Written Answers Nos. 285-299
285. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their single farm payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54786/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 30 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/cross compliance inspection.
The cross compliance inspection identified breaches in relation sheep identification and registration requirements resulting in a 1% penalty being applied to the 2013 payments.
The person named was notified of this decision on the 29 October 2013. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of this decision. 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.
The ground eligibility 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.
286. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of impounded horses recorded in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the steps that have been taken to shelter the animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54795/13]
View answerMy Department provides funding to local authorities to enable these bodies implement their powers under the Control of Horses Act, 1996 relating to the control and welfare of stray or abandoned horses. To date this year, some €2.94 million has been paid by my Department to local authorities to assist their work in Control of Horse’s Act operations.
While local authorities do make efforts to re-home horses to responsible new owners, the reality is that this is not possible in all cases. The advice from the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (which comprises representatives from a wide range of stakeholder organisations including farming, equine and welfare bodies) is to humanely dispose of horses, where there is no possibility of re-homing or returning to owner.
My Department also provides considerable financial support to animal welfare organisations to assist them in the delivery of animal care and welfare services including in relation to equines. In 2012, this funding amounted to €1,365,000 to some 140 organisations. I plan to make an allocation shortly in respect of the coming year.
The following table, based on returns to my Department from local authorities sets out details of horses seized under the Control of Horses Act in the period 2010 to date.
|
Name of County/City Council |
No. Horses Seized 2010 |
No. Horses Seized 2011 |
No. Horses Seized 2012 |
No. Horses Seized 2013 |
|
Carlow |
18 |
18 |
27 |
|
|
Cavan |
11 |
10 |
9 |
0 |
|
Clare |
24 |
50 |
66 |
47 |
|
Cork County |
134 |
144 |
161 |
15961 |
|
Cork City |
152 |
123 |
51 |
134 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
0 |
20 |
25 |
|
Dublin City |
446 |
342 |
254 |
249 |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
23 |
38 |
7 |
49 |
|
Fingal (Dublin) |
341 |
161 |
145 |
80 |
|
Galway City |
0 |
0 |
50 |
0 |
|
Galway County |
45 |
52 |
84 |
295 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
28 |
21 |
23 |
|
Kildare |
66 |
103 |
130 |
245 |
|
Kilkenny |
92 |
91 |
80 |
77 |
|
Laois |
61 |
185 |
243 |
168 |
|
Leitrim |
26 |
40 |
18 |
14 |
|
Limerick City |
179 |
259 |
215 |
91 |
|
Limerick County |
144 |
113 |
123 |
158 |
|
Longford |
4 |
5 |
4 |
18 |
|
Louth |
16 |
8 |
39 |
115 |
|
Mayo |
20 |
193 |
200 |
143 |
|
Meath |
6 |
83 |
84 |
159 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
0 |
7 |
80 |
|
Offaly |
14 |
59 |
0 |
49 |
|
Roscommon |
19 |
8 |
8 |
138 |
|
Sligo |
22 |
81 |
34 |
56 |
|
South Dublin |
133 |
304 |
379 |
257 |
|
Tipperary North |
103 |
125 |
91 |
82 |
|
Tipperary South |
45 |
28 |
51 |
89 |
|
Waterford City |
38 |
7 |
40 |
45 |
|
Waterford County |
4 |
14 |
5 |
18 |
|
Westmeath |
25 |
96 |
109 |
55 |
|
Wexford |
74 |
30 |
63 |
107 |
|
Wicklow |
112 |
138 |
151 |
202 |
|
Total |
2418 |
2936 |
2969 |
3488 |
287. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive a rural environment protection scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54817/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in February 2009 and received payments for the first four 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. Administrative checks in respect of the 2013 payments have been finalised in this case and the 75% payment amounting to €2,101.87 has now been cleared for payment. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
288. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason 9.33 ha were deemed as claw-back on the REP scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54827/13]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in February 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. In November 2011 an adjusted Plan was received from the Agricultural Consultant of the person named outlining a change of status of 9.33 hectares of NATURA lands contained in the original Agri-environment Plan submitted to my Department in 2008. Consequently, in November 2013 a letter issued from my Department advising the person named of a clawback in respect of the 9.33 hectares of Natura designated lands and affording him the right of review by the Regional Inspector. Following the receipt of an appeal from the person named and additional material from the Agricultural Consultant, this matter is now the subject of a review by my officials and the person named will be notified of the outcome once the review has been completed.If he is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review, he will have the right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
289. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding all payments from his Department to a person (details supplied) in County Cork for 2011; the deductions that were made to any payments in 2011; if these deductions were appealed; the date on which this appeal was decided; the decision of this appeal; the amount involved; the reason this repayment has not issued to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54834/13]
View answerFollowing a review of land parcels declared by the person named for the 2010 scheme year, over-claims were established on 4 parcels. Notification of the over-claims issued on 18 August 2011 and the resulting 2010 overpayment of €3,388.74 was deducted from the advance payment for the 2011 Single Payment Scheme. In addition the balancing 2011 Single Farm Payment amount was reduced accordingly.
