Written Answers Nos. 170-176
170. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding accommodating a person (details supplied) in County Longford with the higher rate of forestry grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49747/13]
View answerThere are two rates of premium payable: a higher rate that applies to farmers and a lower rate to non-farmers. The conditions for receipt of the higher rate of premium are set out in the Afforestation Scheme document which is available from the Departments website www.agriculture.gov.ie. The Department will make the decision on the appropriate rate of grant applicable after planting has been completed.
The application by the person named for technical approval under the Afforestation Scheme was approved on 29 April 2013. The next step is that the person named must apply for financial approval to plant, application for which can be arranged through his registered forester, and, if received, complete the planting. His eligibility for the farmer rate of premium will then be determined, should he decide to pursue his application.
171. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment for 2008, 2009 and 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49783/13]
View answerAs part of a review of land parcels declared for the purposes of benefiting from payment under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes, the person named was written to by my Department in April 2011 with regard to ineligible areas on one of their land parcels declared for the scheme years 2009 and 2010 which had given rise to overpayments in both the scheme years 2009 and 2010.
Following a complete review of the circumstances of this case, the penalty applied to each of the scheme years 2009 and 2010 has been reduced by 90% and refunds will shortly issue to the person named.
173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Waterford has not received their single farm payments; when this person will receive their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49820/13]
View answerAn application under 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 7 May 2013. Processing of the application was finalised and payment issued, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 25 October.
174. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of quangos operating under the aegis of his Department; the total number of directors sitting on their boards; the aggregate fees incurred by the State in paying the remuneration of directors of these quangos; the number of quangos that have been created since the formation of the Government; the number that have been disbanded over the period; the projected cost to the taxpayer of the establishment and operation of these new quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49947/13]
View answerTwelve State bodies currently fall under the aegis of my Department. No new State bodies have been established or disbanded since the formation of this government in March 2011.
The details of the fees paid to Board members of the twelve State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department for 2012 are outlined in the following table:
|
Body/Agency |
No of Board Members |
Term of Office |
Board Fees per Annum |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
7 |
2 – 5 years |
Chair: €8,978 Board member: €5,985 |
|
An Bord Bia |
15* |
3 years |
Chair: €20,520 Board member: €11,970 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
3 years |
Chair €11,970 Board Member €7,695 |
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
3 years |
Chair: €21,600 Board member: €12,600 |
|
Coillte |
9 |
5 years As long as he shall remain CEO of Coillte or 5 years whichever is the shorter |
Chair: €21,600 Board member: €12,600 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
4 years |
Chair: €21,600 Board member: €12,600 |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
Not a fixed term appointment |
Chair: €12,600 Ordinary member: €8,100 |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
5 years |
Chair: €11,970 Board Member: €7,695 |
|
National Milk Agency |
14 including Chair |
3 years for elected members |
Chair: €8,978 No remuneration is paid to Board members, only expenses. |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
5 years |
Authority is comprised of 3 staff. No additional remuneration paid to Authority members. |
|
Teagasc |
11* |
5 years |
Chair: €20,520 Board member: €11,970 |
|
Veterinary Council |
19 |
4 years |
No remuneration is paid to Board members |
* Board members of State Bodies who are officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine do not receive board fees.
175. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be announced on the level of funding from the Government for 2014 for the City of Dublin Youth Service Board, in view of the fact that any delay will make planning for the ongoing funding of the youth organisations in the city more complicated. [49626/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2014. In line with Government policy account must be taken of the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). In this regard, an amount of €1m has been provided in Budget 2014 to my Department to offset the impact of the CRE savings requirements on youth services next year.
Every effort is being made by my Department to finalise the 2014 allocations so that youth projects and national youth organisations, including the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB), will be advised of their 2014 allocations as soon as possible.
I, and officials of my Department have met, and will continue to meet, with many youth organisations and groups including the City of Dublin Youth Service Board to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality youth services to young people in 2014.
176. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the two Comhairle na nÓg's in County Waterford will remain equally funded after the amalgamation of Waterford City and County Councils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49657/13]
View answerProposed mergers of local authorities will affect a number of Comhairle na nÓg around the country and I understand that my Department will be reviewing the current Comairle na nÓg structural configuration when the Waterford Local Government Reform process has been finalised. My Department has not yet taken a decision in this regard, however, I would expect that any merger of local structures would result in increased efficiencies and better use of resources.
In the meantime, excellent work is being undertaken in the area of mental health by the Comhairle na nÓg in both Waterford City and County. Waterford County Comhairle na nÓg was awarded the top award in the ‘All Island Pride of Place Award for Youth and Enterprise’ in Derry on 16 November 2013 for their Mind Matters video, which highlights the importance of positive mental health, and for development of a Cyber Code which young people can sign up to for safer cyber use. Over 4,000 secondary school students in the county have signed up to the code. I know that Waterford City Comhairle na nÓg is currently working on a project to promote positive mental health and civic pride through development of a mural featuring local heroes which is expected to be completed and launched in January 2014.
