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Tuesday, 18 Feb 2014

Written Answers Nos. 619-642

Departmental Offices

Questions (619)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

619. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form on a county basis the number of offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that have been closed or reduced in 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014 and planned closures or reductions; the number of staff in each office affected; the location of each office; if the premises has been sold or rented; the costs of maintaining the affected premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7694/14]

View answer

Written answers

The table sets out the requested information. As regards further changes to our offices in 2014 my officials are currently in consultation with other Government Departments regarding offices in Tralee, Roscommon, Galway, Tullamore, and Drumshambo.

County

Name of office

Address 1

Address 2

Address 3

Address 4

Year closed, reduced

Number of staff affected

Costs of maintaining affected premises

Premises sold or rented

Cavan

Old Garda Barracks

Farnham Street

Cavan

Co. Cavan

2013

Staff transferred to Gov Buildings, Farnham St

N/A

OPW premises

Clare

Clare Local Office Ennis

Govt. Offices

Kilrush Road

Ennis

Co. Clare

2012

15

N/A Staff transferred in situ

OPW premises

Cork

Cork N/E Local Office

Hibernian House

80A South Mall

Cork

Co. Cork

2011

9

N/A

reduced leased space

Cork

Cork N/E Local Office

Hibernian House

80A South Mall

Cork

Co. Cork

2012

2

N/A

reduced leased space

Cork

AES Office

Gooldshill

Mallow

Co. Cork

2011

2

N/A

Lease expired

Cork

Clonakilty Local Office

Darrarra

Clonakilty

Co. Cork

2012

Staff transferred to Clonakilty Sea Fisheries Centre

N/A

State owned

Donegal

Donegal Local Office

Meeting-house St

Raphoe

Co. Donegal

2012

3

N/A

State owned

Donegal

Donegal Sth. AES Office

Public Service Centre

Drumlonagher

Donegal

Co. Donegal

2011

2

N/A

State owned

Donegal

Donegal Sth. AES Office

Public Service Centre

Drumlonagher

Donegal

Co. Donegal

2012

3

N/A

State owned

Galway

Galway Local Office

Dockgate Building

Merchants Road

Galway

Co. Galway

2012

Staff transferred to State owned Offices in Galway and Athenry

Leased property

Lease surrendered to landlord

Galway

Fisheries/Forestry

Ross House

Merchants Road

Galway

Co. Galway

2011

2 staff Transferred to Customs House, Galway

Leased property

Lease surrendered

Galway

Loughrea AES Office

ESB Premises

Main Street

Loughrea

Co. Galway

2011

3

Leased property

Lease surrendered

Galway

Tuam AES Office

The Mall

Tuam

Co. Galway

Staff transferred to state owned property in Athenry

Leased property

Lease surrendered

Kerry

Kerry Local Office

Govt. Offices

Spa Road

Tralee

Co. Kerry

2011

5

N/A

State owned

Kerry

Kerry Local Office

Govt. Offices

Spa Road

Tralee

Co. Kerry

2012

4

N/A

State owned

Kerry

Kerry Local Office

Govt. Offices

Spa Road

Tralee

Co. Kerry

2013

9

N/A

State owned

Kildare

Kildare AES Office

Spring Garden House

Sallins Road

Naas

Co. Kildare

2013

Staff transferred to other Naas location

N/A

Lease returned to OPW

Limerick

Limerick Local Office

Houston Hall

Raheen Ind. Estate

Limerick

Co. Limerick

2013

25

N/A

Leased space returned to OPW

Louth

Louth AES Office

Govt. Offices

Millennium Centre

Dundalk

Co. Louth

2012

1

N/A

State owned

Mayo

Mayo Reg. Office

Davitt House

Castlebar

Co. Mayo

2011

1

N/A

State owned

Mayo

AES Office

St Colmans Cr. Union

The Square

Claremorris

Co. Mayo

2013

2 Staff transferred to OPW building nearby

N/A

Lease surrendered

Mayo

AES Office

Govt. Offices

Humbert Street

Ballina

Co. Mayo

2013

Staff transferred to Gov offices Castlebar

N/A

State owned

Meath

Meath Local Office

Govt. Offices

Athlumney

Navan

Co. Meath

2011

1

N/A

OPW provided accommodation

Monaghan

Monaghan Local Office

7 Main Street

Ballybay

Co. Monaghan

2012

29

N/A Staff transferred in location to other Gov Dept