The position in relation to other schemes is being determined.
There is no record of an appeal having been received. An official of my Department will contact the person named to progress this matter.
290. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will receive their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54855/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme has recently been finalised, payment under this scheme is due to issue to the person named in the coming days, directly to the nominated bank account.
291. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine and clarify a financial discipline single farm payment reduction of €720 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54857/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2013. This application was processed and the advance payment issued on 16 October, with the balancing payment issuing on 2 December.
The reduction in question is due to the application of Financial Discipline. This is a reduction of 2.453658% and is applied in accordance with the relevant EU Regulations. It was necessitated by the need to ensure that the overall EU budget is not exceeded. The reduction applies on all payments under the Single Payment Scheme in excess of €2,000. Member States have no discretion in the application of Financial Discipline.
292. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 23 of 12 December 2013, if he will furnish a breakdown on a county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54859/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table:
|
- |
- |
2012 Land Eligibility Inspections |
- |
2012 Cross Compliance Inspections |
- |
2012 Nitrates GAP Inspections |
|
County |
No. of Holdings Selected Randomly |
No. of Holdings with Financial Penalty |
No. of Holdings Selected Randomly |
No. of Holdings with Financial Penalty |
No. of Holdings Selected Randomly |
No. of Holdings with Financial Penalty |
|
Carlow |
25 |
2 |
40 |
10 |
3 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
57 |
2 |
48 |
12 |
16 |
3 |
|
Clare |
60 |
14 |
58 |
8 |
17 |
8 |
|
Cork |
129 |
20 |
164 |
22 |
35 |
11 |
|
Donegal |
106 |
13 |
102 |
13 |
21 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
8 |
1 |
10 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
Galway |
140 |
25 |
184 |
46 |
18 |
4 |
|
Kerry |
80 |
14 |
112 |
14 |
26 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
24 |
1 |
46 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
37 |
2 |
54 |
12 |
7 |
2 |
|
Laois |
27 |
3 |
48 |
8 |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
44 |
5 |
41 |
11 |
13 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
67 |
7 |
77 |
12 |
14 |
4 |
|
Longford |
23 |
2 |
22 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
|
Louth |
16 |
1 |
33 |
5 |
7 |
2 |
|
Mayo |
132 |
16 |
144 |
24 |
29 |
6 |
|
Meath |
43 |
1 |
53 |
9 |
7 |
1 |
|
Monaghan |
50 |
7 |
50 |
7 |
12 |
3 |
|
Offaly |
36 |
1 |
36 |
9 |
7 |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
81 |
6 |
70 |
21 |
7 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
54 |
8 |
59 |
5 |
12 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
62 |
6 |
69 |
20 |
19 |
3 |
|
Waterford |
23 |
2 |
28 |
5 |
11 |
2 |
|
Westmeath |
33 |
4 |
47 |
19 |
7 |
5 |
|
Wexford |
44 |
5 |
38 |
5 |
11 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
18 |
1 |
24 |
6 |
4 |
0 |
|
Total |
1,419 |
169 |
1,657 |
309 |
324 |
74 |
293. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers on a county basis awaiting the first instalment of their single farm payments and disadvantaged areas payments, respectively; if he will ensure that a partial payment is made to all farmers while outstanding issues are being resolved in view of the serious financial hardship as a result of borrowings and credit for fodder earlier this year; the corresponding number awaiting the final instalment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54861/13]
View answerI remain confident that, by year-end, payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme will be in excess of €1.2 billion, while a further €200 million will have been paid under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme. Given the adverse financial climate in which we all find ourselves, I am very pleased to see this level of payments being made and I think it reflects very positively on all involved. The injection of over €1.4 billion into the rural economy in the relatively short, three-month period since payments commenced, benefits not only individual farmers, but also those businesses with whom farmers interact on a daily basis.
