Written Answers Nos. 270-282
270. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara an bhfuil sé i gceist aige cúnamh a chur ar fáil chun athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar chéibheanna Gaeltachta agus oileánda a ndearnadh scrios orthu sna stoirmeacha le gairid; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2053/14]
View answerTá mo Roinn freagrach as na sé Ionad Cuain Iascaigh atá lonnaithe ag Binn Éadair, Dún Mór Thoir, Baile Chaisleáin Bhéarra, Daingean Uí Chúis, Ros an Mhíl agus Na Cealla Beaga. Cuireann na hIonaid Chuain Iascaigh seirbhísí agus saoráidí riachtanacha ar fáil don tionscal iascaireachta ar fud chósta na hÉireann. Tá mo Roinn freagrach chomh maith as Cuan Thrá Chiaráin i gCléire agus as raon Céanna, Soilse agus Rabhchán timpeall an chósta a chothabháil i gcomhréir le hacht céanna, soilse agus rabhchán 1902 Iar-Bhord na gCeantar Cúng.
Tá an obair dheisiúcháin do chéanna agus cuanta faoi úinéireacht Údarás Áitiúil agus do chosaintí cósta eile fós ar an gcéad ásc faoi fhreagracht an Údaráis Áitiúil cuí.
Tá an Rialtas ag déanamh machnaimh ar an ngníomh cuí chun déileáil leis an tionchar a bhí ag na stoirmeacha a tharla le déanaí ar fud na tíre. Tháinig an Grúpa Comhordaithe Náisiúnta ar Aimsir Chrua, a bhfuil ionadaíocht ag mo Roinn air, le chéile chun an damáiste a rinne na stoirmeacha ar infrastruchtúr agus ar phobail a mheas agus chun freagra comhordaithe ó údaráis áitiúla, ó Ranna Rialtais agus ó Ghníomhaireachtaí Rialtais ábhartha a chinntiú.
271. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if minimum-maximum figures are available for commonage (details supplied) as per the commonage reviews; and if he will supply same. [2085/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the discussions on the management and grazing of commonages have been ongoing for some time. This is a complex matter in view of the involvement of a number of applicants claiming the same lands, the need to respect the traditional farming and environmental practices and the requirement to maintain the lands in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition. Following the completion of the CAP Reform negotiations and the finalisation of the more detailed rules for the implementation of the Reform in relation to Pillar 1 and Pillar 11 Schemes, I am now in a better position to move this process forward.
My intention is to shortly set out proposals on how the matter can best be progressed. My overall objectives are to ensure that farmers farming these lands are protected, that the environmental benefit from the point of view of bio-diversity, wildlife, etc. is maintained or restored and those that benefit from payments on the lands fully meet the requirements of the governing EU Regulations. Initially, my Department intends to write to all claimants of commonage lands in Ireland detailing the outline of the approach to be pursued. In view of the complexity of the matter, my intention is to involve all stakeholders in this process and I shall be making further announcements on this matter in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, it would be inappropriate to comment on the activity required for any individual commonage.
272. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when 2013 REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1829/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 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. This process has been completed for 2013 payments and the 75% Year 6 payment amounting to €6,961.98 issued for payment on 10 January 2014. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
273. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1845/14]
View answerPhotographers are booked for the purpose of recording key events attended by Ministers, such as the launch of schemes and programmes, new initiatives and visits by inward delegations. Where possible, the Press Office uses in house photography. The policy for booking a photographer for official purposes is that, my Departments Press Office seeks 3 quotes in advance of each photo-shoot to keep costs to a minimum.
A detailed breakdown is provided in the table.