OPW provided accommodation

Monaghan

Monaghan Local Office

7 Main Street

Ballybay

Co. Monaghan

2013

1

N/A Staff transferred in location to other Gov Dept

OPW provided accommodation

Tipperary

Tipperary S. Local Office

Davis Street

Tipperary

Co. Tipperary

Co. Tipperary

2013

25

N/A

State owned

Waterford

Waterford Local Office

Govt. Offices

The Glen

Waterford

Co. Waterford

2013

18

N/A

State owned

Waterford

AES Office Dungarvan

Civic Offices

Davitts Quay

Dungarvan

Co. Waterford

2012

2 Staff transferred

N/A

State owned

Westmeath

Westmeath L.O. Mullingar

Bellview

Dublin Road

Mullingar

Co. Westmeath

2011

2

N/A

State owned

Westmeath

Westmeath L.O. Mullingar

Bellview

Dublin Road

Mullingar

Co. Westmeath

2012

4

N/A

State owned

Westmeath

AES Office Athlone

Pearse Street

Athlone

Co. Westmeath

2013

N/A

N/A

OPW provided accommodation

Wexford

Wexford Local Office

Vinegar Hill Lane

Templeshannon

Enniscorthy

Co. Wexford

2013

23

N/A Staff transferred in location to other Gov Dept

State owned

Dairy Equipment Scheme Applications

Questions (620)

Pat Breen

Question:

620. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 667 of 15 January 2014 when an application for the dairy equipment scheme grant will be finalised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7774/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme and submitted an application in the final tranche which closed on 31 December 2013. My Department has already acknowledged the receipt of the application. The processing of the application is continuing and my Department will endeavour to allocate such priority as is possible to the application concerned.

Pigmeat Sector

Questions (621)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

621. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding pigmeat imports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7790/14]

View answer

Written answers

The Russian market for Irish pork is extremely important with exports in 2013 of approx. 20,000 tonnes (66.5% higher than 2012) and a value of €55 million. It is one of our largest non-EU markets and the strong 2013 sales performance contributed greatly to the rise in value of overall pigmeat exports by 3% in 2013 to €525 million.

In January 2014 the Lithuanian authorities discovered two cases of African Swine Fever in wild boar near its border with Belarus. They put in place the required disease control measures and informed fellow member states and the EU Commission of the outbreak. The EU Commission, being the competent authority for agreeing sanitary and phytosanitary matters on behalf of the EU informed the OIE, the international organisation for animal health.

The EU Commission proposed, under Chapter 4 of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, to provisionally exclude the affected region in Lithuania from exporting pigs and pigmeat to other countries including Russia, thereby “regionalising” the outbreak and allowing other EU Member States not affected by the disease to trade freely in live pigs, pigmeat and pigmeat products.

The value of the Terrestrial Code is twofold; the measures published in it are the result of consensus among the veterinary authorities of OIE members, and it constitutes a reference within the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as an international standard for animal health and zoonoses.

However, the Russian Federation and Customs Union refused to accept regionalisation of the disease and imposed a ban on all exports of pigs, pigmeat and pigmeat products from the EU certified after 26 January 2013.

A meeting took place last week in Vilnius between the EU Commission and Russian Federation and while no progress was registered the Commission continues to pursue the matter with urgency.

I am in agreement with the EU Commission that the ban is disproportionate as it does not respect the OIE rules on regionalisation. The Commission services are currently considering instigating a WTO panel action against the Russian Federation for its non-respect of the regionalisation provision.

