Written Answers Nos. 329-344
329. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered Macra na Feirme's proposal for the reintroduction of the installation aid scheme for young farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51424/13]
View answerThe new EU policy framework for rural development for the 2014-2020 period is being finalised at present and my Department has received a large number of submissions from interested parties in regard to the possible design of the next rural development programme for Ireland.
In the determination of the areas in which grant-aid will be made available in that programme, I will be examining all options and consulting relevant stakeholders to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived from the financial resources which will be available.
330. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered the 50:50 co-financing for the Common Agricultural Policy rural development plan and the importance of such a scheme in helping farmers meet their Food Harvest 2020 targets. [51425/13]
View answerThe European Council agreement on the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) provides a total of €2.19bn, or some €313m per year, for Ireland under Pillar 2 of the CAP for the period 2014 - 2020. The development of a new Rural Development Programme under Pillar 2 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.
A general EU co-financing rate of 53% is set out in the draft Rural Development Regulation but this rate may rise to a maximum of 80% for measures such as farm and business development, co-operation activities, and LEADER projects. Environmental type measures may be co-funded up to 75%. The total Exchequer funding that will be required to draw down the available EAFRD funding will depend on the types of measures included in the new Rural Development Programme and on the co-financing rates applied to these measures.
There are a number of conditions attached to Ireland’s allocation of €313 million per annum. The draft Regulation provides that at least 5% of EAFRD funding must be reserved for LEADER while the draft Common Provisions Regulation provides that 6% of EAFRD funding must be set aside to a national performance reserve. The funding set aside to the performance reserve will be allocated to each Member State following a performance review in 2019. The draft Rural Development Regulation also sets out that 30% of the total EAFRD amount must be reserved for environmental operations and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
Work is currently ongoing in my Department to design the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the period from 2014 – 2020. In designing the new RDP, my Department must take account of the range of requirements set out in the draft Rural Development Regulation and the need to support key policy aims for the agri-food sector in the light of the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. In undertaking this work, a number of ex-ante analyses are being undertaken and a public consultation process has also taken place.
While final decisions in relation to what measures are to be included in the new RDP have not yet been made, my Department is in ongoing contact with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the overall financing that will be required. I expect to make decisions in relation to the measures to be supported under the new RDP by the end of this year, and to submit a draft programme to the Commission in early 2014.
331. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their forestry payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51429/13]
View answerThe outstanding second instalment of the establishment grant and the annual premium were paid by the Department on 26th November 2013. All grants and premiums are now paid up to date on this contract.
332. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to create more places and courses in agricultural colleges as current demand exceeds actual placements and considering the great developments in farming and food science and the Government's ambition to achieve Food Harvest 2020 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51439/13]
View answerUnder the Agricultural (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988, Teagasc has responsibility for the provision of education and training services to the agricultural sector. These services are delivered through a network of agricultural colleges, regional education and local centres and in collaboration with three privately-owned colleges. Within the various colleges and at local level, Teagasc provide an extensive range of courses in agriculture, horticulture, equine studies and forestry. The provision of additional places and courses is an operational matter for Teagasc and its Board. They currently cater for in excess of 2,000 full time college students, some 10,000 adult learners and also provide degree level courses in collaboration with various Institutes of Technology.
There has been a large increase in the demand for student places in the agriculture colleges in recent years reflecting the increased positivity towards the agri-food and farming sectors generally. Current trends suggest that demand has peaked and begun to level off in relation to some courses. Teagasc colleges were able to accommodate all student applications in the current academic year. They do not envisage increasing intake in the immediate years ahead and will focus instead on maintaining quality and appropriate student to staff ratios. A small number of VEC colleges have also commenced provision of Green Cert agriculture courses.
333. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 disadvantaged area-based scheme and the single farm payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51448/13]
View answerProcessing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment / Disadvantaged Area Scheme has recently been finalised. Payment has issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
334. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2013 disadvantaged area-based scheme and the single farm payment scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing these payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51449/13]
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 finalised.
Payment of the advance payment under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme issued to the nominated back account of the person named on 12 November 2013, with the balancing payment under this scheme having issued on 2 December 2013.
Payment 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 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.
335. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will be issued with their single farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51477/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 23 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 inspection. This inspection has been completed and the results finalised.
Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and Single Payment Scheme issued to the nominated back account of the person named on 25 November 2013 and 26 November 2013, respectively. Payment of the balancing payment under the Single Payment Scheme will issue shortly.
336. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51481/13]
View answerAn application in respect of the 2013 Single Payment scheme was received from the person named on 12 April 2013. Processing of this application has recently been finalised and payment will issue shortly, to the nominated bank account of the person named.
337. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the domestic and EU legislation under the auspices of which the special investigations unit in his Department operates. [51512/13]
View answerIn line with normal legislative practice, a wide range of legislation in the agriculture sector is enforced by “authorised officers” appointed for that purpose. Such officers include staff of my Department, members of the Garda Síochána and Officers of Customs and Excise. Staff in my Department’s Investigation Unit are authorised officers similar to other officers in my Department to exercise inspection functions in relation to the national and EU legislation listed in the table below. Authorisation under EU legislation is achieved by way of authorisation under the corresponding implementing national legislation.
