Tuesday, 17 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 469-485

Departmental Staff Remuneration

Questions (469)

Simon Harris

Question:

469. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide detail in tabular form, in respect of his Department and any agency under his remit, any exemptions granted to the long-standing general principle of pay policy that the payment of additional remuneration to public servants for undertaking additional duties is not permitted; the additional remuneration involved in each case; the date of sanction for such additional remuneration; the rationale behind such sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55032/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

There are currently no exemptions granted to staff of my Department or any agency under the remit of my Department for the payment of additional remuneration for undertaking additional duties. It has not been possible to confirm the position in respect of previous years in the time available. My Department is checking records going back to 2000. In the event that any additional remuneration was paid in the past, details will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (470)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

470. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment and the agri-environment option scheme 2012 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53660/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The payment due to the person named under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme was paid in two instalments on 16 October and 03 December 2012. However following an inspection under AEOS over payments were identified and posted, these overpayments in addition to an over claim on one land parcel following the LPIS Review were recouped from payments due under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme.

The person named was notified in writing of the over claim under the LPIS Review and has since appealed this. A decision will be made on this appeal shortly. The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and has received payment in respect of the 2011 Scheme year. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. The person named was selected for an AEOS on-farm Inspection which took place on the 1st November 2012. During this inspection non-compliances with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Species Rich Grassland and Traditional Hay Meadow actions which resulted in a penalty being incurred. Non compliance in respect of Natura land was also noted and this resulted cross compliance penalty of 5% being imposed. The application is being processed on the basis of the inspection findings and 75% payment in respect of 2012, less the 5% Cross Compliance penalty issued on the 16th September 2013. I expect the balancing 25% payment to follow shortly.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (471)

John O'Mahony

Question:

471. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged area aid payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53687/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme is now completed, payment is due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (472)

Dara Calleary

Question:

472. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will have their area based payment processed; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53743/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme is now completed, payment is due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Single Payment Scheme Applications

Questions (473)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

473. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for single farm grant 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when payment will issue. [53753/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 23 April 2013. Following initial processing, a dual claim was identified in respect of one of the land parcels declared by the person named. The person named subsequently confirmed that they did not have the right to claim the parcel in question. As the total area over claim was greater than 20%, no payment is due to the person named for the year in question based on the scheme Terms and Conditions and the relevant EU regulations. A letter explaining the foregoing and also informing the person named of a right to appeal, issued on 12 December 2013.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (474)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

474. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single payment grants in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and when will payment issue. [53754/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 10 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 ground eligibility 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.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (475)

John O'Mahony

Question:

475. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had a reduction made on their farm payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53761/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following a review of the land declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) and other Direct Payment Schemes, it has been established that this land contained some ineligible features, including a water course, road and part of a farmyard, which together amounted to an over-claim of 0.22 hectares of the land declared for payment. This has resulted in a reduction in payment of €64.71 for each of the years 2013 and 2012, a total of €129.42. This sum has already been recouped from the applicant’s SPS balancing payment of 2013 Single Payment Scheme. The person named has been advised of her right to seek a review of the decision to reduce the amount of eligible land. To date, no request for a review has been received by my Department.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (476)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

476. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [53790/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application on 10 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 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 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 the review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months. Processing of payments due, on the basis set out above, under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme have been finalised and will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of person named.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (477)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a REP scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [53793/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all application to be completed before any payments can issue. Following the Land Parcel Identification Review (LPIS) an area discrepancy was identified which has resulted in the necessity for further clarification. This issue is currently being investigated with the intention of an early resolution and payment in respect of 2013.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Eligibility

Questions (478)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

478. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department intends increasing the retention period for the purposes of the stocking density requirement to 12 months under the 2014 disadvantaged areas based scheme; the other changes that are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53829/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

While the Terms and Conditions governing the 2014 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme have yet to be finalised, it is unlikely that there will be any change insofar as the minimum requirements concerning stocking density are concerned, which currently provide for (a) a seven consecutive month retention period, where the stocking density on a holding must be equal to or greater than 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare and (b) an annual average of 0.15 livestock units per forage hectare calculated on the 12 months of the Scheme.

Animal Welfare

Questions (479)

Billy Timmins

Question:

479. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the growing and ongoing problem of cruelty to horses and donkeys (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53861/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The cases of cruelty to animals referred to by the Deputy highlight the need for intervention before animal welfare is threatened. My Department devotes considerable resources in protecting animal welfare and is continuing to work closely with An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities and with the ISPCA throughout the country in an effort to minimise the risks to horse welfare. This pro-active inter-agency approach in relation to horses has resulted in the seizure in recent weeks of large numbers of abandoned and undocumented horses, including in Wicklow and Cork.

