Written Answers Nos. 523 to 543
523. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding agriculture payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17760/14]
View answerThe person named became the registered owner of the herd number in question on 3 March 2010. A 2010 Transfer of Entitlements application was received in my Department to lease 10.09 standard entitlements for two years. The application was successfully processed with an effective date from 17 May 2010. This lease expired on 31 December 2012 and the entitlements concerned reverted to the Transferor from 1 January 2013. Both parties were informed of the reversion of the entitlements by letters issued by my Department on 25 February 2013.
A 2013 Single Payment Scheme application from the person named was received by my Department on 15 May 2013. However, my Department did not receive a 2013 Transfer of Entitlement Application form from the applicant by the closing date which was 15 May 2013. My Department is in contact with the person named with a view to resolving the situation.
524. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in payment of a rural environment protection scheme payment for 2013 in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will expedite the processing of their application and the issue of their payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17803/14]
View answerThe person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first five 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. This process has now been completed for the applicant’s 2013 application which has been authorised for payment. The 75% and 25% payments will issue in the near future.
525. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their rural environment protection scheme 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17816/14]
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 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 been completed for 2013 payments and the 75% Year 5 payment amounting to €1,680.70 issued for payment on the 10th April 2014. The remaining 25% balancing payment will issue shortly thereafter.
526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there have been any further developments regarding the ban by Russia on all imports of pigmeat from the EU; if he raised this issue at the most recent meeting of the European Union Council of Agriculture Ministers; if he has had any direct contact with the Russian authorities regarding the need to lift this ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17829/14]
View answerSince my reply to the Deputy on 4 March there has been ongoing contact at political and technical level between the EU Commission and the Russian Federation but to date no solution has been found which would satisfy both parties to the dispute.
The Russian Federation continues to reject the internationally recognised principal of regionalisation which was implemented by the European Union following the disclosure of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Lithuania and Poland.
I spoke on the matter at the March Council of Agriculture Ministers’ meeting in Brussels where 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 also highlighted the fact 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.
Since then matters have not improved and last week the EU launched a legal challenge against Russia at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the basis that the Russian ban was disproportionate and unfairly harmed EU pig farmers. The WTO dispute procedure provides for both sides to find a solution within 60 days after which formal litigation commences.
My Department is working closely with the Irish Embassy in Moscow to monitor the situation. My Department officials are also working closely with industry representatives at home, keeping them apprised of developments. In addition this matter was raised last week at the meeting of the Ireland-Russia Joint Economic Commission in Dublin. On the margins of that meeting, my Department officials discussed the issue with a visiting official delegation from Russia and impressed on them our desire to have the matter resolved and assuring them that Ireland is completely free of ASF and that we have the necessary controls in place to maintain this situation.
527. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there will be any grant assistance towards the construction of silage pits under the new rural development plan; when he expects to make an announcement regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17853/14]
View answerThe consultation paper prepared by my Department on the proposed measures for inclusion in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme for 2014-2020 includes a commitment to the introduction of grant-aid in a number of specific areas, including the construction of animal housing.
The question of related facilities, such as the construction of silage pits, will be considered as my Department examines the possibilities of developing new schemes under the broad headings set out in the consultation paper, in the light of the comments received from the various stakeholders as part of the public consultation process. EU Commission approval for the Programme will be required before any new national measures are introduced on the basis of the Programme.
528. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason electronic tagging of horses is expected to cost approximately €100 when the cost of electronic tagging in registering a sheep is less than €2 and a bovine is approximately €5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/14]
View answerThe identification of horses (and all other equines) is governed by EU Council Directives 90/426/EEC and 90/427/EEC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 504/2008 of 6 June 2008, which have been transposed into national legislation via S.I. No. 357 of 2011 – European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2001 (as amended). This legislation imposes an obligation and, as a corollary, any associated cost, on the owners and keepers of equines to ensure that equine animals in their possession are identified in accordance with the legislation.
The identification of an equine comprises of two elements: completion of a marking sheet by a veterinary practitioner; and, since 1 July 2011, the insertion of a transponder. The insertion of a transponder into an equine animal is a surgical procedure and accordingly, it may only be undertaken by a veterinary practitioner. Thus the identification of an equine requires the input of a veterinary practitioner whereas the tagging procedure for bovines and sheep is undertaken by the keeper.
