Written Answers Nos. 610-633
610. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [3599/14]
View answerNo interns were taken on in my Department in Co Louth under the JobBridge initiative Scheme from September 2013 to January 2014.
611. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the processing of farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo for 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3626/14]
View answerThe application of the person named was one of a number which was selected for inspection in 2012. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, the application was sent for ground inspection.
The ground inspection process confirmed an over claim of greater than 20% in this case. Under the terms and conditions of the scheme this resulted in no payment issuing in respect of the 2012 schemes. The applicant was notified of the outcome of the inspection by letter dated 12 October 2012.
An appeal was lodged by the person named and the application was sent for a further ground inspection. This inspection upheld the original findings and a letter explaining this was sent to the person named on 12 March 2013.
The person named has lodged an appeal with the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office and an oral hearing was held in November. The Agriculture Appeals Office will notify the person named of the outcome of its review as soon as a decision is reached.
612. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on a single payment scheme appeal will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/14]
View answerThe 2013 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility inspection. This inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of greater than 20%. Under the terms and conditions of the schemes this resulted in no payment issuing in respect of the 2013 schemes. The applicant was notified of the outcome of the inspection by letter dated 14 October 2013.
The person named appealed this decision and was notified of the outcome of the review, which was to uphold the original decision, on 22 November 2013. The person named has appealed this outcome to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office and that office will be in contact with the person named shortly to arrange a hearing.
613. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any special or EU funding avenues are available to island communities for vital services or facilities such as capital funding. [3739/14]
View answerUnder the 2007-2013 Rural Development Programme REPS farmers who farm on off-shore islands received an additional 15% on top of their REPS payment to take account of the increased costs of carrying out the agri-environment undertakings associated with the REPS scheme. Similarly under the TAMS scheme the reference costings were increased by 33% for off-shore island farmers who qualified for grant aid under the sheep fencing and handling equipment scheme, the dairy equipment scheme and the rainwater harvesting scheme.
In terms of the Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020 my Department is actively exploring mechanisms to support island farming. Decisions on the 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.
614. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid their 2013 disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3764/14]
View answerUnder the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, applicants are required to maintain 0.15 livestock units for a minimum retention period of seven consecutive months, applicants are also required to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the 12 months of the scheme year. Payment under the 2013 Scheme has not issued to the person named as their holding has not yet satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. As soon as the holding is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment issuing at the earliest possible date thereafter.
615. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision on an appeal will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3773/14]
View answerMy Department is currently examining land parcels declared under the Single Payment Scheme and other area-based Direct Payment Schemes. As part of this review a number of ineligible features were identified and removed from the parcels declared by the person named.
The person named was notified of this decision and of his right of appeal. Following an appeal from the person named my Department has now carried out a full review of land parcels with exclusions declared by the person named and has reversed the original decision. On this basis the overpayment has been removed from my Department’s payment system.
A refund is now due to be issued to the person named.
616. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an alleged abuse of power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3779/14]
View answerThe dispute has its origins in the dismissal of the person in question by the Agricultural Institute in 1964. His dismissal was a matter for the Council of the Institute. The relevant legislation governing the matter was the Agriculture (An Foras Taluntais) Act 1958. Article 17(2) of that Act stated that ‘.....the members of the staff of the Institute shall be appointed and removed by or under the authority of the Council".
Teagasc who are the legal successors to the Council reviewed this case and the Director of Teagasc offered to explore some form of words agreeable to both parties which would help alleviate the sense of grievance felt by the person in question. I understand this offer has not been accepted to date.
617. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider some form of compensation for those fishermen who have lost equipment, for example, lobster pots, in the recent storms; if he will further consider a scheme of compensation similar to that for the farming community for fodder when it was adversely affected by weather; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3794/14]
View answerAlong 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 am working with BIM to endeavour 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 with BIM 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.
618. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has had their single farm payment reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3806/14]
View answerWith regards to the Single Payments Scheme, 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.
With regards to the Suckler Welfare Scheme, the person named registered 20 animals in 2011 and 28 animals in 2012. Payment has already issued in respect of 18 animals for 2011 Scheme and 21 animals for 2012 Scheme year.