To date this year, my Department has paid in the region of €2.8m to Local Authorities under the Control of Horses Act to assist them in dealing with stray and unwanted horses. My Department also provides considerable financial support to animal welfare organisations to assist them in the delivery of animal care and welfare services. In 2012, this funding amounted to €1.36m to some 140 organisations to assist in their work in 2013 and I plan to make an allocation in respect of 2014 shortly.

I should stress that it is the responsibility of horse owners to ensure the welfare of horses in their ownership and/or their care and to dispose of them appropriately. In this context, horse owners are reminded of the advice of the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council that, where an owner can no longer adequately provide for their horse or where the horse can no longer fulfil the purpose for which it was bred, he or she should be proactive in seeking to dispose of the animal humanely. My Department is, of course, continuing to deal with any animal welfare issues relating to horses through its existing mechanisms and I have previously indicated that emergency funding is available to assist horse owners who cannot afford to pay for their humane disposal.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to work with local authorities, the Garda Síochána and with animal welfare bodies to ensure that horse welfare is protected. I urge the public to continue to avail of the Animal Welfare Helpline in operation by my Department, to report instances where animal welfare may be compromised on 1850 211 990.

Equine Identification Scheme

Questions (480)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

480. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the statutory authority under which equine breeders are being asked to pay for the costs associated with the identification and registration of equines for matters such as the marking and chipping of foals carried out by veterinary surgeons approved for the purpose and the issuing of identity documents by issuing bodies approved for the purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53862/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Owners and keepers of horses are required by EU Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 of 6 June 2008 to ensure that their horses are identified in accordance with the provisions of that legislation, which has been transposed into national legislation via S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended). The relevant legislation imposes this obligation and, as a corollary, any associated cost, on the owners and keepers of equines. The fees charged by veterinarians and Passport Issuing Organisations for inserting microchips and issuing passports are a matter between the veterinarian and his/her client.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (481)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

481. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the balance of a single farm payment was not paid to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53863/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 15 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 cross compliance inspection. During the course of the cross compliance inspection, land eligibility issues were identified requiring that a full ground eligibility inspection be carried out. This inspection has been completed and the results are now being finalised with the intention of issuing any of the balancing payment due under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will shortly be in contact with the person named.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (482)

Michael Ring

Question:

482. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive disadvantaged areas scheme payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53866/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

As processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme is now completed, payment is due to issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Applications

Questions (483)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

483. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an agri-environment option scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53872/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011 and payment has issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. In addition a 75% payment for 2013 issued on the 28th November 2013 and I expect the balancing 25% payment to follow shortly.

There is an appeal from the person named arising from the withdrawal of an action from their application which resulted in a penalty of 10% on payment for the 2011 Scheme year. A review of the 10% penalty was carried out as a result of documentation which was received in my Department on 28th January 2013. This review resulted in the original decision to apply the 10% penalty being upheld. The person named requested that a new action, to replace the hedgerows, be included on their application. This request could not be acceded to because commitments under the Scheme must be chosen at the outset and must be delivered for at least 5 years. A letter issued to the person named informing her of this and giving the option to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The person named has submitted an appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office and the matter is being examined. The person named will be notified of the result in due course.

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Rural Environment Protection Scheme Eligibility

Questions (484)

Pat Breen

Question:

484. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if circumstances could be taken into consideration in relation to a clawback in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53881/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 2008 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. On entering REPS the applicant agrees to carry out their farming activities in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme and the Agri-Environmental Plan drawn up by an approved Planner for a period of five years. In all cases where the area of the farm is reduced by the disposal of land, or land is found to be ineligible, annual payment for the remaining years of the Plan will be recalculated on the remaining eligible land and the applicant will be notified in writing if reimbursement of monies if required.

In 2010 the person named disposed of 6.57 ha of the 27.35 ha of lands declared for payment in the REPS Agri-environmental plan drawn up in 2008. Consequently, on the 18th November 2013 a letter issued to the person named detailing the amount to be reimbursed and also affording them the ‘right of appeal’ to the local Inspectorate. To-date no appeal has been received by my Department.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme Applications

Questions (485)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

485. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an application for a fencing grant to include gates in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53895/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person concerned lodged an application for grant-aid under the TAMS Sheep Fencing/ Mobile Handling Equipment Scheme on 31 May 2013. Further details were sought in relation to the application, and this information has now been received. His eligibility is being assessed on the basis of this new information, and a decision will be made as soon as possible.