The fees charged by veterinarians and Passport Issuing Organisations to individuals for identifying horses in accordance with the legislation are commercial matters agreed between the relevant parties. My Department has no function in the matter.
529. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the relevant article or articles in Council Regulation 504/2008 which authorise the Irish implementing rule, as enacted by Article 5(4) of SI No. 357 of 2011 European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17920/14]
View answerThe position is that equidae not identified within the timeframe set out in Article 5(6) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 do not fulfil the identification and traceability requirements of EU law and, accordingly, can only qualify for a replacement identification document as provided for in Article 17 of the Regulation. The reason for this is that there are no identification details or veterinary medication records available that would allow the application of the provisions of Article 16 with regard to the issuing of a duplicate document. Accordingly, Regulation 5(4) of S.I. No. 357 of 2011 reflects the provisions of Article 17 of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 504/2008 which provides that such animals shall be classified in Part II of Section IX of the replacement identification document as not intended for slaughter for human consumption.
530. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals he has to provide financial assistance towards land drainage in view of the substantial costs involved in such work and the need for drainage works to be undertaken in view of the heavy rainfall over the past few years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/14]
View answerThe 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 is currently considering the comments received from the various stakeholders in response to the consultation paper which was published by my Department in January 2014.
The consultation paper sets out a number of priorities in the case of on-farm investment schemes under the new Programme, including further support to encourage investment in the dairy sector, an enhanced scheme of grant-aid for young farmers, and a new farm building measure which will provide grant-aid for the construction of animal housing and slurry storage.
My Department considered the possibility of putting forward a targeted farm drainage scheme for EU Commission approval within the context of the 2014-2020 Rural Development Programme, but concluded that too many issues of an environmental, financial and administrative nature would have to be overcome in proposing such a scheme as a priority measure under the new Programme. My Department’s consultation paper states that further targeted areas may be identified within the lifetime of the new Programme as appropriate for grant-aid and the issue of a drainage scheme will be borne in mind in that context.
531. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an AEOS payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17948/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1st May 2013.
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. These checks are well under way and I anticipate that payments for AEOS 3 in respect of 2013 will commence shortly.
532. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment entitlement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork for 2013 and to date in 2014; if this will be subject to financial penalty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17956/14]
View answerIn order to comply with EU requirements the 2013 Single Farm Payment 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 between 3% and 20%. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the Single Payment Scheme, this resulted in the 2013 Scheme payment being based on found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed. The person named was notified of this decision on 9 December 2013. The person named has applied for a review of this decision. This review is currently being examined and the person named will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible. In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of the review the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
533. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to ensure that the farm entitlements of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath which were leased for a number of years up to 31 December 2013 are transferred back into the owner's name without delay; if same will be confirmed in writing to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/14]
View answerThe person named leased out her entitlements for each year of the period 2007 to 2013. The most recent lease expired on 31 December 2013 at which time the entitlements were no longer available to the lessee. The entitlements have reverted to the account of the person named and a letter of notification will issue to both the person named and to the lessee shortly.
As the person named did not draw down a payment in 2013 she does not have an allocation right whereby entitlements would be allocated to her under the new Scheme in 2015. While the value of the leased entitlements is attributed to the person named as their owner, she is not in a position to carry forward their value to the new Basic Payment Scheme in 2015. My Department wrote to the person named recently outlining this situation and recommending the sale or gift of the entitlements before 15 May 2014 to a person who holds an allocation right. As the existing lease has expired, the person named is free to sell/gift the entitlements on the open market. If the entitlements in question are not transferred to a person with an allocation right, they will expire at the end of 2014 and their value will not carry forward to the new scheme.
