Written Answers Nos. 511-531
511. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the recent incidence of burglaries in Kilbarrack, Dublin 5; the discussions he has had with Garda authorities on the matter; the action being taken to address the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50731/13]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Coolock and Raheny Garda Districts and that local Garda management closely monitor the incidence of burglary in the area and put in place appropriate responses. In that regard I am further informed that Garda data shows a decrease in burglaries in the Coolock and Raheny area, in line with the national trend. As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 8.9% nationally for twelve months ending 30 June 2013 and this underlines the impact being made by Gardaí under Operation Fiacla. As part of the measures which are coordinated under Operation Fiacla, Operation Acer is in force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including Coolock and Raheny. It is an intelligence driven operation and includes analysis led checkpoints and patrols to target specific areas and case manage targeted offenders. These arrangements are kept under review to ensure adjustments are made to maintain the effective focus of the operation.
Operation Acer operates alongside ongoing community policing measures, including problem solving with the community and ongoing liaison with schools, businesses and households in providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary. In particular, I am advised that a recent crime prevention leaflet drop in the area has been well received in the community and that Community Police have also been in direct contact with the Kilbarrack/Foxfield Community Residents Association and attended a meeting with Kilbarrack residents in November 2013. At this meeting Gardaí provided crime prevention information and advice, particularly for elderly residents. There is also full engagement with local Neighbourhood Watch and other community groups in the area.
Local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in the area to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
512. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount paid each year in legal aid for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50757/13]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the provision of legal aid falls within two separate categories, i.e. civil legal aid and criminal legal aid. Details in respect of each category follow.
Civil Legal Aid
The Legal Aid Board (LAB) is the statutory body which provides legal aid and advice in civil law matters to persons on lower incomes. All Board services are governed by the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 and the Civil Legal Aid Regulations. The Deputy should note that there has been a substantial increase in demand for civil legal aid services over recent years, which has meant that funding for the service has been maintained to a significant degree. Furthermore, it should be noted that the figure for 2012 includes funding in respect of the Family Mediation Service, for which the Board assumed responsibility in late 2011.
|
Year |
Expenditure € (m) |
|
2009 |
34.6 |
|
2010 |
32.2 |
|
2011 |
30.4 |
|
2012 |
32.9 |
|
2013 (January to October) |
27.1 |
Criminal Legal Aid
The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962 provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means. Under the Act, the grant of legal aid entitles the applicant to the services of a solicitor and, in certain circumstances, up to two counsel, in the preparation and conduct of their defence or appeal. The assignment of lawyers or the granting of aid are matters for the Court and, as such, are handled by the judiciary.
|
Year |
Expenditure € (m) |
|
2009 |
60.3 |
|
2010 |
56.5 |
|
2011 |
56.1 |
|
2012 |
50.5 |
|
2013 (January to October) |
40.3 |
513. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of life sentence prisoners on release that were recalled to prison during the period 2001-10 due to breach of conditions; the total number of each condition where a breach resulted in revocation of temporary release (details supplied); where a revocation of temporary release is as a result of being charged with an additional offence, the type of offences which were alleged to have been committed. [50805/13]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I have been informed by the Irish Prison Service that a total of 11 life sentence prisoners were recalled to prison during the period 2001-2010. The details are set out in the table.
|
Year |
Condition Breached |
Total |
|
2001 |
Other condition |
2 |
|
2002 |
Charged with an additional offence (Theft) |
1 |
|
2004 |
Failure to be of sober habits |
1 |
|
2005 |
Charged with an additional offence (drugs offence) |
1 |
|
2006 |
Other condition |
1 |
|
2008 |
Charged with an additional offence ( firearm offence ) Failure to be of sober habits (2 persons) |
3 |
|
2009 |
Charged with an additional offence (drugs offence) |
1 |
|
2010 |
Charged with an additional offence (burglary) |
1 |
|
11 |
Life sentenced prisoners who are released into the community continue to serve their sentences, subject to a number of stringent conditions. While in the community, a life sentenced prisoner will be on Reviewable Temporary Release under the supervision of the Probation Service. Reviewable Temporary Release is where a prisoner is granted a specific period of temporary release from prison. This can be at varying intervals, for example, weekly, monthly or annually. The period of release is reviewed when the prisoner returns to prison and a decision is made whether to refuse or grant a further period of Reviewable Temporary Release.