I can confirm that the balancing payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme started issuing, on target, as and from 2 December. Given their importance to farmers and the wider rural community, I was determined that the payment targets be met. The reason these levels of payments can be successfully delivered year-on-year is due, in very large part, to the very good working relationship between farmers and my Department. It is self evident that were this not the case it would simply not be possible to achieve these results. At the moment 121,909 farmers have been paid a total of €1,172.1m to date under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme.
Payments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme also commenced on schedule, on 25 September and, to date, payments worth €190.7 million have issued nationally, to some 90,605 applicants.
Payments cannot issue until all outstanding queries have been resolved on an individual application. However payments are continuing to issue on a twice weekly basis, in respect of both Schemes, with individual cases being paid as they are confirmed eligible.
The detailed county by county breakdowns of these payments are contained in the attached tabular statements.
2013 Single Payment Scheme
|
COUNTY |
APPLIED |
PAID |
AMOUNT |
|
CARLOW |
1,615 |
1,577 |
€23,450,605.66 |
|
CAVAN |
4,686 |
4,618 |
€34,504,330.28 |
|
CLARE |
6,012 |
5,977 |
€46,844,577.07 |
|
CORK |
12,811 |
12,616 |
€160,750,746.43 |
|
DONEGAL |
7,956 |
7,746 |
€45,630,810.86 |
|
DUBLIN |
609 |
596 |
€8,737,361.67 |
|
GALWAY |
11,720 |
11,491 |
€76,300,386.56 |
|
KERRY |
7,554 |
7,468 |
€56,347,963.64 |
|
KILDARE |
2,029 |
1,997 |
€30,331,508.38 |
|
KILKENNY |
3,420 |
3,376 |
€53,078,039.51 |
|
LAOIS |
2,900 |
2,871 |
€39,407,032.22 |
|
LEITRIM |
3,324 |
3,223 |
€16,629,248.21 |
|
LIMERICK |
5,033 |
4,967 |
€50,530,646.25 |
|
LONGFORD |
2,322 |
2,280 |
€19,066,369.35 |
|
LOUTH |
1,476 |
1,453 |
€19,165,764.59 |
|
MAYO |
11,301 |
11,036 |
€57,210,844.18 |
|
MEATH |
3,686 |
3,656 |
€53,584,706.97 |
|
MONAGHAN |
3,920 |
3,885 |
€29,901,946.64 |
|
OFFALY |
2,990 |
2,960 |
€35,458,594.77 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5,590 |
5,505 |
€39,411,765.73 |
|
SLIGO |
3,877 |
3,799 |
€21,715,277.60 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6,850 |
6,795 |
€98,318,960.28 |
|
WATERFORD |
2,383 |
2,361 |
€37,968,560.26 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2,896 |
2,840 |
€32,401,503.44 |
|
WEXFORD |
3,977 |
3,929 |
€58,695,210.24 |
|
WICKLOW |
2,062 |
2,017 |
€26,697,623.64 |
|
- |
122,999 |
121,039 |
€1,172,140,384.43 |
2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme
|
County |
Applied |
Paid |
Gross Amount |
|
Top of Form CarlowBottom of Form |
774 |
676 |
€1,320,796.07 |
|
Cavan |
4,946 |
4,435 |
€9,238,439.81 |
|
Clare |
6,250 |
5,595 |
€12,745,865.36 |
|
Cork |
7,283 |
6,357 |
€14,074,505.96 |
|
Donegal |
8,711 |
7,242 |
€16,556,651.19 |
|
Dublin |
152 |
105 |
€231,504.70 |
|
Galway |
12,365 |
10,654 |
€22,226,332.09 |
|
Kerry |
7,879 |
6,862 |
€16,249,562.85 |
|
Kildare |
549 |
437 |
€736,427.74 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,826 |
1,613 |
€3,201,587.04 |
|
Laois |
1,753 |
1,542 |
€2,921,528.86 |
|
Leitrim |
3,541 |
3,088 |
€6,791,033.41 |
|
Limerick |
3,001 |
2,596 |
€4,808,857.96 |
|
Longford |
2,430 |
2,176 |
€4,540,719.02 |
|
Louth |
825 |
655 |
€1,059,987.36 |
|
Mayo |
11,957 |
10,164 |
€21,181,301.87 |
|
Meath |
1,386 |
1,206 |
€2,074,879.44 |
|
Monaghan |
4,193 |
3,727 |
€7,110,559.01 |
|
Offaly |
2,482 |
2,160 |
€4,058,055.78 |
|
Roscommon |
5,883 |
5,169 |
€10,916,591.31 |
|
Sligo |
4,147 |
3,586 |
€7,570,554.42 |
|
Tipperary |
4,629 |
4,078 |
€8,238,864.66 |
|
Waterford |
1,503 |
1,285 |
€2,495,189.33 |
|
Westmeath |
2,716 |
2,394 |
€4,542,148.81 |
|
Wexford |
1,557 |
1,242 |
€2,159,933.01 |
|
Wicklow |
1,850 |
1,561 |
€3,669,315.00 |
|
TOTALS |
104,588 |
90,605 |
€190,721,192.06 |
294. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of aquaculture licences issued under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 where aquaculture in respect of which a licence has been granted has not commenced within two years after the date on which the licence was granted and the licence has therefore ceased to have effect under the the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997; the name of the original and last holder of each licence; the nature, extent and location of such licences; if he has notified the appropriate bodes of the cessation of each of these licences; and if he has notified the holders of these licences; if has published a notice of the cessation of these licences in a newspaper circulating in the vicinity of these licences. [54878/13]