If the person named requires clarification of any aspect of these arrangements she should make contact with the CAP Information Centre at 0761 064438 or by email to CAPdirectpayments@agriculture.gov.ie
534. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with regard to the introduction of the revised terms and conditions for the fallen animal TSE subsidy scheme, if he will provide an update of the review process by his Department into the implementation of the scheme; the extent to which his Department is consulting the farming community, the animal collectors association and knackeries; the process that such organisations can pursue to feed into his Departmental review; if his Department has considered remedies for those animal collectors-knackeries who, due to clause 7.8 of the scheme, have seen a substantial increase in the costs of rendering plant services available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17989/14]
View answerThe TSE (Fallen Animal) Subsidy Scheme ensures primarily that fallen bovine animals over 48 months, which must be BSE-tested in accordance with EU legislation, are disposed of in compliance with all animal and public health and environmental regulations. The Scheme is an integral part of the infrastructure underpinning Ireland’s successful livestock and meat processing industries, which had an estimated combined export value of the order of €3.3 billion in 2013.
The operation of the Subsidy Scheme has been examined in my Department and a number of changes have been introduced. These include enhanced compliance provisions and putting some limits on the distance material can be carried while maintaining choice. This examination took into account a number of factors, including budgetary considerations, TSE testing requirements, Animal By-Product (ABP) regulations, the need to maintain competition and the need for an adequate collection and disposal infrastructure. The importance of having adequate rendering capacity especially in the event of a serious Class A disease outbreak was given high priority in the examination of the Scheme.
The revised terms include enhanced compliance provisions and putting some limits on the distance material can be carried while maintaining choice. Safeguards have been put in place in the Scheme rules to support competition. Under the new arrangements each animal collector is able to choose from at least two rendering companies. There is also provision to allow for exceptional circumstances in the Terms and Conditions but this has not been invoked to date.
The rates payable under the Scheme have not changed. The rendering and disposal costs of over 48 month fallen cattle in Category 1 plants are fully covered by the Scheme; and the collection charge to the farmer is still capped at €54.03, including VAT. Bovines under 48 months are outside the remit of the Subsidy Scheme, and their collection and rendering is a matter for commercial arrangement.
Participants in the Scheme have been consulted and advised that my Department is monitoring the operation of the revised terms and conditions very closely; and that an initial review would be carried out after three months, rather than the six months originally proposed. This review is now coming to a close and my officials will be in contact with the various stakeholders in the near future.
If following the review it is clear that there are ongoing issues with any aspect of the Scheme then my Department will consider what further steps may need to be taken. Before doing so the Department will have to be satisfied that all of the participants’ negotiating options have been examined in full. My Department cannot become directly involved in the issue of prices and a workable solution in that regard needs to be reached between the stakeholders if we are to continue to have an effective Subsidy Scheme.
536. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford is not in receipt of their entitlements to disadvantaged areas payments and single farm payments in respect of lands to which their family has had commonage entitlements for more than four generations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18001/14]
View answer537. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Longford did not receive their entitlements to single farm payments or disadvantaged areas payments for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18002/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536 and 537 together.
As there is no record of receipt of an application from the person named under 2012 Single Payment Scheme/ Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, no payments are due to the person named under these Schemes. The person named was advised accordingly by letter dated 13 March 2013 and advised of his right of appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office, should he so wish.
The 50% advance payment under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme issued on 16 October 2013 and the balancing payment issuing on 2 December 2013, both payments issuing directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
The payment in respect of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which issued to the person named on 21 October 2013, was in respect of the eligible claimed areas as listed on the application form of the person named, in respect of areas in Derrynagran, Cashel Beg and Commons South, minus an area of less than one hectare which was deemed ineligible.
538. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the introduction of new regulations regarding the operation of marts and the auctioning of livestock, which now requires a person to be licensed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority, his views on whether an educational course specialising in livestock auctioning should be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18007/14]
View answerMy Department has consulted with the Property Services Regulatory Authority on formal educational requirements for livestock auctioneers. The Property Services Regulatory Authority has indicated it welcomes the opportunity to engage with the industry to develop an educational model which better reflects the requirements of livestock trading.
539. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the subsidies available for child care for working couples in severe mortgage negative equity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17756/14]
View answerThere is no specific funding targeted at parents in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy but my Department does allocate significant investment each year to provide for a number of childcare programmes that assist parents with the cost of childcare.