The Probation Service provide Progress Reports to the Irish Prison Service outlining resettlement and reintegration progress and will report on any risk management concerns a Life Sentenced prisoner may present. Where it is reported to the Irish Prison Service that the prisoner in the community is failing to abide by the conditions of their release, that person may be refused a further period of temporary release and be taken back into custody.
An Garda Síochána may return a prisoner to prison where they are of the view that the prisoner is in breach of their temporary release conditions. When this happens, the Governor will conduct an oral hearing into the allegation. If the Governor is satisfied, taking into account evidence presented and comments made, that a breach of temporary release conditions has occurred the prisoner should be notified accordingly. The Reviewable Temporary Release is then revoked and the prisoner is taken back into custody.
514. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to have Swords District Court fully wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50823/13]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision and maintenance of accommodation for court sittings. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and have been informed that, at the request of the Courts Service, the Office of Public Works conducted a survey of Swords Courthouse with a view to identifying suitable wheelchair access routes. I am informed that, while the proposal was not fully costed, it was clear that the cost of appropriate modification to the courthouse, which is a listed building, would be substantial. The Courts Service has indicated that funding is not available at this time to progress the matter further.
515. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50131/13]
View answerThere are no services currently provided by my Department where payment is made by debit or credit card.
516. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the ambulance service in the Curragh Camp was called to work outside the camp in the past three years; and if a yearly breakdown could be given. [50588/13]
View answerThe Defence Forces maintain a small ambulance fleet to transfer Military personnel to and between hospitals, and to attend training exercises. Such exercises would include artillery shoots, weapons shoots, live battle practices and other operational exercises. Whilst the primary role of the ambulance fleet is to meet the needs of the Defence Forces, through local arrangements between the HSE and the Military authorities the National Ambulance Service also receives support from the Defence Forces Training Centre (Curragh) to meet additional demands on its services in the locality.
The table below contains details of the number of call outs during the period in question. It should be noted that Military call outs include deployments to training exercises, some of which would have taken place over a number of days but which are recorded as a single deployment.
|
Year |
Military |
HSE Support |
Total |
|
2011 |
71 |
323 |
394 |
|
2012 |
92 |
207 |
299 |
|
2013 to date |
61 |
274 |
335 |
517. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50094/13]
View answerProcessing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed an over-claim in respect of one of the land parcels declared by the person named. The person named was recently notified in writing of this error. Maps of the relevant land parcels and information on how the person named could seek a review of this decision were included with the letter. Upon receipt of a satisfactory response the case will be further processed with a view to payment at an early date thereafter.
518. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of services provided to the public by his Department and entities reporting to his Department where a payment is accepted by debit or credit card; the percentage of additional charge that is applied to such transactions under the merchant agreement; the total value of the additional charge in respect of debit and credit cards in 2012; if any portion of the additional charge accrued to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50127/13]
View answerPayment by debit or credit card is accepted as a means of payment for all services charged to customers by my Department. In 2012, the average charge per card transaction was 0.79%. A total of €1,070.06 was paid to the service provider in 2012 which included terminal rental charges. None of the charges accrued to my Department.
519. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 22 October 2013 if farm payments will be approved and paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [50167/13]
View answerAn application under the 2012 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 23 March 2012. Following the processing of this application issues relating to the verification of compliance with the minimum stocking density were identified. Under 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, there are two criteria to be satisfied in relation to those applicants availing of equines to meet the minimum stocking density requirement. First, the holding itself must meet the definition of an Equine Breeding Enterprise and second, horses, in order to be taken into account for stocking density purposes, must be aged one to five years and, where older, must be a breeding mare for the purposes of the Scheme. The person named submitted details of one equine on the holding in 2012. This is not sufficient to meet the minimum stocking requirements. An official from my Department will be in contact with the person named so that the matter can be further investigated.
520. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged areas payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50170/13]
View answerAn application from the person named under both the Single Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received on 14 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 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.
521. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50171/13]
View answerWhile an application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2013, no payment is due as the value due is less than €100. The 2013 Single Payment Scheme Terms and Conditions state that "Under the provisions of Article 28 (1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009, it has been decided that no payment will be made under the Single Payment Scheme where the amount claimed is less than €100.”
522. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he has included the docking of dog tails and clipping of dew claws in pups of up to four days old in regulations being drafted under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; if the regulations will require only qualified personnel to carry out such operations; the way in which these regulations are in line with section 12, prohibition of animal cruelty in the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50174/13]
View answer523. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rationale behind proposed regulations under sections 16 and 17 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 to allow for tail docking and dew claw removal of dogs; the reasons these proposals allow for these procedures to be carried out by non-registered persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50176/13]
View answer541. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reconsider signing into law regulations to be made under sections 16 and 17 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 allowing for tail docking and dew claw removal of dogs and that they may be performed by non-registered persons, namely, persons other than registered veterinary practitioners, using no anaesthesia or pain relief as per representations that have been made to his office by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dogs Trust in Ireland. [50394/13]
View answer554. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grounds on which the docking of the tails of certain working breeds of dogs can be justified; and if this is related to the requirements for showing such dogs. [50636/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 522, 523, 541 and 554 together.
The Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (Section 16) prohibits the carrying out of procedures that may cause pain or suffering to animals, including certain husbandry related procedures, unless provided for under Regulations to be made under the Act. I propose to commence the Act shortly and, in this context, a number of draft regulations covering a wide range of issues are in the course of preparation to coincide with its commencement.
With regard to the specific issue of the docking of dogs’ tails, the current legislation, the Protection of Animals Amendment Act (1965), allows tail docking for all dogs up to one month old by any person. I am currently examining draft regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 relating to this issue. It is my intention that as a general rule, tail docking of all dogs will be banned, except in circumstances where the welfare of an animal is affected and, where it is permitted, it must be carried out either by a vet or veterinary nurse during the first four days. Veterinary practitioners will be required to make an assessment as to the necessity of carrying out this procedure given the individual animal’s circumstances and taking account of current scientific knowledge when making this decision. Nothing in the legislation will interfere with a veterinary practitioner’s ability to undertake appropriate therapeutic operations in respect of injured animals.
524. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for incentives for small business start-ups or expansions to take place on Department-owned facilities within each of the fishery harbour centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50182/13]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for the management, control, operation and development of each of the Fishery Harbour Centres under the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended). Located at Killybegs, Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth the harbours are a valuable and vital resource to the Irish fishing fleet, associated service providers and the marine leisure and tourism sector. Business opportunities in this sector are facilitated by ongoing infrastructural maintenance and development of the Fishery Harbour Centres, largely enabled via my Department’s annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
My Department has recently held public competitive tendering processes for vacant sites in three Fishery Harbour Centres namely Howth, Castletownbere and Killybegs and plans with regard to potential future uses for vacant properties at the Fishery Harbour Centres are kept under ongoing review by my Department. In addition, a targeted range of supports for the development of the seafood sector are available through An Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). Some of the schemes of particular relevance to seafood processing businesses wishing to expand and grow their business are the Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme, Seafood Value Adding Scheme and the Graduate Placement Scheme. Grants of up to 30% of eligible investment costs are available under the Processing Scheme. I announced grant awards totalling €2.3 million under this Scheme in 2013. A budget of €3 million is available to BIM for this Scheme in 2014.
The Fisheries Local Area Development Scheme will also be of interest to small businesses or start-ups in the wider seafood economy. BIM administer this Scheme, while the six Fisheries Local Action Groups located around our coast select projects for funding. Grant support of up to 40% is available under this Scheme. Additional supports for small businesses are provided by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the agencies under its aegis.
525. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an inspection of commonage land took place at Derrygoolin, Woodford, County Galway by two officials from the Tipperary office (details supplied), that they granted an eligibility area in excess of 90% and that a separate inspection on the same lands by two officials from the Galway office applied an eligibility penalty and only allowed an eligible area of 50%; the reasons for the variation involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50221/13]
View answerThe commonage lands at Derrygoolin North and South were subject to an eligibility inspection in 2007. During the course of this inspection ineligible areas, comprising roads, scrub, rock and fenced-off forestry, was identified. This resulted in the eligible area of these commonage lands being reduced by some 20%. A further inspection of these commonage lands in 2010, some 3 years later, identified ineligible areas comprising scrub, strong heather, under-grazing, rock, roadways and an area permanently fenced-off. This resulted in the eligible forage area of these lands being reduced by some 50%.
Under the terms and conditions of both the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme, my Department is required to ensure that the land being claimed under these schemes is used for an agricultural activity and that ineligible areas such as roads, buildings, scrub, rock, and areas fenced-off from grazing use are excluded for the area deemed eligible for payment.
526. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when headage payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50222/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/ Disadvantaged Area Scheme is now completed, payments under both Schemes will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
527. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in County Kerry that have been hit with penalties of 3% and upwards in respect of their single farm payments and disadvantaged area scheme payments in regards to scrub land and land with rushes; the number that have been hit with 100% penalties; the loss in income to Kerry farmers; if he will come to the assistance of these hard pressed farmers who are fighting for survival following the recent fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50244/13]
View answerIn order to be eligible under the Single Payment Scheme and other area based schemes, an applicant must ensure that all agricultural land is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC). Issues relating to control of scrub and rushes must, therefore, be seen in this overall context. Farmers can keep grassland in GAEC by conducting an agricultural activity on it, such as grazing, harvesting forage crops, or by topping. Grasslands continue to be eligible where it is evident that the stocking rate on the land is sufficient and, for example, keeps scrub and rushes under control and avoids their proliferation.
Where land is deemed ineligible, this, in the main, is a result of the inclusion of ineligible areas/features and where it is not being used for an agricultural purpose. In cases where land with scrub or rushes is rejected, it will be seen that this is due to the broader issue of insufficient agricultural activity being undertaken on it to keep it in GAEC. My Department therefore does not maintain records specifically on the presence of scrub and rushes since the issue has to be seen in this broader context.
Finally, it should be remembered that there is a comprehensive appeal system in place for applicants to avail of if they consider that an inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements or if they are unhappy with the inspection findings. This appeal system incorporates an initial review by an officer more senior than the inspecting officer, with the option to appeal the outcome of any such review to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and the appeals committee chaired by Padraig Gibbons. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of this review he/she has the right to pursue the matter further with the Office of the Ombudsman.
528. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the single farm payment under the 2013 disadvantaged areas based scheme will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Longford; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50277/13]
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 inspection. This 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 2013 payments being based on the found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed.
The person named will be notified of this decision shortly and of their right to seek a review. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months. Payments due under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme, on the basis set out above, issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 14 and 15 November 2013, respectively.
529. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of money spent in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 in reimbursing local authorities for the removal of horses; the amount per horse paid to each authority; the reason for the difference in the rates; the number of horses removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50304/13]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 to assist local authorities with expenses incurred by them in implementing the provisions of the Act. The Act empowers the local authorities to deal with stray or wandering horses. The amount of funding provided by my Department varies between local authorities because of a range of factors, including the number of horses being impounded, the number of horses being reclaimed by owners (which provides a revenue stream for local authorities) and the resources such as pound facilities available to the local authorities to deal with stray/abandoned horses.
The table below, which is based on the information provided to me by local authorities sets out details of amounts paid to Local Authorities in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 in their operation of the Control of Horses Act.