2011
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
26-Mar-11 |
O’Gorman Photography |
€363.20 |
|
30-Mar-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€350.56 |
|
01-Apr-11 |
John Power Photography |
€124.85 |
|
07-Apr-11 |
Edmund Ross Studios |
€567.50 |
|
07-Apr-11 |
Edmund Ross Photographer |
€397.25 |
|
08-Apr-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€491.16 |
|
12-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€473.19 |
|
14-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€505.20 |
|
18-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€779.96 |
|
19-Apr-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€285.23 |
|
05-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€506.58 |
|
10-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€240.57 |
|
16-May-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€215.65 |
|
28-May-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,582.19 |
|
02-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,732.19 |
|
09-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€1,170.28 |
|
10-Jun-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€784.23 |
|
15-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€276.52 |
|
23-Jun-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€30.86 |
|
29-Jun-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€227.00 |
|
14-Jul-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€374.55 |
|
04-Aug-11 |
Gerard McCarthy Photography |
€295.10 |
|
06-Aug-11 |
B.L. MacGill Photographic Images |
€300.00 |
|
25-Aug-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€272.89 |
|
14-Sept-11 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€73.81 |
|
25 - 27 Sept-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€6,762.85 |
|
03-Oct-11 |
Press 22 |
€624.25 |
|
18-Oct-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€213.72 |
|
20-Oct-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€995.68 |
|
08-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€497.83 |
|
08-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€541.96 |
|
15-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€851.25 |
|
15-Nov-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€595.71 |
|
23-Nov-11 |
Fennell Photography |
€416.56 |
|
25-Nov-11 |
Photography by Dermot Sullivan |
€200.00 |
|
25-Nov-11 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
26-Nov-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€588.96 |
|
12-Dec-11 |
Barry Cronin Photographer |
€670.82 |
2012
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
18-Jan-12 |
Maxwell Photography |
€564.26 |
|
09-Feb-12 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€666.88 |
|
27-Feb-12 |
B.L. MacGill Photography |
€200.00 |
|
05-Mar-12 |
Barry Cronin Photography |
€602.12 |
|
21-Mar-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€211.09 |
|
02-Apr-12 |
John Power Photography |
€113.50 |
|
30-Apr-12 |
John Sheehan Photography |
€340.50 |
|
17-May-12 |
Marta Trzeciak-Nash |
€150.00 |
|
21-May-12 |
Barry Cronin Photography |
€626.14 |
|
22-May-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€157.50 |
|
15-Jun-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€153.75 |
|
24-Jun-12 |
Marty Katz Photography |
€317.71 |
|
02-Jul-12 |
Harvey Rogers Photography |
€113.50 |
|
12-Jul-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€164.60 |
|
19-Jul-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€153.75 |
|
04-Sept-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€127.70 |
|
08-Oct-12 |
Marta-Trzeciak-Nash |
€125.00 |
|
26-Nov-12 |
Fennell Photography |
€135.30 |
2013
|
DATE |
COMPANY |
AMOUNT |
|
16-Apr-13 |
Dermot Sullivan Photography |
€150.00 |
|
28-May-13 |
MacInnes Photography |
€175.31 |
|
09-Jul-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€208.13 |
|
26-Sept-13 |
Lensmen Photographic Agency |
€147.60 |
|
10-Oct-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€227.55 |
|
28-Nov-13 |
Fennell Photography |
€209.10 |
|
11-Dec-13 |
Maxwell Photography |
€413.28 |
274. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will detail, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by his Department since coming to office; the list of uses of the external public relations firm; his internal Department policy regarding employing external groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1859/14]
View answerMy Department does not employ external public relations communications consultants, firms or organisations. Public relations advice, where required is provided by my Department’s Corporate Affairs Division. It is not possible to provide costs for this service, as the work is carried out as part of the standard duties of the staff involved.
275. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the changes in funding over the past three years by his Department to an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1928/14]
View answerThe Irish Seed Savers Association (ISSA) is one of a number of organisations who carry out important work in the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in Ireland. Their funding comes primarily from three sources: the State, membership fees and their own commercial activities (sale of apple trees, plants etc).
