Written Answers Nos. 863 - 883
863. 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. [45713/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was recently finalised, payment will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
864. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers in each county who are receiving a single farm payment in respect of commonages; the number of farmers in each county who have had their payments withdrawn or reduced following inspections by his Department officials in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the average payment to farmers in each county at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45683/13]
View answerThe data requested by the deputy relating to payments to SPS applicants who have claimed commonages is set out in tabular form for 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the average total advance payment to each farmer in 2013 to date.
|
COUNTY |
2011 Paid |
2012 Paid |
2013 Paid |
AVG Paid 2013 |
|
CARLOW |
175 |
172 |
143 |
€5,985.01 |
|
CAVAN |
131 |
132 |
108 |
€3,591.62 |
|
CLARE |
370 |
368 |
340 |
€5,262.66 |
|
CORK |
925 |
920 |
850 |
€4,199.83 |
|
DONEGAL |
2,411 |
2,434 |
2,179 |
€2,714.78 |
|
DUBLIN |
40 |
39 |
37 |
€2,202.26 |
|
GALWAY |
2,475 |
2,437 |
2,077 |
€2,430.31 |
|
KERRY |
1,816 |
1,821 |
1,574 |
€4,205.28 |
|
KILDARE |
55 |
57 |
44 |
€10,491.53 |
|
KILKENNY |
36 |
36 |
31 |
€6,870.05 |
|
LAOIS |
100 |
97 |
92 |
€6,262.67 |
|
LEITRIM |
438 |
440 |
373 |
€3,864.60 |
|
LIMERICK |
55 |
56 |
41 |
€4,668.77 |
|
LONGFORD |
62 |
63 |
58 |
€4,040.80 |
|
LOUTH |
164 |
165 |
145 |
€3,233.12 |
|
MAYO |
3,031 |
3,019 |
2,690 |
€2,603.84 |
|
MEATH |
14 |
15 |
11 |
€5,206.62 |
|
MONAGHAN |
3 |
3 |
3 |
€9,929.89 |
|
OFFALY |
42 |
38 |
32 |
€5,540.83 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
156 |
155 |
140 |
€4,290.87 |
|
SLIGO |
461 |
456 |
403 |
€4,018.26 |
|
TIPPERARY |
313 |
309 |
260 |
€8,855.78 |
|
WATERFORD |
181 |
174 |
154 |
€9,641.90 |
|
WESTMEATH |
27 |
26 |
22 |
€3,515.24 |
|
WEXFORD |
105 |
103 |
90 |
€7,226.24 |
|
WICKLOW |
324 |
316 |
272 |
€6,737.62 |
The material relating to the number of farmers in each county who have had their payments withdrawn or reduced following inspections of commonages by officials of my Department in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 is not as yet available and it will be provided to the Deputy as soon as possible.
865. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the appeals procedure that is applied in the event of a farmer having their single farm payment reduced or withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45684/13]
View answerUnder the Direct Aid Schemes, farmers are obliged to declare only eligible land when making their applications, are to exclude ineligible features, such as roads, buildings, dense scrub, etc. These claims are then recorded on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). Given the importance of the LPIS database in underpinning direct aid payments worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually, my Department is obliged under EU Regulations to ensure its accuracy, which is done on an ongoing basis via ground inspections, remotely via satellite imagery, review of ortho-photography and by the corrections and adjustments made by individual farmers.
Following consultation with the EU Commission, as part of the normal Clearance of Accounts process, my Department was requested to undertake a complete review of the LPIS database. This process is currently underway. It has proven necessary to adjust land parcels where it was established that some ineligible features had been included.
While farmers have the normal course of appeal within my Department in the first instance, mindful of the impact on some individuals, I decided to establish a dedicated Appeals Committee, to allow for further, independent, review.
It is appropriate that provision be made for an independent appeals process, in order that those, whose appeals are initially not successful, may be afforded the opportunity to appeal my Department’s decision. I am very pleased to say that Mr Padraig Gibbons, Chairman of Aurivo (formerly known as Connacht Gold), has agreed to chair the new Appeals Committee, which will also comprise of Appeals Officers from the Agriculture Appeals Office in Portlaoise. This new Appeals Committee will deal with appeals from farmers in an independent, fair and comprehensive manner.
866. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a satellite inspection of land has been concluded in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45721/13]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 8th May 2013. 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.
In order to meet the EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, these were sent for ground inspection. The ground inspection has now been carried out and the results are being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
867. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45746/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 13 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 inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
868. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive their disadvantaged area payment and single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45780/13]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 10th May 2013. 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.
In order to meet the EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, these were sent for ground inspection. The ground inspection has now been carried out and the results are being finalised with the intention of issuing any payment due as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.
869. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact of the proposed pylons and overhead powerlines on the agriculture, livestock and blood stock industry in south Tipperary in view of the numerous studies highlighting the negative impact of overhead lines on these industries where bloodstock in particular are well known to react negatively in the vicinity of such lines; if his Department has made a submission to the Eirgrid's Gridlink project consultation process highlighting the possible negative impact on these important industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45825/13]
View answerIreland is the 4th largest breeder of thoroughbred horses in the world, and the industry makes a significant contribution to rural employment and the economy generally. I have regular contact with the sector and I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to its growth and development as a flagship industry for Ireland, including through the development of overseas markets for the sector in places like China and the Gulf States.
My Department has no function in relation to the proposed new pylons and high voltage power line, nor has it made any submission to Eirgrid’s Gridlink Project public consultation process.
870. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45834/13]
View answerPayment in respect of the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was made on 29 October 2013, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
871. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a timeframe as to when a payment will be received for the beef technology adoption programme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45839/13]
View answerIn order to qualify for the 2012 Beef Technology Adoption Programme, applicants were required to have satisfied one of the following criteria:
- Farmers with suckler cows must be current participants in the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme (AWRBS), that is, they must have received payments under the Scheme on 2010 born calves and have applied to participate in ICBF HerdPlus prior to applying for the Programme.
- Beef farmers without a suckler herd must have applied to participate in ICBF HerdPlus prior to applying for the Programme. Any farmer finishing animals to slaughter must have applied for membership of the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme (BQAS) before the application date for this Programme and must be a member of the scheme by 31 October 2012. He/she must also have finished a minimum of 15 cattle to slaughter in 2011.
While the person named does not have a suckler herd, he was initially eligible to participate in the Programme on the basis of the of the number of animals slaughtered; however, as he was subsequently confirmed as not being a certified member of the Beef Quality Assurance Scheme (BQAS), he was ineligible for payment under 2012 BTAP. He was notified accordingly by letter dated 27 June 2013.
872. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he proposes to have a limit of 15 cu. m imposed on farmers who wish to cut timber for their own use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45850/13]
View answerThe provision in the Bill providing for an exemption from the felling licence requirement for up to 15 cubic meters of timber annually is restricted to trees growing on the holding that are outside of a forest, are not in a decorative avenue or ring of trees and, importantly, are for use exclusively on the holding. The exemption is not intended to provide for the supply of timber off the holding without the requirement to apply for a felling licence.
873. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding two applications for an aquaculture and foreshore licences (details supplied) in County Cork; when he expects the applications to be processed and the applicant informed of the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45923/13]
View answerTwo applications were made to my Department by the applicant on May and June 2012 for aquaculture licences to cultivate oysters on sites in outer Bantry Bay.
In accordance with standard procedures the applications are currently under consideration by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.
The applications have been circulated to my Department’s technical and scientific advisors for assessment and comment.
On foot of the process a number of issues have arisen which have required further ongoing correspondence with the applicant regarding these issues. My Department is awaiting a response from the applicant in relation to the issues raised.
874. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45952/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme was received from the named person in my Department on the 13th of May 2013. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Single Farm Payment Scheme applicants under the Scheme must possess entitlements before payment can issue. My Department has no record of entitlements under the herd number of the person named.
875. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if payments will be made under the 2013 disadvantaged area based payment and the 2013 single farm payment on lands that were planted with forestry in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45953/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, land, which was afforested in 2013, is eligible to activate payment entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme and to benefit from payment provided that the following criteria are met by applicants:
- The land to be afforested was declared under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and was eligible for payment.
- The applicant who declared that land was paid under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme and the land was eligible to draw down an SPS payment.
- Applicants who afforest part of their holding and wish to benefit from the Single Payment, must retain at least 10% of the eligible hectares declared in 2008 (by the applicant or his predecessor) in an agricultural activity subject to a minimum of 3 hectares.
- The afforested land meets all the requirements of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, FEPS or the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme.
- Eligible forestry parcels that are declared on SPS applications to activate entitlements will also be subject to cross-compliance requirements.
Afforested land is not eligible for payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
876. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the disadvantaged area scheme for 2013 will be paid to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; if any reduction in stocking levels under his agri-environment option scheme 3 plan has been taken into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45954/13]
View answerPayment has not yet issued to the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme 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.
877. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged area scheme payment application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45982/13]
View answerPayment has not yet issued to the person named under the 2012 or 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme as the holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Applicants must own, possess, hold and maintain livestock in order for them to be considered eligible for stocking purpose. While medical evidence has been received and considered, further processing revealed that a large number of animals were moved on to the holding of the person named through feedlot movement, as these animals were maintained on the holding but not in the ownership of the person named, they cannot be considered for stocking purposes.
878. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment options scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45989/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
Payments for the 2013 Scheme year will commence when the administrative checks, including the cross check against the Land Parcel Identification System, have been carried out on all applications. These checks must be successfully completed before payment can issue to any individual farmer. These administrative checks are well underway and I anticipate payments will commence issuing this month.
879. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [45990/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2013. The processing of this application has recently been finalised and payment issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 1st November.
880. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45993/13]
View answerUnder the Single Payment Scheme the person named made an application to the National Reserve and was successfully allocated €5,275.87. As the person named did not hold entitlements in his own right this monetary amount was topped up onto entitlements he had leased in from another farmer. When the lease expired on 31st December 2012, the original value of the entitlements reverted to the other farmer, and the National Reserve allocation remained in the account of the person named as a reference amount under the 2013 scheme year.
In 2013 the person named submitted an application to lease in 30.09 entitlements. This application was successful and 50% advance payment issued on these entitlements on 16th October 2013. The National Reserve reference amount has now been re-applied as a top up to the leased in entitlements and payment on this allocation will issue along with the remaining 50% of the leased in entitlements in December 2013.
881. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details provided) in Co. Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named has recently been finalised, payment in respect of which is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
882. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason area aid and single farm payment has been withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46021/13]
View answerProcessing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme revealed over-claims in respect of three of the land parcels declared by the person named. The person named was notified of this error by letter dated 21 September 2013. The letter maps of the relevant land parcels and information on how the person named could seek a review of this decision. To date, no response has been received.
In the meantime, payments have recently issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on the revised eligible area. Should the person named appeal the decision regarding the over-claims and should that appeal be successful, then supplementary payments will, of course, be made.
883. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when area aid and single farm payments will issue in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46035/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Farm Payment Scheme was received from the named person in my Department on the 14th of May 2013. Following processing an error was identified in respect of one land parcel declared on the application of the named person. The matter has now been resolved and payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the named person in the coming days.