These programmes include the free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Eduction (ECCE) programme for children in the age category of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months at 1 September. The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which provides targeted benefit primarily to lower income and disadvantaged families, is accessible to parents, through community childcare facilities, who have relatively average incomes on the basis of their entitlement to hold a GP visit card. Eligibility for a GP visit card is based on net income and takes account of outgoings such as mortgage repayments and other expenses including childcare costs and travelling expenses. Parents who qualify for support can have their weekly childcare costs substantially reduced.
Funding is also provided by my Department to support the Childhood Education and Training Support (CETS) programme which targets funding to support parents seeking to return to the workforce who are participating in Solas or Education and Training Boards education and training programmes. This programme also supports Community Employment scheme participants along with supporting social welfare recipients returning to the workforce with the cost of after school care.
540. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to make it easier for adults who were adopted as children to access records relating to their identity, including information on the existence of biological siblings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17991/14]
View answerI intend to provide in an Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill for greater access to adoption records and birth information, in so far as is possible and in line with legal advices received, for persons previously involved in adoptions, notwithstanding the significant legal and operational complexities which arise in giving effect to this objective.
I will have the General Scheme and Heads of an Adoption ( Information and Tracing) Bill finalised as soon as possible and submitted for the consideration of Government, in advance of referral to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.
Consideration of this matter has identified very complex legal and constitutional issues. It has also become clear that any legal measures will have to be supported by improved processes and services which will facilitate adopted persons and their families in gaining greater access to birth records, where the law permits it.
The legislative proposals will address the circumstances in which identifying and non-identifying information may be provided and examine what processes need to be put in place to assist those seeking information in accessing it. The most difficult situations to address within the proposed legislation are those where the consent of other parties, such as natural mothers, does not exist for the release of information. I intend to proceed to finalise legislative proposals and will bring proposals to the Government as soon as possible. I would hope that the subsequent consideration by the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee will allow the issues to be carefully teased out and the views of different interested parties on these important and sensitive matters to be fully considered.
541. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail, in tabular form, the funding allocated to each local authority for child care services in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17330/14]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not provide funding to local authorities for childcare services.
542. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail in tabular form the funding allocated to each local authority for youth services in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17331/14]
View answerMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. The funding for these schemes is administered by my Department through funding administration bodies. In the main, these are the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and national regional organisations but they also include other bodies such as the HSE and some Local Authorities.
Details of the current funding allocated through local authorities in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 are outlined hereunder in tabular form in respect of the following schemes:
(1) The Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY),
(2) The Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF Round 1)
(3) The Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF Round 2)
2011 (June 2011)
|
Local Authority |
SPY |
YPFSF (1) |
YPFSF (2) |
|
Offaly County Council |
27,057 |
||
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
29,795 |
203,403 |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
978,708 |
||
|
Athlone Town Council |
2,000 |
2012
|
Local Authority |
SPY |
YPFSF (1) |
YPFSF (2) |
|
Offaly County Council |
48,771 |
||
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
55,718 |
374,374 |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
1,963,407 |
||
|
Athlone Town Council |
Nil |
2013
|
Local Authority |
SPY |
YPFSF (1) |
YPFSF (2) |
|
Offaly County Council |
43,894 |
||
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
50,146 |
336,937 |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
1,767,066 |
||
|
Athlone Town Council |
1,683 |
2014
|
Local Authority |
SPY |
YPFSF (1) |
YPFSF (2) |
|
Offaly County Council |
42,248 |
||
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council |
48,264 |
324,301 |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
1,700,801 |
||
|
Athlone Town Council |
1,620 |
543. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason her Department will not process adoption applications for children based in India for approved Irish families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17344/14]
View answerMy Department has no role in processing adoption applications. The Adoption Authority has accredited Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency to facilitate intercountry adoptions from India.
The Authority has contacted the Indian Central Authority, CARA, to inform them of the Authority's decision in relation to the accreditation of Helping Hands and to seek a favourable and speedy decision on approval from the Indian authorities. The Authority has also advised me that at its meeting of 11 March 2014 the Board considered the matter of transmission of packs to India and have sought further clarification from CARA as to whether Helping Hands require accreditation in India prior to forwarding packs.
I recently facilitated a meeting with the Ireland India Support Group and the Adoption Authority and a further meeting is scheduled for the 1st of May 2014.