The following table outlines the level of funding provided by my Department to ISSA over the past three years:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2011 |
€149,564 |
|
2012 |
€130,000 |
|
2013 |
€100,000 |
My Department's funding to ISSA is restricted to supporting its core activities in the area of conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and funding is not intended to cover all costs and expenditures of the Association. The allocation of funding year-on-year should be seen against a backdrop of the prevailing economic climate and the continued pressure on Departmental spending.
Significantly, funding for ISSA in 2013 was approximately double the total amount of all other financial supports given to organisations engaged in genetic conservation projects, which are involved not only in the plants area but which also includes important projects relating to animals, aquatics, forestry, micro-organisms and invertebrates.
In any event, my Department is positively disposed to continuing its relationship with ISSA and in this regard has provisionally set an increased allocation of €115,000 for the current year. However, funding under the Conservation of Genetic Resources Scheme, which includes payments to ISSA, is subject to EU State Aid rules. Confirmation of the renewal of State Aid approval for this Scheme is awaited from the European Commission and no definitive allocation can be made until this process is completed.
276. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason single farm payment and disadvantaged payments were reduced in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1932/14]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas scheme was received from the person named on 13 May 2013. Following initial processing, advance payment issued on 16 October and balancing payment issued on 2 December, in respect of the forage lands declared on the application. Following a review of the case it has been established that the persons named are now due a supplementary payment in respect of the recently afforested lands and this will issue shortly.
Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme may only be made in respect of forage land and in this regard the Terms and Conditions of the 2013 Scheme provide as follows: ‘to be
eligible for payment under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme you must…occupy and farm in your own right and at your own risk a minimum of three hectares of forage land…’ As the person named afforested part of their holding in 2013, payment under the 2013 Scheme was reduced accordingly, with payment issuing on the eligible forage land.
277. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the removal of a deer's antlers by sawing or other means constitutes a mutilation under section 11(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/14]
View answerMatters relating to prohibited operations and procedures for deer antlers will be regulated under Section 16 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Regulations are currently being prepared under Section 16 of the Act to set down those procedures to be permitted under this Section. It is my intention under these regulations to permit the removal of the non-sensitive part of the antlers of farmed deer (unless the antlers are in live velvet) by a veterinary practitioner. It will be an offence to carry out a procedure interfering with sensitive tissue on an animal in contravention of these regulations, which will replace Statutory Instrument 267 of 1994 (Welfare of Deer Regulations).
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide support or seek support from the EU solidarity fund to assist fishermen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1967/14]
View answer282. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to provide emergency ex gratia compensation to farmers and fishermen who had equipment, boats, fences and other damage done to their property due to recent storms; the amount of such compensation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2056/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions No. 278 and 282 together.
Along with all my colleagues in Government I am acutely aware of the ferocity of the recent storms combined with the exceptionally high tides which in combination have resulted in widespread damage right around the coast. I have been actively assessing the damage to the many small Local Authority piers and harbours right around the coast. I am aware of the critical importance of this local pier and harbour infrastructure to the 1900 odd inshore fishing vessels that provide a backbone to our inshore fishing fleet.
The Government in considering the totality of the impact of the storms decided that the Local Authorities need to do a full assessment of the damage and the costs involved and should revert to Government in the coming weeks. That comprehensive assessment will then enable Government to decide on a fully informed response to the damage that was wreaked on our coastal communities as a result of these exceptionally bad storms.
On the specific issue of Government support for inshore fishermen for losses of equipment or boats, it is useful to recall that there are a range of grant aid schemes already available to inshore fishermen, which are administered by BIM.
There have been some reports in the media about the loss, by some inshore fishermen, of their pots. It is not unusual for inshore fishermen to experience some pot losses through the winter. It is too early to fully determine the scale of the losses and if these were widespread. I will in the coming days be endeavouring to assess the scale of losses that may have occurred.
In deciding on an appropriate response to the situation that emerges I will have to take account of the fact that EU Law limits the options. The EU requires that any financial assistance provided by Government to the seafood sector must always be considered in terms of what is permissible under EU State Aid rules. It is clear that under State Aid rules no aid may be given for the replacement of any lost or damaged fishing boats.