I spoke on the matter at the Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday of this week and I confirmed that Ireland supports the Commission approach to protecting the OIE based regionalisation approach to managing animal disease outbreaks. I urged fellow Member States to continue to act as one on this issue and to show support for the Commission's approach to dealing with the current difficulty.

I warned that time is running out for producers and processors in the EU and I encouraged the Commission to step up its efforts to find a solution soon. This solution needs to bring to an end to this unnecessary blanket ban on EU product while assuring the continued protection of the EU against the threat of animal disease.

My Department officials met with industry representatives last week to update them on developments and will continue this arrangement until the matter is resolved.

On a positive note the Russian Federation agreed this week to lift the ban on finished product containing pork subject to certain conditions and treatment of the meat before export. This however accounts for only a small proportion of our exports to Russia.

Sheepmeat Sector

Questions (622)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

622. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding changes to payments in the sheep farming sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7824/14]

View answer

Written answers

In developing the shape of the new system of Direct Payments in Ireland, I have been very conscious of the needs of sheep farmers, in particular those who farm on hill and commonage land. In general this group holds low value entitlements under the current Single Payment Scheme and will benefit significantly from the model of convergence that is to be applied in Ireland where those with a low Initial Unit Value will see the value of their entitlements increase over the period of the scheme.

The Grassland Sheep Scheme is based on Article 68 of the current EU Regulation 73/2009 which governs direct payments in the form of the Single Payment Scheme. As of the 1 January 2015 that Regulation is superseded by EU Regulation 1307/2013 and consequently there is no longer any legal basis for the continuation of the Grassland Sheep Scheme in its present form.

When determining the Initial Unit Value of a farmer’s entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, Regulation 1307/2009 gives Member States the option to take into account any payment the farmer received in 2014 under Article 68 schemes such as the Grassland Sheep Scheme. This option is only available where the Member State is not applying voluntary coupled support to the sector concerned under the new CAP.

I have decided to apply this provision in Ireland as a means of safeguarding the payments received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme. The incorporation of the Grassland Sheep Scheme payment into the calculation of a farmer’s Initial Unit Value in 2015 will obviously result in a higher entitlement value for the farmers concerned from the start of the Scheme rather than relying solely on the gradual process of convergence to increase the unit value over the five year period up to 2019. Our analysis confirms that as a result of this provision the group of farmers who receive the Grassland Sheep Scheme will have the immediate benefit of an additional €10.3 million in 2015 as part of their payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.

Over the past two years sheep numbers have stabilised and while the breeding flock declined slightly in 2013, a return to growth is expected in 2014. I was pleased to note that for the third consecutive year Irish sheep throughput grew, reaching 2.61 million head, a rise of 7%. These developments led to sheepmeat production rising by around 3% to stand just over 55,000 tonnes. The total value of Irish sheepmeat exports is estimated to have increased by over 4% in 2013 to reach €220 million.

Beef Industry

Questions (623)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

623. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding losses for winter finishers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7827/14]

View answer

Written answers

Aggregate cattle supplies at Department-approved meat plants in early February 2014 are running at 12,000 head (or 7%) ahead of the corresponding period in 2013 with strong increases recorded in the steer, heifer and cull cow categories. This higher throughput has led to factories giving preference to certain types of stock that are better suited to the requirements of their retail customers. Prices for ‘in-spec’ steers and heifers are relatively stable. While the young bull trade is challenging at present as age and weight issues continue to affect demand, the young bull kill has increased by 60% between week 1 and week 6 of 2014.

The Irish beef industry is hugely dependent on exports and the need to ensure that it is producing efficiently for overseas markets cannot be ignored. Finished cattle prices continue to be impacted by weak demand, particularly for manufacturing beef, in key export markets. One of the main difficulties in marketing young bulls over 16 months at age is that these animals are outside the specifications preferred by the UK market. This is a major disadvantage at present because the UK market has effectively become the highest-priced beef market in the EU.

