Written Answers Nos. 186-193
186. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 14 November 2013, and his denial that the Indecon report stated that Exchequer funding to horse racing was unsustainable, if he will further explain the meaning of the direct quotes from the report (details supplied). [49924/13]
View answerThe entire paragraph (Indecon Report, 2012 “Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry”, Indecon 2012) from which the Deputy has quoted reads as follows:“At present, the Irish Exchequer allocates approximately €30 million per annum in subsidies to the sector, in addition to receipts from Betting Duty. Despite the economic contribution of the sector, Indecon does not believe that this level of general exchequer funding is sustainable over time given the pressures on exchequer resources.”
As I outlined to the Deputy in my response to Question No. 48142/13 my colleague, the Minister for Finance, has introduced the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 earlier this year which will bring remote and on-line betting within the tax net. This is consistent with the Indecon recommendation which advocated “Measures should be introduced to secure a significant increase in taxation from the Betting Sector.”
The increased revenues from receipts in excise duty on betting will create the potential “to significantly reduce general Exchequer expenditure other than funds raised from betting taxation” as recommended in the Indecon Report (page 64).
1 “Review of Certain Aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry”, Indecon 2012
I expect that the new betting legislation combined with actions by the industry aimed at growing commercial income and sponsorship and increasing efficiency through the streamlining of functions will ensure that the funding provided to the horse and greyhound racing industries is sustainable into the future. These industries together are estimated to contribute approximately €1.6 billion per annum in economic output and support in the region of 24,000 jobs principally in rural Ireland.
187. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department had to notify the EU, or seek approval for the change in the terms and conditions of the BTAP 2012 scheme in view of the fact that the programme is subject to EU state aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49938/13]
View answerThe Beef Technology Adoption Programme (BTAP) was introduced in 2012 to improve the technical and financial performance of producers. Its objective is to improve the productivity and profitability of participants’ beef enterprises by focusing on five areas: financial management, grassland management, herd health, animal breeding/welfare and producing animals to market specifications. Under the BTAP, participants engage in peer-to-peer learning by joining discussion groups which are facilitated by professional agricultural advisors drawn from Teagasc and the private sector.
The Terms and Conditions and programme for BTAP 2012 were devised following wide ranging consultation with stakeholders amongst whom were Teagasc, the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), Meat Industry Ireland (MII), Veterinary Ireland, and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
BTAP payments must comply with EU rules regarding the cumulative amount of state aid granted for primary agricultural production over any three-year period. Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1535/2007 provides that such aid is restricted to a maximum of €7,500 per claimant over any period of three years.
While the BTAP is funded from Exchequer funds it is subject to the De Minimis part of EU State aid rules. However, these do not require my Department to submit the BTAP Terms and Conditions for approval by the EU Commission.
My Department carried out a review of the Programme and made some changes based on experience from its first year of operation in 2012. Changes in the 2013 BTAP included further clarification of the role and responsibilities of the facilitator, clarification of the position for farmers who had both cattle and sheep and how they would be treated for payments purposes if they are participating in both the BTAP and the new Sheep Technology Adoption Programme (STAP). In addition, two new tasks relating to were the added to the menu of Programme options available to participants. These were (i) pregnancy scanning of breeding cows and heifers and recording the information obtained on an ICBF database and (ii) the completion of Bord Bia’s Carbon Navigator / Footprint Calculator together with a laboratory analysis of at least two silage samples.
188. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fees charged per animal by his Department in a live export levy; the value of fees due to his Department by individual exporters; the number of animals involved in each case; the period of time that the fees are outstanding; the actions taken in each case; the corresponding figures for Bord Bia fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49944/13]
View answer189. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fees charged per animal by his Department for animals slaughtered in export plants; the value of fees due to his Department by individual operators; the number of animals involved in each case; the period of time that the fees are outstanding; the actions taken in each case; the corresponding figures for Bord Bia fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49945/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.
Inspection fees and levies are payable to my Department and An Bord Bia in respect of the slaughter or live export of animals as follows:
|
Species |
Veterinary Inspection Fees Live Exports |
Veterinary Inspection Fees Slaughter |
Bovine Diseases Levy Live Exports/ Slaughter |
Bord Bia Levy Live Exports/ Slaughter |
|
Bovine |
€4.80 |
5.00 |
€1.27 |
€1.90 |
|
Equine |
€12.50 |
€4.40 |
N/A |
Nil |
|
Ovine/Caprine |
€0.50 |
€0.50 |
N/A |
€0.25 Ovine only |
|
Porcine to NI |
€0.63 per animal Maximum fee per inspection visit €95 |
€1.30 |
N/A |
€0.35 |
|
Porcine other than to NI |
€1.20 Payment capped at a maximum number of 125 animals per load |
€1.30 |
N/A |
€0.35 |
|
Poultry |
Nil |
<2kg €0.01 2-5kg €0.02 >5kg €0.04 |
N/A |
Nil |
|
Canine |
€50 Per certificate |
Nil |
N/A |
Nil |
Note: the amounts refer to the rate per head unless otherwise stated.
Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information, it would be inappropriate for me to provide information on amounts due or outstanding by individual operators.
The day to day management of the Bord Bia levies is an operational matter for that body.
190. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department's interaction regarding the production of renewble energy sources from Irish farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49968/13]
View answerMy Department works closely with the relevant Government Departments and State Agencies in relation to bioenergy issues, particularly the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and Teagasc. New opportunities and market outlets are emerging for farmers and the rural economy in producing bioenergy as a form of renewable energy. The bioenergy sector offers the opportunity to offset Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, and reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time providing new market opportunities for the agriculture sector.
Challenging targets exist under the Renewable Energy Directive whereby Ireland is required to achieve 16% of its total final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. The 16% target is broken down into renewable energy contributions of 40% of electricity, 12% of heat and 10% of transport.
Since 2007 my Department has administered the Bioenergy Scheme offering grant-aid to support the establishment of the energy crops miscanthus and willow. To the end of 2013 over 3,300 hectares of these crops have been established.
Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is another area that has been supported by my Department. A Scheme of Investment Aid for Demonstration On-Farm Waste Processing Facilities was introduced by my Department in June 2006 under the aegis of the 2000-2006 National Development Plan, with funding of €4m as provided for in that Plan. In 2007, grant-aid was approved under the Scheme for the development of ten on-farm anaerobic digestion facilities. The grant-aid is payable only on completion of the work concerned and one grant of €400,000 has been drawn down to-date. Applicants, on request, are being provided with extensions until end-June 2014 to complete the investment works needed in order to draw down the grant-aid available.
My Department also provided funding for research under the Stimulus fund 2007–2013 to three projects related to anaerobic digestion which are ongoing. The price supports via Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff for AD announced by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, indexed and offered on a 15-year basis, have the potential to underpin the development of the technology in Ireland. The introduction of these tariffs was supported by my Department.
My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Environmental Protection Agency, has sought to encourage the use in practice of the “product not waste” scenario in relation to Animal By-Products. Details available to my Department show that some 35,000 tonnes of tallow was used as a fuel in Ireland in 2011.
The state supported afforestation programme has resulted in a forest estate which is now providing an increasing level of renewable biomass from thinnings and from sawmilling residues. It is estimated that in 2012 over one million cubic metres of wood, more than one third of the annual harvest, was used for energy generation. National projections indicate that as harvest increases over the coming decades so will the contribution of the forest sector to renewable biomass. These activities contribute significantly to mitigating emissions from fossil fuels as well as contributing to rural development and jobs.
Officials from my Department are contributing to the development of a Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources National Bioenergy Strategy to be published shortly. This will take account of the various strands of bioenergy that are dealt with within my Department, with a view to maximising their potential contribution to achieving renewable energy targets for 2020 and beyond.
191. 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 scheme payment and single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49970/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme/Single Payment Scheme has recently been finalised, payments under both schemes are due to issue in to the person named in the coming days, directly to the nominated bank account.
192. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Galway who is currently receiving a single farm payment would continue to receive that payment if they planted some of their land with forestry and received a forestry premium for that portion of land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49974/13]
View answerFollowing changes to the EU Regulations land which was afforested since 2009 and land which will be afforested in 2013 will be eligible to draw down an SPS payment in 2013 provided that the afforested land meets the following requirements:
- The land to be afforested was declared on a 2008 SPS application form.
- The applicant who declared that land on a 2008 SPS application form was paid under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme.
- The land to be afforested was eligible to draw down an SPS payment in 2008.
- Applicants, who afforest part of their holding from 2009 onwards and wish to benefit from the Single Payment, must retain at least 10% of the eligible hectares declared in 2008 (by the applicant or their predecessor) in an agricultural activity subject to a minimum of 3 hectares.
- If the applicant is a new entrant to farming, the minimum area to be retained in an agricultural activity will be fixed by the Department on a case by case basis.
- Applicants, who wish to benefit from the Single Payment on afforested land, must be the person or persons in joint management of receipt of afforestation premium. This applies to members of the same family.
- 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.
Should the lands the person named proposes to plant meet the above criteria, they will be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme. The onus remains firmly with the applicant to ensure all lands declared under the Single Payment Scheme are eligible.
193. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011 to date in 2013; the number of vacancies in State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011 to date in 2013; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publicly advertised since March 2011 to date in 2013; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [50006/13]
View answerSince May 2011, a notification has been placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. On 7 September 2012 last, I placed an advertisement in the National Newspapers inviting expressions of interest. All expressions of interest lapse at the end of each calendar year.
In making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant mix of knowledge and expertise to contribute to the relevant board.
In the case of a number of bodies, some board appointments, while made by me, are not at my sole discretion in that individuals are nominated for appointment by me by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute. These are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Teagasc, National Milk Agency, Veterinary Council of Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland.
The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following table as at 21 November 2013:
|
Body/Agency |
No of Board Members |
No of Board appointments since March 2011 |
Name |
Date Appointed |
‘Expression of Interest’ appointments |
No of current vacancies |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
7 |
7 |
Brendan Brice Camilla Keane Sean Murphy Michael Sweeney Dr Owen McIntyre Jim Power Lorcán Ó Cinnéide |
9 November 2011 23 February 2012 1 January 2013 1 January 2013 11 April 2013 11 April 2013 22 October 2013 |
None-nominations made by prescribed organisations from which Minister made appointments |
0 |
|
Michael Carey (Chair) |
19 November 2011 |
|||||
|
An Bord Bia |
15 |
12 ( including the Chair) |
Gary Brown Michael Cronin Rhona Holland John Kingston Brody Sweeney Mary J Byrne John Bryan John Horgan John Comer Frank Hayes |
7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 7 October 2011 28 March 2012 24 March 2012 7 December 2012 12 April 2013 12 April 2013 |
None-nominations made by prescribed organisations from which Minister made appointments |
1 |
|
Kieran Calnan (Chair) |
13 June 2012 |
|||||
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
2 ( including the Chair) |
Pádraig O Céidigh |
30 April 2013 |
One appointment from ‘expressions of interest’ |
3 |
|
Philip Meaney (Chair) |
12 April 2011 |
|||||
|
Bord na gCon |
7 |
6 (including the Chair) |
Matt Murphy Brendan Moore Tim Gilbert Tony McNamee William O’Dwyer |
2 December 2011 2 December 2011 2 December 2011 2 December 2011 12 June 2012 |
Four appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
0 |
|
Brendan McKenna (Chair) |
8 October 2012 |
|||||
|
Coillte |
9 |
5 (including the Chair) |
Oliver McCabe David Gunning Julie Murphy O’Connor John Moloney |
24 October 2011 - Resigned from Board with effect from 1 November 2012 25 May 2012 – Term of appointment expired 19 March 2013 24 June 2013 9 October 2013 |
Two appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
2 |
|
Joe Keeling (Chair) |
13 March 2013 |
|||||
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
4 (including the Chair) |
Noel Meade Neville O’Byrne Mary O’Connor |
8 February 2012 8 February 2012 8 February 2012 |
Three nominations made by prescribed organisations following which the Minister made appointments |
0 |
|
Matt Dempsey (Chair) |
28 February 2013 |
|||||
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
5 (including the Chair) |
John Tuite Seamus Boyle Mark Weld Kate Horgan |
25 October 2013 25 October 2013 29 October 2013 29 October 2013 |
Four appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
0 |
|
Marine Institute |
9 |
4 |
Paul Hyde David Owen Prof Patricia Barker Donal Kelly |
1 June 2012 4 December 2012 19 February 2013 15 April 2013 |
Three appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
2 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority |
3 |
2 |
Micheál O Mahony Dr Susan Steele |
1 January 2013 4 March 2013 |
Yes |
0 |
|
Dr Noel Cawley (Chair) |
17 September 2013 (re-appointment) |
|||||
|
Teagasc |
11 |
8 (including the Chair) |
Thomas Cooke Dr Karina Pierce Brendan Gleeson Tom Tynan Mr Padraig Gibbons Mr Alan Jagoe Prof. Gerald Fitzgerald |
5 October 2011 9 January 2013 9 January 2013 9 January 2013 15 September 2013 (re-appointment) 15 September 2013 15 September 2013 |
Three appointments were from ‘expressions of interest’ |
0 |
|
Veterinary Council |
19 |
6 |
Michael Sheahan Peadar Ó Scanaill Michael Sadlier Deirdre Campion Martin Blake Crionna Creagh† |
1 January 2012 1 January 2012 1 January 2012 1 January 2012 21 December 2011 27 August 2012 |
None |
0 |
No appointments to the following State Bodies have been made since March 2011: National Milk Agency – members elected rather than appointed.
Directors of State Bodies who are officials of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine do not receive board fees.
† Appointed directly by the Minister as provided under Section 17(2) of the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 as the National Consumer Agency chose not to furnish a nomination.