|
City/County Co's |
YEAR 2011 |
Seizures 2011 |
YEAR 2012 |
Seizures 2012 |
YEAR 2013 |
Seizures 2013 |
|
Carlow Co. Council |
12,445.90 |
18 |
4,922.40 |
27 |
62,977.63 |
61 |
|
Cavan Co. Council |
10 |
9 |
0 |
|||
|
Clare Co. Council |
70,637.36 |
50 |
110,056.30 |
66 |
55,141.49 |
47 |
|
Cork Co. Council |
108,389.58 |
144 |
149,952.30 |
161 |
53,672.99 |
159 |
|
Cork City Council |
144,427.22 |
123 |
88,207.04 |
51 |
134 |
|
|
Donegal Co. Council |
0 |
20 |
28,062.37 |
25 |
||
|
Dublin City Council |
391,616.39 |
342 |
237,663.45 |
254 |
176,690.85 |
249 |
|
Sth Dublin Co. Council |
187,872.00 |
304 |
379 |
144,962.57 |
257 |
|
|
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Co Council |
61,856.88 |
38 |
25,052.22 |
7 |
32,694.55 |
49 |
|
Fingal Co. Council |
187,902.70 |
161 |
110,648.79 |
145 |
48,428.94 |
62 |
|
Galway City Council |
0 |
50 |
0 |
|||
|
Galway Co. Council |
26,479.06 |
52 |
11,503.25 |
84 |
130,879.89 |
295 |
|
Kerry Co. Council |
99,771.07 |
28 |
88,968.22 |
21 |
34,321.42 |
23 |
|
Kildare Co. Council |
63,160.95 |
103 |
91,100.92 |
130 |
21,374.66 |
157 |
|
Kilkenny Co. Council |
92,790.93 |
91 |
79,014.17 |
80 |
53,415.48 |
77 |
|
Laois Co. Council |
96,582.67 |
185 |
132,446.36 |
243 |
111,050.16 |
168 |
|
Leitrim Co. Council |
14,706.07 |
40 |
20,014.06 |
18 |
5,067.77 |
14 |
|
Limerick Co. Council |
152,294.85 |
113 |
171,593.85 |
123 |
96,647.02 |
68 |
|
Limerick City Council |
361,802.48 |
259 |
307,979.69 |
215 |
68,015.77 |
158 |
|
Longford Co. Council |
624.25 |
5 |
250 |
4 |
8,479.66 |
12 |
|
Louth Co. Council |
27,876.85 |
8 |
18,656.22 |
39 |
55,790.64 |
115 |
|
Mayo Co. Council |
79,932.08 |
193 |
157,617.37 |
200 |
49,452.98 |
143 |
|
Meath Co. Council |
35,703.65 |
83 |
51,519.61 |
84 |
82,958.94 |
159 |
|
Monaghan Co. Council |
109.31 |
0 |
369.88 |
7 |
26,226.24 |
66 |
|
Offaly Co. Council |
48,067.55 |
59 |
0 |
29,555.41 |
49 |
|
|
Roscommon Co. Council |
6,022.94 |
8 |
8,442.80 |
8 |
82,224.07 |
88 |
|
Sligo Co. Council |
44,879.96 |
81 |
30,574.61 |
34 |
29,192.18 |
56 |
|
Tipperary (North Riding) Co. Council |
65,123.86 |
125 |
68,707.83 |
91 |
53,205.89 |
82 |
|
Tipperary (South Riding) Co. Council |
78,675.41 |
28 |
67,209.48 |
51 |
55,172.92 |
89 |
|
Waterford Co. Council |
37,790.11 |
14 |
16,152.34 |
5 |
15,768.92 |
18 |
|
Waterford City Council |
7 |
40 |
41,419.88 |
45 |
||
|
Westmeath Co. Council |
53,129.00 |
96 |
76,689.85 |
109 |
53,206.58 |
55 |
|
Wexford Co. Council |
38,136.00 |
30 |
37,287.50 |
63 |
28,652.27 |
107 |
|
Wicklow Co. Council |
115,823.80 |
138 |
36,518.11 |
151 |
64,269.69 |
201 |
|
Totals |
2,704,630.88 |
2936 |
2,199,118.62 |
2969 |
1,798,979.83 |
3288 |
530. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in receipt of area aid on arable land who are paid less than €150/ha on this land, between €150/ha and €264/ha, between €264/ha and €400/ha, between €400/ha and €500/ha, between €500/ha and €600/ha, between €600/ha and €700/ha, between €700/ha and €800/ha, between 800/ha and €900/ha, between €900/ha and €1,000/ha and more than €1000/ha; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50306/13]
View answerThe details requested by the deputy are set out in tabular form below. This information relates to applicants who declared an arable parcel(s) in 2012.
|
Range |
No. Paid |
|
Paid less than €150/ha |
697 |
|
between €150/ha and €264/ha |
2327 |
|
between €264/ha and €400/ha |
7474 |
|
between €400/a and €500/ha |
3109 |
|
between €500/ha and €600/ha |
1324 |
|
between €600/ha and €700/ha |
601 |
|
between €700/ha and €800/ha |
260 |
|
between €800/ha and €900/ha |
124 |
|
between €900/ha and €1000/ha |
66 |
|
more than €1000/ha |
95 |
531. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of the level of bureaucracy associated with the targeted agriculture modernisation scheme is necessary in order to modernise and reduce the level of paper work required for sheep farmers as the small hill sheep farmer can find the current administration procedures difficult and discouraging. [50307/13]
View answerThe TAMS Sheep Fencing/Mobile Handling Scheme closes for applications at the end of this year (2013) and the final tranche is now open for the receipt of such applications. I have therefore no plans to alter the provisions of the Scheme. I do not accept that there is an undue level of bureaucracy associated with the Scheme. To date, my Department has received almost 2,500 applications for grant-aid under the Scheme.