With regard to winter finishers, it must be remembered that most cattle are traded several times during their lifetime based on their perceived value to producers and the price at which they are bought and sold is determined by supply and demand in the marketplace. The particular difficulties experienced by producers who market cattle over the winter period were considered by the Beef 2020 Activation Group, which was established to set out the actions necessary to achieve Food Harvest 2020 targets. The Group’s report noted that a more widespread use of contracts would provide price certainty for winter finishers but acknowledged the problems faced by the processing industry in moving to a generalised contract system.

Bull beef production is a specialised system of production and delays in young bull slaughtering undoubtedly put pressure on producer profit margins. However, neither I nor any Agriculture Minister can interfere in a trade that is cyclical in nature and prone to short-term price fluctuations. I am, of course, entirely sympathetic to those farmers still facing difficulties in getting their cattle slaughtered but I have no function in relation to commercial transactions between the meat factories and their suppliers.

It is the responsibility of the industry – in this instance, processors and farmers working together – to manage the type and volume of cattle being brought to market so that the supply chain operates for the benefit of both parties and does not undermine the viability of beef production systems for either winter finishers or suckler farmers. The current situation strongly underlines the need for the industry to improve communication on market trends and signals along the supply chain. An industry-led solution to clear the backlog of bull beef is essential to restoring confidence in the sector and I would encourage the various stakeholders to engage constructively in discussions on the issue.

Recognising the importance of maintaining confidence in the beef sector, I recently announced the operational details of an investment package worth up to €40 million to beef farmers in 2014. This package will include a €23 million for Beef Genomics Scheme, €10 million for the Beef Data Programme, €5 million for the Beef Technology Adoption Programme and €2 million in residual payments under the Suckler Cow Welfare Scheme.

The Government’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the suckler beef sector. It exemplifies the smart, green growth initiatives envisioned in the 2020 strategy and, coupled with additional support measures under the new Rural Development Programme, will underpin the development of a sustainable beef sector with long-term growth potential.

Tax Code

Questions (624)

Jim Daly

Question:

624. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports available from his Department to encourage and assist young dairy farmers to take over family-run farms from their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7832/14]

View answer

Written answers

I have ensured that key taxation measures that promote earlier lifetime transfer of holdings have been retained and have, in conjunction with the Minister for Finance, introduced some amendments to the taxation code to assist young farmers to take over family run farms from their parents, which I will detail briefly.

Agricultural Relief

Agricultural Relief is a relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax and operates by reducing the market value of 'agricultural property' by 90%, so that gift or inheritance tax is calculated on an amount - known as the 'agricultural value' - which is substantially less than the market value. In general, the relief applies provided the beneficiary qualifies as a 'farmer'. To qualify for agricultural relief, the person receiving the gift or inheritance must be a 'farmer' at the Valuation Date

Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers

This relief provides for a full exemption on stamp duty on transfers of farm land to certain young trained farmers. To qualify the young farmer must be less than 35 years of age and must of have attained a minimum agricultural education standard. This measure was extended in Budget 2012 for a further three year period until 31 December 2015.

Enhanced Stock Relief from Income Tax

Enhanced rates of stock relief are provided for in certain circumstances – A 100% stock relief rate is available for up to four years for certain young trained farmers. This measure was extended in Budget 2013 to the end of 2015. If a young dairy farmer has used the four year window of claiming the 100% stock relief, he/she can avail of a 50% rate of stock relief if they participate in a registered Milk Production Partnerships. This measure was introduced until end of 2015 in Budget 2012.

Retirement Relief from Capital Gains Tax

Retirement relief from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on land transfers is available where an individual over 55 years disposes of some or all of his land once certain criteria are met. There are two separate Retirement relief thresholds depending on the relationship of the transferor to the transferee. Budget 2012 introduced the following changes to the “transfers of land to a child” thresholds with effect from the 1 January 2014, with the 2 year lead in period flagged in advance to allow for an orderly transition;

- Irrespective of the amount of consideration for the transfer, full CGT relief may be claimed by a person aged between 55 – 66 years of age on the transfer to his/her child.

