Written Answers Nos. 453-470
453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is legally obliged to have an agri-environmental scheme payable to farmers who have SAC or NHA lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44444/13]
View answerThe governing European Union regulations require all Member States to make an agri-environment measure available within their territories and Ireland is fully compliant with these requirements. There is no legal requirement that such measures must contain payments for any specific category of farmers or farming systems. Both the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) and the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) operated by my Department are voluntary schemes and provide for payment for Natura 2000 SAC and SPA lands and commonage land. Natura applicants have been given priority access in AEOS under the selection process and in both REPS and AEOS all valid applications received for Natura and commonage lands have been approved.
454. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farm payments will be approved and paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [44471/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in January 2009 and received payment 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. Arrangements are well advanced to issue payments in respect of 2013 and I expect that these payments will commence in November.
An application under the 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Schemes was received from the person named in my Department on 22 March 2012. Full payment under the Single Payment Scheme has issued to the person named in respect of this application. The first instalment issued on 16 October 2012 and the balancing payment issued on 3 December 2012.
The person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted upon by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently appealed unsuccessfully to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee who advised of the option to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
455. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area aid payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44536/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 10 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
456. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their area based, single farm and rural environment protection scheme payments processed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44543/13]
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 Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October 2013, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named. The person named is not an applicant under the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.
457. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their area based, single farm and rural environment protection scheme payments processed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44544/13]
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 Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The person named was approved to the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 May 2013. I anticipate that payments for the 2012 Agri Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) will commence in the first quarter of 2014. Applications must complete all necessary prepayment validations and checks before any payment can issue.
458. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of headage grant will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44565/13]
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.
460. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44601/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 17 October 2013, payments under the Scheme having commenced, on target, on 25 September 2013.
461. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for supporting farmers with private hill holdings whose single farm payments in disadvantaged areas are relatively low; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44608/13]
View answerAs an alternative to the ‘flat-rate’ payment per hectare proposed by the Commission during the recent negotiations, I proposed the ‘Internal Convergence’ model which, while initially retaining the link with current payments under the Single Payment Scheme, gradually moves all farmers towards a national average value over the five years of the new scheme. The purpose of this model is to achieve a gradual phased redistribution of payments between those who currently hold high value entitlements and those who hold low value entitlements. It will I believe introduce a fairer more equitable distribution of funds between farmers while avoiding the negative impact of a sudden move to a ‘flat-rate’.
Farmers who currently hold low value entitlements will benefit from this process of convergence over the five years of the new scheme. By 2019 all farmers must have an entitlement value which is at least 60% of the national average entitlement value. In addition the new Regulation provides other options which allow for further reductions of high value payments. These are currently under consideration.
The CAP agreement reached on 26 June provides a number of options for Member States in terms of how they can tailor the new measures to their specific needs. In this context I initiated a process of consultation with all stakeholders in July the responses to which are currently being collated. I will decide on the final shape of the new Direct Payments system in Ireland later this year.
462. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when entitlement payments for the year 2011 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44630/13]
View answerThe processing of this case has recently been finalised and payment in respect of the transferred entitlements will issue at the earliest opportunity.
463. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date in re-establishing an Irish sugar beet industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44677/13]
View answerI know the Deputy will be aware of the background to this issue. In 2011 I met with two separate groups which had conducted feasibility studies into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol facility in the country. I understand from figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, that the overall capital cost costs involved could range from €250 million to €400 million, depending on what type of facility will be constructed.
I informed both groups at the time and many times since, that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a business case which is sufficiently robust to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. I also informed both groups that it was my job to look for agreement at EU level to allow for the growing of sugar beet for the manufacture of sugar, at the earliest possible date.
In this connection, I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that at the last Council of Agriculture Ministers in June, which I chaired under Ireland’s EU Presidency, I secured agreement as part of the overall CAP reform package, to abolish all sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member States, wishing to re-establish a sugar industry. I am glad to note this agreement has been welcomed by those who are interested in seeking to re-establish a sugar industry here.
464. 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 disadvantaged areas payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44681/13]
View answerThe person named is an applicant under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases, land eligibility inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
465. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [44739/13]
View answerThe Exchequer contribution to the Vote for the Department will amount to some €1,203 million in 2014, which is comprised of some €1,019.2 million in current expenditure and €183.7 million capital expenditure.
Details of adjustments to the Department’s current budget (excluding central pay policy developments) to comply with the 2014 expenditure ceiling are as follows:
|
Current budget 2014 |
€ m. |
|
Current Budget 2013 |
1,048.7 |
|
- Savings from scheme closures (REPs, Early retirement, Suckler Cow) |
37.6 |
|
- Reduction in animal health and market support areas |
12.4 |
|
- Additional pay savings to be achieved over and above pay savings achieved through the Haddington Road Agreement |
2.9 |
|
Subtotal |
52.9 |
|
Increased funding for new measures |
(23.4) |
|
Total saving |
29.5 |
|
Current budget 2014 |
1,019.2 |
|
Capital Budget 2014 |
€ m. |
|
Capital budget as set out in the 2013 Expenditure Report |
168 |
|
Adjustments: forestry and Haulbowline remediation |
15.7 |
|
Capital budget 2014 |
183.7 |
466. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the administrators of the fishery local action groups in County Kerry; the amount spent in County Kerry to date; what has been achieved from this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44766/13]
View answerThe Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme is a community led local development initiative administered by Bord Iascaigh Mhara as part of the Seafood Development Programme 2007-2013. The Scheme aims to support the diversification of the economies of traditional fishing communities to help maintain people and jobs in these areas. The Scheme is co-funded by the Exchequer and the European Fisheries Fund.
