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Tuesday, 28 Jan 2014

Written Answers Nos. 586-609

Proposed Legislation

Questions (586)

Finian McGrath

Question:

586. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address concerns raised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the residency and protection Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3984/14]

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Written answers

As I have outlined previously to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, it is my considered view that, instead of engaging in an extremely cumbersome process of tabling hundreds of amendments to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill of 2010, it would be much more efficient to publish a new and enhanced text. This proposition has been broadly welcomed by the Joint Committee. Such an approach can take account of current Government policy while incorporating the many technical and other amendments anticipated. It also provides an opportunity to address the key policy issues including those referred to by the Deputy. Work on the Bill continues, therefore, on that basis, including in cooperation with the Offices of Parliamentary Counsel and of the Attorney General while also taking account of any relevant rulings by the Courts and any further submissions received. I therefore expect that work on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which remains part of the Government's Legislation Programme, will be advanced to enable the publication of a new and enhanced version of the Bill later this year.

Garda Investigations

Questions (587)

Finian McGrath

Question:

587. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-open the case of a person (details supplied). [3989/14]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that this tragic case was the subject of an independent examination by a Senior Counsel who reported in 2007 and whose conclusions were accepted by the then Minister. The Deputy will also appreciate that I have no function in relation to the direction or initiation of criminal investigations, which are a matter for the Garda authorities. I understand that issues raised with An Garda Síochána by legal representatives of the person in question are under consideration by the Garda authorities.

Departmental Reports

Questions (588)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

588. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the composition of the expert group on repossessions; the terms of reference; the key findings to date; if he intends to publish a report and recommendations from the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4006/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Expert Group's Report was published on my Department's web site on 14 January. It contains the information sought by the Deputy.

Garda Training

Questions (589)

Michael Creed

Question:

589. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the training measures in place for gardaí to deal with persons with mental health issues or suicidal ideation; the number of gardaí who have had this training, and the way he intends to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4026/14]

View answer

Written answers

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Asylum Applications

Questions (590)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

590. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application for leave to remain in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4077/14]

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Written answers

The question of consideration of leave to remain does not arise at this time in the case of the person whose details were supplied. As the Deputy is aware, if the person concerned has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the position is that it is not the practice to comment on such applications for so long as they are in the protection process.

Garda Operations

Questions (591)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

591. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the use of finger-handprints by the Garda National Immigration Bureau; if they are disposed of after citizenship is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4122/14]

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Written answers

The legislative basis for the taking of fingerprints in respect of foreign nationals who enter the State is provided for as far back as the Aliens Order of 1946. This Order imposed, subject to a small number of exceptions, a registration requirement on foreign nationals which included a requirement to provide fingerprints when so required by a registration officer. The limited number of exceptions to the registration requirement includes those aged under 16 years and those whose visit is for a period of not more than three months. Since that time the registration process, including the fingerprint requirement, has been preserved, in respect of non-EEA nationals, in subsequent legislation, most recently in the Immigration Act 2004.

The obligations on a non-national to register are set out in section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004 and pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the Immigration Act 2004, a non national is required to furnish certain particulars to a Registration Officer for the Registration District in which he or she is resident. These particulars are set out in the Second Schedule, to the Act of 2004. Paragraph 11 of the said Schedule sets out a requirement regarding the provision of “signature and fingerprints”, if required by the Registration Officer.

It is generally recognised internationally that taking of fingerprints, or other biometric identifiers, is an essential and reliable method of verification and a key technology in efforts to combat identity fraud and to enhance the security and integrity of documentation such as the registration certificate issued to a non-national on completion of the registration process.

For this purpose, and following an expansion of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) operated by An Garda Síochána, the taking of fingerprints in the process of registration of non-nationals, commenced in 2008.

Fingerprints are stored on the AFIS database which is housed in a secure location in a Garda facility. Access to the AFIS database itself is controlled by use of passwords and access controls and a full audit trail is kept of all transactions associated with the AFIS system. All passwords are managed and controlled and comply with international and industry standards.

For the avoidance of any misunderstanding in respect of the taking of fingerprints of people who become naturalised citizens, it is the case that significant numbers of these including all children under sixteen years of age and any non-national born in Ireland are not required to register and as such are not fingerprinted.

