-owned pulp wood are transacted between the owners and a range of buyers, including Coillte.
425. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that at a recent forestry industry event held in the UK an orientated strand board manufacturer (details supplied) was asking participants to sign a petition requesting that the pulp from Irish forests be made available to all in the industry and not only to Coillte's board plants; his views on whether Coilte's exclusive access to this product from our forests is an anti-competitive practice; if he will assure Dáil Éireann that there is no conflict with EU competition directives with regard to Coillte having sole use of this product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/13]
View answerMy attention had not been drawn to such a petition. I understand that sales of pulp wood from private forests in Ireland are transacted on a market basis between buyer and seller and Coillte does not have exclusive access to pulp wood from the private sector. Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as decisions in relation to the use and marketing of pulp wood from its forest estate, are the responsibility of the company. An object of the company, as provided in the Forestry Act 1988, is to carry on the business of forestry and related activities on a commercial basis and in accordance with efficient silvicultural practices.
426. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not yet received their single payment scheme payment; the reason for the delay; when payment may be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44186/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 15 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection. The ground eligibility inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named. During the course of the cross compliance inspection discrepancies were recorded in relation to cattle identification and registration requirements, resulting in a 1% penalty. The person named was notified of this decision on 20 September 2013. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office within 3 months.
427. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not yet received their single payment scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44187/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 21 February 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases on-farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue. The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. The inspection has been completed and the results processed. Payments under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas’ Schemes issued on 16 October 2013, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
428. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has not yet received their single payment scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44188/13]
View answer459. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan has still not received their single payment scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44585/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 459 together.
An application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named in my Department on 9 May 2013. Following processing, an over-claim was identified in respect of one land parcel declared on the application of the person named. This matter has now been resolved and the application of the person named will be further processed with a view to payment issuing at the earliest possible date.
429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a grant available to fence mountain land; if he intends introducing such a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44190/13]
View answerGrant-aid is available from my Department for the erecting of sheep fencing under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/Handling Scheme. Details of the Scheme, together with the accompanying application form, are available on my Department’s website. The Scheme closes for applications at the end of this year.
430. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme for 2013 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44191/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 25 April 2013. Following processing, an issue was identified in respect of one land parcel declared as owned land on the application by the person named but also declared by third parties as part of a commonage parcel. This matter has now been resolved and the application of the person named has been further processed with a view to payment issuing under both schemes shortly.
431. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 disadvantaged areas scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway, the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44192/13]
View answerPayments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced issuing, on target, on 25 September 2013; payment under the Scheme issued to the person named on that date, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
432. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged areas payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44217/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 18 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
433. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a permit is required to bring cattle to a show whereas cattle which are under test can be brought to a mart without such a permit. [44260/13]
View answerThe position is that it is not necessary for keepers to obtain a permit if they are bringing animals to a livestock mart because the disease status of the animal is verified online at the mart against data held on various Department databases, including the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) system and the Animal Health Computer System. This check is carried out electronically at the mart premises and, where an animal is found to contravene any of the system validation checks, it cannot be offered for sale and must be returned back to the holding of the keeper who presented the animal at the mart.
With regard to bovines moving to Agricultural Shows, the keeper must obtain a Certificate of Compliance (permit) prior to the movement of the animals to the show. This is necessary in order to ensure that only animals which meet the statutory disease testing requirements for TB, Brucellosis and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) are presented at a Show.
