Written Answers Nos. 173-179
173. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his departmental contracts for taxi companies for the purposes of taxis for the use of departmental staff are decided and allocated; if there is a public tender process for taxi companies wishing to apply for these contracts; the process for allocating the contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4637/14]
View answerMy Department’s policy on the use of taxis is that taxis should be hired only when no other suitable public transport is available. However, on occasion, it may be necessary for practical and/or safety reasons to avail of a taxi service. In such circumstances taxis are normally chosen from the taxi rank nearest to the point of departure.
Three taxi companies were paid directly by my Department in 2013. The amount paid under this arrangement was €3,720 and no amount paid to each company exceeded €1,500. The Department adheres to Department of Finance guidelines which provide that supplies or services of less than €5,000 in value might be purchased on the basis of verbal quotes from one or more competitive suppliers.
The recently established Office of Government Procurement (OGP) includes taxi services as a Category of procurement listed for sourcing at a central level and my Department will liaise with OGP officials in this regard.
174. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to issues surrounding the welfare of abandoned and stray horses in County Galway; if he will confirm the subsidy per horse; the amount of funding provided via subsidies to both Galway County Council and Galway City Council in 2013; the savings to be made in the new scheme to be produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4666/14]
View answerThe Control of Horses Act, 1996 provides powers to local authorities, including powers for the enactment of bye-laws for the control and welfare of horses in the local authorities’ functional area. My Department provides financial support to local authorities to assist their work in implementing the Act. In 2013 my Department provided funding amounting of €282,081 to Galway County Council. A proportion of this related to claims in previous years. Galway City Council did not make any claims for funding in 2013.
The Deputy will be aware of the increased number of horses being seized under the Control of Horses Act around the country and the need to ensure that scarce resources are allocated accordingly. In 2012, a protocol agreed between my Department and local authorities outlined the need for greater uniformity in how local authorities apply the Control of Horses Act in their respective areas with a view to achieving savings and efficiencies in implementation of the Act. Local authorities were informed last Autumn that the maximum contribution payable from my Department with effect from 1 October 2013 is €450 per horse seized. It remains open to local authorities to top up this €450 rate. I welcome the fact that local authorities are engaged in tendering joint initiatives for services under the Act, thereby leading to substantial savings being made.
Officials from my Department continue to liaise with local authority officials in Galway to underline how implementation of the Control of Horses Act, together with legislation governing equine identification, can assist with controlling horses, particularly with regard to horses that are straying and or abandoned so as to prevent injury or nuisance to persons or damage to property.
Officials located in my Department’s Regional Veterinary office continue to address horse welfare issues coming within my Departments area of responsibility as and when they arise.
175. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the case taken by his Department against Cromane mussel fishermen, in view of the likelihood of considerable expense to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4674/14]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to proceedings taken by mussel fishermen in Cromane against the State. As proceedings are ongoing before the Courts, I am advised that it would be inappropriate to make any comment on the matter.
176. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the recently announced 60% building grant aid for young farmers will be available and the qualifying criteria for same. [4687/14]
View answer177. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the newly announced 40% grant for milking equipment scheme will commence. [4688/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
The new EU policy framework setting out the broad principles in relation to rural development for the 2014-2020 period has now been finalised. My Department has prepared a consultation paper in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and the consultation process with relevant stakeholders is currently underway. Following completion of the consultation process, the draft Programme will be submitted to the EU Commission.
The dates of introduction of any new investment schemes will be dependent on a number of factors, including the requirement to obtain EU Commission approval for the Programme concerned.
178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the forestry bill will be detrimental to the expansion of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4743/14]
View answerThe purpose of the Bill is to reform and update the legislative framework relating to forestry in order to support the development of a modern forestry sector which reflects good forest practice and protection of the environment. I am satisfied that it will deliver on this objective.
The Committee Stage of the Bill is scheduled to take place in February 2014 and any amendments to the Bill submitted by Members will be considered in that context.
179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if farmers wishing to plant land will still be able to receive 20 years of payments tax free for planting their lands; if the level of grant aid for planting forestry will still be maintained at 100% that it is at present; if he will confirm that the amount of premium paid will be maintained at the same level as at present for farmers who plant their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/14]
View answerFarmers who plant trees up to the 30th June 2014 can do so under existing scheme rules which means they are eligible for 20 annual premium payments and 100% support for establishment costs.
In relation to planting after the 30th June 2014 this will come under the new forestry programme for 2014 – 2020. This will be funded under new State aid rules, the first draft of which was circulated to Member States in November 2013. These rules are similar to those set out in the Rural Development Regulation (RDR) which was published shortly afterwards in December 2013.
The development of the new programme, will be carried out in parallel with a Strategic Environmental Assessment which will feed into the development of the programme at scheme level. A tender for this work has issued and work is expected to being in early March 2014. It is therefore too early to make a statement on the detail of the new schemes in terms of grants available and the structure of premium payments, other than to say that all options are being considered. A public consultation process will take place in June/July 2014 at which point more detail will be made available on the content of the proposed new forestry programme.