In relation to the disposal of fingerprints, while there are no specific provisions contained in current legislation in respect of registered non-nationals, provision is made for the destruction of fingerprints taken from foreign nationals, for immigration related reasons, in the Immigration Residence & Protection Bill. Specifically in relation to persons who acquire citizenship, the Bill provides for the destruction of biometric data within not later than one month of becoming an Irish citizen or a citizen of a Member State of the European Union.

Semi-State Bodies Remuneration

Questions (592)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

592. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of semi-State companies under the remit of his Department that have paid bonuses to its employees in 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he will identify these semi-State companies; the number of employees and the level of bonuses paid; his views on the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4159/14]

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Written answers

The next five-minute slot is being shared by Deputies Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Wallace.

Equality Issues

Questions (593, 594)

Clare Daly

Question:

593. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to address the gaps in Irish equality laws with regard to equal access to goods and services for those receiving social welfare payments, in particular access to rented accommodation for persons currently in receipt of rent allowance. [4177/14]

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Clare Daly

Question:

594. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will take action to address the ongoing discrimination against social welfare recipients with regard to rented accommodation being advertised with a no rent allowance accepted stipulation. [4178/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.

Discrimination on the basis of an individual's personal characteristics is prohibited in respect to nine specified grounds in the access to and supply of goods and services, including housing, by the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2012. These grounds are gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, and membership of the Traveller community. The prohibition applies to direct discrimination, whereby a person is treated less favourably than another person is, has been or would be treated in a comparable situation on any of the grounds specified.

However, also prohibited is indirect discrimination, where an apparently neutral provision puts a person of a specified gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller community at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons, unless the provision is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary.

It is therefore open to a person who has been refused a private tenancy on the basis of being in receipt of social welfare payments and who feels that this refusal is indirectly linked to his or her gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller community to refer a discrimination complaint to the Equality Tribunal under the Equal Status Acts. Information and advice in this regard is available from the Equality Authority.

While I have no plans to add further discriminatory grounds to this legislation at present, my Department keeps equal status and employment equality legislation under ongoing review.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (595)

Michael McGrath

Question:

595. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4221/14]

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Written answers

The Department of Justice and Equality has had an Audit Committee in place since 2004. The role of the Audit Committee is to advise the Secretary General and the officials of the Department on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems and internal financial controls operating within the Department. The Committee has 5 members, 4 are independent of the Department and 1 member is the Departments representative. The appointments are made for a 3 year period and for continuity purposes, some members may be reappointed for an additional term. The Committee members are not required to hold a qualification but they are selected for their broad range of senior management experience. The Department has ensured that there is at least one member with significant financial skills and experience. Mr. Duffy is a Chartered Accountant with significant experience in the public and private sectors. The Committee communicate regularly with the Secretary General. The payments are in compliance with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reforms guidelines. Any payments shown are gross amounts and are fully taxable.

-

-

Experience

Appointment date

Payment 2013

Ms Sylda Langford

Chairperson

Ms. Langford is a former Director General of the Office of the Minister for Children.  She is a member of a number of Boards in the Public Service. 

Reappointed in December 2012

€2,565

Mr. Brian McCarthy

member

Mr. McCarthy is a former Secretary General to the President.

Reappointed in September  2011

€1,710

Mr. Brian Duffy

member

Mr. Duffy  has many years of experience in senior management positions in the public and private sector. Mr. Duffy was the Head of the Internal Audit Unit in the Department of Social Protection for many years.

Appointed September 2011

€1,710

Ms Carol Bolger

member

Ms. Bolger held a senior management position in the Corporate Banking Division of  Ulster Bank Limited.

Appointed June 2011

€1,710

Mr. James Martin

member

Assistant Secretary in the Department of Justice and Equality

Appointed December  2012

€0

Defence Forces Properties

Questions (596)

Derek Nolan

Question:

596. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Defence his views on retaining ownership of the old FCA building (details supplied) in County Galway so as to make same available for community groups in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4075/14]

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Written answers

The former Reserve Defence Force property in question was vacated in March 2013 and has been identified as being surplus to military requirements. In accordance with normal procedure for the disposal of State property my Department invited other Government Departments and Public Bodies, including the relevant local authority, to register any interest in the property. No interest was expressed by these Bodies, therefore my Department is obliged to dispose of the property by public auction. In the circumstances it is not possible to make the property available as requested by the Deputy.