- For land transfers by persons aged over 66 years of age the amount of full CGT relief is only available on considerations up to €3 million, again to encourage earlier lifetime transfer of land holdings.

- If the child disposes subsequently of the land within 6 years, clawback of the above reliefs applies.

These taxation measures reflect the Government’s commitment to the agri-food industry and in particular to the expansion planned in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. Recognising the importance of all taxation measures in the farming sector, a review was recently announced in Budget 2014. The ‘AgriTaxation Review’ will analyse the benefits of the various tax measures to the agriculture sector and the wider economy versus the costs, i.e. value for money to the economy. The overall objective of the review is not to change the level of support to the sector through the tax system but rather to maximise the benefits to the sector and the economy for that existing level of support. Two of the six key policy areas identified for examination are 1) encouraging and attracting young farmers and new entrants to farming and 2) succession – earlier lifetime transfers within families (and non-family transfers also where no apparent successor available). The public consultation process for the Review was launched on Tuesday 11 February 2014 and will run to Tuesday 25 March 2014, a period of 6 weeks. It is planned that the Review’s findings will form part of the Minister for Finance’s considerations in the context of Budget 2015.

In addition to the tax reliefs my Department has also provided a range of on-farm supports, most of which were supported under the old Common Agriculture programme. These on-farm supports included:

- the New Entrants to Dairying Scheme (which helped revitalise the sector through the provision of milk quota to dynamic educated farmers);

- the Dairy Efficiency Programme (which encouraged the adoption of best practice management and production methods on farm by means of Discussion Groups);

- the Dairy Equipment Scheme which had a weighting towards young farmers and had as its aim the encouragement of new entrants/young farmers in milk production by providing them with a financial support to meet the capital costs associated with either starting up or taking over a dairy enterprise, and ensuring that they have the most up to date technology available to compete in the modern dairy sector.

- the provision of financial support for ICBF and Animal Health Ireland to improve breed quality and animal health.

The new CAP Programme will facilitate the introduction of further supports in the areas of knowledge transfer and capital equipment and I propose to announce such supports over the coming months.

Sheep Census

Questions (625)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

625. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the requirement to submit a sheep census became legally enforceable under Irish law; the specific statutory authority underpinning the sheep census obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7881/14]

View answer

Written answers

The requirement for flock owners to submit the annual census details to my Department came into effect on 29 January 2004 in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 21/2004, which is directly applicable in Member States.

Security Checks

Questions (626)

Noel Harrington

Question:

626. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of his departmental or ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since coming to office in March 2011; the reasons for this check; the results of this check; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7886/14]

View answer

Written answers

None of my Departmental or Ministerial offices have been swept for electronic or any other type of surveillance or bugging equipment since I came into office in March 2011.

Rural Development Programme Funding

Questions (627)

Billy Timmins

Question:

627. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the rural development programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/14]

View answer

Written answers

In developing the shape of the new system of Direct Payments in Ireland, I have been very conscious of the needs of sheep farmers, in particular those who farm on hill and commonage land. In general this group holds low value entitlements under the current Single Payment Scheme and will benefit significantly from the model of convergence that is to be applied in Ireland where those with a low Initial Unit Value will see the value of their entitlements increase over the period of the scheme.

The Grassland Sheep Scheme is based on Article 68 of the current EU Regulation 73/2009 which governs direct payments in the form of the Single Payment Scheme. As of the 1 January 2015 that Regulation is superseded by EU Regulation 1307/2013 and consequently there is no longer any legal basis for the continuation of the Grassland Sheep Scheme in its present form.

When determining the Initial Unit Value of a farmer’s entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, Regulation 1307/2009 gives Member States the option to take into account any payment the farmer received in 2014 under Article 68 schemes such as the Grassland Sheep Scheme. This option is only available where the Member State is not applying voluntary coupled support to the sector concerned under the new CAP.

