Written Answers Nos. 197-206
197. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 132 of 25 March 2014, if the expansion of the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to EUTM Somalia was exclusively linked to Ireland having the appointment of mission commander; and if he will confirm that all Defence Forces personnel will leave the EUTM Somalia mission in April 2014. [15766/14]
View answerIreland has been serving with the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) since April 2010. Recently the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to EUTM Somalia was reduced from eleven (11) to six (6), as a result of the drawdown of Defence Forces personnel associated with Ireland having held the post of Mission Commander (2 personnel) and completion of the training phase of the mission in Uganda, to which Ireland contributed a training team of three (3) personnel. On 22 January 2013, the Council of the European Union extended the mandate of EUTM Somalia to March 2015. This third mandate implied a significant change of focus for the Mission with the addition of strategic advisory and mentoring activities in addition to training. The specific training as offered by Irish Defence Forces personnel was no longer required under the new mission mandate.
Given Ireland's commitment to this mission to-date, Government approval was granted in February 2014 to retain the Defence Forces personnel in their current appointments until the end of their respective individual six month tour of duty. Last month, two (2) Irish personnel completed their respective tours of duty with the mission bringing the total now serving with the mission to four (4). Ireland's contribution to this mission will end on the 13th April 2014.
198. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Aonair, faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste agus faoi Scéim REPS nár íocadh de bharr aistriú teidil talúna le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén méid bliain íocaíochtaí atá dlite don fheirmeoir seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh [15707/14]
View answerTháinig iarratas faoi Scéim na Limistéar faoi Mhíbhuntáiste/Aoníocaíochta 2013 chuig mo Roinn an 13 Bealtaine 2013 ón té atá ainmnithe in ainm REPS a athar, nach maireann. Nuair a bhí sin próiseáilte, tugadh ró-éileamh faoi deara ar an iarratas i ndáil le gabháltas amháin talún. Tá sé seo anois próiseáilte agus tá scríofa ag mo Roinn chuig an té atá ainmnithe maidir leis an ábhar seo.
Tháinig iarratas faoi iarratas ar Aistriú Teidlíochtaí 2011 chuig mo Roinn an 16 Bealtaine, 2011 maidir leis an uimhir bólachta thuas. Ó tharla gur le hoidhreacht a bhain an t-aistriú iarrtha bhí gá an gnáthcháipéiseacht tiomnachta a bhain leis an aistriú a éileamh agus chun go bhféadfadh an té atá ainmnithe a bheith ina úinéir bólachta cláraithe ar uimhir bólachta G126154x. Tá na cáipéisí cuí uilig anois faighte agus is é an té atá ainmnithe an t-úinéir bólachta cláraithe. Próiseálfar an t-iarratas ar aistriú teidlíochtaí sna laethanta atá romhainn agus eiseofar litreacha glactha ar an té atá ainmnithe.
199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funds are being delayed in his Department; if they are, the amount of funds delayed; if there is a delay in the return of Form 2 for payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15710/14]
View answerIt is assumed that the Deputy's reference to Form 2 relates to the application for payment under the forestry (Afforestation and Road) schemes. The Form 2 is submitted on behalf of applicants by their registered forester. In a number of cases the application will be subject to inspection to ensure compliance with the conditions of the approval and that the application is in order. Where further information is required to enable payment to be made this is requested from the applicants registered forester. The type of information requested would include Tax Clearance Certificates, proof of ownership, evidence of farmer status etc. Payment cannot be approved in cases where there is documentation outstanding or where remedial works are incomplete. When a complete and valid application is received in the Department, it is processed for payment without delay.
200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if turbary regulations made to landowners by the Irish Land Commission in 1944 on bogs not owned by the Land Commission will provide authorisation to cut and make turf to the now registered owners who have title to said lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15718/14]
View answerTurbary regulations arose where there was a demand for turbary in a particular area and where the Irish Land Commission (ILC) had no turbary on hand. Section 21 of the Land Act 1903 empowers the ILC to make regulations on any bog for the purpose of making turbary available to satisfy the demand. This was usually done by licence, the rent/price of which was negotiated by settlement between the ILC and the owner of the bog. Rent was paid either directly to the owner or via the ILC by the licensee.