Job Initiatives

Questions (597)

Gerry Adams

Question:

597. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of JobBridge interns taken on in County Louth in his Department from September 2013 until January 2014. [3603/14]

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Written answers

The JobBridge National Internship Scheme is a key part of the Government’s Jobs Initiative and has been set up with a view to giving job seekers the opportunity to take part in a quality internship with a host organisation.

Since the launch of the National Internship Scheme a number of internship opportunities have been progressed by my Department and the Defence Forces. There were no interns taken on in Co. Louth by my Department or the Defence Forces from September 2013 to January 2014.

Defence Forces Reserve Training

Questions (598)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

598. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Reserve Defence Force that attended annual training in both 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4171/14]

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Written answers

Members of the Army Reserve (AR) and Naval Service Reserve (NSR) undertake paid and unpaid training. Unpaid training is undertaken throughout the year whilst the bulk of paid training is traditionally undertaken during a series of annual camps. In 2012 a total of 2,476 members of the AR and NSR availed of paid training and utilised 30,412 paid training mandays. In 2013 a total of 1,734 members of the AR and NSR availed of paid training and utilised 23,898 paid training mandays.

A Value for Money (VFM) Review of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) was published in November 2012. It set out a number of recommendations aimed at improving the capacity of the RDF and at ensuring a viable and cost effective Reserve into the future. The implementation of these recommendations is ongoing and, in this context, the AR and NSR underwent a major re-organisation in 2013. Gratuities for members of the AR and NSR have been withdrawn and the budget was been re-allocated to ensure that there are sufficient funds to provide a minimum of seven days paid training for all reservists. This has increased the number of paid training days available from approximately 30,000 mandays in 2012 to 41,500 mandays in 2013 and 2014.

The uptake of paid and unpaid training by members of the AR and NSR was critically examined in the VFM Review. It highlighted a poor uptake of paid training with regard to the reported effective strength. This has an adverse effect on the overall capacity of Units. The military authorities are actively identifying Reservists who do not meet training requirements and, in line with regulations, these Reservists will be posted as non-effective. This will ensure that posts currently blocked by inactive Reservists will be freed up and filled. In light of this process I understand that proposals for a recruitment campaign are now being developed.

I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations of the VFM Review will result in a fit for purpose AR and NSR which will have the resources and capabilities necessary to fulfil its assigned role.

Defence Forces Reserve Strength

Questions (599)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

599. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 847 of 5 November 2013, the number of appeals that were received and by what date; the total number of appeals concluded; the result of these appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4172/14]

View answer

Written answers

It was not possible to provide the detailed information sought by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently seeking to compile the relevant data and I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (600)

Michael McGrath

Question:

600. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will, in respect of his Department's audit committee, provide details of its current membership; the date of appointment of each member; the fees paid to each member; if members of the committee are required to hold certain professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4214/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Department of Defence Audit Committee is established in line with the recommendations of the Mullarkey Report, i.e. it has two external members, one of whom is the Chair of the Committee. The other members are an Assistant Secretary of the Department and the Deputy Chief Of Staff (Support) of the Defence Forces. Members are not required to hold certain professional qualifications, but are appointed on the basis of their experience and knowledge in the areas of public administration, finance and the business of the Department and the Defence Forces.

The current membership of the Department of Defence Audit Committee, date of appointment and fees paid are set out:

Current Members

Date of Appointment

Fees Paid

Chair – Vacant since 1 January, 2014

-

-

Ms Noreen Fahy, FCCA Senior Finance Specialist at the Institute of Public Administration

20 March, 2012

Fees are paid to the IPA -

-

-

For 2012 - €855-

-

-

For 2013 - €855-

Mr. Des Dowling, Assistant Secretary, Department of Defence

22 April, 2013

Nil

Rear Admiral Mark Mellett, Deputy Chief of Staff (Support)

5 November, 2013

Nil

The previous Chair of the Audit Committee, from 19 April, 2010 to 31 December, 2013, was Mr. Peter Ryan, former Assistant Secretary to the Government. Mr. Ryan was paid the following amounts (net) in respect of his role as Chair of the Committee:

For 2010 – Nil (fee waived)

For 2011 - €708

For 2012 - €708

For 2013 - €708.

