Written Answers Nos. 158 - 162
158. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of single farm payments which are being paid to companies or other entities on foot of court orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24997/14]
View answerA total of 183 applicants under Single Payment Scheme are currently the subject of court or garnishee orders, whose payments are payable to a third party in accordance with the relevant orders.
159. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a disadvantaged payment area aid 2013 review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary in view of the new medical evidence as submitted to the Department on 21 May 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25012/14]
View answerA decision will be made shortly in the case of the person named, mindful of the medical evidence in question, following which the person named will then be immediately advised, in writing, of the outcome of their appeal.
160. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the situation regarding eligible lands for single farm payment as it relates to unenclosed commonage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25061/14]
View answerMy Department, in the context of delivering the Single Payment Scheme, the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme and other area-based schemes, is required to carry out a comprehensive set of administrative and on the ground validation and verification checks to ensure that all scheme requirements and the provisions of the governing EU Regulations are fully complied before any payment issues. In the case of exclusively owned land, a permanent fence will normally define the area to be measured. The fencing requirement is one of a number of provisions provided for under the Terms and Conditions of the area-based schemes to ensure the lands declared for payment purposes are actively farmed by the applicant.
However, the situation may be different in the case of hill or commonage lands. In such situations, if my Department is satisfied that the lands in question continue to be actively farmed in the traditional manner by hill farmers in compliance with the requirements of the EU Regulations governing the Direct Payment Scheme, the issue does not arise. All of such lands are subject to both ground inspection and review of the ortho-imagery to ensure that the areas claimed are eligible.
161. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a combination of purchased and leased quota will qualify a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a dairy equipment scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25073/14]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the TAMS Dairy Equipment Scheme and lodged an application for grant aid with my Department on 18 December 2013. The application was initially rejected by my Department but, following an appeal, it has now been decided to accept it for processing. In this context, a combination of purchased and leased quota will not be an obstacle, subject to the other provisions of the Scheme having been complied with. The person concerned has been notified and has been requested to return his application so that processing of the application can recommence.
162. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of money allocated for the development of Dunmore East harbour, County Waterford; the work proposed to be done with this allocation; the amount of work to be done dredging the channel up the estuary towards Waterford beyond Dunmore East; if a cost-benefit analysis has been carried out on the proposed works; if so, the result of this cost-benefit analysis; the details of the consultation with local fishing interests in Dunmore East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25086/14]
View answerDunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre is one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, which are owned, managed and maintained by my Department. I am happy to inform the Deputy that a total of €4.45 million has been approved for works at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre under the 2014 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. The projects are as follows:
|
Project |
Approved Funding |
|
Safety & Maintenance |
€225,000 |
|
Disability Access |
€10,000 |
|
Harbour Dredging |
€4,000,000 |
|
Construction of Harbour Building Extension |
€220,000 |
A major part of the funding approved relates to dredging works at the Fishery Harbour Centre. This maintenance dredging operation will cover the harbour area itself and the short incoming channel. The works will not include dredging the channel towards Waterford as this area is not within the boundaries of the Fishery Harbour Centre. The necessity for these works has been noted for some time to support and develop the fishing industry as well as assist other harbour users. I am happy that I was in a position to make the necessary funds available this year to complete this essential harbour development.
No cost benefit analysis has been carried out on the project. Siltation of the harbour is a major problem in Dunmore East, and has been occurring continuously over the years. I have sanctioned this dredging operation having had regard to the following considerations.
- The FHC hasn’t been dredged for many years and recent siltation has seriously limited the available draught at the harbour entrance and throughout.
- Fishing vessels have also increased in size in recent years and this combined with the siltation seriously impedes their manoeuvrability.
- Vessels rest on the bed at low tide reducing their available time for fishing and a number of vessels have grounded in the middle of the harbour.
- The syncrolift is no longer usable due to siltation in this area.
- The lifeboat is restricted at low water.
The Request for Tender for the dredging project was published on 26 May with a closure date of 23 June. It is expected that the contract will commence in early August.
There is regular consultation between local fishing groups and individuals and the Harbour Master, in addition there is also a regular Harbour Users Forum meeting attended by local fishing interests, other harbour users and officials from my Department. The last meeting was held on the 2nd of Oct 2013 in Dunmore East. These interactions inform decisions on new developments at the Harbour.
The development and upkeep of Dunmore East as a state of the art Fishery Harbour Centre, supporting a broad range of marine related activities is and will remain an ongoing process. The dredging of the harbour together with the funding of the other developments outlined is part of a long term strategy to deliver on the potential of Dunmore East for job creation and as a tourist destination.
