Written Answers Nos. 580-600
580. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if disadvantaged area payment will issue as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49059/13]
View answerPayment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 7 November 2013.
581. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49067/13]
View answerAn application from the person named under both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received on 15 May 2013. In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for a Satellite (remote sensing) inspection. After initial processing some over claims on parcels were detected which necessitated a further 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.
582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding area aid and single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49068/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 30 April 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. 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.
583. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49069/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 13 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of the 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. This inspection has been completed and the results finalised.
Processing of payment under the 2013 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has recently been finalised and will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of person named.
584. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for cuts in payments in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49070/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 15 May 2013. EU Regulations governing the administration of the 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 identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the schemes, this results in the payment, under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, being based on the found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed. Payment on the above basis issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 22 October 2013.
My Department has now reviewed this aspect of the case further and while an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20% continues to apply, the level of area reduction has been reduced, resulting in a lower level of monetary reduction/penalty to be applied to the 2013 payment due under the Single Payment Scheme. Following this review, any monies owing will be processed and issued to the nominated bank account of person named as soon as possible. The person named will shortly be notified of the decision of the ground eligibility inspection and of their right to seek a review of this decision.
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 informed of this decision on the 20 September 2013. The person named has appealed this decision and this request for a review is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
585. 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 area aid payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49083/13]
View answerPayments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 1 November and 24 September respectively.
587. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an application by Mayo County Council for funding towards improvement works at Killala Harbour was refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49085/13]
View answerKillala Harbour is owned by Mayo County Council and responsibility for its repair and maintenance rests with the Local Authority in the first instance. My Department, however, provides funding for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities.
I am pleased to inform the deputy that under the 2013 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme a total of €202,500 has been approved for two separate project works at Killala Harbour and Killala Main Pier.
588. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 disadvantaged areas scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49121/13]
View answerPayment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has not yet issued to the person named as their holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as their holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing at the earliest possible date thereafter.
589. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of appeals submitted to the disadvantaged areas scheme appeal committee by way of the minimum stock density derogation application for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and of the appeals received the numbers successful. [49141/13]
View answerI established the DAS Appeals Committee to deal with appeals from those farmers who were adversely affected by the changes to the Terms and Conditions governing the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, specifically the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density on their holding of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare and were dissatisfied with my Department’s adjudication on their appeals.
It will be recalled that, arising from the 2012 budgetary process, savings needed to be found in my Department’s expenditure. Accordingly, it was necessary to adjust the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. However, rather than simply apply an across the board cut to the rates payable or reduce the maximum payable area, I decided that real efforts should be made to focus the Scheme on those farmers who are most actively contributing to achieving the aims of the Scheme, namely:
- ensuring continued agricultural land use, thereby contributing to the maintenance of viable rural communities;
- maintaining the countryside; and
- maintaining and promoting sustainable farming systems, which take account of environmental protection measures.
Provision was made for an appeals process to take account of a variety of situations, specifically:
- Restriction on the stocking levels on the holding due to adherence to an agri-environments plan such as REPS, AEOS or National Parks and Wildlife Service plan.
- Farming marginal land where the level of stock that can be maintained is restricted.
- Illness or death in family.
- Outbreak of animal disease in the herd.
- New entrant to farming.
At the same time, I was also determined that those adversely affected by the 2012 changes should be afforded the opportunity to appeal, where they could show legitimate reasons for their inability to meet the new requirements. In total, my Department wrote to in excess of 10,000 beneficiaries under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme whose holdings had not achieved the minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare as required under the Terms and Conditions of the 2012 Scheme.
In response, my Department received a total of 9,829 derogation applications of which 7,414 were successful. Those, whose applications were unsuccessful, were informed of their right of appeal to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee, on foot of which 1,574 appeals were received. On the basis of additional information which had not previously been submitted, my Department was in a position to overturn the original decision on 614 cases, without the need to refer the cases to the DAS Appeals Committee. Of the appeals submitted to the Committee, decisions have been taken in respect of 960 cases, of which 413 were allowed, 547 disallowed.
590. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the stock density for farmers under the disadvantaged areas scheme for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49151/13]
View answerThe position regarding stocking density levels under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme in respect of the years in question are as outlined in the relevant Scheme Terms and Conditions, as follows:
2009 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2009 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for your holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
2010 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2010 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for the holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
2011 Scheme: Livestock Unit Values
The following livestock unit values are used for calculating compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare for the entire area declared under the 2011 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. You must possess, hold and maintain for at least three continuous months of the year the livestock required to maintain the minimum stocking level. The only exempted cases from compliance with the minimum stocking level of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare are applicants where a REPS plan or a Commonage Framework plan or any other environmental scheme for the holding requires a lower stocking level. In such cases the requirement to maintain animals for at least three consecutive months of the year will apply to the number of animals per forage hectare which is the equivalent in livestock unit values to that lower stocking level.
591. 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 payments from the grassland sheep scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49166/13]
View answerI can confirm that payments under the 2013 Grassland Sheep Scheme are scheduled to commence issuing, on target, as and from 9 December 2013.
592. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the communication he has had with companies (details supplied) in view of the significant moneys owed to both individual farmers and marts; if he will engage with the receiver to ensure that outstanding payments are secured to pay for livestock; and if he will clarify if it is possible to transfer the ownership of the stock under EU animal identification rules where payment has not been made in full. [49183/13]
View answer593. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reopen the lines of engagement with the pillar banks to ensure that a flexible approach is taken to farmers and marts who are owed significant moneys from live exporters and a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49184/13]
View answer612. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contact which he has had with his Italian counterparts regarding the retention of title for stock sold by Irish farmers and marts through TLT International; if a restriction can be placed on the slaughter of these animals pending the payment of outstanding moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49570/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593 and 612 together.
As Minister of State Hayes stated to the House during the topical debate on this matter last week, it would be inappropriate for me or my Department to interfere in the operations of a receivership in the manner suggested by the Deputy. The role of a receiver appointed to companies in distress is set down in law.
I understand from various public statements that, while significant amounts may be owed to marts, the marts have signalled their commitment to continue to pay Irish livestock suppliers on a weekly basis. I am confident that the banks will deal sympathetically with individual farmers and marts who are owed money by the company concerned.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department attaches considerable importance to the live export trade and, over the years, has done all in its power to facilitate this trade. The reality is that the live export trade provides alternative market outlets for certain categories of livestock, particularly weanlings, thereby serving a market demand and providing increased competition in the market place for cattle. I am always keen that Irish meat and livestock producers can access as many global markets as possible and, to that end, my Department will continue to seek to ensure market access from Irish produce, including live exports.
594. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the total number of trade missions he or a Minister for State within his Department have been on since he became Minister; if he will provide the country for each of these missions; the names of each business which have operations here which accompanied him on each trade mission; the amount of additional business quantifiable in euro terms each business which accompanied him is doing with that country since the trade mission; if he will provide the total cost to his Department for each of these trade missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49233/13]
View answerI have led five trade and investment missions since I became Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, to China and the US in 2012, and Switzerland, the Gulf States and the US in 2013. Companies travelled with me on two of these missions - to China and the Gulf States. A list of those companies is set out below.
In the case of China, we have opened the market for specific products and for specific companies which have been approved to export. I would not have, nor would it be appropriate to provide, information that might be considered as business confidential in terms of specific companies and their sales/exports. I can, however, indicate that in the case of China:
- Exports of Irish agri-food and related exports have grown in value from €167m in 2010 to €323m in 2012, an increase of 93%;
- Exports of dairy products have increased from €103m in 2010 to €182m in 2012, an increase of 77%, with exports of infant formula amounting to €146m in 2012 an increase of almost 80% since 2011;
- Pigmeat exports have increased from €8m in 2010 to €44m in 2012, an increase of 450%;
- Exports of seafood have grown from €5.7m in 2010 to €10m in 2012, a 75% increase;
- Exports of Hides and skins are valued at €40m in 2012.