I have decided to apply this provision in Ireland as a means of safeguarding the payments received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme. The incorporation of the Grassland Sheep Scheme payment into the calculation of a farmer’s Initial Unit Value in 2015 will obviously result in a higher entitlement value for the farmers concerned from the start of the Scheme rather than relying solely on the gradual process of convergence to increase the unit value over the five year period up to 2019. Our analysis confirms that as a result of this provision the group of farmers who receive the Grassland Sheep Scheme will have the immediate benefit of an additional €10.3 million in 2015 as part of their payment under the Basic Payment Scheme.

Over the past two years sheep numbers have stabilised and while the breeding flock declined slightly in 2013, a return to growth is expected in 2014. I was pleased to note that for the third consecutive year Irish sheep throughput grew, reaching 2.61 million head, a rise of 7%. These developments led to sheepmeat production rising by around 3% to stand just over 55,000 tonnes. The total value of Irish sheepmeat exports is estimated to have increased by over 4% in 2013 to reach €220 million.

I have recently announced details in relation to the measures proposed for inclusion in the new Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020. These proposed measures form the basis for a public consultation in relation to the new RDP, and written submissions have been invited by 19 February. Details in relation to the consultation process and the proposed measures for the new RDP can be found on my Department’s website. The consultation process will inform the next stage of RDP design, including the detailed development of new schemes.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (628)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

628. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive a 2013 agri-environment option scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7921/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and full payments have issued in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.

The person named was selected for an on-farm inspection which took place on 11th September 2013. During this inspection, issues of non-compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme were noted in relation to the Traditional Hay Meadow, Planting of New Hedgerows and Broadleaf Tree Planting actions. Letters have issued to the person named in relation to the breaches found, requesting information and giving the option of remedial action in relation to the tree planting but no reply has been received to date. Once a satisfactory response is received the inspection report will be finalised and the application will be processed for payment for 2013.

Departmental Offices

Questions (629)

Barry Cowen

Question:

629. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the arrangements being put in place to maintain the services provided to local farmers in the midlands following the recent decision to close the Tullamore regional office of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. [7931/14]

View answer

Written answers

I would like to emphasise that the Tullamore office is not being closed down. The position is that the administrative functions are being transferred to the Cavan office but the Department’s vets, inspectors and technical officers will remain in place at the existing local offices to service our clients across all of the schemes that are provided from these offices. Front-line services will be fully maintained and public access for all of the Departments stakeholders will continue to be available in the Tullamore office.

The transfer of the administrative functions out of the Tullamore office arises from an extensive review of the local office structure which was carried out by the Department over the last number of years. This review concluded that, arising from investment in technology and the substantial reduction in disease levels in recent years, significant efficiencies would accrue from the centralisation of administrative functions in two centres, thereby giving rise to significant scope for redeployment of administrative staff from existing local offices. The process of centralising the administrative functions commenced in 2012 and is on-going.

In line with Government policy, the Department has actively sought redeployment opportunities for administrative staff in local Offices and staff have already been transferred from the local offices in Limerick, Tipperary, Enniscorthy and Waterford to other Departments and agencies, such as the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Justice, in order to enable those bodies to provide important services, including the property tax, Garda vetting etc. With regard to Tullamore, the Department is finalising arrangements to redeploy administrative staff from the Tullamore Local Office to the Department of Public Expenditure (Shared Payroll Services) in Tullamore with effect from 1 March 2014.

This Department will continue to maintain a public office in Tullamore and, indeed, in all of the locations from which the administrative functions are being transferred. The centralisation of administrative support should not impact negatively upon local access and services for local customers.

Departmental Bodies Establishment

Questions (630)

Seán Fleming

Question:

630. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will list any new organisations-agencies established in his Department since 9 March 2011; the role and functions and the annual operating budget for these organisations-agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7937/14]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not established any organisation or agency since 9 March 2011.

Land Parcel Identification System

Questions (631)

Jim Daly

Question:

631. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a reply will issue from his Department to a person (details supplied) [7953/14]

View answer

Written answers

An issue has arisen with regard to the recording of lands purchased in 2010 by the person named on my Department’s Land Parcel Identification System. My Department has issued a reply to the person named and an official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named who is now satisfied that the matter has been resolved.