Payment for the Suckler Welfare Scheme is issued in respect of eligible suckler cows and is dependant on the required measures being carried out on their calves. The person named had 2 sets of twin calves born in their herd in 2011. As a result the 18 suckler cows paid represents full payment for the 2011 scheme year.
4 of the cows in this herd in 2012 were aged between 22 and 24 months of age at time of calving and under the Terms and Conditions of this Scheme a tolerance is applied in respect of first calved heifers aged between 22 and 24 months. The person named had a total of 7 first time calving heifers in their herd in 2012. As only 1 in 10 of first time calvers aged between 22 months and 24 months are eligible for payment, 3 of the first time calvers in this herd are not eligible for payment. There were also 2 sets of twin calves born in this herd in 2012. This limits the total number of cows eligible for payment under the 2012 Scheme to 23. Payment has already issued in respect of 21 cows. Errors were identified in relation to the remaining 2 animals. One of these errors has since been resolved and payment for this animal will be validated shortly. A letter has issued to the person named in relation to the outstanding error.
619. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme 4 payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3831/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in September 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. This process has now been completed for 2013 payments and 75% payment amounting to €3,490.43 issued to the person named on 17th January 2014. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly.
620. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when outstanding headage payments will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3841/14]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted upon by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently appealed unsuccessfully to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. The person named was informed accordingly and was advised of his right to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
621. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3845/14]
View answerIn order to meet the EU requirements under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), the application of the person named was one of a number which was selected for inspection in 2012. The application was initially examined via remote sensing (Satellite Inspection). As over claims were determined on some parcels, these were sent for ground inspection.
The ground inspection process confirmed an over claim of greater than 50% in this case. In such cases no payment is issued in the year of the inspection and an administrative fine is also applied to the SPS payment in the following year. The person named was notified of this decision on 22 November 2012 and was also informed of his right to seek a review.
An appeal was lodged on behalf of the person named and another inspection of the land declared was carried out. The outcome was that the ineligible area found was reduced to less than 50% and therefore the administrative fine did not apply in respect of the person’s Single Payment Scheme application in 2013. In effect, while no payment was issued in respect of the 2012 SPS there was no reduction applied to the 2013 SPS payment. The person named was informed of the outcome of his appeal by letter dated 4 April 2013 of this decision.
With regard to the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the person named is one of a number of applicants under the Scheme, whose cases were impacted upon by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently appealed unsuccessfully to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee. The person named was informed accordingly and was advised of his right to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
622. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive payment of their AEOS 1 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3848/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During the checking process in respect of the 2013 Scheme year an issue was identified relating to the land area claimed. Officials in my Department are actively working on finalising this issue with the intention of issuing payment for the 2013 Scheme year as soon as possible.
623. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when REP scheme will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3877/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract.
REPS 4 is a measure under the 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. Following the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Review, 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 Year 5.
624. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the REPS will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3881/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in April 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. Following the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) Review 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 Year 5.
625. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a derogation from stock density was not successful in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; the outcome of the disadvantaged areas scheme appeals committee on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3906/14]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2012 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted upon by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person was advised in writing on 12 November 2012 of his right to pursue the matter with the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee, to which no appeal has been received to date. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named, advising him that the option to appeal is still available, should he wish to pursue the matter.
626. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the clawback of single farm payments and the ongoing land parcel review; if he will provide clarification on the exact number of farmers that have been contacted as part of this ongoing land parcel eligibility review; the number of farmers in County Cork who have been contacted in this regard; the total sum being recouped from farmers in County Cork; if he will confirm the years being reviewed; if he will provide assurances that a ceiling will be put on the years being examined as the prospect of five years retrospective penalties will only serve to cause undue hardship; his views on whether the review is fair to farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3908/14]
View answerThe Deputy will be fully aware of the value of the EU funded Direct Payment Schemes to Ireland. Each year farmers in Ireland benefit from funding of over €1.5 billion under Schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Agri-Environment Schemes, etc. This comprises the entire net income of many thousands of Irish farmers.
The European Commission has an obligation to ensure that Member States manage and use the EU funding granted to them in accordance with the very restrictive provisions governing the Schemes and general financial provisions. All of the lands declared by farmers must be eligible if these lands benefit from payment under one of more of these Schemes. My Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive exercise by excluding ineligible features, such as houses, roads, scrub, rivers, etc. in land parcels declared by farmers. In the vast majority of cases, the exclusion has no impact on payments as the farmers in question have taken a prudent approach and reduced the declared area to take account of the ineligible feature. No cutbacks have been applied on eligible land.
