Written Answers Nos. 191 - 200
191. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the various markets for Irish dairy products have expanded in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20606/14]
View answerMore than 85% of Irish dairy production is exported and Ireland has access for dairy products to over ninety countries worldwide, with one third of the value of dairy exports going outside the EU. In 2013, the value of dairy exports increased by 15 per cent to some €3 billion for the first time. The Central Statistics Office provides a detailed annual breakdown of the volume and value of trade to all destination countries.
Notwithstanding this successful trade performance, I am working with industry to raise the profile of the Irish dairy sector, and the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere. I have been very active in developing relationships in new and expanding markets in order to build the kind of confidence in Irish production and control systems that provide a platform for long-term trading relationships in the future. Market analysis predicts that medium term prospects for global dairy markets are good, with growth in world population and wealth expected to stimulate strong levels of demand for dairy products.
Ireland strongly supported the decision to abolish milk quotas with effect from 1 April 2015 on the basis that quotas were widely regarded by both the Irish dairy sector and market analysts as a brake on the potential of the sector to respond positively to market opportunities. I expect the abolition of quotas to facilitate an expansion in the sector and through the Food Harvest 2020 Report the industry has set itself an ambitious target for a 50% increase in milk production by 2020. For my part I have been working on a number of fronts to prepare the industry for the move to a quota free environment and equip it to respond to the market opportunities arising.
A key element of this market strategy is to optimise the already positive green image of Ireland in order to create a point of differentiation for Irish dairy products on international markets. In this context, I was delighted to launch the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme last December. The scheme has the potential to really boost the competitive advantage of Irish dairy products on the global market. Ireland’s strong sustainability positioning is fundamental to this. At processing level, Bord Bia’s Origin Green Programme is providing a vehicle for industry to commit itself to sustainability targets by reducing energy inputs, minimising overall carbon footprint and mitigating the impact on the environment. This pro-active approach to environmental sustainability has a strong resonance with procurement strategists in the many multi-national food companies who are interested in using Ireland as a source of high quality food ingredients and processed products.
Of course the industry itself has a responsibility to focus its efforts on market and product development. Supported by Government, the Irish dairy sector has succeeded in positioning itself as a major international player, and we have seen industry announcements in relation to the development of supply arrangements between Irish companies and multi-national players in third countries, and the development of value added products which can maximise the value of our dairy output.
In that context, last week the Chinese authorities announced results of an audit of Ireland’s dairy sector, which means that Irish plants have been found to fully meet the standards of China’s new food safety laws. This approval will allow the Irish dairy sector to build on their formidable reputation in international markets, and in the increasingly important Chinese market, and to further capitalise on Ireland’s reputation for green, efficient, high quality dairy production.
192. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he is satisfied in respect of the future prospects for the cereal growing sector over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20607/14]
View answerThe maintenance of an efficient and viable cereals sector in Ireland is clearly very important to the well being of the agri-food industry. Indigenous production of cereals is of course, an important part of primary agriculture production. In addition to generating an income for our tillage farmers, the cereals sector is a key source of grain for the milling and malting industry and feeding stuffs for the livestock sector. Annual cereals production in Ireland has fluctuated around 2 million tonnes in recent years and it is desirable to try and sustain this level of production in order to avoid over dependence on imported cereals.
The 2013 harvest is estimated in the region of 2.35 million tonnes, well above the long-term average production of 2 million tonnes and is 22% higher than the 2012 harvest. Despite the dismal start to the growing season, the good summer resulted in excellent yields in wheat and barley. Yields for winter and spring wheat are increased to 9.3 tonnes and 8.0 tonnes per hectare, respectively, while winter and spring barley are estimated at a record 9.5 tonnes and 7.1 tonnes per hectare, respectively.
Since Ireland is a deficit market for cereals, prices here are greatly affected by world prices and supplies. Grain prices for 2013 have been very volatile from the peak of 2012 as world harvest estimates for cereals, and especially maize in the USA, are showing an increased level of output over previous years. Volatility in prices is likely to become a constant feature of Irish cereal prices in future and grain producers should factor such fluctuations into their planning and marketing strategies.
My Department operates a range of services aimed at improving the efficiency of, quality and viability of cereal production. These services include seed certification, seed testing and recommended list of varieties, research funding through the ‘Stimulus’ programme and funding for the quality assurance scheme. In addition, Teagasc provides research, training and advisory services for cereal producers. The value of all these support services is reflected in the fact that Irish cereals producers have consistently achieved some of the highest yields in the world.