Question No. 632 answered with Question No. 610.

Foreshore Licence Applications

Questions (633)

Derek Nolan

Question:

633. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for a foreshore licence for a proposed salmon fish farm in Galway Bay; when a decision will be made on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7980/14]

View answer

Written answers

An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department in 2012. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.

A determination in respect of the application will be made as soon as possible following completion of the necessary assessment process. This assessment process will take full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.

The fullest consideration is being given to all submissions received as part of the statutory and public consultation stages of the process.

There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.

As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (634)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

634. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) in County Galway has received all of their agri-environment option scheme 2 payments and if not the deductions that were made and the amount of each deduction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7985/14]

View answer

Written answers

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011.

Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This application was also selected for a Cross Compliance inspection which resulted in a 1% penalty being imposed. Payment of the 2011 scheme year has issued with a deduction of €4.92.

Full payment in respect of the 2012 scheme year has been authorised with no deductions and the 75% advance payment will issue this week with the balancing 25% payment issuing shortly thereafter.

Following finalisation of the 2012 payments, the 2013 payment will be processed as soon as possible.

Agriculture Scheme Appeals

Questions (635)

Michael Colreavy

Question:

635. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite an appeal hearing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/14]

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Written answers

The Agriculture Appeals Office received an appeal from the above-mentioned on 8 October 2013. The appeal was acknowledged and a request was sent to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for the Department file and a statement on the issue on the same date. The Department file was received on 28 November 2013 and was immediately assigned to an Appeals Officer.

The appellant in this case did not request an oral hearing on submission of his appeal, and has subsequently confirmed to the Agriculture Appeals Office that an oral hearing is not requested. The Appeals Officer will be in direct contact with the appellant shortly in relation to this appeal and a decision letter will subsequently issue.

Farm Inspections

Questions (636)

Seán Kyne

Question:

636. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the professional code of conduct with which inspectors in his Department are obliged to comply and if he will furnish same. [8053/14]

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Written answers

My Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme and other area related schemes, is required to carry out an annual round of inspections covering both the eligibility of the land declared to draw down payments and also cross compliance aspects, to ensure adherence with EU regulatory requirements in the areas of public, animal and plant health, environment and animal welfare and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. The basis for these inspections is governed by EU legislation, in particular, Council Regulation (EC) 73/2009 and Commission Regulation (EC) 1122/2009, and there are certain minimum numbers and types of inspections that must be conducted each year.

These inspections are a necessary requirement in order to draw down approximately €1.7 billion of EU funds annually and to avoid EU disallowances. The inspections are subject to repeated audits and my Department must therefore ensure that these inspections are conducted in a fair and equitable manner and in full accordance with the legislative provisions. These requirements, together with the need to ensure a fair and consistent approach, are achieved by ongoing inspector training, continuous oversight by supervisors and random verification inspections. Also when conducting inspections standardised inspection report forms and guidance documentation are provided to the inspecting officers, with the inspection outcome being recorded on the relevant schemes’ IT system. This comprehensive approach ensures that both the quality and consistency of inspections are maintained at extremely high levels.

While there is no specific professional code of conduct for officers undertaking these inspections, all staff within my Department, including inspecting officers, are required to adhere to a number of codes/standards, namely “The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour”, the “Ethics in Public Office Act 1995” and the “Standards in Public Office Act 2001”.

Installation Aid Scheme Eligibility

Questions (637)

Tom Fleming

Question:

637. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that all young farmers engaged in farming since 2009 and who thereby did not benefit from farm installation aid, which was discontinued in 2008, and other Common Agricultural Policy supports be prioritised and included in the young farmer on farm capital investment and qualify for the higher 60% grant rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8061/14]

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Written answers

The consultation paper prepared by my Department in relation to the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of an enhanced grant scheme for young farmers with a specific grant rate of 60 per cent compared to the standard grant rate of 40 per cent which will be generally available under other on-farm investment schemes.