As the Review exercise remains ongoing at present, it is not feasible to collate the data sought by the Deputy. However, data is being extracted and compiled and will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
627. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers who have been assessed with overclaims against entitlements on their single payment application review for the years 2009 to 2013, of more than 3% and more than 20%, respectively; the number of these farming farms of less than 5 ha; the number farming farms in excess of 5 ha and less than 10 ha; the number of farming farms between 10 ha and 20 ha; the total land area overclaimed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4003/14]
View answer628. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total penalties applied to farmers for the years 2009 to 2013 arising from the review of land parcel claims instituted by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4004/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 and 628 together.
The Deputy will be fully aware of the value of the EU funded Direct Payment Schemes to Ireland. Each year farmers in Ireland benefit from funding of over €1.5 billion under Schemes such as the Single Farm Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, the Agri-Environment Schemes, etc. This comprises the entire net income of many thousands of Irish farmers.
The European Commission has an obligation to ensure that Member States manage and use the EU funding granted to them in accordance with the very restrictive provisions governing the Schemes and general financial provisions. All of the lands declared by farmers must be eligible if these lands benefit from payment under one of more of these Schemes. My Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive exercise by excluding ineligible features, such as houses, roads, scrub, rivers, etc. in land parcels declared by farmers. In the vast majority of cases, the exclusion has no impact on payments as the farmers in question have taken a prudent approach and reduced the declared area to take account of the ineligible feature. No cutbacks have been applied on eligible land.
As the Review exercise remains ongoing at present, it is not feasible to collate the data sought by the Deputy. However, data is being extracted and compiled and will be provided directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
629. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a hardship grant will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/14]
View answerUnder the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdowners who are restricted under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme. The Grant Scheme is designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by eligible owner(s) whose holdings are restricted during the period from the 1 November to 30 April of a given year.
The holding in question was restricted under the TB & Brucellosis Eradication Scheme on 7 October 2013, following the identification of a suspect lesion on a clear animal presented for slaughter. Payment under the Grant Scheme, which commences 2 months after restriction, is currently being processed and will issue over the coming days.
630. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri-environment options scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4021/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 November 2010 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. These checks were successfully completed in respect of the 2013 Scheme year and 75% payment issued to the person named on 27 November 2013. The remaining 25% payment is outstanding pending resolution of a LPIS review issue. My officials are actively pursuing resolution of this issue and payment will issue as soon as possible.
631. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has not yet received their REPS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4028/14]
View answerThe person named has applied to take-over the REPS Agri-environmental plan of a deceased participant. The previous participants commenced REPS 4 in October 2009 and received payments for the first three 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. A revised REPS Agri-environmental Plan was requested and received by my Department on 14 November 2013. This revised plan is currently being examined with the intention of an early sign off and payment in respect of Year 4.
632. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair nó faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo), cén fáth go bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [4029/14]
View answerIt is critical that victims of sexual violence have access to services. I have stated my commitment and that of the Government to ring-fence the front-line services that reach out to women and men in that situation. It is very important in this discussion that we separate the importance of support for victims of crimes, including crimes of a sexual nature, and support for services which work with those victims and provide such a comprehensive service throughout the country from the tendering process for a particular piece of work where there are contractual obligations and EU regulations that must be followed if substantial funding is being made to any one provider. I am bit surprised by what Deputy Pringle said about changing the rules in respect of the tendering process because these rules are laid down in law and must be followed, but I take the spirit in which he raised it, which is to accept that invaluable work is being done by the RCNI in terms of the various support structures it offers to rape crisis centres.
I take the point the Deputy is making about the importance of the work but I have outlined very clearly that the intention is to ring-fence front-line services. I have outlined the amounts of money that are going to those services and the very clear position in respect of the tendering process for specific work. I would not want that to be seen as undermining in any way the work that has been done by the RCNI with victims and other organisations.
633. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4069/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in May 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. Following the Land Parcel Identification Scheme (LPIS) Review 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 Year 5.