Food Harvest 2020 outlined a number of challenges facing the cereal sector in the coming years including price volatility, climatic and disease issues, high input prices, small and fragmented holdings and the cost of rented land. However, the report also pointed to positive projections for cereal prices as markets are relatively well-balanced and world cereal prices are projected to be higher than in the last decade. It is known that global grain production is struggling to meet the increasing demand for food, feed and industrial uses. In addition to a rising global population creating a bigger demand for cereals, an increasing demand for meat is disproportionately increasing grain demand even further. It is predicted that global demand for cereals will reach 3 billion tonnes by 2025 compared with 2.3 billion tonnes currently.
The primary growth in requirement for Irish cereals in the years ahead is likely to be for animal feed, given the targets for increased livestock output proposed in Food Harvest 2020. However, considerable potential also exists in grains for the drink industry such as malting barley and recent significant investments by the large brewing and distilling companies here in Ireland are proof of such potential. Further, it is envisaged that there will be increased demand for Irish oats milled for human food for the home and export markets and in this context, the success of the Agribusiness sector in securing, long-term contracts with US-based Foods companies to supply milled Irish oats to a premium Irish oatmeal brand in the US market, is particularly welcome.
193. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a single farm payment penalty in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that one of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. As the person named applied submitted an application for a review of my Department’s decision, a visit by a Department official to verify the position was necessary to progress the matter. This verification visit was conducted and the file is being processed. The applicant will be informed of the findings of the verification visit as soon as possible.
194. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a 2013 single farm payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/14]
View answerA review of the land parcels declared by the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme revealed that several of the land parcels declared by the person named contained ineligible features. The person named was advised of this in a letter in October 2013. He subsequently sent in a letter of appeal in November 2013 but did not offer any substantive information regarding the ineligible features. To this end, the appeal was rejected and the person named was advised of the outcome in a letter dated 3 February 2014. The person named has been advised of his right to appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office. To date there is no record of any appeal.
195. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if licences will be renewed for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20765/14]
View answerThe applications referred to by the Deputy are in respect of sites located within Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site). An Appropriate Assessment has to be carried out before any aquaculture licensing determination may be made in respect of aquaculture applications for sites in the bay.
The European Court of Justice declared in case C418/04 that, by failing to take all the measures necessary to comply with Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43 (Habitats Directive) in respect of authorisation of aquaculture programmes, Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under that Directive. In the negotiations to address the judgment a process was agreed with the European Commission which would lead to full compliance by Ireland with the relevant EU Directives. This process includes the following steps:
- a detailed data collection in 91 Bays/Estuaries
- detailed analysis of raw data collected
- setting of Conservation Objectives by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in respect of each site
- carrying out Appropriate Assessments of each licence application/fishery plan against the detailed Conservation Objectives set, and
- determination of Licences/Fisheries on the basis of the Appropriate Assessment and other relevant factors.
The carrying out of detailed surveys of marine habitats and species has been completed. Appropriate Assessments have been completed in respect of Castlemaine Harbour, Dundalk Bay, Roaringwater Bay, Lough Swilly, Donegal Bay, and Dungarvan Harbour and Appropriate Assessments are ongoing in other ‘Natura’ areas including Kenmare Bay. This process has begun to achieve meaningful results. In 2013, I made a total of 137 licence determinations, of which approximately 120 were in respect of sites in ‘Natura’ areas (i.e. Roaringwater Bay and Castlemaine). I expect to be in a position to make in excess of 200 determinations in 2014.
Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and you can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the determination of these aquaculture licence applications having regard to all the complexities involved.
196. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding discussions with Russia about a bilateral agreement for adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/14]
View answerEfforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. A delegation of Russian officials travelled to Ireland in October 2013 for further discussions on a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. The meeting was very positive and detailed discussions took place between the Russian officials and officials from my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the HSE. My Department prepared revised draft wording on a number of specific points which were forwarded to the Russian Authorities in February of this year. In transmitting these revisions it was suggested that should these revisions be acceptable to the Russian Federation, it would be useful for both sides to meet again for further discussions.
197. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the prescription levy in the near future for persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20749/14]
View answerMedical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to amend the prescription charge.
198. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint an additional orthodontic consultant to Letterkenny General Hospital; if not, the reason for same in view of the large number of patients on the waiting list for orthodontic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20619/14]
View answerThe Government has decided that the numbers employed across the public service must be reduced in order to meet fiscal and budgetary targets. In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. The revised working arrangements provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement are a pivotal element in this regard. Subject to approval by senior managers, arrangements are in place in the HSE to allow the recruitment of staff where it has been established that there is an urgent service requirement. In addition, the HSE continues to fill a significant number of development posts in line with service priorities identified by Government.
The HSE has been asked to examine the specific queries raised by the Deputy concerning Letterkenny General Hospital and to reply to him as soon as possible.
199. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontic consultants employed in Letterkenny General Hospital; if there has been a change in that number over the past two years; if there has been a change, the reason for that change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20620/14]
View answerThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
200. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive ambulance staff are also trained as paramedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20633/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