Sanction for payment of fees to the Chair was given by the Department of Finance on 30 March, 2010 and for the second external member of the Committee by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on 13 March, 2012.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (601)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

601. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Defence the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department that were made as a result of applications made through the www.publicjobs.ie website in the last three years; the number of board posts that were advertised on www.publicjobs.ie; the number of board posts that were not advertised on the website but instead were directly appointed; and the average pay to directly appointed board members. [4590/14]

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Written answers

The State Boards under the aegis of the Department of Defence when the Government took office were the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard.

The Civil Defence Board was identified in the Public Service Reform Plan as a body to be abolished. I appointed an interim Board as a temporary measure in 2011 and in this context none of the positions were advertised. Legislation to dissolve the Board was passed by the Oireachtas in December 2012. Its functions have now transferred back to the Department of Defence. There was no remuneration attached to membership of the Civil Defence Board.

There were no appointments to the Board of Coiste an Asgard from 2009. In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. The formal wind up of the Company including voluntary strike off with the Companies Registration Office was completed in early 2013. There was no remuneration attached to membership of the Board of Coiste an Asgard.

The only body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. The Board comprises 3 members: a chairman, a civilian medical doctor and an officer of the Army Medical Corps. There have been two appointments to the Army Pensions Board since March 2011. A serving officer was appointed to the position of Army Medical Corps member of the Board in December 2011, and a civilian doctor was appointed as ordinary member in November 2013. The civilian doctor vacancy was advertised on my Department’s website and the Public Appointments Service website. Neither of these board members receives remuneration in respect of their membership of the Army Pensions Board. The chairperson of the Army Pensions Board is entitled to annual fees of €7,618.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (602)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

602. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the level of pro bono work provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms in the past 24 months to his Department; which of those firms have also been awarded State contracts by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4604/14]

View answer

Written answers

No pro bono work has been provided by legal, accountancy and consulting firms to my Department in the past twenty four months.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Questions (603)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

603. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a list of the top 20 consulting firms engaged by his Department, including public bodies, in order of fee generation/cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4617/14]

View answer

Written answers

A table sets out details of consultants paid by my Department for providing consultancy services in 2013 in order of cost.

Firm

Nature of Service

Amount

Fujitsu (Ireland) Ltd.

Network Support Services, Software development & Maintenance Services

€137,133

Frank Callanan, SC

Independent review of UNIFIL fatalities in 1989

€51,660

Bianconi Research Ltd

ICT Security Advice & Support

€30,645

Jacques Michaud

Review of the Air Corps’ Safety Management System

€20,000

Sandra McDonald

Provision of taxation advice

€6,000

Central Health & Safety Services Ltd

Review of Health & Safety

€3,998

In addition, my Department pays an annual fee to Oracle EMEA Ltd in respect of Information Technology Annual Licences and support in the ongoing provision of the Department’s financial management system. The fee paid in 2013 was €1,024,856.

It has not been possible in the time available to compile information on consultancy services commissioned by the Defence Forces. As soon as this information is available, it shall be sent on to the Deputy.

Departmental Schemes

Questions (604)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

604. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated average compliance costs that will be associated with the new GLAS and GLAS plus scheme in terms of planner costs and the cost of works to be carried out by farmers; if an outline of these estimated costs has been submitted to the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4018/14]

View answer

Written answers

Decisions on the GLAS and GLAS+ scheme will be made following the consultation process with stakeholders which is currently underway. In order to facilitate this consultation process details of the proposed GLAS scheme have been published in the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014 -2020 Draft Consultation Programme.

Following that process, formal proposals will be submitted to the European Commission. These proposals will include detailed independently verified costings for each of the actions proposed for inclusion in the scheme. It is my intention to prioritise this work in order to gain EU approval at the earliest possible date to facilitate roll out of the scheme.