In the first eight months of 2013, when compared with the same period in 2012, there has again been a significant increase in exports to China, rising from €213m to €281m, an increase of 32%, with dairy exports showing a substantial increase from €120m to €176m, an increase of 47% in this period. There have also been a number of joint ventures announced between Irish and Chinese companies.
In the case of the Gulf States, Ireland currently exports almost €200m into the region and I would hope that we will be able to double the value of our agri food exports by 2020.
Among the publically announced developments during the trade mission, were the following:
- A €20m investment by the Irish Dairy Board in a 75 % stake in a dairy company in Saudi Arabia which will result in substantial volumes of milk powders being imported from Ireland for the production of up to 20,000 tons of cheese, using advanced technology developed by Teagasc which will allow the production of cheese from powders;
- The opening of the Kerry Development and Application Centre in Dubai, serving the Middle East, North Africa Regions and Turkey (MENAT);
- €5m contract for Irish Company Biotector for water analysis;
- Establishment by Bord Bia of an office in the Gulf Region to assist companies exporting or wishing to export to the region.
As to the US and Switzerland, exports of agri-food to the US have increased from €406m in 2010 to €518m in 2012 while exports to Switzerland have increased from €29m to €38m in this period.
The costs in relation to each of these trade missions are being collated at present and I will forward that information to the Deputy as soon as possible.
PARTICIPANTS IN TRADE MISSION TO MIDDLE EAST - OCTOBER 2013
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Participating Company Delegate |
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DAIRY SECTOR |
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Glanbia |
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Irish Dairy Board |
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Kilbeg Dairies |
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Dairygold Co-Op Society |
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Aurivo |
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Glenstall Foods |
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MEAT SECTOR |
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Ashbourne Meats |
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Dawn Meats |
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Donald Russell Intl. Ltd |
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Kepak |
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Dawn Farm Foods |
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ABP Ireland |
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Irish Country Meats |
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Liffey Meats |
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Kildare Chilling Co |
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Abbeyfield Fine Foods |
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FOOD & BEVERAGE SECTOR |
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Aran Candy |
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Murphy's Irish Seafood |
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Allinall Ingredients |
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Keogh's Crisps/Potatoes |
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Clonakilty Blackpudding Co. |
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Enterprise Ireland |
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BloTector Analytical Systems |
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Blackwater Engineering |
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Creme Group |
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Dairymaster |
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Farrelly & Mitchell |
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Kent Stainless |
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UCC |
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Malone O'Regan |
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EQUINE SECTOR |
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GOFFS |
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Green Acres Equestrian Centre, |
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Millstreet |
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Shane McGonagle |
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Noel Carroll Consultancy and Engineering |
Company database for China visit
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Beef |
Consumer Foods and alcoholic beverages |
Miscellaneous |
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ABP |
Keelings |
Bord Bia |
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Dawn Meats Group |
Lily O’Briens |
Irish Farmers’ Association |
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Dunbia |
Diageo |
Meat Industry Ireland |
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Irish Casings Company |
Pernot Ricard |
Macra na Feirme |
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Kepak Group |
Nature’s Best |
KPMG |
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Agra Trading |
Agri-tech |
Ulster Bank |
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Kildare Chilling |
Liscarroll Engineering Ltd |
Irish Dairy Industry Assoc. |
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Liffey Meats |
FRS Training |
Enterprise Ireland |
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Viastar |
Cyber Colloids |
Forfas |
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Mira |
Connollys Red Mills |
Pigmeat/poultry |
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Slaney Foods |
University College Dublin |
Carton Bros |
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Irish Country Meats |
Richard Keenan & Co. Ltd |
Silverhill Foods |
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Ashbourne Meats |
E Pearson International Ltd |
Rosderra |
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Seafood |
Goffs Bloodstock Sales |
QK Meats |
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Aquasea |
University College Cork |
Dairy |
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Atlantic Dawn |
Bimeda Ireland |
Dairygold |
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BIM |
Distag Manufacturing Ltd |
Glanbia |
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Carr Shellfish Ireland |
Samco Agricultural Manufacturing |
Kerry plc |
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Hannigans |
Irish Dairy Board |
|
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Marine Harvest |
Lakeland Dairies |
|
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McBride Fishing |
||
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Murphys Seafoods |
||
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Shellfish de la Mer |
595. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have an area based payment and a single farm payment processed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49248/13]
View answerWith processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Area Scheme due to be finalised shortly, payments will then issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
596. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49268/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the named person on 1 of May 2013, processing of which has recently been finalised. Payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named in the coming days.
597. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste agus faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair do 2013 le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo), cén fáth nach bhfuil an íocaíocht seo éisithe go fóill; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [49313/13]
View answerChuir an té a ainmnítear iarratas isteach faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair/Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste ar an 16 Aibreán 2013. Éilítear faoi Rialacháin de chuid an AE a dtagann an riarachán i ndáil leis na scéimeanna faoina scáth go ndéantar seiceáil iomlán riaracháin den chuimsitheacht, lena mbaineann i roinnt cásanna, cuairt chigireachta ar an bhfeirm, sula n-eisítear íocaíocht de chineál ar bith.
Roghnaíodh iarratas an té a ainmnítear maidir le scrúdú i ndáil le hincháilíocht na talún agus croschomhlíontas.
Sonraíodh, ar incháilíocht na talún a scrúdú, míréir áirithe idir an réimse talún a dearbhaíodh agus an réimse talún a bhí ar fáil, rud a d'fhag gur ndearnadh ródhearbhú idir 3% agus 20% maidir le hachar na talún. Tagann dá thoradh sin, bunaithe ar Théarmaí agus ar Choinníollacha na Scéimeanna, go mbunaítear íocaíochtaí na bliana 2013 ar achar an réimse talún a bhí ar fáil arna laghdú de dhá oiread an difríocht idir an t-achar a bhí ar fáil agus an t-achar a ndearnadh éileamh ina leith. Cuirfear an té a ainmnítear ar an eolas faoin gcinneadh sin go gairid chomh maith lena chur in iúl dó go bhfuil de cheart aige athbhreithniú ar an gcinnedh a iarraidh.
Sonraíodh, ar chúrsaí croschomhlíontais a iniúchadh, sárú maidir le coinníollacha a bhaineann leis na Rialacháin Níotráití agus le Caoi Mhaith Talmhaíochta agus Comhshaoil, agus bhí píonós 40% le gearradh dá bharr sin. Cuireadh an té a ainmnítear ar an eolas faoin gcinneadh sin ar an 20 Meán Fómhair 2013. Cuireadh in iúl don té a ainmnítear chomh maith go bhfuil de cheart aige athbhreithniú a iarraidh ar an gcinneadh seo.
Sa chás go mbíonn an té a ainmnítear míshásta leis an toradh ar athbhreithniú, is féidir achomharc a dhéanamh maidir leis an mbreith sin leis an Oifig Achomharc Talmhaíochta Neamhspleách, taobh istigh de thréimhse 3 mhí.
Rinneadh íocaíochtaí i leith na bliana 2013 a bhí dlite faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair agus Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste, faoi seach, arna mbunú ar a leagtar amach thuas, a eisiúint go díreach leis an gcuntas bainc a bhí sonraithe ag an té a ainmnítear ar an 14 agus an 15 Samhain 2013.
598. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments under the 2013 disadvantaged areas based scheme and the 2013 single farm payment scheme will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49328/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme has recently been finalised, payments under both Schemes are due to issue to the person named in the coming days, directly to the nominated bank account.
599. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49358/13]
View answerThe person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 22nd April 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 land parcels declared on the application were examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). The inspection and related processes have now been completed and any payments due will issue shortly.
600. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will receive their single farm and disadvantaged area payments; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49379/13]
View answerAn application under 2013 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2013. Processing of the application has recently been finalised and payment under the Single Payment and Disadvantaged Areas Schemes issued, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 12 November 2013.