It is not possible to provide a general answer to this particular question as individual cases may differ depending on a number of circumstances. Individual registered owners should contact the Lands Branch of my Department at Government Buildings, Farnham Street, Cavan, and provide details of the Folios in question if they require clarification in relation to their particular case.
201. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 353 of 4 March 2014, which stated that 75% payment for 2013 would issue within ten days, the reason payment under the agri-environment options scheme 1 has not yet issued to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15729/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 1) with effect from 1 November 2010 and has received full payment in respect of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 Scheme years. A letter issued on 10 January 2014 notifying the person named of the non-compliances found on inspection and giving a right of appeal to the Regional Inspector of the Department by 24 January 2014. As the case was not appealed, my Department moved to process the file for payment. It had been intended to issue the 75% payment to the person named in March and then taking whatever reductions and penalties fell due from the balancing 25% payment which would be made later. However, on preparing the file for payment it became clear that the extent of the breaches, which cover several years, was such that the amount owed by the person named exceeds the amount due for 2013 and therefore no payment falls to be made by my Department. The person named will shortly receive a letter explaining the reductions and penalties applied.
202. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the duration of the merchant agreement where payment by debit or credit card is accepted for services provided by his Department or bodies under its aegis to members of the public; when the term of the agreement will end; if the merchant agreement is awarded by way of tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15731/14]
View answerMy Department secured banking services by way of a tendering process. The services were extended in 2013 to include a facility whereby payment is accepted by means of credit or debit card. The merchant agreement in respect of debit/credit card services will be renewed in 2016.
203. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the figures given by a person (details supplied) to the Committee of Public Accounts stating that the value of fish stocks taken from Irish waters between 1975 and 2010 by all member states of the EU was €201 billion, only €17 billion worth of which was caught and processed by Irish fishermen and processors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15753/14]
View answerThe figures the Deputy refers to were in a paper submitted to the Public Accounts Committee in September 2012 by Dr. Karen Devine of DCU. The title of the paper was 'Draft Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union' and was not related to fisheries per se. The figures quoted in the paper relating to 'the value of fish stocks taken from Irish Waters' were not supplied either by this Department or the Marine Institute. I am not aware that the information was supplied by the Department of Finance.
The waters around Ireland contain some of the most productive and biologically sensitive fishing grounds in the EU. In 2010, an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of fish were taken by the fishing fleets of EU member states from the waters around Ireland (ICES Sub-areas VI & VII which extend from north of Scotland to Brittany and cover part of the Exclusive Fisheries zone on the UK and France also). Ireland landed 259,500 tonnes of these fish or 23% of the international landings. The main fish species caught were mackerel, horse mackerel, boarfish, blue whiting, herring, cod, whiting, haddock, saithe, hake, megrim, anglerfish, plaice, sole and Nephrops (prawns).
The Irish authorities are not responsible for compiling data on landings or the value of landings of fish by non Irish fishing vessels, except those landing into Irish fishing ports. Landing data is the responsibility of the flag Member State. Landing data into Irish ports are available on the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority web site. Landing figures for all Member States are publically available on the Eurostat website at the following link: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/fisheries/data/database.
204. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to identify additional markets for over-age bull beef, that is, beef over 24 months of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15762/14]
View answerThe market situation in the cattle sector is analysed and monitored on an ongoing basis by my Department and Bord Bia. The young bull trade is challenging at present as age and weight issues continue to adversely affect demand. The number of young bulls slaughtered to date in 2014, at over 69,000 head, is 4% ahead of the same period in 2013. However, average prices for that type of animal are down significantly because there is an oversupply of young bulls that do not meet market requirements.