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Domestic and EU legislation |
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EU Legislation |
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Livestock (A.I.) Act 1947 |
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Livestock Marts Act 1967 |
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Animal Remedies Act 1993 |
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Bovine Disease Levies Act, 1979 |
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Diseases of Animals Act 1966 to 2001 |
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Diseases of Animals Act 1966 (Registration of Poultry Premises) Order 2008 |
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European Communities (African Swine Fever) Regulations 2013 |
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European Communities (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food)(Compliance) Regulations 2009 |
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European Communities (Animal Remedies)(No 2) Regulations 2007 |
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European Communities (Animal Remedies and Medicated Feedstuffs) Regulations 1994 |
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European Communities (Approval and Registration of Dealers of Bovine Animals and Swine) Regulations 2007 |
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European Communities (Control of Animal Remedies and Their Residues) Regulations 2009 |
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European Communities (Control of Classical Swine Fever) Regulations 2012 |
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European Communities (Control of Foot and Mouth) Regulations 2012 |
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European Communities (Disposal, Processing and Placing on the Market of Animal By-Products) Regulations 1994 |
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European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 |
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European Communities (Fees for Health Inspections and Controls of Fresh Meat) Regulations 2004 |
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European Communities (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2009 |
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European Communities (Identification and Registration of Pigs) Regulations 2008 |
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European Communities (Identification of Bovines) Regulations 2009 |
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European Communities (Labelling of Beef and Beef Products) Regulations 2000 as amended |
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European Communities (Meat Products and Other Products of Animal Origin) Amendment Regulations 1997 |
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European Communities (Meat Products and Other Products of Animal Origin) Regulations 1995 |
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European Communities (Milk Quota) Regulations 2008 |
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European Communities (Newcastle Disease) Regulations 2012 |
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European Communities (Poultry and Hatching Eggs) Regulations 2010 |
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European Communities (Protection Measures in relation to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza of the Subtype H5NI )(No 2) Regulations 2006 |
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European Communities (Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes) Act 1984 |
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European Communities (Sheep Identification) Regulations 2011 |
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European Communities (Swine Vesicular Disease) Regulations 2013 |
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European Communities (Trade in Animals and Animal Products) Regulations 1994 |
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European Communities (Trade in Bovine Breeding Animals, their Semen, Ova and Embryos) Regulations 1996 |
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European Communities (Trade in Porcine Semen - Animal Health) Regulations 1993 |
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European Communities (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies and Animal By-Products) Regulations 2008 |
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European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2010 |
338. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form the land leasing activities of Coillte over the past three years; the entities to whom land has been leased; and for what purposes. [51517/13]
View answerCoillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as leasing of land, are the responsibility of the company. I understand that Coillte leases land for a wide range of end uses ranging from sheep grazing and forest recreation activities, such as scouting, to commercial propositions, such as wind farms and telecoms masts. I am advised that typically the area leased on an annual basis would be less that 200 hectares but this varies from year to year. As I have mentioned, the details of these leases are an operational matter for the company.
339. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a disadvantaged area scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51520/13]
View answer342. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the remaining balance of 50% single farm payment will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51544/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 342 together.
The person named submitted an application under the 2013 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes on 14th 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 process confirmed an over claim of greater than 3% but less than 20% in this case. Payment has issued on this basis to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The person named was notified of the outcome of the inspection process by letter on 28th November 2013. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. In the event that the person named in dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme has recently been finalised, payment will issue shortly, to the nominated bank account of the person named.
340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department will respond to a proposal put to it ten months ago in relation to the premises rented to Comhar Chumann Iascairí Chonamara agus Árann Teoranta; the reason for the delay with the response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51528/13]
View answerA very detailed and careful examination of the proposal referred to by the Deputy was undertaken by my Department and a letter in response was recently sent to the organisation.
My Department is hopeful that the issues regarding the premises concerned can be progressed and the position regularised as soon as possible.
341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment and disadvantaged area payment will issue to persons (details supplied) in County Wicklow; the reason for the delay with the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51529/13]
View answerThe 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme was submitted in the name of the herd owner, now deceased.
The holding of herd owner was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. The ground eligibility inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of less than 2 hectares. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the schemes, this results in the 2013 payments being based on the found area.
The representatives of the herd owner will be notified of this decision shortly and of their right to seek a review. In the event that the representatives of the herd owner are dissatisfied with the outcome of any such review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
The Inheritance Enquiry Unit of my Department has requested testamentary documents from the legal representative of the second person named who has passed away. When the documents are received, payments will be released to the estate.
343. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the discussions that have taken place between his Department and Fingal County Council regarding the relocation of a tourist information office in Howth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51589/13]
View answer344. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there has been delays in relocating a tourist information office in Howth; when he expects the office to be relocated to its new location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51590/13]
View answerI propose to answer Questions Nos. 343 and 344 together.
My Department has responsibility for the management, control, operation and development of each of the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, including Howth.
My Department is supporting the proposal from Fingal County Council to locate a tourist information kiosk on a site within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre. Discussions with the Council in relation to this project are ongoing.
These discussions centre on ensuring that all the necessary legal and administrative aspects in relation to the project are finalised and in place. I am hopeful that the relocation of the Tourist Office will get the go ahead in the near future.