View answer295. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a list of aquaculture licences issued under the Fisheries (Amendment Act) 1997 where aquaculture in respect of which a licence has been granted has ceased for a continuous period of two years and he is required to revoke these licences; the name of the original and last holder of each such licence; the nature, extent and location of each such licence; if he has notified the appropriate bodes of the revocation of each of these licences; if he has notified the holders of these licences; and if he has published a notice of the revocation of these licences in a newspaper circulating in the vicinity of these licences. [54879/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
The circumstances referred to by the Deputy are dealt with by Section 69, subsections (1) and (2) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997.
My Department does not retain the detailed and extensive information requested by the Deputy on a routine basis. My Department’s records currently indicate the following licences have ceased or been revoked under the provisions of Section 69 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. The details are as follows:
(I) Section 69 (1)
Name: William Gallagher
Nature: Mussels on longlines
Extent 12.8 ha
Location: Donegal Bay
Name: Patrick J Hannigan
Nature: Mussels on longlines
Extent: 22 ha
Location: Donegal Bay
(II) Section 69 (2)
Name: Paul Skilling
Nature: Sea Urchins – bottom culture
Extent: 3.9 ha
Location: Bantry Bay
There is no requirement under Section 69 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 to notify relevant bodies of the cessation of aquaculture licences. The holders of these licences have been notified.
296. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has notified the applicant for a company (details supplied) in County Galway and all those who have made submissions or observations in relation to the application of the reasons it has not been possible or appropriate to determine the application within four months; and if he has specified the date before which he intends the application to be determined, in accordance with the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. [54880/13]
View answerSection 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 sets down timeframes within which the Minister shall endeavour to determine an application for an aquaculture licence.
However, in the absence of a commencement order, there is no statutory timeframe in force for the determination of applications for aquaculture licences under the Act. Every effort is made by my Department to expedite the determination of all applications submitted to my Department having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all relevant national and EU legislation.
297. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for 2013 single payment scheme will be reviewed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54901/13]
View answerI have arranged to have an official of my Department make direct contact with the person named, in order to address the issues in question. I can, however, confirm that there is comprehensive appeals system in place. The appeal process will initially involve a desk review based on the application and supporting documentation secured by Department’s staff. A series of on the spot farm verifications have begun and will be ramped up in the coming weeks to examine farms on an individual basis. If the applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of the appeal, he or she can appeal to the independent Appeals Committee, chaired by Mr Padraig Gibbons.
298. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total payments made to farmers in County Cavan in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 under the REPS-AEOS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54910/13]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. The material is being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
299. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total payments made to farmers in County Monaghan in 2010, 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 under the REPS-AEOS schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54911/13]
View answerIn the time available it has not been possible to provide the information requested. The material is being compiled and will be sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