In relation to pots, the European Fisheries Fund Regulation does allow for financial assistance for purchase of pots but only where the replacement pots provide for more selectivity in relation to by-catch and under size fish. Any such assistance to purchase fishing gear may not increase the ability of a vessel to catch fish and would be difficult to implement without the risk of breaching State Aid rules.
However, while all of these constraints and considerations exist, I am still endeavouring to get a full picture of the situation and when that is to hand I will be in a better position to inform Government and determine what responses are practical and appropriate.
279. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of quangos, State agencies or organisations under the remit of his Department that have been merged, reformed or abolished since 2011; the details of each of these measures in tabular form; the cost saving or service delivery improvement which has resulted; how many more he expects to be merged, reformed or abolished and the timeline for same; if he will provide a full list of all agencies and organisations under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1970/14]
View answerThere are currently 12 State Bodies that fall under the aegis of my Department:
1. Aqua Licensing Appeals Board
2. Bord Bia
3. Bord na gCon
4. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
5. Coillte
6. Horse Racing Ireland
7. Irish National Stud
8. Marine Institute
9. National Milk Agency
10. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
11. Teagasc
12. Veterinary Council of Ireland
My Department has neither established nor abolished any quasi-Governmental organisation or agency, since March 2011.
Of the forty six bodies listed as candidates for critical review by end of June 2012 in the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, published in November 2011 by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) three from this Department were reviewed for possible abolition or merger.
1. National Milk Agency - to consider abolishing or merging with Bord Bia
2. Irish Marine Development Office – functions to be subsumed into the Marine Institute
3. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) – to consider subsuming certain functions into this Department. (The marketing functions of BIM had been transferred to Bord Bia prior to the period in question)
Following the outcomes of these reviews it has been decided that the National Milk Agency will not be abolished nor merged with Bord Bia. BIM’s functions will not be subsumed into this Department and as the Irish Marine Development Office is already integrated with the Marine Institute from an administrative perspective no further action is required.
280. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to upgrade Howth fishery harbour in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2003/14]
View answerHowth Fishery Harbour Centre in County Dublin is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department.
Notwithstanding the prevailing economic environment in which we operate, I am happy to be able to advise that in excess of €3.2 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC as part of my Department’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme since 2011 to date.
The allocation of funding within the 2014 Programme is currently under consideration.
281. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if help is provided by his Department to help fishermen set up an export company to export Irish fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2004/14]
View answerThe Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme operated by an Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) provides grant assistance of up to 30% to seafood processing enterprises towards the cost of construction, extension, equipment and modernisation. Article 35 of Council Regulation 1198/2006 specifies certain objectives that projects must meet to be eligible for funding. These include improving working conditions, hygiene, product quality, reducing negative impacts on the environment, producing products for niche markets, marketing products originating from local landings and producing or marketing new products, applying new technologies or developing innovative production methods. The Scheme is competitive and projects are scored against certain standard criteria intended to assist in assessing the quality of projects and their promoters. Further details are available from BIM.
Alternatively, the proposed project may be eligible for assistance from the applicant’s Fisheries Local Action Group. There are six FLAGs nationwide and the FLAG North East covers the Deputy’s constituency. FLAGs may provide grant aid of up to 40% to private projects that meet the objectives of the FLAG’s development strategy for its area. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Successful projects will address one or more of the following priorities, i.e. maintain and support jobs, add value to fisheries and aquaculture products, support diversification, support economic and social restructuring of areas facing difficulties as a result of changes in the fisheries sector, enhance economic and social prosperity or promote the quality of the coastal environment. Projects must be located no more than 10 kilometres from the sea and towns and cities with a population of more than 15,000 are excluded. Further details are available from BIM.
Depending on the nature of the project, other more appropriate supports may be available from Enterprise Ireland.