Grant Payments

Questions (605)

John Browne

Question:

605. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment for a forestry premium-headage payment will be made in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath where all maintenance work has been carried out and verified to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3482/14]

View answer

Written answers

Payment of the 2nd Instalment grant under the above afforestation contract cannot be made until the applicant has had the plantation re-surveyed and a revised map has been submitted to my Department. The applicant’s forester has stated that the revised map will be submitted in the week beginning 27th January 2014. Once that map has been received, the 2nd instalment grant application will then be processed and paid subject to all scheme requirements being met. As soon as the 2nd instalment grant is paid, the subsequent premium applications for 2012 and 2013 can then be processed for payment and the applicant may apply for his 2014 annual premium. All the payments detailed above are subject to a valid Tax Clearance Certificate being recorded for the applicant with my Department.

Milk Quota Applications

Questions (606)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

606. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on an application for extra quota under the hardship scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3509/14]

View answer

Written answers

Allocations of milk quota from the National Reserve, under the Department’s Animal Disease/Hardship Scheme, are granted on the basis of recommendations made by an independent Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal examines and makes recommendations on applications for additional quota from individual producers on the grounds of hardship and/or animal disease.

The named person applied for additional quota on the grounds of animal disease. The Tribunal has concluded its examination of the applications received under this scheme, and it is expected that the processing of the results will be completed within the next two weeks. Applicants will be notified of the outcome at that time.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (607)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

607. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork had a single farm payment reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3591/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person named was fully paid his advance and balancing payments under the 2013 Single payment scheme on 16th October and 2nd December respectively.

However a review of the land declared by the person named under the Single Payment Scheme has since revealed that one of the land parcels included on his 2013 Single Payment Scheme application included ineligible features. This will result in an over payment of €96.48 in respect of 2013.

A letter issued to the applicant on 23 January 2014 advising him of the position. If the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the review of his land parcels, he may appeal his case to the LPIS Review Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise.

Grant Payments

Questions (608)

Michael Creed

Question:

608. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has received approval under TAMS for a milking machine can defer an investment as the person may qualify for additional grant aid under the recently announced rural development programme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3594/14]

View answer

Written answers

Farmers who have received approval to proceed with investment works under the TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme (which closed for applications on 31 December 2013) may apply for extensions to the deadline for completion of work set out in their letters of approval.

There is no guarantee that a farmer who was approved for grant aid under the previous TAMS will qualify under the new scheme.

Decisions regarding the farm sectors for which investment aid will be available under the new Rural Development Programme will be made following the consultation process with stakeholders which is currently underway. Following this process, formal proposals will be submitted to the European Commission.

Grant Payments

Questions (609)

Michael Creed

Question:

609. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive a payment for participation in the sheep discussion group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3596/14]

View answer

Written answers

In order qualify for payment under the 2013 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme participants were required to attend four Programme meetings and satisfactorily complete two Tasks, chosen by the applicants, from a menu of nine Tasks. One of the two Tasks chosen by the persons named was Task 1. The Terms and Conditions of the 2013 STAP, (a copy of which was provided to the persons named with their letter of acceptance into the Programme, dated 22 April 2013) provided as follows in respect of this Task:

Increase the genetic merit of the flock by using a ram of superior genetic merit.

Participants must use a performance recorded €uroStar ram bred by a Lamb Plus breeder as certified by Sheep Ireland. Participants will be required to produce evidence to Sheep Ireland of purchase in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 or 2014 of a pedigree ram that has been performance recorded by Sheep Ireland. The ram must be 3, 4 or 5 Star on either production, Maternal or Lambing sub index. The ram must be used to mate ewes in either year 1 or 2 of the programme. The minimum requirement is one €uroStar recorded ram satisfying the above criteria per participating flock. Hill farmers with a majority of ewes that consist of Blackface Mountain, Cheviot, or a cross of these breeds do not have to pick this task as a compulsory task. Further details on the requirements for this task are available on www.sheep.ie.

This task will be verified by Sheep Ireland.

Following validation, prior to payments being made, it was found that the person named had not successfully completed this task. On this basis the person named was deemed to be ineligible for payment under the 2013 Sheep Technology Adoption Programme.

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