Within the limits of the EU provisions governing the new Rural Development Programme, I will be endeavouring to ensure that as many young farmers as possible can avail of the enhanced grant scheme when the national measures are introduced following receipt of the required EU Commission approval for the Programme. Where young farmers do not meet the conditions laid down in the governing EU provisions for the enhanced grant scheme, such farmers will be eligible to apply for grants at a standard rate under other on-farm investment schemes which are made available under the new Programme.

Single Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (638)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

638. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a review sought by a person (details supplied) in County Galway against an over-claim assessment by his Department following a second ground inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8067/14]

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Written answers

The 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% in respect of both the Single Farm Payment Scheme and the Disadvantaged Areas’ Scheme. Based on the Terms and Conditions of these schemes this resulted in no payment issuing in respect of the 2013 schemes.

The person named was notified of this decision on 25 October 2013. The person named has appealed this decision and this request is currently being examined. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this review as soon as possible.

In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (639)

John O'Mahony

Question:

639. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a single farm payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8159/14]

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Written answers

An application under 2013 Single Payment was received from the person named on 14 May 2013. An advance payment in respect of Single Payment issued on 16 October, however due to a change in circumstances regarding the ownership of the herd number the balancing payment due to issue on 2 December 2013 is currently withheld pending the receipt of updated bank account details. An Official from my Department has made direct contact with the person named outlining the current position.

Departmental Investigations

Questions (640)

Ann Phelan

Question:

640. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the case of a farmer (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; where this case currently is; the action his Department proposes to take in respect of this case; the avenues open to this farmer now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8173/14]

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Written answers

A large number of studies and investigations have been undertaken by various state agencies into the production problems affecting the farm of the person concerned between 2004 and 2009. The farm issues were investigated by my own Department’s Veterinary Laboratory Service with the assistance of Teagasc and subsequently by the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA) based in UCD. The factory emissions were investigated by the EPA. No evidence was found to indicate that factory emissions were the cause of the difficulties. My Department has undertaken no investigations or validations of the performance of animals on this farm since 2008 and does not intend to take any further action in relation to this case. The factory closed in December 2008.

I understand that the Office of the Ombudsman has recently completed its examination of complaints submitted by the person concerned and has closed the file on the matter.

Common Agricultural Policy Reform

Questions (641)

Michael McGrath

Question:

641. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the position of young farmers who took over the family farm in 2009 or 2010; his views on the way they will be affected by the changes in the new Common Agricultural Policy deal; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8187/14]

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Written answers

The definition of ‘young farmer’ under the new Direct Payments Regulation that will come into force in 2015 includes the criteria that such persons are aged 40 or less in their first year of application and that they have established their holding within five years of their first application under the Basic Payment Scheme. Persons who meet the definition of ‘young farmer’ under the new Direct Payment Regulation will be eligible both to apply to the National Reserve for an allocation of new entitlements or a top-up on the value of existing entitlements and also to participate in the Young Farmers Scheme.

The essential purpose of the Young Farmers Scheme is to assist young farmers in the initial stages of establishing a farming enterprise in their own name and to encourage generational renewal. It is for this reason that the payment is restricted to those who are establishing or have established such a holding in the previous five years. In addition the restricting of the payment to a maximum of five years will make it possible to support those young farmers who will come on-stream in the years subsequent to 2015.

Persons who establish their holding after May 2010 will qualify under the definition of ‘young farmer’ provided that they also meet the other relevant criteria.

Most farmers who have been farming for more than five years hold existing entitlements under the Single Payment Scheme. Where such farmers hold low value entitlements they will benefit significantly from the process of convergence that will apply under the Basic Payment Scheme. The purpose of the convergence model adopted by Ireland is to achieve a phased redistribution of payments between those who currently hold high value entitlements and those who hold low value entitlements.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (642)

Heather Humphreys

Question:

642. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) will receive a rural environment protection scheme payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/14]

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Written answers

The person named commenced REPS 4 in June 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. These checks have now been completed and the 75% Year 6 payment has been authorised and will issue to the person named within the next week. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly afterwards.

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