The principal difficulty in marketing beef from young bulls older than 16 months of age is that these animals are deemed 'out of spec' by purchasers in the UK market. The UK market, which accounted for 250,000 tonnes or 53% of Irish beef exports by volume in 2013, wants only in-spec animals – particularly steers. The bulk of Irish beef exports to the UK are purchased by retail multiples which set out specific requirements as regards the product that they are willing to purchase.
I am advised by Bord Bia that older bulls are less valuable to meat plants. When such carcases are deboned, they do not have the option of selling any of the cuts into the UK retail sector. Bulls over 24 months of age are not considered as prime cattle and are classified by the EU as mature bulls. There are, therefore, limited outlets for mature bull beef which, like that of cull cows, is primarily used for manufacturing and commands a low market value.
Feedback received by Bord Bia from customers in various Continental markets consistently indicates that they highly value prime steer beef coming from grass-based production systems. Young bull beef is seen as more of a commodity and tends to sell for a lower price. There will continue to be niches, in markets like Italy, where there is demand for a certain amount of young bull beef. However, Irish beef producers should be mindful that this is a specialised market for a restricted carcase specification and that it has become more price competitive in recent years.
It is likely that more farmers will revert to traditional steer beef finishing because Irish steers are a unique selling point for our beef industry that enables us to achieve premium prices for that product. In the domestic cattle market, the relationship between processors and producers is a highly interdependent one. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of both sides working together to manage the type and volume of cattle being brought to market so that the supply chain does not undermine the viability of beef production systems for either winter finishers or suckler farmers. Current market conditions clearly highlight the need for industry operators to improve communication on market trends and signals throughout the supply chain. An industry-led solution is essential to restoring confidence in the sector and I would encourage the various stakeholders to continue their efforts in that regard.
205. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an overpayment of €910.44 was assessed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the amount and the scheme years it relates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15763/14]
View answerThe overpayment was made up of €767.14 REPS 4 and €143.30 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area Scheme. The REPS overpayment was a multi annual sanction. A Multi-Annual Sanction (MAS) arises where an applicant makes an over–declaration of area in the following circumstances:
(a) Where there is an over-declaration of greater than 50% of the found or determined area; or
(b) Where there is an intentional over-declaration of greater than 20% of the area found.
The person named was informed in writing by the Department on 7 October 2013 of the details of the Multi- Annual Sanction (MAS) and how it was calculated. A Multi-Annual Sanction (MAS) was applied in relation to this over-declaration on crop group (designated), REPS 4, Scheme Year 2011 on the 9 October 2013 for €767.14 this was deducted from his Single Farm Payment on 16 October 2013.
An application under the 2013 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the person named in my Department on 9 May 2013. Following processing, over-claims were identified in respect of four land parcels declared on the application. The person named was notified of the position in a letter dated 11 September 2013. However, he recently contacted my Department and advised that the said letter was never received by him. The letter was re-issued on 20 March 2014 and my Department is awaiting an appeal/clarification.
206. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will devise a mechanism to ensure that funding for the sheep grassland scheme will be maintained at the current level of €18 million because the proposed €14 million will be detrimental to the future of sheep farming, particularly as the most recent CSO data for December 2013 show a reduction of 3.1% in sheep numbers since December 2012 and a 1.2% - equivalent to 30,000 ewes - reduction in the breeding flock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15776/14]
View answerAt the outset I should point out that, while the budget for the Grassland Sheep Scheme had been €18 million, this was, in fact, a gross figure – the net figure, less compulsory Modulation deductions, was €16.2 million. In addition, while the annual budget had reduced to €14 million, I subsequently increased this to €15 million. 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, sheep farmers hold 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 1307/2013 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 value of the payments received under the Grassland Sheep Scheme for those farmers concerned. The Grassland Sheep Scheme is the only Article 68 scheme that is being incorporated into the calculation of entitlements under the new Basic Payment Scheme. If such incorporation does not take place the value of such payments would simply remain in the national fund and would be redistributed generally among all farmers who establish entitlements.
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 an immediate financial benefit 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 €220m.