Six Fisheries Local Action Groups covering the entirety of the Irish coastline have been established as part of the Scheme. The South-West FLAG covers the coastal zone of counties Cork and Kerry, extending from Youghal to the coastal border of Kerry and Limerick, just west of Foynes and extending 10 km inland from the coastline.
The South-West FLAG was established on 14 March 2013. It is governed by a board comprised of seafood industry, community and relevant state actors. Its Local Development Strategy was adopted on 31 July 2013 and a first call for projects published on 9 September 2013. Applications were assessed by the board, which made grant offers of approximately €17,500 to three projects, two of which are being implemented in County Kerry. These two projects supported capital investment by a seaweed processing company and a tourism related rowing venture.
Total Expenditure to date for the South-West FLAG is approximately €40,000 which included one-off establishment costs such as the Local Development Strategy.
467. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will approve an application for funding under the capital programme made in respect of the Mullingar youth cafe. [44096/13]
View answerFunding in the region of €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 Youth Café 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. In all, 95 applications have been received for the scheme. The initial evaluation has been completed and the appraisal process is underway in my Department and nearing completion. It is expected that applicants will be notified of the outcome in the coming weeks.
468. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [44268/13]
View answerThe HSE has advised me that this case is not closed and they are actively engaging with the family in question. The HSE is providing family providing supports via their Liberty Street Service in Cork.
469. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking and will take to address the current barriers which prevent adoptees trace their birth parents; if she will meet with advocacy and campaign groups Adoption Rights Alliance and Adoption Rights Now; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44460/13]
View answer470. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking and will take to address the current barriers that prevent adoptees tracing their birth parents; the steps now open to a person (details supplied) to meet their birth mother; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44478/13]
View answer473. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the adoption and tracing legislation will be published; the extent to which the legislation will ensure access to birth certificates for those adopted; if the rights granted to adopted persons will be aligned with those rights afforded to those in Northern Ireland, North Wales, Scotland, England and various countries, within this legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44704/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 473 together.
Work is continuing in relation to the preparation of the Heads of Bill of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. My view is that persons affected by adoption should be provided with a statutory right to as much information as possible within permissible Constitutional boundaries. I am anxious to bring the Heads of bill before Government at the earliest possible date. The constitutional and legal context within which the development of these legislative proposals must be undertaken is complex.
It is intended that the Bill will provide for the Adoption Authority to be responsible for providing access to adoption records, in accordance with the provisions of the Bill. The Bill will provide for the Adoption Authority to establish and maintain a National Index of Adoption Records, the purpose of which is to help an applicant for adoption information identify the location of his or her adoption records. The intention is that the Bill is to provide that either the Adoption Authority, the HSE or an accredited body may hold adoption records, with the Authority having overall charge of those records.
It is also intended that the Bill will provide for placing the National Contact Preference Register on a statutory basis. The purpose of the Register is to allow a person affected by adoption to enter his or her name on the Register with a view to receiving information about another person from whom he or she has been separated as a result of adoption and also to indicate a preference as to whether or not contact is being sought with that person.
A National Tracing Service will be established under the provisions of the Bill, the operation of which will be subject to guidelines to be set out in regulations. It is intended that the Tracing Service is to be made available to an adopted person, a birth parent and a relative of either an adopted person or a birth parent, and that the Adoption Authority is to have overall responsibility for providing the tracing service.
However I wish to advise that complex legal and constitutional issues have arisen during the course of preparation of the Heads of Bill and that detailed on-going consideration of these issues is under way in my Department and in the Office of the Attorney General. At this stage is it not certain that the problems that have arisen can be overcome by the introduction of legislation and further legal advice has been sought in an effort to see if legislation that meets my policy objectives can be drafted within constitutional parameters.
With regard to individual cases, information and tracing inquiries are normally dealt with by the organisation that arranged the original adoption placement. If the adoption agency has closed, the Health Service Executive Adoption Information and Tracing Service, or the agency that now holds the placement records, will deal with the inquiry. Queries in relation to the handling of a request for information and tracing should be addressed to the agency dealing with the request or the Adoption Authority as the body with responsibility for regulating accredited bodies who provide adoption services.
A representative of the Adoption Rights Alliance attended a recent meeting which I held with an individual in relation to adoption information and tracing. At this meeting I agreed to meet representatives of the Adoption Rights Alliance specifically to discuss the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and I invited them to make a submission in this regard in advance of the meeting.
